The UAE has placed artificial intelligence at the centre of government reform. In April 2026, the federal government announced a plan to shift 50% of government sectors, services and operations to Agentic AI within two years. These systems can act on tasks and support decisions with less human action. That scale creates a serious security challenge. A normal digital service may expose data or software to an attacker. An AI agent can also access tools and records, so a stolen account or bad instruction could cause wider harm.
The UAE updated its National Cyber Security Policy for Artificial Intelligence on 2 July 2026. The policy sets minimum rules for AI systems. It covers governance, infrastructure, model security, operational safety, AI attacks, threat detection and incident response. It also asks government bodies to keep a clear list of AI assets, protect model access, control model data, test systems and keep human oversight for critical decisions.
Data security sits at the heart of the UAE plan. The National Encryption Policy sets rules for data at rest and data in motion, key management and post-quantum cryptography. The National Data Exchange Security Policy also sets rules for access control, cryptography, network security, logs and system checks. Strict access rules can limit the damage from a stolen account or a bad model response.
The UAE also places strong value on national control over cloud and AI infrastructure. Abu Dhabi has expanded Microsoft 365 Copilot to 35,000 government staff across 27 government entities, with advanced data residency that keeps AI data use inside the UAE. Abu Dhabi also plans more than 1,000 AI agents across the public sector and hundreds of AI use cases. This model gives government stronger control over sensitive data, legal jurisdiction and access rights.
The scale of the threat remains high. UAE Cybersecurity Council figures show 90,000 to 200,000 breach attempts against UAE infrastructure each day. By February 2026, authorities had recorded 128 confirmed cyber threat incidents since the start of the year. The council said 71.4% of threats had a state-sponsored source.
The UAE also plans to use AI as part of its cyber defence. Its AI cyber policy calls for real-time threat detection, predictive analysis, automated response and digital forensics for AI incidents. This matters when attacks can move at machine speed. AI-based defence can sort large volumes of signals, find unusual behaviour and support a faster response.
Technology alone cannot secure an AI-powered government. The UAE has launched a federal programme for 80,000 employees across ministries and government bodies to gain Agentic AI skills. Staff need clear rules for data access, AI decisions, model limits and cyber incidents. Human control also remains vital for high-risk decisions. A government AI system should not receive broad power simply to save time.
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The UAE has created a strong base for AI security, with national policy, data controls, sovereign infrastructure, cyber defence and staff skills. The next test will come as the number of AI agents rises. Each agent will need clear identity, limited access, strong audit logs and strict rules for action. A central national structure can also help ministries follow the same security rules. It can set common standards, review high-risk systems and support a fast response when one agency faces a serious attack. The goal is not only to stop hackers from reaching a government system. The goal is to stop a compromised AI system with more power than it should have. With 50% of government work targeted for Agentic AI, that distinction will shape the security of the UAE’s digital state.