Dubai Municipality has introduced Saeed, an AI-powered virtual spokesperson designed to communicate the authority’s services, announcements, and projects to the public across digital and physical channels.
Saeed has been built with Emirati features and wears national dress, a deliberate design choice the Municipality says reflects local culture while keeping the character approachable. His name, chosen for its associations with happiness and optimism, is intended to align with Dubai’s broader quality-of-life agenda. He speaks in Arabic and can switch to English, Urdu, and Chinese depending on the audience.
In practical terms, Saeed will appear at press conferences, in awareness videos, on Dubai Municipality’s official website and social media accounts, and eventually inside the “Hayakom” customer service centres, where he will field public enquiries about municipal services. His responses will draw on official Dubai Municipality data, updated regularly to keep information current.
The character’s remit extends to internal communications too: staff can expect to see him delivering motivational messages, sharing internal updates, and handling employee enquiries about procedures and initiatives.
“The Saeed project represents an advanced step in Dubai Municipality’s efforts to develop a smart and innovative government communication system. By utilising artificial intelligence technologies, we are enhancing the efficiency of communication with the community and providing information and services in more flexible and interactive ways. The project reflects Dubai’s future direction in adopting advanced digital solutions that place people at the centre of development, contributing to a globally leading government model in innovation and service quality,” Seyed Ismail Al Hashimi, Acting CEO of the Corporate Support Services Sector at Dubai Municipality said in a statement.
“Saeed’s role is not limited to being a virtual spokesperson. He represents an integrated communication platform that strengthens the consistency of official media messages and raises the efficiency of public engagement. This supports Dubai’s position as a pioneering city in developing new models of digital government communication and harnessing technology to serve society,” he added.
The announcement comes shortly after Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the establishment of a new AI and Data Authority for Dubai, suggesting the emirate is moving to formalise its AI governance alongside individual agency deployments.
