Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi: Successful AI adoption is measured by how effectively it addresses real needs and delivers measurable outcomes within a clear governance framework.
Sharjah, 9 September 2026 – Sharjah Digital Department SDD organised the “Executive Leadership in the Age of AI: From Strategy to Government Impact” workshop, in collaboration with PwC Academy Middle East. The session brought together 24 chief executives, directors-general and senior leaders from 21 government entities across the Emirate of Sharjah.
The workshop formed part of SDD’s ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership capabilities and advance data- and AI-driven transformation across Sharjah Government. It focused on strengthening government leaders’ ability to assess opportunities for deploying emerging technologies and align them with identified needs and priorities. Participants explored how these technologies can support intended government outcomes.
The workshop also emphasised the principles of governance, accountability and human oversight in the design and implementation of technology-enabled solutions, with particular attention to the role of human oversight.
H.E. Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of SDD, stressed that successful AI adoption should be assessed against clear criteria, including its ability to address genuine needs and deliver tangible, measurable outcomes within a well-defined framework of accountability and governance.
Director General of SDD noted that the role of government leaders begins with identifying the intended outcome and determining which tasks may be delegated to intelligent systems. Leaders must define the limits of those systems’ authority and the points at which human oversight is required. Clear criteria should then be established before moving from pilot implementation to wider deployment.
H.E. said: “Sharjah has begun building this pathway through an integrated approach. The adoption of the Sharjah Digital Transformation Strategy 2026–2028 marked an important step towards aligning priorities and strengthening government integration”.
“This was followed by the development of the Sharjah AI Assistant Programme through two parallel tracks. The first focuses on raising awareness and encouraging early practical adoption. The second centres on identifying priority use cases and assessing the readiness of government entities. It also supports the development of governance frameworks for responsible and sustainable scaling.”
He added: “We are working with government entities to move beyond exploring the potential of artificial intelligence towards identifying opportunities that can deliver genuine value and testing them against clear governance criteria. This approach contributes to improving government performance and enhancing people’s experience. People remain at the heart of the technologies we develop and deploy.”
The workshop equipped government leaders with a practical approach to evaluating opportunities for AI adoption. The process begins with clearly defined needs and intended outcomes.
The participants explored how to select the most appropriate technological solutions based on expected value and technical readiness. Governance requirements were also considered before implementation. This approach supports the development of government processes and services while helping deliver measurable results.
The workshop also addressed key principles governing AI systems. These included the need to define responsibilities clearly and establish appropriate levels of authority. It also covered controls governing data access and use, as well as mechanisms for human oversight. These principles are intended to support the responsible deployment of AI while ensuring that ultimate accountability for decisions and outcomes remains with the relevant government entity.
The workshop formed part of SDD’s broader efforts aimed at building sustainable government capabilities. It also supported the responsible and effective adoption of data and artificial intelligence across government operations.
