Generative AI Adoption Among Dubai Government Employees took center stage during Dubai AI Week 2025, as the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) and Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) launched a pivotal new report.
The study is the first of its kind to assess how public sector professionals in Dubai perceive and use generative AI. Spanning responses from 1,531 employees across 34 government departments, the report delivers a comprehensive look at generative AI integration at all levels—from top-tier management to frontline workers.
Fieldwork conducted between October 2023 and October 2024 involved both surveys and in-depth interviews with Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers, providing insight into task automation trends and exposure risks across job roles.
According to the findings, 94% of public servants express optimism about generative AI’s role in enhancing government efficiency. Around 64% already use the technology at an intermediate or advanced level, with nearly all users reporting benefits such as time savings and productivity boosts.
Common applications include email drafting, research support, and content creation, with expert users applying generative AI to more complex tasks. Yet, challenges remain. Inaccuracies, biased outputs, data privacy concerns, and performance inconsistencies are among the top issues flagged.
His Excellency Abdulla Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of the DGHR, emphasised the role of generative AI in shaping a flexible, innovative, and proactive government workforce. The report is part of a larger effort to equip Dubai’s public sector with digital skills, innovation-driven mindsets, and ethical AI governance practices.
Meanwhile, MBRSG Executive President, Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri, reiterated the school’s dedication to public sector innovation. The report underscores their mission to lead AI policy development through research, capacity building, and executive education—such as their AI Ethics Assessment program delivered in partnership with IEEE.
Interestingly, 55% of employees shared concerns over potential job displacement, with less concern reported among those holding higher educational qualifications. The study also identifies education level and specialization as major predictors of AI exposure in job functions.
Crucially, the report recommends comprehensive policy shifts: mandatory training on generative AI, ethical framework implementation, skills taxonomies, and collaborative data ecosystems. It stresses that effective AI integration depends on ethics, education, and coordinated governance among Dubai’s government bodies.
For public sector entities around the world, Dubai’s approach offers a data-backed roadmap toward harnessing generative AI for smarter, more resilient government operations.
