The UAE has marked another milestone in its global AI leadership by announcing the Ai Everything Global Summit & Expo will be held in Abu Dhabi in 2026. This follows the country’s ambitious goal of becoming the world’s first fully AI-powered government by 2028, driven by the newly introduced Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027.
The UAE, now a global hub for AI talent, is already ranked second only to the United States. The announcement was made during the opening of the inaugural Ai Everything Global Summit at St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi, which attracted leaders from the AI and tech industries worldwide.
Ai Everything Global is a fully AI-focused event within Gitex Global, the world’s largest tech and startup exhibition. The summit is organized by Kaoun International, part of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), and will take place annually at the Adnec Centre in Abu Dhabi. The event aims to catalyze the development of a future economy powered by AI, under the visionary leadership of the UAE.
Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President and Secretary General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), emphasized that the UAE’s commitment to AI innovation and R&D is critical in driving progress and empowering talent. He expressed pride in hosting the Ai Everything Global summit, which will bring AI innovators together to explore the safe development and deployment of AI technologies.
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, CEO of Adnec Group, highlighted the event’s role in positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for technological innovation and AI. He noted that Ai Everything Global provides a platform for industry leaders, governments, and innovators to leverage AI’s transformative potential.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of Kaoun International, stressed the event’s significance in advancing AI thinking and global outcomes. She explained that Ai Everything Global will become an influential force in shaping AI policies, R&D, and large-scale adoption, while aligning with the UAE’s robust digital infrastructure.
The 2026 summit is expected to accelerate AI adoption across industries, contributing $100 billion to the UAE’s GDP by 2030. This aligns with the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027. The UAE is also involved in global AI initiatives, including the $500 billion Stargate AI Consortium and a $27 million fund to accelerate AI adoption through proof-of-concepts and R&D.
To further solidify its AI leadership, the UAE is actively developing AI talent through initiatives like ‘One Million Arab Coders,’ preparing the next generation for the digital economy. The UAE’s proactive approach to AI is ensuring the country remains at the forefront of global AI innovation and deployment.
The Ai Everything Global Summit 2025, which takes place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on February 4-6, will feature over 200 speakers and groundbreaking showcases from global tech enterprises. Leading companies, including ASUS, Alibaba Cloud, AWS, G42, HP, IBM, and more, will present their contributions to the AI revolution. The summit will host more than 500 Chief AI Officers and tech executives, along with 150 investors managing $70 billion in assets.
