Sharjah Trains Government Leaders to Drive Responsible AI Adoption

The Sharjah Digital Department (SDD), in collaboration with PwC Academy Middle East, has brought together 24 chief executives, directors-general and senior government leaders from 21 entities for a workshop focused on strengthening leadership readiness for artificial intelligence adoption across the emirate.

The “Executive Leadership in the Age of AI: From Strategy to Government Impact” workshop focused on helping government leaders identify practical opportunities for emerging technologies while ensuring that AI adoption remains aligned with government priorities, measurable outcomes and clear governance frameworks.

Sharjah Focuses on Practical AI Adoption

The workshop formed part of SDD’s broader efforts to strengthen leadership capabilities and advance data- and AI-driven transformation across Sharjah Government.

Participants examined how emerging technologies can be assessed based on clearly defined government needs, expected outcomes, technical readiness and potential value before being considered for wider implementation.

The session also highlighted the importance of moving beyond experimentation and ensuring that AI applications contribute to tangible improvements in government processes and services.

Governance and Human Oversight at the Centre

A key focus of the workshop was the need for governance, accountability and human oversight when deploying AI-enabled systems.

Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director-General of SDD, said successful AI adoption should be measured by its ability to address genuine needs and deliver tangible, measurable outcomes within a clear framework of accountability and governance.

He said government leaders must first identify the intended outcome, determine which tasks can be delegated to intelligent systems and establish the limits of their authority. Human oversight should also be clearly defined before moving from pilot projects to wider deployment.

Sharjah Builds on Digital Transformation Strategy

Sheikh Saud said Sharjah is developing its AI capabilities through an integrated approach, beginning with the Sharjah Digital Transformation Strategy 2026–2028.

The strategy is intended to align government priorities and strengthen integration across government entities.

Alongside this, the emirate is developing the Sharjah AI Assistant Programme through two parallel tracks. One focuses on raising awareness and encouraging early practical adoption, while the other identifies priority use cases, assesses the readiness of government entities and supports the development of governance frameworks for responsible and sustainable scaling.

Leaders Explore Framework for AI Deployment

The workshop provided government leaders with a practical framework for assessing AI opportunities.

The process begins with defining the problem and intended outcome, followed by evaluating potential technological solutions based on expected value and technical readiness. Governance requirements are then considered before implementation.

Participants also examined how responsibilities should be assigned within AI-enabled systems, including appropriate levels of decision-making authority and controls governing data access and use.

Government Entities to Retain Accountability

The workshop emphasised that introducing AI into government operations does not remove institutional responsibility for decisions and outcomes.

Government entities must retain ultimate accountability while establishing appropriate safeguards and human oversight mechanisms around AI systems.

The approach is designed to support responsible AI deployment while allowing government organisations to benefit from emerging technologies without losing control over critical decisions.

AI Adoption Linked to Better Government Services

Sheikh Saud said SDD is working with government entities to move beyond simply exploring the potential of artificial intelligence and instead identify applications capable of delivering genuine value.

He added that testing AI opportunities against clear governance criteria can contribute to improving government performance and enhancing people’s experience.

The workshop forms part of SDD’s wider efforts to build sustainable government capabilities and promote the responsible and effective use of data and artificial intelligence across Sharjah Government.