While Dubai AI Week energizes the city, drawing tech giants, policymakers, academics, and global innovators, we sat down with Hamad Al Shirawi, Director of Dubai AI Week and a key leader at the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence under the Dubai Future Foundation. He shares his personal journey, the vision behind AI Week, and how Dubai is shaping the future of artificial intelligence.

TECHx: Could you share a bit about yourself and how your journey led you to your current role?

I’ve worked in many great organizations, always with a focus on building Dubai’s ecosystem, especially when it comes to business and innovation. Since joining the Dubai Future Foundation, I’ve been deeply involved with advanced technologies, particularly in how we can use them to strengthen Dubai’s ecosystem through strategic platforms and initiatives.

Today, I’m part of the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence, which operates under the Dubai Future Foundation. Our work focuses on enabling Dubai’s AI ecosystem across sectors through collaborations, events, and real-world applications.

TECHx: Dubai has hosted AI-related events in the past. What made this the right time to launch a full Dubai AI Week?
AI is not new to Dubai, and Dubai is certainly not new to AI. Yes, we’ve had events like the AI Show in the past, but with AI Week, we’ve taken a more comprehensive and strategic approach. We created a dynamic, week-long platform that brings together our efforts and those of the wider ecosystem, all under one umbrella.

Some initiatives are in their first year, others are in their second or third. What’s unique is the collective focus: we’re showcasing AI across different sectors and use cases, and we’re engaging a diverse audience through different types of events, from immersive experiences to high-level policy discussions.

TECHx: What are some of the key events taking place during AI Week?
We kicked off with the AI Retreat, which brought together policymakers and influential leaders to move the needle on key AI priorities. Then there’s the Dubai Assembly, where we’re hosting global leaders like OpenAI, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Meta, Google Cloud, and IBM.

Government entities like the Digital Dubai Authority and Dubai Health Authority are also here, not just attending but showcasing live installations and immersive experiences. We’ve curated a mix of workshops, side sessions, and panel discussions, all aimed at driving meaningful conversations and collaboration.

TECHx: One of the most talked-about events is the Global Prompt Engineering Championship. What can you tell us about that?
Yes, it’s one of the highlights of the week. The Global Prompt Engineering Championship is an exciting, live competition where participants from around the world compete in prompt engineering across four categories: coding, gaming, film, and art.

They’re competing for a prize pool of AED 1 million. It’s judged live by a panel, and the atmosphere is incredibly immersive and inspiring. This event not only highlights the creative and technical side of AI but also the global talent driving innovation in this space.

TECHx: Are there educational or youth-centered initiatives involved this week?
Absolutely. We’re running a special program with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority to introduce AI-focused content in schools. There’s also Machines Can See, an event happening over two days that focuses on academia and data science.

Another notable event is the AI Festival, hosted by the International Financial Centre (IFC), which explores AI’s role in finance, investment, and fintech. Each event targets a different segment of the ecosystem, ensuring that AI Week is inclusive and far-reaching.

TECHx: Looking ahead, what do you believe is the future of AI, particularly for Dubai?
As you mentioned, Dubai is at the forefront and has always aimed to be ahead, when it comes to adopting transformative technologies. We’re constantly exploring opportunities, identifying challenges, and turning those challenges into opportunities.

At AI Week, we’re already seeing some of the best AI solutions from around the world. So just imagine what’s next. While I can’t predict the future, I can confidently say that Dubai will be leading it.

TECHx: With the rapid growth of AI, cybersecurity is a major global concern. How does Dubai plan to address that?
Like any transformative technology, AI presents both opportunities and challenges. And yes, cybersecurity is one of the major ones. But this isn’t new, we saw the same when the internet first emerged, and people were understandably concerned.

What’s important is how we address these challenges. By bringing together the right experts, fostering collaboration, and creating synergies, we can not only mitigate risks but also turn those challenges into opportunities. Many of the participants here are already engaging in those important conversations.

TECHx: Finally, what message would you like to share with the people attending AI Week and those following it from afar?

We’ve created this platform, an entire week filled with opportunities across Dubai. If you’re not involved in AI yet, you’re already falling behind. It’s time to explore the opportunities that AI presents.

And if you are an early adopter, this is the place to discover what AI really means for your field—whether it’s education, healthcare, business, or any other sector. Learn what’s out there, adopt it, and use it to boost efficiency, productivity, and innovation. There’s something here for everyone, and we’re excited to welcome you.

By Sehrish Tariq, Content Strategist, Events & Publications at TECHx Media

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