Dubai drives urban governance transformation with data and AI, ranking second globally in the BCG Smart City Index.

On October 28, Fortune reported that the Dubai government agency Digital Dubai is driving government transformation through the integration of cross-departmental data and AI. In April this year, the agency launched an AI integration matrix framework, using it to guide the deployment of over 100 AI systems to reduce redundant construction. Its Dubai Population Now platform integrates multi-source data from residency, transportation, healthcare, and other sectors to estimate the population in real time. By the end of 2025, Dubai's permanent resident population stood at 4.58 million, with an average daytime peak of 6.39 million, leaving a surplus of 1.81 million people that accounts for approximately 40% of the permanent residents. In August, Dubai ranked second globally among 61 cities in the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Smart City Index, taking the top spot for AI technology and smart city solution adoption. The Dubai government also stated that AI-driven government initiatives aim to generate over 10 billion dirhams (approximately $2.72 billion) in GDP growth within two years of operation.