Abu Dhabi’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector is undergoing an extraordinary acceleration, positioning the emirate as a global epicenter of AI innovation and growth. According to data published by the Abu Dhabi Chamber, the emirate, with 673 AI companies, has experienced a 61 percent increase in the AI sector between June 2023 to June 2024.
The first half of 2025 alone has seen the launch of 150 new AI companies, driven by strategic investment, advanced infrastructure and cross-sector demand in Abu Dhabi.
“Abu Dhabi’s artificial intelligence sector is rapidly evolving from early adoption to real-world transformation, with a growing share of activity rooted in research, strategic consultancy and enterprise-level solutions,” said Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, second vice chairman and managing director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Fastest-growing AI center in the region
Globally, there are approximately 90,904 AI companies as of 2024, which places Abu Dhabi’s AI company count as a notable concentration within the global landscape. The findings highlight Abu Dhabi’s rise as the fastest-growing center for artificial intelligence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and a global leader in AI-driven enterprise, innovation and research.
The emirate’s first mover advantage in artificial intelligence is demonstrated by the establishment of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the world’s first graduate-level, research-focused university dedicated to AI.
MBZUAI continues to attract world-class talent and consistently ranks among the top global institutions for AI research impact. Its specialist programs in cutting-edge fields such as machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics and statistics and data science underscore Abu Dhabi’s commitment to research-based innovation and workforce development.
Abu Dhabi is also setting global standards for the adoption of AI across strategic sectors, supported by a constellation of unique institutions and establishments, including the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), responsible for developing and implementing policies and strategies related to research, infrastructure and investments in artificial intelligence and advanced technology, the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), AI71, Hub71, G42 and Space42 GIQ.
These collaborative efforts are rapidly transforming industries from healthcare and logistics to finance and education, with TII and MBZUAI both making advances in open-source AI models that are accessible to researchers and innovators globally.
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Shaping the future of AI in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Chamber has also revealed that over 58 percent of all AI firms in the emirate are dedicated to innovation, research and consultancy, clear evidence of a sophisticated, research-driven business environment.
Al Dhaheri noted that Abu Dhabi’s AI sector growth is not only about numbers; it reflects a vibrant, diverse community of entrepreneurs, scientists and global leaders who recognize the city as a magnet for groundbreaking technology ventures.
“What sets this ecosystem apart is the strength of collaboration between government and business, global leaders and emerging innovators and research and industry. At the Chamber, we see it as our responsibility to foster these connections and create the conditions for innovation to thrive, not as an exception but as the standard,” Al Dhaheri added.
At the heart of this transformation is the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s new strategic roadmap (2025-2028), which places the ease of doing business, policy advocacy and ecosystem connectivity at its core.
A dedicated Advocacy Working Group on Artificial Intelligence and Technology brings together sector leaders who are actively shaping the future of AI in Abu Dhabi, giving the emirate a distinctive competitive edge and reinforcing its status as a center for innovation and enterprise.
