Strategic Foresight: How the UAE’s Vision 2031 is Leveraging AI for Policy Innovation
The United Arab Emirates has long positioned itself as a pioneer in digital government, but its ambitions for the coming decade are even more striking. Through the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, the country is not only seeking to become a global leader in AI but is also fundamentally reimagining how policy is developed, implemented, and refined. This vision is closely aligned with the broader UAE Centennial 2071 agenda, which aspires to make the nation the best in the world by its centenary. At the heart of this transformation is the adoption of AI-enabled strategic intelligence platforms, a move that is already reshaping the future of public sector decision-making and governance on an international scale.
The recent launch of the “We the UAE for Strategic Intelligence 2031” platform at the World Economic Forum signals a new chapter in the integration of AI into government strategy. Developed in partnership with the World Economic Forum, this digital platform harnesses artificial intelligence to curate and analyse global knowledge resources, drawing on the expertise of international specialists across priority sectors. The goal is to provide UAE policymakers and strategists with a constantly updated, AI-powered knowledge base that supports evidence-based decision-making and anticipates emerging trends. By embedding strategic foresight into the heart of government, the UAE aims to enhance its flexibility, readiness for the future, and capacity for proactive policy design.
The UAE’s approach goes beyond simply digitising existing processes. AI is being used to fundamentally transform how legislation is created, amended, and managed. The establishment of the Regulatory Intelligence Office marks a significant step in this direction. Here, advanced AI systems are tasked with analysing vast databases of laws, judicial rulings, and executive procedures. These systems are designed not only to identify legal gaps and monitor the real-time impact of legislation but also to benchmark against global standards and even draft initial legislative provisions. Officials anticipate that this technology could accelerate the legislative process by up to 70%, making regulations more adaptive and responsive to the fast-changing needs of society and the economy.
The practical applications of AI in the UAE government are already visible across a range of sectors. From dynamically adjusting transport timetables and deploying smart traffic sensors to using AI-driven chatbots for citizen services, the government is testing and scaling innovations that improve efficiency and user experience. The National Strategy for AI 2031 identifies priority areas such as energy, logistics, tourism, healthcare, and cybersecurity, with the intention of extending AI transformation across all sectors in the years ahead. This holistic approach is supported by investments in data infrastructure, talent development, and robust governance frameworks to ensure that AI is deployed ethically and securely.
Importantly, the UAE’s model emphasises the partnership between human judgment and machine intelligence. While AI systems provide speed, scale, and analytical power, human oversight remains central to ensuring fairness, transparency, and alignment with societal values. The government’s proactive stance on data privacy, security, and regulatory oversight reflects a recognition that public trust is essential for the long-term success of AI-driven policy innovation.
As governments worldwide grapple with the challenges of rapid technological change, the UAE’s experience offers valuable lessons. By investing in strategic foresight, embracing AI as a tool for continuous learning and adaptation, and fostering collaboration between global experts and local leaders, the UAE is setting a new standard for public sector innovation. The journey to 2031 is still unfolding, but the foundations being laid today are likely to influence not only the future of the Emirates but also the global conversation on how technology can serve society through smarter, more agile governance.