The International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court has launched “Zayed,” an artificial-intelligence-powered spokesperson that the office says will communicate its initiatives, strategic priorities and global engagements through advanced digital technologies. The move places a government communications function, at least in part, in the hands of AI.
The office framed the launch as a new approach to institutional communications, using AI to deliver content and strategic messaging in what it described as a dynamic, accessible and future-oriented format. It did not detail the underlying technology or specify what form Zayed takes, but said the spokesperson would help broaden the reach of its communications and engage younger audiences.
“The UAE’s journey in artificial intelligence is rooted in a clear vision set by our leadership, a vision that sees innovation not simply as technological advancement, but as a force that empowers societies and strengthens human connection,” said Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court. She added that launching Zayed reflects “our commitment to embracing transformative technologies in ways that enhance the International Affairs Office’s communication and create deeper, more meaningful engagement with audiences across generations.”
The office tied the initiative to the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, the national plan that aims to position the country as a leading global hub for AI, advanced technologies and next-generation government services. It said the launch comes as the UAE continues to expand investment in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and what it called future economies, across governance, education, research and other strategic sectors.
The UAE has spent years cultivating that positioning. It appointed a minister of state for artificial intelligence in 2017 — among the first such government roles in the world — and has since backed homegrown AI research, including large language models developed by Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute and the graduate-level Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. An AI-powered spokesperson for a body within the Presidential Court extends that agenda into the symbolic terrain of official communications.
Governments and public institutions around the world have begun experimenting with AI avatars and generated presenters for public-facing communications, citing accessibility and round-the-clock engagement. Such efforts also raise questions — which institutions are still working through — about transparency, accuracy and oversight when an automated system speaks on behalf of an official body. The International Affairs Office said Zayed would contribute to communicating its work through a modern, innovative approach, creating new opportunities to reach younger generations.
