Six-year-old urban planners in Portugal, the introduction of the world’s first climate visas between Tuvalu and Australia, and nuclear technology used to detect smuggled rhino horns in South Africa are among groundbreaking initiatives highlighted on the Edge 50 list unveiled at the World Governments Summit in Dubai last week.
Other initiatives featured include a cinema-based school in Japan designed to reintegrate children into education, an “economic nutrition” label in Canada, artificial intelligence tools replacing bureaucratic bottlenecks with “green tape” in the United States, and Zimbabwe’s “friendship bench” programme, where trained grandmothers have reportedly reduced depression and suicidal ideation by 78 per cent.
The Edge 50 list is a joint initiative of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation and Apolitical. It recognises pioneering government ideas that move beyond incremental reform and instead promote bold, early-stage innovations capable of delivering meaningful national impact if scaled.
Among the highlighted projects is Najmara, a junior school in the UAE that adopts a quest-based learning model. The school operates without screens, traditional classrooms or rigid age group divisions.
Designed by a Japanese architect, the campus features fluid architectural forms, an in-school farm and an emphasis on experiential learning. Students engage in activities such as coral reef restoration, soil analysis and even butterfly rehabilitation projects.
Observers noted the school’s strong emphasis on intellectual freedom, with students reportedly reluctant to leave at the end of the day. Interest in the institution has extended internationally, with prominent global figures visiting to study its model.
The UAE’s broader governance approach has also drawn attention over the years. Nearly a decade after first hosting the World Governments Summit—an event that has featured leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and technology entrepreneur Elon Musk—the country’s focus has shifted from visionary rhetoric to sustained implementation.
The 2017 appointment of the world’s first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, initially dismissed by critics as symbolic, is now widely regarded as forward-looking. The UAE has since emerged as a major investor in advanced AI models and is considered a global leader in AI adoption, according to recent industry studies.
Central to this strategy is the integration of artificial intelligence into public administration.
The Boston Consulting
Group estimates that AI could unlock $1.75 trillion in productivity gains across governments worldwide.
However, many countries have struggled to move from discussion to meaningful deployment.
Experts note that implementing AI in government requires comprehensive structural transformation rather than simple technological upgrades.
This includes redesigning workflows, retraining civil servants and maintaining human oversight as machine capabilities expand.
Concerns remain over accountability, algorithmic bias, data sovereignty and the ethical frameworks guiding AI use. Research indicates that only 26 per cent of public officials involved in implementing AI fully understand their government’s ethical standards for the technology.
The UAE has intensified efforts to position itself at the forefront of AI-driven governance. Officials have articulated ambitions to create the world’s first “AI-native” government, where public services meet or exceed private-sector standards. Civil servants are required to undergo AI training, and ministers reportedly monitor weekly updates on AI applications within their departments.
Financial backing has accompanied these ambitions. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Government Enablement has allocated Dh13 billion ($3.5 billion) for AI transformation initiatives between 2025 and 2027.
During this year’s summit, two new AI tools aimed at supporting governments were introduced. The Government AI Navigator compiles global examples of AI applications and policies, allowing public officials to assess best practices and connect with peers internationally. A second platform, PolicyNova, is designed to assist policymakers during early-stage policy development by mapping comparative approaches and forecasting the interaction of proposed interventions.
Both tools will be made available free of charge to public servants globally through philanthropic support from Google.org.
While experts acknowledge that the deployment of AI in government will inevitably involve setbacks and unintended consequences, proponents argue that continued innovation and adaptive governance will be essential to maximising its benefits.
