On 14 June 2026, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, issued a decree establishing the Federal Authority for Artificial Intelligence and Data. The decree takes effect immediately. The Authority reports directly to the UAE Cabinet.
The decree merges three existing federal bodies into one: the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office, the Information and Digital Government Sector of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and the Emirates Data Office. The Authority issues national AI and data governance standards and sets federal data management policies. It oversees data quality and sharing across federal entities and supervises AI-powered national data platforms. Minister Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, leads the body.
Federal ministries and government agencies must align their digital programmes with Authority directives and standards. Private AI deployers and data processors serving UAE government entities must meet the Authority's data governance standards. Platform operators running licensed AI systems in the UAE must comply with Authority guidelines. Virtual Asset Service Providers using AI in customer operations fall within the Authority's cross-sector data mandate.
The Authority's powers over private-sector AI remain undefined pending secondary legislation or regulatory circulars. Its relationship to emirate-level bodies, including the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and the Dubai AI and Web3 Campus, was not addressed in the founding decree. Further instruments will clarify enforcement tools and licensing competencies for the private sector.
Licentium advises AI developers, digital government contractors, and VASP licensees on UAE regulatory requirements. Our partner network includes UAE-based counsel with experience before TDRA, VARA, and federal ministries; contact us to discuss advisory needs. Work we undertake includes AI governance programme design, VASP licensing, data protection compliance, and digital government procurement advisory.