On 14 June 2026, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the creation of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority — a new federal body that will operate under direct Cabinet supervision. Its appointment of Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, as Chairman signals that this is a senior-level, whole-of-government initiative rather than a departmental reshuffle.
The Authority consolidates three previously separate entities: the Office of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; the Digital Government Sector within the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority; and the UAE Data Office. Its mandate covers national AI strategy, government data quality and accessibility, digital service delivery, standards and compliance across federal entities, and international partnerships in AI and data governance.
What this means for our clients
For founders setting up in the UAE, the practical implication is a single point of authority for anything touching AI policy, government data access, and digital compliance. Businesses that work with federal data systems, operate AI-driven products, or seek government contracts will typically need to align with standards and guidelines issued by this Authority. We expect the consolidation to reduce the ambiguity that sometimes arose from overlapping mandates across the three predecessor bodies.
The stated goal of increasing AI's contribution to UAE GDP also suggests that future licensing frameworks, freezone incentives, and regulatory sandboxes are likely to be shaped by this body. We are monitoring how its policies will interact with existing commercial licensing requirements — particularly for tech-sector clients incorporating in free zones such as DIFC, ADGM, or Dubai Internet City.
We will update our clients as the Authority publishes its national AI strategy and governance standards. In the meantime, you can read the original announcement via Economy Middle East at https://economymiddleeast.com/news/sheikh-mohammed-launches-new-uae-authority-for-ai-to-unify-data-digital-government-capabilities/, or contact Sirius Consulting to discuss how this development may affect your UAE structure.