While countries are defining what AI-powered government services could look like, Abu Dhabi has already built it.
At the heart of the transformation is Tamm, an AI-powered super app that is setting the global standard for smart, seamless and citizen-first governance.
From renewing your car registration to accessing more than 1,000 public and private services with just a few taps, Tamm, led by the Department of Government Enablement -Abu Dhabi, acts as a one-stop shop for government services, including transport, health care, housing and police services.
Dr Mohamed Al Askar, director general of Tamm, said the app caters to 3.2 million Abu Dhabi citizens, residents and businesses, who made more than 12.7 million transactions annually, ranging from paying traffic fines to getting marriage licences.
"This experience is unique. It is setting the global benchmark for what an AI-powered, government app can look like," Dr Al Askar told The National. "It is transforming how we interact with the public, and we were delighted to see recent praise for Tamm on the world stage."
His comments come following praise the app received in the US Senate from Brad Smith, vice chairman and president of Microsoft.
"Remember when you had a fender bender in a car and you had to fill out all these forms to get insurance coverage," Mr Smith told a US Senate commerce, science and transport committee hearing. "Now you can do it all, with one AI system, you can use your phone - and by the way, you can do this today in Abu Dhabi. We need to bring it to America," Mr Smith enthused.
One app - consider it done
The word Tamm in Arabic means “consider it done”.
“Tamm is a mobile application and gateway to more than 1,000 services. It offers one unified and unique customer experience,” Dr Al Askar told The National.
Some of Tamm’s popular features include certificate attestation, car licence and registration renewal, EID renewal, and utility bill payments, in partnership with companies such as Du, e& and Salik.
“We want to be ahead of the game in the digital age if we consider ourselves as a benchmark of the world. It is simple idea that government is here to serve people and this is the vision of our leadership,” Dr Al Askar added.
With Tamm’s AI assistant, finding answers to even the most complex government processes has become effortless for customers.
The AI assistant, a voice-enabled, intelligent concierge, handles 77 per cent of requests instantly.
More than 700,000 users have interacted with the AI-assistant since its launch in October 2024.
It learns from user behaviour and scored a 92 per cent customer satisfaction rate as of April.
“It is a unique experience that is not available globally. It is a lifestyle app with time assistant. You can ask questions and interact, finish the service with AI assistant at your fingertips,” Dr Al Askar said.
For example, car renewal used to take days, but with Tamm there is no waiting in lines, other than the inspection of the car.
The system recommends the right type of insurance policy and synchronises it with registration.
The main feature of the app is the pay for all button, meaning you can pay for all bills in just one click.
“This is convenience to the customer that was difficult to do this in the past,” Dr Al Askar said.
Ruba Al Hassan, director general of strategic affairs and future foresight, said Tamm has one advanced feature called snap and report, that allows people to report issues across Abu Dhabi.
“People can use the feature to report potholes, traffic light malfunction or road damage by taking a photo and letting the AI assistant in the app handle the rest,” Ms Al Hassan said.
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Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
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Power: 181bhp
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Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
RESULTS
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
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Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
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Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
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The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
