Dubai aims to lead the world as a global AI hub, says Crown Prince

Spearheading the race to AI pioneership, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed took to the X platform to celebrate his emirate's international leadership in Artificial Intelligence. He emphasized the surge in groundbreaking projects, strategic partnerships, and cutting-edge companies in Dubai.

The Crown Prince of Dubai also highlighted the emirate's critical role in shaping the future of innovation. Sheikh Hamdan's tweet shed light on a comprehensive study conducted by the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which revealed that Dubai has more than 800 AI-focused technology companies, with 66% of them headquartered in the city.

Sheikh Hamdan attributed this to Dubai's high-tech infrastructure and progressive regulations aligned with technological advancements, which have supported efforts to accelerate AI adoption in the city.

He added that this strong presence of AI-specialized companies in Dubai solidifies its stance as a global hub for AI innovation, creating opportunities for testing, developing, and implementing AI projects.

According to the study cited by Dubai's Crown Prince, 48% of the Dubai-based companies are dedicated to developing AI software, while 72% are classified as startups or small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

In his tweet, Sheikh Hamdan stressed the importance of collaborations between the public and private sectors in advancing Dubai’s AI ecosystem. He noted that strategic initiatives, such as the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence launched in April 2024, and the annual AI Retreat, have been pivotal in attracting investment and fostering innovation.

Over the past few years, as major AI developments unfolded worldwide, the UAE introduced a number of initiatives and programs that rank among the first and most thorough globally, including the UAE National Program for Artificial Intelligence – BRAIN, the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence, the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), and the UAE AI & Robotics Award for Good.