UAE’s Distinctive AI Approach: Embedding Policy, Ethics, and Infrastructure into National Vision
As governments and businesses race to adopt artificial intelligence at scale, a central question is emerging: how do humans and AI agents work together without compromising trust, safety, or innovation? This question was at the heart of a high-level discussion at the World Government Summit’s AI Forum, where global technology leaders explored how autonomous AI agents are reshaping productivity and the need for guardrails, sovereignty, and human oversight to evolve alongside technological advancements.
From Automation to Agentic Collaboration
Panelists agreed that the next phase of AI is shifting from isolated tools to teams of intelligent agents collaborating with humans. Simon de Montfort Walker, Executive Vice President of Industry Applications at Oracle, described this shift as an evolution of automation, moving clerical and repetitive tasks away from people and placing humans at the center of decision-making.
“The goal is to remove the clerical work and let humans manage outcomes,” he stated, emphasizing that organizations are deploying specialized AI agents with defined roles to work together like a digital assembly line. Walker highlighted the importance of data readiness, noting that organizations investing early in organizing and exposing their data are advancing in real-world AI adoption.
Telecoms, Infrastructure, and AI at Scale
Masood Mohamed Sharif, CEO of e& UAE, discussed the unique implications of AI agents for telecom operators, who sit at the intersection of connectivity, compute power, and data. As e& transforms from a traditional telco into a “techco,” Sharif explained that AI impacts the business on three levels: infrastructure enablement, internal operations, and customer relationships.
AI, he noted, requires ultra-low-latency connectivity, massive compute capacity, and efficient routing, positioning telecom providers as critical players in building an “AI fabric.” e& has rolled out numerous AI use cases, from back-office automation to visual fault detection in home routers, achieving up to a 40% reduction in truck rolls.
Sharif clarified that large enterprises will not create their own AI models from scratch; instead, they will rely on partnerships with global technology providers and agile startups to deliver targeted, scalable solutions.
Collapsing Organizations, Accelerating Creation
Carl Pei, Co-founder and CEO of Nothing, shared insights on how AI agents are reshaping product development, particularly in software. He revealed that recent advances in AI coding tools enable even non-technical users to build fully functional applications, a feat that was not possible just a year ago.
“This collapses the traditional software stack,” Pei explained, predicting a future where an individual with user insight and design taste can create products that previously required entire teams of engineers, designers, and managers. He also described a future of “always-on” development, where AI agents continuously build, test, and refine software, transforming software creation into a process akin to manufacturing.
Guardrails, Sovereignty, and the Human Factor
As the conversation shifted to regulation, concerns were raised about avoiding a “wild west” scenario in AI development. Sharif emphasized the necessity for balance, stating, “Sovereignty doesn’t just mean owning a cloud; it encompasses cybersecurity, data privacy, ethical standards, human oversight, and preparation for future technologies like quantum computing.”
He cautioned that while guardrails are essential, over-regulation could stifle innovation during a critical global experimentation phase. Even with strong ethical frameworks, human intent remains the weakest link, with real-world examples of actors manipulating AI systems by bypassing safeguards.
Sharif stressed the importance of continuous monitoring, rapid response, and intensive human training alongside technical controls.
Why the UAE Stands Out
In closing, speakers highlighted the UAE’s distinctive approach to AI: its willingness to experiment boldly while embedding policy, ethics, and infrastructure into a unified national vision. Walker noted that few global forums effectively integrate policy ambition and technical execution at such depth, calling the UAE’s model both practical and globally relevant.
Sharif concluded on an optimistic note, describing AI’s impact as a “beautiful disruption” that will unlock new sectors, enhance productivity, and create previously unimaginable opportunities. The UAE is not only building for its own market but also investing in systems and standards that will benefit the global AI ecosystem.
