Dubai AI Week 2025: Pioneering the Future of Artificial Intelligence

A Global Confluence of Minds

Organised by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence and the Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai AI Week 2025 attracted over 10,000 participants from more than 100 countries, including 180+ speakers, 150+ workshops, and 140+ AI-powered activations . The event served as a melting pot for policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and academics to explore and shape the future trajectory of AI across various sectors.

Key Events and Highlights

AI Retreat

Held on April 21 at the iconic Museum of the Future, the invite-only AI Retreat convened over 100 global decision-makers and AI leaders. This closed-door gathering focused on accelerating AI adoption strategies and unveiled ten key AI initiatives, alongside four strategic partnership meetings, emphasizing governance and ethical considerations in AI deployment.​

Dubai Assembly for AI

Spanning the entire week at AREA 2071, the Dubai Assembly for AI provided a collaborative platform for 2,500 global AI leaders, policymakers, and executives. The assembly featured high-impact discussions and live AI activations presented by leading AI companies, fostering dialogue on AI’s evolving role in economies and societies .

Global Prompt Engineering Championship

On April 22–23, the championship brought together 24 top competitors, selected from 2,000 registered participants, to compete in four AI categories: Art, Video, Gaming, and Coding. With a prize pool of 1 million dirhams, the event highlighted the burgeoning field of prompt engineering and its significance in AI development.

Machines Can See Conference

Taking place on April 23–24 at Emirates Towers and the Museum of the Future, this summit gathered 1,200 visitors and 850 experts. Organised by Polynome Events in partnership with the UAE’s Office for Artificial Intelligence, the conference focused on harnessing AI to create a safer, more sustainable world, featuring 20 curated keynotes from leading AI executives, startups, and researchers.

Dubai AI Festival

Held on April 23–24 at Madinat Jumeirah, the festival attracted 5,000 business leaders, 500 investors, and 100 exhibitors from over 100 countries. Organised by Dubai AI Campus in partnership with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the event served as a nexus for networking, partnerships, and high-impact AI initiatives .​

AI Week in Schools

In collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), this initiative introduced students and educators across Dubai to AI concepts and applications. Running throughout the week, the program aimed to inspire the next generation of AI leaders by integrating AI education into school curricula.

Dubai AI Week Hackathon: Agentic AI

Concluding the week on April 25, the hackathon challenged innovators to build autonomous AI agents addressing real-world problems in adaptive travel, finance, and logistics. Held at Emirates Towers Boulevard, AREA 2071, and Dubai Future Accelerators, the event showcased cutting-edge solutions shaping the future of AI in Dubai.

HIMSS Executive Summit Dubai

On April 23, this invite-only summit at Emirates Towers Hotel focused on revolutionising healthcare in the Middle East through AI. Supported by the Dubai Health Authority, discussions centered on generative AI in healthcare, genomics, precision medicine, and accelerating digital maturity .​

AI Innovations Conference

From April 22–24, the conference at Grand Hyatt Hotel and GDRFA headquarters explored future foresight in empowering public organisations and enhancing education quality. Organised by Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in cooperation with the Emirates Academy for Identity and Citizenship, the event highlighted AI’s role in public sector transformation.

Dubai Health Authority AI Forum

Held on April 22 at Emirates Towers, this invite-only forum delved into AI’s transformative role in healthcare. Topics included clinical innovation, data security, emergency response, and translating AI strategies into real-world impact, with participation from DHA’s Director General and key healthcare leaders.

Strategic Themes and Discussions

Dubai AI Week 2025 revolved around several strategic themes:

• AI Governance & Policy: Exploring responsible governance, ethical frameworks, and forward-thinking policies to drive innovation while ensuring fairness, security, and trust.​
• AI for Sustainability: Showcasing AI solutions tackling climate change, optimising resources, and paving the way for smarter cities and a sustainable planet.​
• Revolutionising Education: Discussing AI’s role in personalised learning, skills development, and making education more accessible.​
• AI in Healthcare: Highlighting breakthroughs in diagnostics, personalised treatments, and medical research, improving patient outcomes worldwide.​
• AI-Powered Economies: Examining how AI redefines industries, accelerates productivity, and unlocks new economic opportunities.​
• AI & Finance: Delving into AI’s transformation of financial ecosystems, investment strategies, and its impact on national GDP.​
• Future of Gaming & Entertainment: Exploring AI-powered storytelling, game design, and interactive media, revolutionising the industry.​
• Future of Work: Assessing how AI enhances creativity, reshapes careers, and empowers the workforce.​

Global Collaborations and Announcements

Dubai AI Week 2025 served as a platform for significant announcements and collaborations:​

• du and Microsoft Partnership: A $545 million hyperscale data center partnership to enhance cloud services and AI capabilities in the region.
• RTA’s AI Strategy 2030: The Roads and Transport Authority unveiled its Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2030, aiming to integrate AI across transportation systems.
• PayPal’s Regional Hub: PayPal announced the opening of its first Middle East and Africa hub in Dubai, signifying the city’s growing importance in the digital economy.
• Emirates Group AI Integration: Emirates Group revealed how AI has streamlined recruitment processes, enhancing efficiency and candidate experience.

Empowering the Next Generation

A notable aspect of Dubai AI Week was its focus on youth engagement. Students from ISCS Nad Al Sheba created a compelling short film exploring AI’s impact on education, posing critical questions about AI’s role, trustworthiness, and ethical use. This initiative reflects Dubai’s commitment to nurturing future AI leaders and fostering a culture of innovation from an early age.

Conclusion

Dubai AI Week 2025 marked a significant milestone in the city’s journey towards becoming a global AI powerhouse. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, fostering meaningful discussions, and showcasing groundbreaking innovations, the event not only highlighted Dubai’s strategic vision but also set the stage for future collaborations and advancements in artificial intelligence.