Abu Dhabi to refresh Tamm app as it pursues AI-native government goal

Abu Dhabi is set to release an upgraded version of the Tamm app in December, as part of its ambition to become the world's first AI-native government, a senior official has announced. The enhanced Tamm 5.0 app, to be unveiled at Dubai's Gitex Global technology expo, will offer increasingly intelligent services that are both proactive and personalized, according to Ruba Al Hassan, director general of the Department of Government Enablement (DGE).

The app currently boasts 4.7 million users, a figure that has surged by over 1.5 million in the past year, with around 90% of transactions finalized within a day.

Al Hassan, who leads strategic affairs and future foresight at the DGE, explained that the app represents a crucial step in transitioning from a digital government to an AI-native one, enabling the government to better understand context, anticipate needs, and facilitate easier access to services. The DGE has not disclosed the specific updates or new features for Tamm 5.0, but emphasized the importance of making the user experience even more seamless and reducing the effort required from residents, businesses, and visitors.

The DGE maintains its focus on transforming Abu Dhabi's government services into a fully AI-native platform by next year, with a deliberate emphasis on building this transformation responsibly. The agency has already demonstrated tangible progress through individual AI applications and the underlying foundations that support AI-native government capabilities, including data, infrastructure, digital services, workforce capability, and governance.

Despite the ongoing challenges associated with AI, such as the potential risks of rogue models and their impact on other systems, the DGE is committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of these technologies. The department is determined to create lasting value at scale by leveraging AI's capabilities today, while prioritizing trust, transparency, and human accountability in its adoption of AI.

Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, also addressed the audience at the conference, describing the current generation as the most powerful in human history due to the vast knowledge and intelligence available at their fingertips. He called for responsible use of AI, emphasizing that the real power lies in the application of this intelligence rather than mere coding skills.