AI Retreat to Become an Annual Event in Dubai

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has revealed that the AI Retreat will become an annual event in Dubai. Organized by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI) and the National Program for Artificial Intelligence, the next retreat is set for April 29, 2025.

The first AI Retreat 2024, part of the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (DUB.AI), wrapped up today, underscoring Dubai’s position as a global AI powerhouse. Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the retreat’s significance in exploring AI’s transformative potential across various sectors, aiming to leverage AI for advancements in education, healthcare, development, and research.

“We aim to establish this retreat as an annual platform to assess AI’s profound impact across all sectors, preparing to harness its diverse opportunities and applications,” stated Sheikh Hamdan.

Reflecting Dubai’s innovation-driven ethos, Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the city’s rapid conversion of AI opportunities into practical results, aligning with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The AI Retreat 2024 attracted over 2,500 decision-makers, AI experts, and industry leaders, including CEOs from tech giants such as Microsoft, IBM, Google, Amazon, Oracle, SAP, Nvidia, and Samsung. The event also saw new initiatives and partnerships launched by participating government entities and private companies.

During the retreat, Sheikh Hamdan engaged with Dubai government leaders and the newly appointed 22 Chief AI Officers, stressing the importance of leveraging AI to enhance government efficiency and future-readiness. He called for intensified efforts to implement the discussed initiatives.

“Our goal is to double AI’s positive impact for humanity, enhancing Dubai’s economic competitiveness, resilience, quality of life, and future-readiness through the annual DUB.AI plan,” Sheikh Hamdan added.

The retreat featured roundtables at the Museum of the Future, focusing on Funding and Finance, Computing and Digital Infrastructure, Data Regulation and Policies, and Talent Ecosystem. Workshops and events by major tech companies showcased the latest AI trends and applications.

A strategic partnership between du and Oracle was announced to provide advanced AI and data solutions, making du the first local hyperscale cloud provider to offer a comprehensive set of branded cloud services.

The AI Retreat aims to position Dubai as a global leader in AI adoption, driving economic growth and innovation. The DUB.AI plan supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, targeting an annual AED 100 billion contribution from digital transformation projects, with the aim to position Dubai among the world’s top three urban economies.

Sheikh Hamdan concluded, “Dubai will continue to support AI initiatives, fostering a global destination for innovation and future design.”