UAE Cabinet approves agentic AI roles and training for 80,000 federal employees

On 18 May 2026, the UAE Cabinet set out how ministries will deliver the plan to run half of federal government on agentic AI. It defined each ministry’s role, approved the first services to move, and launched a programme to train 80,000 federal employees, from ministers to new joiners. Sheikh Mohammed called it the largest training programme in the UAE government’s history.

What happened

WAM reported that the Cabinet approved a framework on 18 May setting out the roles and responsibilities of every ministry and federal entity in the Agentic AI Project.
WAM said phase one covers four categories of federal services: citizens’ services, residents’ services, business sector services and general public services.
Dubai Media Office quoted Sheikh Mohammed describing the 80,000-employee programme as the largest in the UAE government’s history, covering everyone from ministers and senior executives to new joiners.
WAM said the training runs across five categories: leadership, technical, specialist, general workforce, and train-the-trainers. It was developed with national universities and global technology companies.
Khaleej Times reported that a digital platform will build personalised learning paths based on each employee’s role and current skill level.
Gulf News, Emirates 24|7 and Dubai Media Office reported on 12 May that Sheikh Mohammed reviewed the project’s progress, a week before the Cabinet decision.

Summarised by Karaza from 8 sources. Claims are attributed to the outlet that made them.

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Read first

UAE Cabinet, chaired by Mohammed bin Rashid, approves federal framework for Agentic AI Project implementation

Government of Dubai Media Office Government · 18 May 2026

8 sources

Grouped by who reported it, newest first in each group

Local press · 5

The National Local press · AE · 18 May 2026
UAE to train 80,000 government workers in Agentic AI under high-tech drive
Khaleej Times Local press · AE · 18 May 2026
'UAE Government 4.0': Cabinet approves project to train 80,000 employees in Agentic AI
Arabian Business Local press · AE · 18 May 2026
UAE to train 80,000 government employees in agentic AI
Emirates 24|7 Local press · AE · 12 May 2026
Mohammed bin Rashid reviews UAE plan to deploy Agentic AI across 50% of government services
Gulf News Local press · AE · 12 May 2026
Sheikh Mohammed reviews progress of project to deploy Agentic AI across 50% of government sectors within 2 years

Government · 3

Government of Dubai Media Office Government · AE · 18 May 2026 · Read first
UAE Cabinet, chaired by Mohammed bin Rashid, approves federal framework for Agentic AI Project implementation
WAM EN Government · AE · 18 May 2026
UAE Cabinet, chaired by Mohammed bin Rashid, approves roles, responsibilities framework for federal ministries and entities in implementing Agentic AI Project
Government of Dubai Media Office Government · AE · 12 May 2026
Mohammed bin Rashid reviews progress of project to deploy Agentic AI across 50% of government sectors within 2 years

8 sources

Local press · 5

Government · 3

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