Dubai AI Campus has a new strategic target to attract more than 1,000 AI companies and create over 5,000 highly skilled jobs by 2030.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the target. He is the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE. He is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy.

He made the announcement while attending the opening of the third edition of the Dubai AI Festival. The event is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre until 27 October 2026.

A Festival Focused on the Next Phase of AI Adoption

The festival has drawn more than 20,000 attendees from over 100 countries. They include policymakers, technology leaders and entrepreneurs. The programme also features more than 150 speakers, 500 investors and 200 exhibitors.

Dubai AI Campus, part of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), organised the event. The Office of the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence collaborated on it. The theme is “Where Intelligence Meets Opportunity”.

Upon arrival, Sheikh Hamdan was received by His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC.

Dubai’s Approach to Promising Sectors

Sheikh Hamdan said Dubai continues to invest in promising sectors and advanced technologies. He noted that this follows the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

He described AI as one of the most significant drivers of technological and economic progress. In his view, it offers major opportunities to transform businesses and develop new solutions.

“Our priority is to position Dubai at the forefront of adopting advanced technologies by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, a flexible regulatory environment” and access to global talent and expertise, he said. This, he added, will help companies turn AI potential into sustainable economic value.

He also highlighted the role of DIFC. It brings technology companies, innovators, investors and global institutions together in one ecosystem.

Progress Since the May 2024 Launch

His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, briefed Sheikh Hamdan on the campus. He said it has exceeded its original five-year target for company numbers and investment volumes. It did so two years ahead of schedule.

Since its launch in May 2024, the campus has attracted more than 500 AI companies. Together, they have secured over AED1 billion in investment from private equity and venture capital funds. The campus has also contributed to more than 2,000 specialised technology jobs.

Sheikh Hamdan commended DIFC’s achievements. He stressed the need to build on this progress. He also called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.

A Tour of the Exhibition

Sheikh Hamdan toured the exhibition that accompanies the festival. He visited several local and international organisations.

• Dubai Medical University: He was briefed on the use of AI in medical education and clinical diagnostic training.
• ElevenLabs: The company develops AI-powered tools for creating and editing audio, images and videos in more than 90 languages.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS): It provides cloud computing and AI solutions.
• Alibaba Cloud: It combines cloud computing, AI and advanced data analytics to help businesses improve efficiency.
• Linkerbot: The company specialises in high-precision robotic hands and advanced robotic control technologies.

His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama accompanied him. He is the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri also joined. He is Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Director General of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority.

A New Purpose-Built Home for AI

Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the architectural vision and development plans for the new Dubai AI Campus building. It is described as the world’s first purpose-built facility of its kind. It will sit within the DIFC Zabeel District expansion.

The building will span 100,000 square feet. It will bring together the infrastructure, expertise and resources needed to speed up AI innovation, adoption and commercialisation. This supports Dubai’s ambition to become a global centre for the AI economy by 2030.

Planned features include:

• GPU-ready systems
• Secure AI development zones
• Digital twin environments
• AI-powered building systems

Modular, lab-ready floors will house AI Labs. Government entities and private sector organisations can develop, pilot and validate AI solutions there before wider deployment. Dedicated conference facilities will host summits, policy discussions and thought leadership events throughout the year.

An AI Experience Centre will also open. It will showcase AI applications across sectors, including innovations from the AI Labs, campus-based companies and citywide pilot projects. Residents, students, visitors, delegations and investors will be able to visit.

Perspectives from DIFC

Essa Kazim said Dubai has long pursued a clear vision of becoming a global hub for technology and innovation. He described AI as the next defining chapter in this ambition. According to him, DIFC is helping turn the vision into outcomes by bringing together companies, talent, capital and infrastructure. He added that the campus’s growth and its new facility in DIFC Zabeel District will further strengthen Dubai’s position in AI and the technology economy.

Arif Amiri said AI is becoming an integral part of the global economy. It is changing how companies operate, how capital is deployed and how financial services are delivered. “Our ambition is not simply to integrate AI into DIFC, but to reimagine how a financial centre operates in the age of AI,” he said, with responsibility, security and trust as its foundations.

He added that the campus has already achieved its 2028 target of attracting 500 AI companies, two years early. DIFC is now raising its ambition to more than 1,000 companies and over 5,000 jobs by 2030.

Speakers from Across Sectors

The festival features speakers from the UAE public sector:

• His Excellency Dr. Amin Al Ameeri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Health Regulation Sector at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention
• His Excellency Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive of the Dubai Data & Statistics Establishment at Digital Dubai
• Dr. Abdalla Sulaiman Alhammadi, Chief Innovation Officer and Director of the Strategy and Future Department at the UAE Ministry of Justice
• Amna Al Owais, Deputy Director of DIFC Courts

Speakers from education, aviation, healthcare, telecommunications, technology and financial services also take part:

• Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer of du
• Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer of Emirates Airline
• Mayank Kumar, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Borderplus and upGrad
• Alex Aliper, Co-Founder and President of Insilico Medicine
• Matthew Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive Officer of Invisible Technologies
• Husni Khuffash, Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa at Positron AI
• Joseph Ziolkowski, Founder and Global Chief Executive Officer of Relm Insurance

What the Festival Will Discuss

The two-day festival covers key issues shaping the future of AI. Topics include global AI governance, immersive experiences, innovation and ethics, the future of work, AI literacy, investment and infrastructure.

With its new 2030 targets and a purpose-built home on the way, Dubai AI Campus is set to expand its role in Dubai’s AI economy.

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