Supporting Dubai’s AI ambitions and preparing its economy for the future
Dubai Customs harnesses AI to strengthen customs readiness and support the future of trade
OCTA and ACI: Two strategic projects advancing Dubai Customs’ vision for a smarter, more proactive customs ecosystem
Abdulla Busenad: AI is central to enabling trade and strengthening Dubai’s competitiveness; we continue to develop innovative solutions that support the business community and prepare our customs ecosystem for the future
Dubai Customs continues to accelerate the integration of AI technologies into its customs ecosystem, building on its role as a trade enabler and economic partner supporting Dubai’s competitiveness. These smart solutions enable faster decision-making, improve operational efficiency and support the business community, while helping Dubai Customs respond to rapid shifts in global trade and the needs of the future economy.
This approach reflects Dubai Customs’ commitment to continued investment in advanced technologies that help redesign customs operations, strengthen supply chain resilience, improve service efficiency and reinforce Dubai’s position as a global hub for trade, logistics and the digital economy.
This approach also reflects the UAE’s strategic drive to accelerate the adoption of agentic AI applications and prepare government entities for the future of work. It aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to reinforce the position of Dubai and the UAE as leaders in harnessing advanced technologies and AI to serve the economy and society.
As part of this work, Dubai Customs continues to develop OCTA during its pilot phase. The advanced enterprise intelligence platform is designed to support decision-making, strengthen knowledge management and turn data into actionable insights. These insights will help shape policy, improve procedures and enhance organisational performance, preparing Dubai Customs to meet the future needs of trade.
Dubai Customs also continues to develop the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system during its pilot phase. The system uses AI to analyse shipment data before arrival, strengthening risk management and overall customs readiness while helping balance trade facilitation with border security.
His Excellency Dr Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs, said artificial intelligence is now key to achieving Dubai’s economic objectives. He noted that Dubai Customs considers investment in these technologies an investment in the future of trade, rather than merely a technological upgrade.
He said: “For Dubai Customs, investment in artificial intelligence is first and foremost an investment in the future of trade and Dubai’s economy—not simply in technology. Every smart initiative we develop is designed to enable trade flows, strengthen investor confidence, support the business community and prepare our customs ecosystem for the future.”
He added: “OCTA and ACI build on Dubai Customs’ record of adopting advanced technologies and mark another step towards a smarter, more proactive customs ecosystem. This ecosystem turns data into insights, insights into decisions and decisions into economic impact that boosts Dubai’s trade and strengthens its global competitiveness, while supporting our leadership’s vision for a more efficient, future-ready government.”
Eng. Adel Al Suwaidi, Director of the Strategy and Corporate Excellence Department at Dubai Customs, said Dubai Customs is building an integrated enterprise intelligence ecosystem in which artificial intelligence is a key driver for improving performance, developing services, fostering innovation and supporting decision-making. This approach aligns with global best practices and prepares Dubai Customs for the future of trade.
He added that piloting the two projects is an important step towards developing more mature and effective solutions. This process will help ensure that the solutions are ready to deliver maximum value to employees, customers and the business community, while supporting the long-term competitiveness of Dubai’s economy.
He explained that OCTA uses the latest AI technologies and natural language understanding to support knowledge management, analyse data and provide insights and recommendations. Meanwhile, ACI strengthens proactive risk analysis capabilities by using shipment data before arrival, enabling faster decision-making and more efficient customs procedures. This enables Dubai Customs’ management team to identify emerging trends and developments at an early stage and make more accurate and effective decisions and directly contributes to improving customs operations, shortening transaction processing times and enhancing the quality of customer services.
These initiatives demonstrate that, for Dubai Customs, artificial intelligence is no longer merely a means of improving services; it has become a strategic foundation for redesigning government operations, enabling trade, strengthening economic competitiveness, supporting the business community and building a smarter, more proactive customs ecosystem. By developing an integrated suite of smart solutions, Dubai Customs continues to reinforce its role as a trade enabler and economic partner contributing to the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. These efforts also help position Dubai as the world’s best city for business and investment and as the destination best prepared for the economy of the future.