Dubai AI Week to Host Leaders, Experts, and Officials from Over 100 Nations
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), the emirate will host its first-ever Dubai AI Week from 21-25 April 2025. Organized by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence and overseen by DFF, this landmark event will bring together AI pioneers, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from over 100 countries to explore how artificial intelligence can transform government services, drive economic growth, and build societies of the future.
The event represents a major milestone in the UAE’s ambition to lead global AI development. Through high-level discussions, immersive showcases, and strategic partnerships, Dubai AI Week will accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge AI solutions worldwide. His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Vice Chairman of DFF, highlighted Dubai’s emergence as a global AI hub, crediting the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, along with the unwavering support of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.
“Dubai AI Week marks a major milestone in the UAE’s journey to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence across governments and industries,” Al Gergawi said. “It reflects our commitment to advancing national strategies that put innovation at the heart of future-readiness, and to turning AI potential into practical, real-world impact.”
He added: “The week will bring together brilliant minds from around the world to develop smart, scalable solutions that serve humanity and open new pathways for innovation and progress. It will also serve as a global platform to highlight best practices in AI adoption and inspire the next wave of ideas and experimentation.”
His Excellency Al Gergawi highlighted the importance of participation from UAE and international government entities, noting that Dubai AI Week is a unique opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors, showcase cutting-edge breakthroughs in AI, and explore how emerging technologies can support both economic growth and social advancement.
He also welcomed the presence of national pavilions from countries around the world, calling it a valuable chance to exchange expertise, spotlight talent, and connect forward-thinking companies with global opportunities.
The Dubai AI Week features a lineup of key events across the city ranging from high-level summits, exhibitions, hackathons and global competitions that are dedicated to advancing AI. These events include, AI Retreat, Dubai Assembly for AI, Global Prompt Engineering Championship, Machines Can See Conference, Dubai AI Festival, Dubai AI Hackathon: Agentic AI, 8th International Conference on Education Quality, HIMSS Executive Summit, and AI in Schools – designed to introduce students and educators to AI concepts.
Over 10,000 AI experts and participants are expected to attend the week-long event, which will host over 180 local and international speakers, more than 150 sessions and workshops as well as over 140 activations. Capitalising on Dubai AI Week’s global appeal, the event is set to host over 25 global tech companies including Google, Microsoft, Meta, IBM, Gartner and Swift, besides welcoming over 15 country delegations showcasing their latest innovations in AI, including the US, South Korea, India, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Italy and Germany.
The event’s strength lies in its powerful alliances, with strategic partnerships including Digital Dubai Authority, DEWA, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and the UAE AI Office, alongside global tech titans such as Meta, IBM, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, NVIDIA, and Palantir. These collaborations underscore Dubai’s emergence as a premier hub for AI development and implementation.
The week-long program features an impressive lineup of specialized events designed to push the boundaries of AI innovation. The exclusive AI Retreat at the Museum of the Future will convene over 100 top-tier leaders for high-level discussions on critical AI challenges across four key domains: economic impact and investment opportunities, data governance frameworks, infrastructure development, and global talent cultivation.
At AREA 2071 in Emirates Towers, the Dubai Assembly for AI will host more than 2,500 international AI specialists and executives for an intensive series of 25 thought leadership sessions and live demonstrations by pioneering AI companies. The same venue will witness the thrilling Global Prompt Engineering Championship, where 24 elite finalists selected from 3,800 global applicants will compete for a share of AED 1 million in prizes across creative disciplines including digital art, gaming, coding, and video production.
The Dubai AI Festival at Madinat Jumeirah promises to be a highlight, with organizers anticipating 8,000 industry professionals, 500 investors, and 100 exhibitors converging for what will be the Middle East’s most significant AI networking and investment platform. Simultaneously, the Machines Can See Summit at the Museum of the Future will explore the ethical dimensions of AI, featuring keynote presentations, interactive workshops, and an expansive exhibition zone showcasing AI solutions for social good.
Education takes center stage at the 8th International Conference on Education Quality at Grand Hyatt, where academic leaders and policymakers will examine AI’s transformative potential in learning systems and public services. The healthcare sector receives focused attention at the HIMSS Executive Summit, where Dubai Health Authority will lead discussions on AI applications in genomics and precision medicine.
The week culminates with the Dubai AI Week Hackathon, challenging participants to develop autonomous AI agents capable of solving complex real-world problems. Complementing these professional events, the AI Week in Schools initiative will engage thousands of students across Dubai, introducing them to fundamental AI concepts and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Dubai AI Week 2025 represents a comprehensive platform designed to harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence across six critical domains: government and regulatory bodies, global industry leaders, next-generation talent, startup ecosystems, technology pioneers, and educational institutions. This multidimensional approach ensures every facet of the AI revolution receives focused attention and actionable outcomes.
The event’s carefully curated programming creates targeted value for each stakeholder group. Policy makers and regulators will find their agenda at the AI Retreat, where strategic discussions will shape agile governance frameworks for the AI era. Global corporate leaders will converge at the Dubai Assembly for AI to dissect emerging trends and establish best practices for enterprise AI integration.
Emerging professionals gain center stage through competitive platforms like the Global Prompt Engineering Championship and Agentic AI Hackathon, which identify and showcase exceptional talent. The entrepreneurial community benefits from the Dubai AI Festival’s vibrant marketplace, connecting innovative startups with potential investors and partners.
Technical innovators pushing boundaries in robotics and autonomous systems will find their niche at the Machines Can See Summit, while the education sector engages through AI Week in Schools – an initiative equipping students with future-critical skills and mindset.
This holistic ecosystem approach enables Dubai AI Week to serve as a unique convergence point where policy meets innovation, investment meets opportunity, and education meets real-world application. By addressing the complete AI value chain through specialized programming, the event accelerates adoption timelines while ensuring balanced, responsible development of artificial intelligence technologies.
