- The session “Are Governments Afraid of Missing Opportunities?” addresses the challenges of governmental decision-making amid rapidly accelerating global changes.
- The session “How Do Countries Preserve Their Digital Sovereignty?” reviews key issues related to cybersecurity and data protection.
- The session “Beyond Proactive Government: The Next Model for Governments” emphasizes the importance of building more human-centric governments.
- The session “How Does Artificial Intelligence Enhance the Role of Governments and Societies?” discusses the role of smart technologies in improving the quality of government services.
- The session “Future Trends from the Perspective of Global Think Tanks” highlights the importance of artificial intelligence and knowledge in shaping sustainable decision-making.
United Arab Emirates, February 4, 2026: International officials and experts affirmed that innovation and artificial intelligence have become central pillars in redesigning governance models and decision-making processes, enhancing governments’ readiness to keep pace with rapid global transformations and to build more efficient, agile, and trusted systems.
This took place during sessions focused on “Governments of the Future” as part of the World Government Summit 2026, where participants discussed ways to enhance government performance, accelerate digital transformation, and leverage advanced technologies to serve communities and formulate more sustainable policies.
Speakers agreed that artificial intelligence does not pose a threat to government work; rather, it represents an opportunity to enable smarter decision-making, improve service quality, and help governments shift from reactive to proactive models.
Decisions Without Hesitation or Recklessness
During the session titled “Are Governments Afraid of Missing Opportunities?”, Patrick J. McGinnis, author of Fear of Missing Out, addressed the challenges of governmental decision-making amid rapidly accelerating global changes. He explained the dual concept of “FOMO” (fear of missing out) and “FOLO” (fear of locking in the wrong option).
He noted that FOMO can push governments toward rushed decisions without sufficient legislative or institutional readiness, while FOLO leads to paralyzing hesitation and missed opportunities. He emphasized that the solution lies in measured experimentation, clear prioritization, and the ability to distinguish real opportunities from global noise.
Digital Sovereignty and Cybersecurity
The session “How Do Countries Preserve Their Digital Sovereignty?” addressed cybersecurity and data protection issues, featuring John Giamatteo, Chief Executive Officer of BlackBerry, who highlighted the company’s transformation into a global provider of AI-powered cybersecurity solutions.
He explained that BlackBerry develops platforms to protect critical systems across government, defense, and Internet of Things sectors, strengthening digital sovereignty and reducing reliance on external infrastructures. He added that hesitation in adopting artificial intelligence persists in critical sectors due to concerns around privacy and algorithmic security, calling for gradual adoption within clear regulatory frameworks.
The Next Model of Government
The session “Beyond Proactive Government: The Next Model for Governments” explored the features of the next generation of governance based on data, innovation, and partnerships with the private sector.
Ignacio Garcia Alves, Global Chairman and CEO of Arthur D. Little, stressed the importance of building more human-centric governments capable of anticipating future needs and achieving long-term development.
John Huntsman, Vice Chairman and President of Strategic Growth at Mastercard, noted that fear of artificial intelligence is a natural reaction, emphasizing that AI is an enabling tool for better decision-making when used within clear ethical and governance frameworks.
Meanwhile, Khalid Murshed, CEO of e& enterprise, underscored that adopting artificial intelligence is no longer optional for governments but a necessity to redesign services and build a more efficient and trusted future, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships.
Artificial Intelligence
The session “How Does Artificial Intelligence Enhance the Role of Governments and Societies?” discussed the role of smart technologies in improving the quality of government services and strengthening societal impact.
Scott Guthrie, Executive Vice President of Cloud and AI at Microsoft, said that artificial intelligence has become a cornerstone across government, education, energy, and industry, with a particular focus on the healthcare sector in improving diagnostics, accelerating drug discovery, and supporting clinical decision-making.
He added that cloud solutions contribute to improving healthcare quality, expanding access to services, and enhancing system preparedness for crises.
In turn, Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, emphasized that artificial intelligence is a strategic tool for increasing the efficiency of government operations and enhancing transparency, stressing the importance of responsible and ethical use of advanced technologies.
He noted that the UAE has become a global model in integrating artificial intelligence into services and embedding technology into everyday life.
Global Think Tanks
During the session “Future Trends from the Perspective of Global Think Tanks,” Dr. Mohammed Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, said that the world is at a complex crossroads, where geopolitical, technological, and economic transformations are no longer evolving in isolation.
He explained that power is no longer limited to military or economic capabilities but is increasingly linked to the ability of countries and institutions to anticipate the future, manage risks, and formulate knowledge-based policies.
He emphasized the growing strategic role of think tanks as a bridge between knowledge and decision-makers.
The session also featured Navin Girishankar, Head of Economic Security and Technology at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); Dr. John Bruni, Founder and CEO of SAGE International; Hook-Ju Kwon, President of the Korea Institute of Public Administration; Sultan AlAli, Vice President of the Dubai Office at TRENDS Research & Advisory; Frederick Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council; and Professor Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Speakers stressed that decision-makers need artificial intelligence tools and data availability to support planning and policymaking—an approach already adopted by leading research centers worldwide.
They concluded that sound planning requires reliance on researchers and specialists at think tanks to access verified data and insights that contribute to effective and successful decision-making.
