The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, in collaboration with Dubai Digital Authority, organized a high-level national forum that engaged all strategic partners, along with representatives from federal and local government entities, private institutions, and esteemed leaders and decision-makers. The forum served as a vital platform to showcase inspiring success stories in the country’s digital transformation journey, with a particular focus on the Digital Identity project, which has become an essential aspect of daily life for individuals.
The Digital Identity was a central theme of the event, highlighting its evolution over the years as a major factor in the shift towards digitizing life in the UAE. This project represents a prime example of comprehensive partnership among the community, federal and local authorities, and the private sector. The initiative was developed in collaboration with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, the Government Empowerment Department in Abu Dhabi, and Dubai Digital Authority. This collaborative journey has led to widespread usage of the Digital Identity, with over 11 million users, cementing its status as a fundamental element in the daily lives of residents and visitors alike.
The advanced technology and user-friendly features of the Digital Identity align with the vision of “We are the UAE 2031,” which aims to establish a pioneering and superior system through a forward-looking government that focuses on results, exhibits flexibility, leverages capabilities, and is built upon a connected and superior technological infrastructure.
The Digital Identity is one of the initiatives endorsed by the UAE’s annual government meetings and is a crucial component of the digital ecosystem. Among its many features, it offers a single sign-on that allows users to navigate from one service to another without needing to create a new account or enter and save passwords. The Digital Identity also includes a digital wallet that enables the request and sharing of official documents among relevant service providers, along with digital signatures and seals. Additionally, it is enhanced by artificial intelligence, utilizing biometric facial recognition for identity verification.
Services
Currently, there are over 15,000 services available through the Digital Identity, provided by more than 350 entities, including over 140 from the private sector. The common digital system for federal government services links over 180 government agencies and several private institutions, enabling more than 2.6 billion digital transactions, 600 million logins, and over 17 million document shares via the digital wallet, with a 96% customer satisfaction rate for using the Digital Identity.
Last year marked a significant turning point in the adoption of the Digital Identity, with over 16 million verified documents exchanged through the system. The Digital Identity has played a crucial role in executing the government’s strategy to eliminate bureaucracy across various sectors.
During the event, the launch of the Future Technologies Observatory initiative was announced. This strategic initiative aims to support government entities in the UAE by providing forward-looking guidance on emerging technologies and steering technology adoption while enhancing a knowledge-based ecosystem.
A glimpse into the AI Leaders Program was also shared, which seeks to equip UAE government employees with practical skills in artificial intelligence through a five-month training course in collaboration with the National University of Singapore, ranked among the world’s top universities. The program focuses on empowering participants to effectively use AI-based technologies in their daily operations.
New Summit
Engineer Majid Sultan Al-Mansoori, Director General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, stated that the achievements of the Digital Identity reflect the practical efforts of the unified team across governmental bodies. Together, we have created a results-driven government model centered around human needs. We are now at a new summit, preparing to reach even greater heights in our digital transformation towards a future that befits the UAE, guided by the vision of our wise leadership and supported by our national competencies that have embraced empowerment and cultivated advanced digital expertise. The Digital Identity stands as an undeniable testament that working in unity as a national team is the key to shortening timelines, overcoming challenges, and achieving milestones that strengthen our beloved nation’s leadership and establish its prominent position among nations in digital transformation.
He added, “Today, as we celebrate the launch of the Future Technologies Observatory, we are establishing a national platform to monitor and analyze global technology trends, equipping decision-makers with the knowledge necessary to shape leading initiatives that solidify the country’s position in adopting the latest technologies. We are also witnessing the graduation of the first cohort of the AI Leaders Program, which represents a strategic investment in human capital and prepares a generation of Emiratis capable of leading innovation and digital transformation in the most advanced fields. Together, these achievements exemplify the UAE’s approach of combining future foresight with the development of national competencies, enhancing its global competitiveness in technology and the digital economy.
Achievements
<p) Humaid Obaid Al-Mansoori, Director General of Dubai Digital Authority, commented, "Today, we celebrate the accomplishments of national digital projects, notably the Digital Identity, which illustrates the role of technology as a tool for facilitating life and enhancing service quality. The Digital Identity has become a model for effective partnership between the government, society, and the private sector, and a pillar of the UAE’s journey towards building a smarter and more integrated future."
He further stated, “The increase to 11 million users of the Digital Identity reflects user trust in the system and underscores its vital role in simplifying their lives and enabling them to complete digital services and experiences rapidly and cohesively. At Dubai Digital Authority, we are committed to launching pioneering initiatives to solidify Dubai’s status as a global model in delivering services and adopting artificial intelligence technologies, shaping a digital future that enhances quality of life and human happiness in line with our wise leadership’s directives. We will continue to strengthen partnerships and foster collaboration among various stakeholders in alignment with principles of inclusivity, integration, and unity for the future, always aiming to facilitate the lives of people and support the foundations of the digital economy in both Dubai and the UAE as a whole, leveraging advanced digital solutions and the latest intelligent technologies.