The UAE, which has been ranked among the top five in the world for artificial intelligence competitiveness, will take centre stage in the sector next year with the launch of Dubai AI Week.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, announced the event on X, describing it as a “platform to unlock the transformative potential of artificial intelligence".
The event is scheduled to take place from April 21 to 25 next year, with more than 10,000 people expected to attend. It will unite public and private sector leaders and innovators to explore the transformative potential of AI technology.
The forum is to feature events to drive innovation and foster global collaboration. The AI Retreat will bring together decision-makers and tech leaders to explore AI integration strategies across industries. It will be a key space for high-level discussions on the future of AI.
The Dubai Assembly for Generative AI, meanwhile, will bring together ministers, chief executives and tech leaders to discuss generative AI. The forum will provide a platform to explore new possibilities for AI in health care, education and entertainment.
Another event, the Global Prompt Engineering Championship, will showcase the skills of AI prompt engineers as they compete for a prize pool of Dh1 million ($272,294). It is a rapidly growing field within AI that drives creativity and innovation.
Another highlight of the week will be the Dubai AI Festival. Dubai AI Campus and DIFC are will host the festival, which will gather leading minds from around the world to discuss cutting-edge developments.
The Machines Can See summit will highlight AI's contribution to a more sustainable and safer world. The event will address the ethical implications of the technology and demonstrate its applications in environmental conservation, public safety and sustainable infrastructure.
A schools initiative will engage the next generation of AI innovators by introducing pupils to AI tools and applications. They will also learn about the technology's ethical use and its potential effect on industries.
The UAE has been at the forefront of AI development for years. In October 2017, the government launched its AI strategy to enhance technological innovation nationwide. This was followed by the appointment of Omar Al Olama as the first Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.
A PwC report estimates the Middle East will capture two per cent of the total global benefits of AI by 2030, which is equal to $320 billion. The UAE is expected to experience the most significant impact, contributing nearly 14 per cent to its GDP in 2030.
The report added that AI's annual contribution to the region will be between 20 per cent to 34 per cent, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia set for the fastest growth.
