Manuel Dias has been appointed to lead ARTE, a newly established entity formed from the restructuring of the Agency for Administrative Modernization (AMA). The announcement was made at today’s Cabinet meeting and confirmed by António Leitão Amaro, the Minister of the Presidency. Amaro emphasized Dias’s extensive experience and knowledge in the field as reasons for his selection.
Dias holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) and a master’s in Information Systems from Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão (ISEG). Since October 2020, he has served as the National Technology Director at Microsoft Portugal, a company where he has worked for 14 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
António Leitão Amaro described this new role as “a key position in the state’s reform strategy focused on digital transformation.” The minister highlighted the role’s importance, comparing it to that of a Chief Technology Officer. He cited Dias’s expertise in artificial intelligence, information systems, and technology as the main factors for his appointment, along with his academic background and experience in major companies.
Leitão Amaro noted Dias’s significant experience interacting with public administration and praised his leadership and advanced technical knowledge in the country. The reorganization of AMA into ARTE was announced by the government on July 31. At that time, Minister for State Reform Gonçalo Matias stated that the leader would be selected through a competitive process, a contest that ultimately did not take place.
According to the decree published in the Diário da República on August 21, the current members of the AMA’s directive council will remain in their roles until the new ARTE board members are appointed.
