Artificial intelligence has consistently redefined the boundaries of technological capability, but a new horizon is now opening up in the realm of governance and institutional planning.
Moving beyond traditional tools that merely respond to instructions, the focus has firmly shifted towards systems capable of unprecedented autonomy. Recognising this monumental shift, the United Arab Emirates has taken a leading role in a pivotal global dialogue. In a partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF), the nation is spearheading the development of the Global Principles for Strategy in the Agentic AI Era. This pioneering framework is designed to guide how governments and major institutions redesign their strategic planning processes and utilise artificial intelligence to make better decisions.
The shift towards agentic capabilities
At the heart of this international initiative is the rapid emergence of agentic AI.
This crucial dialogue officially opens on the 13th of October 2026, coinciding with the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders in Dubai. This gathering provides a vital platform for a new generation of leaders to shape the future by creating bold opportunities within a volatile global landscape. Furthermore, the development of these principles stands as one of the cornerstone initiatives of the Global Strategic Intelligence Programme, a longstanding and deeply collaborative partnership between the UAE and the WEF.
Redefining strategic intelligence
The Global Strategic Intelligence Programme is designed to strengthen the comprehensive capabilities of governments in the areas of strategic intelligence, future foresight, and critical decision-making.
The core objectives of the programme include:
Strengthening the ability of governments to anticipate rapid global changes.
Enhancing institutional resilience and overall strategic readiness.
Institutionalising an integrated approach to future foresight.
Ensuring that decision-making is consistently driven by robust data, rigorous analysis, and concrete evidence.
A vision for proactive governance
Her Excellency Huda Al Hashimi, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs, affirmed that the UAE’s leadership of this international dialogue is a direct reflection of the nation’s forward-looking vision. She highlighted the country’s pioneering role in shaping the future of strategic government work on a worldwide scale. By bringing together a coalition of experts, senior decision-makers, and thought leaders, the UAE seeks to develop shared principles that can keep pace with the exceptionally rapid advancements currently occurring in artificial intelligence.
Her Excellency further explained that developing these principles represents a distinctly proactive step towards expanding the use of artificial intelligence in building more integrated and adaptable government systems. The initiative is focused on fostering advanced operating models that leverage cutting-edge technology to significantly improve the quality of decision-making. Ultimately, the objective is to transform insights and data-driven knowledge into tangible outcomes that enhance the daily lives of individuals and their communities.
Establishing an international reference framework
Stephan Mergenthaler, Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer of the World Economic Forum, emphasised the profound impact of this transition, stating:
“Agentic AI is fundamentally transforming how governments anticipate change, assess possibilities and make consequential strategic decisions. The Global Principles for Strategy in the Agentic AI Era represent a critical opportunity to establish a shared global framework that ensures these powerful capabilities are developed and deployed responsibly. By aligning around clear principles, we can empower institutions to navigate complexity with greater foresight, respond with greater agility and make decisions with greater confidence.”
The ambition of this dialogue extends far beyond the mere adoption of new technology. These principles are explicitly intended to become a definitive new international reference point, empowering governments to cope more effectively with future change whilst ensuring autonomous artificial intelligence is utilised effectively and responsibly.
Shaping strategy in the Agentic AI era
Huda Al Hashimi attends a session during the AMGFL 2026.
