Dubai is positioning itself at the forefront of the global AI revolution, with AI set to be the backbone of the city’s future, declared HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister. Speaking at the inaugural Dubai AI Week, Sheikh Hamdan emphasized Dubai’s readiness to embrace and shape transformations across various sectors, leveraging AI to enhance the quality of life and unlock new opportunities.
In his address, Sheikh Hamdan highlighted Dubai’s strong infrastructure, vision, and capabilities as key enablers in leading the next wave of global AI development. The event, organized by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI) and overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), opened with a clear message from the Crown Prince.
“AI is no longer just a tool – it is the infrastructure for cities that think, services that adapt, and governments that anticipate,” Sheikh Hamdan said. “In this new era of progress, AI will shape Dubai’s future.”
Sheikh Hamdan also underscored the importance of integrating AI into government services, education, and the economy. “We will begin by assessing government entities based on their AI integration and measuring the academic sector by its contributions to AI research and teaching. We will also celebrate companies advancing Dubai’s AI economy. This is Dubai’s new standard – those who do not embrace AI today will fall behind.”
Dubai AI Week’s Day 1 featured the AI Retreat, a high-level gathering of policymakers and industry experts focused on AI adoption and regulation. The Dubai AI Assembly, which runs from April 21 to 25, brings together 15 countries and over 100 organizations to discuss the future of AI across various sectors.
Over the five days of Dubai AI Week, the event will host more than 50 sessions covering critical topics such as AI in work, education, wearables, generative AI, and the metaverse. Leading global tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Animoca Brands are participating, offering insights into the most pressing AI developments.
Dubai AI Week is set to attract over 10,000 participants from over 100 nationalities, including policymakers, entrepreneurs, regulators, investors, and tech innovators. The event aims to accelerate AI adoption across industries, enhance quality of life, boost economic growth, and help build future-ready societies.
