DMCC, the free zone and Dubai Government Authority for commodities trade and enterprise, has launched the DMCC AI Centre, a new innovation platform aimed at promoting practical artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and developing real-world use cases across the MENA region.
At the launch event, DMCC representatives provided insights to over 60 distinguished guests, including Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, chief AI officer of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), along with ambassadors, government officials, AI firms, and other industry stakeholders, detailing the centre’s array of services and unique advantages.
Khalfan Belhoul, chief executive officer of the Dubai Future Foundation, underscored the commitment of Dubai and the UAE to position themselves as a global leader in AI by 2031, as outlined in the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence. He pointed out that the launch of the DMCC AI Centre represents a crucial milestone in this pursuit, creating an environment that not only attracts new companies but also encourages innovation and reinforces Dubai’s status as a global hub for AI and emerging technologies.
Integration with crypto and gaming centres
Situated on two floors of DMCC’s Uptown Tower headquarters, the AI Centre will be part of a newly integrated hub that also includes the DMCC Crypto Centre and DMCC Gaming Centre. This modern facility will feature advanced co-working spaces, high-tech meeting rooms, and an exclusive showroom dedicated to AI solutions, Dubai Media Office reported.
DMCC is currently home to more than 50 AI and robotics companies from around the globe, including notable names like AMD, Autel Robotics, HIKVISION, Laipic, and QX Lab AI. As part of the AI Centre’s broader value proposition, DMCC has partnered with a variety of leading AI firms.
Read more: Dubai’s DMCC to tap into MENA region’s $1.8 billion gaming industry
Supporting sustainable AI solutions in the GCC
Global custom software and app developer Builder.ai will assist DMCC members in creating applications using AI technology, while UAE-based AGCC will manage accelerator and market entry programs designed to attract and scale top AI innovations from across the world. An upcoming event at Expand North Star in Dubai this October will feature a competition organized by DMCC and AGCC, offering a prize pool of $100,000 for start-ups focused on developing sustainable, practical AI solutions in the GCC region.
Economic impact of AI
Moreover, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and chief executive officer of DMCC, remarked on the significant impact of AI, noting that it is expected to contribute over $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030. He emphasized the clear transformative potential of AI on global trade, supply chains, and business operations. He indicated that the DMCC AI Centre aims to leverage this momentum by offering companies, investors, and partners access to a world-class ecosystem for the best AI services and solutions available in Dubai. He mentioned that as these technologies are scaled and new service providers are attracted, the advantages would extend to both AI and non-AI businesses, ultimately creating a multiplier effect for DMCC’s business district and the broader community.
Empowering businesses with advanced technology
For his part, Sachin Dev Duggal, founder and chief wizard of Builder.ai, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with the DMCC AI Centre, aiming to deliver practical and impactful AI solutions to the DMCC business community, Dubai, and the MENA region. He further conveyed Builder.ai’s belief in AI’s potential to transform industries and empower businesses and entrepreneurs digitally. Through this collaboration, he noted, they hope to assist companies across various sectors in leveraging advanced technology to achieve significant and scalable growth.
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