International officials and experts discuss the role of innovation and artificial intelligence in future governments

International officials and experts have confirmed that innovation and artificial intelligence have become a pivotal pillar in redesigning governance and decision-making models, enhancing the readiness of governments to keep pace with rapid transformations and build more efficient, flexible and confident systems.

This came during sessions focusing on “future governments” within the work of the World Government Summit 2026. Participants discussed ways to develop government performance, accelerate digital transformation, employ advanced technologies to serve communities, and formulate more sustainable policies.

The speakers agreed that artificial intelligence does not represent a threat to government work, but rather an opportunity to make smarter decisions, improve the quality of services, and build governments capable of moving from response to proactive.

Patrick J. McGinnis, author of the book Fear of Missing Out, discussed in the session “Are Governments Fearful of Missing Opportunities?”, the challenges of government decision-making in light of accelerating global changes, explaining the duality of “FOMO,” the fear of missing out, and “FOLO,” the fear of making a wrong decision.

He pointed out that “FOMO” may push governments to make hasty decisions without legislative or institutional preparedness, while “FOLO” leads to paralyzing hesitation and loss of opportunities, stressing that the solution lies in calculated experimentation, setting priorities, and distinguishing between real opportunities and global noise.

The session discussed “How do countries maintain their digital sovereignty?” Cybersecurity and data protection issues, with the participation of John Jia Matteo, CEO of BlackBerry, who reviewed the company’s transformation into a global provider of cybersecurity solutions based on artificial intelligence.

He explained that BlackBerry is developing platforms to protect vital systems in the government and defense sectors and the Internet of Things, in a way that enhances digital sovereignty and reduces dependence on external structures. He pointed out that reservations in adopting artificial intelligence still exist in vital sectors due to privacy concerns and the security of algorithms, which requires gradual adoption within clear regulatory frameworks.

The session, “Beyond Proactive Government…The Next Model for Governments,” touched on the features of the new generation of governance based on data, innovation, and partnerships with the private sector.

Ignacio Garcia Alves, CEO and Global Chairman of Arthur D. Little, stressed the importance of building governments that are more people-centered, capable of anticipating future needs and achieving long-term development.

Jon Huntsman, Vice Chairman and Head of Strategic Growth for MasterCard, pointed out that fear of artificial intelligence is a natural reaction, stressing that it is an enabling tool for improving decision-making if used within clear ethical and governance frameworks.

For his part, Khaled Murshid, CEO of E&Enterprise, stressed that adopting artificial intelligence is no longer an option for governments, but rather a necessity to redesign services and build a more efficient and confident future, stressing the importance of partnership between the government and private sectors.

The session discussed “How does artificial intelligence enhance the role of governments and societies?” The role of smart technologies in improving the quality of government services and enhancing societal impact.

Scott Guthrie, Executive Vice President of the Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence Group at Microsoft, said that artificial intelligence has become an essential pillar in the fields of government, education, energy and industry, with a special focus on the health sector in improving diagnosis, accelerating drug discovery, and supporting medical decision-making.

He stressed that cloud solutions contribute to raising the quality of health care, expanding access to services, and enhancing the readiness of systems for crises.

In turn, Ping Xiao, CEO of the G42 Group, stressed that artificial intelligence is a strategic tool to raise the efficiency of government operations and enhance transparency, stressing the responsible and ethical use of modern technologies.

He pointed out that the UAE has become a global model in integrating artificial intelligence into services and transforming technology into a part of daily life.

Dr. Muhammad Al-Ali, CEO of the Trends Center for Research and Consultation, said in the session “Future Directions from the Perspective of Global Think Tanks” that the world stands at a complex crossroads, as geopolitical, technological and economic transformations no longer move in isolation from each other.

He explained that the concept of power is no longer limited to military or economic capabilities, but rather has become 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 link between knowledge and decision-makers.

Also speaking at the session were Naveen Girishankar, Head of the Department of Economic Security and Technology at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Dr. John Bruni, Founder and CEO of SAGE International, Hock Joo Kwon, President of the Korea Institute of Public Administration, Sultan Al-Ali, Vice President of the Dubai Office Sector at the Trends Center for Research and Consulting, Frederick Kemp, Chairman and CEO of the Atlantic Council, and Professor Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Library of Alexandria.

The speakers stressed that decision-makers need artificial intelligence tools and the availability of data to help them plan and issue decisions, which is what major research centers in the world are currently doing.

They stated that proper planning requires relying on researchers and specialists in research centers to obtain audited information and data that contribute to successful decision-making.