His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), issued today directives for the ‘Dubai AI Week’ to be organized from April 21 to 25, 2025.
In its inaugural edition, the event will bring together global AI experts, thought leaders and decision-makers for a week-long series of conferences, initiatives and exhibitions where participants will explore AI advancements, share insights and address real-world challenges.
“We are creating an integrated ecosystem that is shaping the future of AI and solidifying Dubai’s position as a global hub for AI innovation. AI is integral to future advancements, and Dubai stands as a platform where experts and innovators can come together to unlock its vast potential,” stated Sheikh Hamdan.
Accelerating AI adoption
The first-of-its-kind initiative aligns with the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence. Dubai AI Week will feature a diverse range of events with extensive global participation from thought leaders, specialists, and executives representing leading AI-focused organizations. The primary events will take place at the Museum of the Future and AREA 2071 in the Emirates Towers, Dubai.
The initiative will showcase key events, including the AI Retreat, Dubai Assembly for Generative AI, Global Prompt Engineering Championship, Machines Can See Summit, and the Dubai AI Festival.
“Dubai has always been at the forefront of identifying AI’s transformative opportunities and fostering strong public-private partnerships to drive investment in this critical field. With a clear and focused strategy, we aim to accelerate AI adoption to achieve our goals,” Sheikh Hamdan added.
AI Retreat to launch ten strategic initiatives
The Dubai AI Week builds on the success of the inaugural AI Retreat which Dubai hosted this year. The 2025 AI Retreat, a highlight of AI Week, will take place at the Museum of the Future, bringing together over 1,000 global experts, policymakers and industry leaders. Featuring four roundtable discussions, the retreat will explore global and local AI opportunities. In addition, it will outline strategies to expand AI applications across various sectors and launch ten strategic AI initiatives.
“Dubai AI Week will gather global experts to deliver solutions that benefit humanity, create new opportunities for progress, and establish best practices for AI innovation and application,” he added.
Dubai Assembly for Generative AI to host 25 main sessions
Meanwhile, the Dubai Assembly for Generative AI at AREA 2071 will bring together 1,800 participants, including ministers, officials, CEOs, decision-makers, experts and global speakers. The assembly will feature 25 main sessions and 12 immersive experiences featuring major global tech companies. It will offer a dynamic platform to explore emerging AI technologies through discussions, exhibitions, and live demonstrations.
Besides, the Global Prompt Engineering Championship received 2,000 applications. Forty finalists will be selected to showcase creative solutions evaluated by a panel of 12 experts. Taking place at the Museum of the Future and AREA 2071, the competition will focus on optimizing AI solutions for speed, accuracy, and efficiency. A total prize pool of AED1 million will also be awarded across four competition categories.
Dubai AI Festival
Dubai AI Week will also feature the Dubai AI Festival at Madinat Jumeirah which will attract 5,000 business leaders, 500 investors, and 100 exhibitors from 100 countries. Organized by the Dubai AI Campus in partnership with the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), the festival will serve as a platform for global leaders to exchange ideas, form partnerships and showcase groundbreaking AI projects.
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Machines Can See Summit
The Machines Can See Summit, making its debut during Dubai AI Week, will welcome 5,000 visitors for its exhibitions, 850 participants, and 40 global experts and speakers. This event will bring together executives, researchers and startups to foster collaboration and showcase advancements in machine vision technologies, a key area of AI innovation.
The summit stands out as a premier AI event in the Middle East. It will bring together 5,000 industry leaders, including 100 senior executives from top technology companies, 300 startups and leading academic researchers. The event will also offer opportunities for networking and growth, enabling organizations to strengthen their presence in the region’s thriving AI ecosystem and attract top talent.
Dubai AI Week will also feature the launch of a comprehensive week-long program in Dubai’s schools, in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The initiative aims to educate students about Artificial Intelligence concepts and their future applications, inspiring them to actively participate in shaping the future of various industries.
The event is gearing up to become a cornerstone event on the Dubai calendar, uniting global experts across a week of activations to showcase innovations, tackle sector challenges, and establish best practices for AI integration, further cementing Dubai’s leadership in innovation.
