The Abu Dhabi Executive Council convened its initial session of 2026 under the chairmanship of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marking the debut deployment of an agentic AI platform to support meeting preparations and outcomes. According to the Emirates News Agency, the platform handled agenda formulation, live summarization of discussions and production of detailed reports for council members. The meeting addressed priorities in economic development, infrastructure projects and public service enhancements across the emirate. This step reflects Abu Dhabi’s alignment with national initiatives to integrate advanced AI into governance structures.[[1]](https://www.wam.ae/en/article/c2ajdyz-khaled-bin-mohamed-bin-zayed-chairs-first-abu)
The agentic AI platform operates as an autonomous system capable of executing tasks with minimal oversight, according to descriptions provided in the Emirates News Agency coverage of the session. Council participants included senior officials responsible for key portfolios, who examined proposals tied to the emirate’s strategic plans. A McKinsey survey on AI in the GCC found that 60 percent of organizations are already using AI agents to some extent, placing the council’s adoption within a wider regional trend.[[2]](https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-state-of-ai-in-gcc-countries-in-pursuit-of-scale-and-value) The session produced directives aimed at accelerating digital transformation efforts within Abu Dhabi government entities.
UAE federal authorities have targeted transitioning 50 percent of government services and operations to agentic AI models within two years, a framework announced by the Cabinet in April 2026 under directives from President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, stated during a subsequent retreat that the initiative builds on the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy launched in 2017 and positions the UAE as the first government to implement the transformation at this scale. The plan includes training 80,000 federal employees in agentic AI tools, with performance evaluations linked to adoption progress across ministries.[[3]](https://www.arabianbusiness.com/business/technology/mohammad-al-gergawi-unveils-uae-agentic-ai-strategy-for-government-overhaul)[[4]](https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/05/18/uae-to-train-80000-government-workers-in-agentic-ai-under-high-tech-drive/) Global studies cited by Al Gergawi suggest AI could improve workforce productivity by more than 40 percent in certain sectors.
The National AI Strategy 2031 projects that artificial intelligence will contribute AED 335 billion to the UAE economy, supporting the target of a AED 3 trillion economy by 2031, according to official strategy documents referenced in multiple government announcements. In the Abu Dhabi meeting, the council reviewed how local implementation of these national goals could enhance efficiency in areas such as regulatory processes and service delivery. The Emirates News Agency indicated that the agentic AI platform will be refined based on feedback from this inaugural use to expand its functions in subsequent sessions.[[5]](https://theaiinsider.tech/2026/08/10/uae-national-ai-strategy-2031-decoded/)
Abu Dhabi’s move forms part of a national digital government strategy that the World Bank has highlighted for its emphasis on AI-native institutions and open data platforms to improve resident services. The council session also considered alignment with broader GCC benchmarks, where a PwC review earlier placed the UAE among the most active in government digital transformation. Further details on approved initiatives from the meeting will be published in forthcoming official updates, the Emirates News Agency noted.[[6]](https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstreams/add42b7b-2114-4d29-aa68-27adf39c0806/download)
