UAE Introduces AI-Generated Spokesperson for International Outreach
With the launch of Zayed, the country is testing how virtual representatives can support public communication at scale.
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[Image: Chetan Jha/MITSMR Middle East]
The UAE has introduced an AI-generated spokesperson named Zayed, expanding the government’s efforts to embed artificial intelligence into public administration and international engagement.
Developed for the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, Zayed will serve as a digital representative communicating the office’s priorities, initiatives, and policy positions to audiences in the UAE and abroad. The launch marks another step in the country’s efforts to integrate AI across government functions, including public services, communications, and citizen engagement.
The initiative reflects a growing shift among governments from using AI primarily as a back-office productivity tool toward deploying it in outward-facing roles that shape public interaction and institutional messaging. By creating a virtual spokesperson, the UAE is testing how generative AI can scale communications while maintaining consistent engagement across diverse audiences.
Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, said the project aligns with the country’s long-term vision of leveraging technology to strengthen societal connections and improve public communication. She described AI not merely as a technological advancement but as a tool capable of enhancing engagement between institutions and the communities they serve.
The launch comes as the UAE accelerates its national AI agenda. Earlier this year, the government announced plans to transform 50% of public-sector services and operations using agentic AI models within two years.
These initiatives show how governments are approaching AI adoption. Rather than focusing solely on operational efficiency, UAE authorities are exploring how AI can reshape the interface between citizens, institutions, and public information. The emergence of virtual government representatives such as Zayed raises broader questions about trust, transparency, and the future role of AI in public communication—issues that governments worldwide are increasingly likely to confront as generative AI becomes embedded in state functions.
The introduction of Zayed suggests that virtual representatives may become a more common feature of public-sector communication strategies as governments seek new ways to engage increasingly digital-first populations.
