DUBAI: Dubai is moving faster to bring advanced artificial intelligence into business, talent development, security, and digital services.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired a meeting of the Higher Committee for Future Technology Development and the Digital Economy.
During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan reviewed projects that aim to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for the digital economy and future industries.
One major focus was agentic AI.
This means AI systems that can do tasks, make decisions, and manage work more directly, instead of only giving suggestions.
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Plan Targets 295,000 Companies
Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the executive plan for Dubai’s Agentic AI transformation programme.
The plan aims to support 295,000 companies in Dubai.
It also targets the creation and delivery of 100 specialised AI assistants over the next two years.
The programme will also support the establishment of 50 agentic AI companies.
Sheikh Hamdan said Dubai wants to become the world’s leading hub for developing and using advanced AI solutions.
He added that the private sector will have a central role in this shift.
For businesses, the message is clear: AI adoption is becoming part of Dubai’s next phase of growth.
Dubai to Host Global Student Coding Contest
Sheikh Hamdan also approved Dubai’s hosting of the 50th International Collegiate Programming Contest World Finals.
The contest is one of the world’s largest student programming competitions.
It will bring 140 teams from more than 70 countries to Dubai from November 16 to 20, 2026.
The event is expected to strengthen Dubai’s role as a destination for digital talent and advanced technology.
It also supports the emirate’s push toward a stronger knowledge-based economy.
New Talent and Security Projects Approved
Sheikh Hamdan approved the Dubai Global Talent Network platform.
The platform aims to connect global talent based in Dubai or people who previously worked in the emirate.
The goal is to use their skills for future projects across different sectors.
He also approved the Digital Twin System for Dubai Police.
The project will use advanced digital tools to support smart surveillance, security operations, monitoring, analysis, and field response.
Its pilot phase will cover 150 cameras across Dubai.
Digital Economy Projects Show Growth
The meeting also reviewed several digital economy projects.
The SME digital trade support project with Amazon has reached more than 105,000 companies by May 2026.
The Ignyte platform now has more than 36,000 users and has delivered over 3,000 mentoring sessions.
Dubai AI Campus hosts more than 400 specialised companies and has trained more than 1,500 participants through its AI Academy.
Dubai Founders HQ has attracted more than 1,100 members and 500 startups within nine months.
Companies under it have raised more than AED200 million in funding.
