Keeping people safe is one of a country’s most important jobs, and the UAE is bringing smarter technology to that mission. Officials say AI firefighting will help make firefighting and disaster response faster and safer, to protect lives and property. It is a thoughtful step that puts residents and firefighters first.
Agentic AI at the Heart of the Plan
Major General Dr Jassim Mohammed Al Marzooqi, Director General of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defence, said the authority is changing its operations around agentic AI, a form of AI that can act with a degree of independence. As he put it, “We are transforming our operations to use agentic AI, so we can improve protection and response.”
He added that AI firefighting can help reduce fires, casualties and fatalities. He spoke at a specialised forum in Dubai, attended by Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention and Chairman of the authority.
A Friendly Face for New Technology: AI Ambassadors
The forum announced AI ambassadors to promote responsible and effective use of AI. Al Marzooqi said every civil defence directorate across the UAE will now have one, to search for, test, and share the best ways to use agentic AI.
Preventing Fires Before They Start
Once given certain data, the technology can map hotspots, so teams know which areas carry higher risk and can prepare before an incident happens. In Al Marzooqi’s words, “Protection means you forecast accidents before they happen.”
Supporting Firefighters, Not Replacing Them
The aim of AI firefighting is not to change the role of firefighters but to support them with more equipment, technology, and AI, so they can work efficiently and with less risk. In a chemical accident with toxic fumes, for example, a robot with sensors can detect the fumes first and then help fight the fire. Drones and robots already help firefighters today.
Three Projects Showing What Is Coming
The forum showcased three AI firefighting projects offering a glimpse of what is coming.
Kashif: A Drone for Burning Buildings
Kashif, being developed with Dubai Civil Defence and Dubai AI Campus, is a drone designed to operate inside a burning building before firefighters go in. It is built to move without GPS, withstand extreme heat, and locate and assess trapped people. It can:
- Build a real-time 3D map of the building using multiple sensors
- Pinpoint the location and source of the fire
- Measure conditions such as oxygen and carbon monoxide levels
- Use millimetre-wave radar to detect trapped people and monitor their vital signs
- Send data to Dubai Civil Defence in real time, helping teams choose the safest route
Najda: A Wearable for Firefighters
Najda is a wrist-worn device designed to protect firefighters from heat stress and cardiac emergencies:
- It monitors vital signs continuously
- AI sets a personalised baseline for each firefighter and flags unusual readings
- It sends an SOS alert to the team leader if a critical change occurs
- It works without internet, with alerts shown on a screen in the fire truck, and sends data to headquarters when connected
Athar: Search and Rescue Support
Athar is a search-and-rescue system for the first 72 hours after a building collapse, earthquake, or similar emergency. Small drones and hand-sized rovers locate trapped people and gather information from hard-to-reach areas. Its key innovation is a self-forming communication network, where each drone or rover relays signals when connectivity is weak, even without GPS, Wi-Fi, or existing infrastructure. It is designed with three drones and three rovers, and can scale up.
What Happens Next
Lieutenant Colonel Dr Essa Ahmed Al Mutawa, Director of the General Department of Artificial Intelligence at Dubai Civil Defence, said local companies are developing these tools, having found gaps and built proof-of-concept models. The tools will go through evaluation, then a pilot project, before real-world use of AI firefighting solutions.
The authority is also piloting and investing in these technologies with universities and private companies, and Al Mutawa said, “We welcome all companies that have ideas on how we can reduce fire incidents and save people.”
Why This Approach Deserves Appreciation
This AI firefighting approach deserves appreciation for several reasons:
- It focuses on preventing fires, not only responding to them
- It protects the people who protect us, with tools designed for firefighter safety
- It tests ideas through evaluation and pilots before real-world use
- It welcomes local companies, universities, and new partners
Conclusion
The UAE’s move toward AI firefighting shows real care for both residents and the firefighters who serve them. With forecasting, drones, wearables, and rescue rovers in development, this approach focuses on prevention, safety, and careful testing.
If your organisation wants guidance on using AI to improve safety and response, Horizontal8 is here to help. Reach out to Horizontal8 today, and let’s build a thoughtful plan together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who announced the new approach?Â
Major General Dr Jassim Mohammed Al Marzooqi, Director General of the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defence, spoke about it after a specialised forum in Dubai.
What is agentic AI?Â
It is a form of AI that can act with a degree of independence.
What will AI ambassadors do?Â
Each civil defence directorate will have one to search for, test, and share the best ways to use agentic AI.
Will AI replace firefighters?Â
No. The aim is to support firefighters with more equipment, technology and AI so they can work more efficiently and with less risk.
When will the new tools be used in real operations?Â
They will first go through further evaluation and a pilot project before being deployed in real-world operations.