Dubai AI Week has kicked off today with key participation from leading global tech companies and government entities. Organized by the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI) and overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation, the event is a landmark platform to advance public-private collaboration, accelerate the adoption of AI technologies and promote innovation for global good and sustainable growth.
Speaking at the inaugural Dubai AI Week, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), reaffirmed that AI will be the cornerstone of Dubai’s future. His Highness highlighted that Dubai possesses the vision, infrastructure and capabilities necessary to lead the next wave of global AI development.
“AI is no longer just a tool – it is the infrastructure for cities that think, services that adapt, and governments that anticipate. In this new era of progress, AI will shape Dubai’s future,” he added.
IBM seeks regional partnerships to drive AI progress
During his participation, Shukri Eid, general manager of IBM for the Gulf, Levant and Pakistan, stated: “We are proud to participate in Dubai AI Week 2025, held under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. We have always believed that AI has the power to reshape industries and societies—and IBM is committed to advancing this transformation responsibly, driving productivity, measurable ROI and sustainable growth.”
He added that IBM focuses on deploying AI to tackle the world’s most complex challenges while managing risks responsibly and upholding robust governance frameworks.
“We are eager to collaborate with the region’s most ambitious innovators to explore new frontiers and accelerate AI progress in line with the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence,” he added.
Microsoft targets skilling 1 million UAE learners in AI by 2027
Meanwhile, Naim Yazbeck, general manager, Microsoft UAE, noted that Dubai AI Week serves as a strategic platform for collaboration and action, and “we are honored to be at the forefront, supporting the UAE’s ambitious AI agenda.”
Yazbeck added: “At Microsoft, we recognize that skilling is the most critical investment to ensure that the benefits of AI reach everyone. By investing in talent development, fostering trusted partnerships, and promoting responsible AI adoption, we empower every learner, educator, and organization with the necessary tools and knowledge to unlock AI’s full potential and drive innovation on a large scale. Dubai AI Week provides us with the opportunity to progress our commitment of skilling 1 million learners in the UAE in AI by 2027.”
UAE, Meta drive groundbreaking progress
Basma Ammari, Meta’s director of public policy for MENA, said that the UAE is one of the driving forces of MENA’s digital transformation, leading AI development with ambitious government initiatives and substantial investments in infrastructure and homegrown talent.
“We, at Meta, are deeply aligned with this open approach to innovation and are committed to fostering open-source ecosystems, ensuring advancements in AI are accessible to all. Our participation in Dubai AI Week underscores our support for the UAE’s forward-thinking vision. Programs, like the Llama Design Drive AI Accelerator, highlight our dedication to supporting AI startups, nurturing the next wave of AI leaders,” she added.
This collaboration between visionary government policies and open-source technology is driving groundbreaking progress, with Meta and the UAE at the forefront, promising growth and transformative impact across the region.
Whereas Ziad Jammal, general manager of UAE Google Cloud, said: “Dubai AI Week stands as a powerful testament to the UAE’s visionary leadership, fostering the vital collaboration between public and private sectors that is essential to accelerate the transformative power of AI. At Google Cloud, we are proud to be a strategic partner in this ambitious endeavor and leverage our advanced cloud capabilities to empower organizations across the UAE and contribute to Dubai’s ambitions as a leading global AI hub.”
Global hub for digital startups
During his participation, Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, president and CEO of Dubai Chambers, stated that Dubai AI Week represents a vital commitment to the importance of investing in sectors that are shaping the future of the economy. Lootah emphasized that Dubai’s digital economy ecosystem is built on artificial intelligence, which serves as a key enabler of economic growth and sustainable development.
“Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, is dedicated to enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness as an attractive destination for digital startups from across the globe that specialize in artificial intelligence. This approach is reflected throughout our strategies, programs and initiatives, which view artificial intelligence and the digital economy as fundamental pillars of progress and key drivers of sustainable economic growth, in line with the vision of the wise leadership,” he added.
For his part, Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, added that the presence of public and private sector leaders at Dubai AI Week bridges visionary policymaking with real-world innovation. This first-of-its-kind initiative reinforces Dubai’s position as a global hub for partnerships that drive AI adoption, best practices and long-term impact for communities worldwide.
World’s first AI-powered utilities provider
During his participation, Saeed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), said: “Our support for this important event stems from our deep commitment to innovation and the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. Platforms like Dubai AI Week are essential to fostering public-private partnerships that can accelerate the adoption of AI in utilities.”
Al Tayer added that AI is essential to DEWA’s digital transformation strategy. The authority recently launched a strategic roadmap to become the world’s first AI-powered utilities provider. “This will enable us to enhance resilience, operational efficiency and excellence, supporting the leadership’s vision to position Dubai as one of the world’s most future-ready cities,” he added.
