Artificial intelligence (AI) will be central to designingDubai’s future initiatives and services, said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).
Speaking ahead of the inaugural Dubai AI week, which opens on Monday, 21 April Sheikh Hamdan noted that Dubai possesses the vision, infrastructure and capabilities required to lead the next wave of global AI development.
“More than 10 years ago, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, envisioned a future where every government service would be at our fingertips. Today, we are taking the next bold step into that future,” Sheikh Hamdan said, noting that AI will serve as the foundation of Dubai’s future.
He said that the city is not only prepared to embrace upcoming transformations across sectors, but is actively shaping them – leveraging AI to enhance quality of life and unlock opportunities.
“AI is no longer just a tool – it is the infrastructure for cities that think, services that adapt, and governments that anticipate. In this new era of progress, AI will shape Dubai’s future.”

Dubai AI Week 2025 kicks off today, April 21, 2025 marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s ambition to become a global leader in artificial intelligence. Organized by the Dubai Future Foundation and the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence, this inaugural event runs until April 25, bringing together over 10,000 participants from more than 100 countries, including 180 speakers, 25 global tech companies, and delegations from 15 nations. 

Key Highlights:

AI Retreat (April 21): Held at the Museum of the Future, this exclusive, invite-only gathering convenes over 100 global AI leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss AI strategies, governance frameworks, and unveil key initiatives.  Dubai Assembly for AI (April 21–24): Taking place at AREA 2071, this assembly hosts 2,500 global figures from the AI domain, featuring live activations from leading AI companies and discussions on themes ranging from governance to sustainable development.  Global Prompt Engineering Championship (April 22–23): This competition brings together 24 elite finalists from 3,800 participants across 125 countries to compete in categories like art, video, gaming, and coding, with a prize pool of $272,000.  Dubai AI Festival (April 23–24): Hosted by Dubai AI Campus in partnership with the Dubai International Financial Centre, this festival attracts 5,000 business leaders, 500 investors, and 100 exhibitors from 100 countries, fostering business-driven AI collaborations.  Machines Can See Summit (April 23–24): Held at AREA 2071 and the Museum of the Future, this summit focuses on AI’s role in enhancing global security and sustainability, featuring 1,200 participants, including 100 top executives from major tech companies.  AI Innovation Conference (April 22–24): Organized by Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in collaboration with the Emirates Academy for Identity and Citizenship, this conference delves into AI’s role in enhancing public organizations and improving educational quality.  HIMSS Executive Summit 2025 (April 23): Supported by the Dubai Health Authority and Emirates Health Services, this summit offers a platform for networking and exploring key technological advancements reshaping the Middle East’s healthcare sector.  Dubai AI Week Hackathon: Agentic AI (April 25): Innovators will compete to design autonomous AI agents that tackle real-world challenges, with events held across Emirates Towers Boulevard, AREA 2071, and Dubai Future Accelerators. 

Additionally, the week features educational initiatives like AI Week in Schools, aiming to equip future generations with fundamental AI skills. 

Dubai AI Week 2025 is more than a conference; it’s a global platform for collaboration, innovation, and shaping the future of AI across various sectors.