Digital Dubai Launches AI-Powered Productivity Initiative In Partnership With Microsoft

Digital Dubai has launched a significant initiative to equip its workforce with AI skills through a collaboration with Microsoft. This follows Microsoft's recent announcement about enabling local data processing for Microsoft 365 Copilot in the UAE. Digital Dubai is at the forefront of adopting this technology across government bodies, making it one of the first globally to implement localized AI capabilities on such a scale.

This initiative ensures that employees from various departments can utilise AI tools to streamline tasks, improve decision-making, and enhance collaboration. All these advancements are achieved while upholding top-tier data security and regulatory standards. The deployment of Microsoft 365 Copilot with local data processing offers benefits like reduced latency, improved performance, and full compliance with the UAE’s AI Policy.

Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, stated, "This partnership with Microsoft is part of a long-standing commitment to collaborate with major global corporations that serve our mutual goals of advancing AI-powered digital transformation for the benefit of people. We view Artificial Intelligence not merely as a tool, but as an engine for change dedicated to building a smart city that offers its residents proactive and holistic digital experiences, embodying the principle of 'City as a Service.'"

The collaboration aims to empower employees by integrating artificial intelligence into their daily operations. Al Mansoori emphasised that equipping employees with AI capabilities significantly contributes to societal empowerment and future development. He noted that this partnership would support Dubai government entities by providing their staff with robust tools from Microsoft’s AI ecosystem.

Amr Kamel, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, remarked on the significance of this collaboration: "This is a pivotal moment in our partnership with the UAE," he said. "By enabling in-country processing for Copilot, we are not only accelerating AI adoption across the public sector but also ensuring that Copilot interactions are stored and processed within national borders—aligned with the UAE’s digital goals. We are proud to collaborate with the UAE’s leadership in shaping a secure, responsible, and inclusive AI future."

Commitment to Secure and Responsible Innovation

This initiative aligns with national frameworks like the Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI and the Dubai AI Security Policy. It is being developed in close cooperation with the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC). The project builds on Microsoft's strategic investment in hosting Copilot interactions within its advanced cloud data centres located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

This move sets a new standard for innovation and productivity within the public sector. It strengthens Dubai's vision of establishing a future-ready government powered by secure and responsible artificial intelligence. The initiative underscores the UAE's dedication to maintaining AI sovereignty, cybersecurity, and responsible technological advancement.

With inputs from WAM