Digital Dubai has announced a major initiative to enhance its workforce with AI capabilities through a collaboration with Microsoft. The announcement follows Microsoft’s recent confirmation that Microsoft 365 Copilot will now support local data processing within the United Arab Emirates.
As a global leader in digital transformation, Digital Dubai is spearheading the adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot across government entities. This unified implementation places Digital Dubai among the first government organisations worldwide to deploy localized AI solutions at scale. The initiative ensures employees across departments gain access to AI tools that optimize workflows, support informed decision-making, and strengthen collaboration—while upholding stringent data security and regulatory requirements.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, said, “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.’
Al Mansoori added, “We believe that empowering employees with artificial intelligence capabilities contributes effectively to empowering society as a whole, advancing the process of shaping the future, and achieving human happiness. We will therefore ensure this partnership serves Dubai government entities by empowering their employees and equipping them with the robust capabilities of Microsoft’s AI ecosystem.”
The introduction of Microsoft 365 Copilot with in-country data processing provides significant benefits, including lower latency, improved performance, and full alignment with the UAE’s AI Policy. The initiative establishes a new standard for innovation and efficiency in the public sector, strengthening Dubai’s ambitions for a future-ready government powered by secure and responsible AI.
“This is a pivotal moment in our partnership with the UAE,” said Amr Kamel, General Manager of Microsoft UAE. “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.”
The initiative builds on Microsoft’s ongoing investment to host Copilot interactions within its cutting-edge cloud data centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, further reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to AI sovereignty, cybersecurity, and responsible innovation. It aligns with national frameworks including the Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI and the Dubai AI Security Policy and is being implemented in close cooperation with the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC).
(Inputs from WAM)
