Dubai’s residency directorate targets automated decision-making and real-time airport passenger tracking ahead of GITEX Global 2026.
DUBAI — August 24, 2026:Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has entered into a strategic partnership with global analytics and data giant SAS to integrate agentic artificial intelligence into its core operations, aiming to streamline complex government procedures and enhance border management.
A senior delegation from GDRFA Dubai recently visited SAS facilities to review practical applications of agentic AI—advanced systems capable of understanding objectives, autonomously planning multi-step actions, and executing tasks across complex data networks without step-by-step human intervention.
The initiative focuses on deploying next-generation operational tools, including real-time airport passenger movement analysis, AI-powered maritime rescue drones, digital twin modeling, intelligent knowledge repositories, and advanced analytics for border security. By replacing manual workflows with autonomous AI agents, the directorate aims to accelerate response times and significantly reduce administrative friction for residents and travelers.
Colonel Expert Khalid Ahmed Bin Madiya Al Falasi, Assistant Director-General for Digital Services at GDRFA Dubai, stated that digital transformation extends beyond adopting modern software to establishing an institutional model that anticipates future operational demands. Partnering with international tech leaders allows the directorate to translate emerging tools into practical, field-ready solutions.
As part of the implementation roadmap, GDRFA and SAS will host specialized joint workshops across various departmental sectors to evaluate technical requirements. Selected Proof-of-Concept (PoC) initiatives will be developed and tested internally, with verified operational results slated for presentation at GITEX Global 2026.
