The Israel Innovation Authority, in collaboration with the National AI Directorate, released Israel’s 2026 National AI Strategy, with the Directorate’s preliminary work plan unanimously approved by the government. The strategy focuses on sectors where Israeli excellence outweighs scale, emphasising AI in healthcare, agriculture, and defence technology, alongside workforce development.
Key workforce and public literacy commitments include: a retraining pilot for 200 workers beginning June 2026; a 10-city “AI Awareness” campaign launching by year-end 2026 targeting general-population AI literacy; and continued investment in AI talent development. The National AI Directorate’s approved work plan formalises its role as a strategic planning and coordination body within the government.
Who it affects: Workers in the initial 200-person retraining pilot, and the general population in the 10 cities targeted by the AI Awareness campaign. The Directorate’s approved work plan provides clearer institutional standing for AI policy coordination.
What is notably missing: The National AI Directorate operates as a strategic planning and coordination body — it is not a full regulatory authority with independent enforcement powers over AI systems (dim 10 score maintained at 1). The 200-person retraining pilot is small relative to Israel’s workforce. No new employer training obligations, school curriculum mandates, or worker rights provisions are introduced.
Secondary source: https://aiisrael.org.il/