The Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, began today the opening of the “Dubai Artificial Intelligence Campus” at the “Innovation Hub” in the Dubai International Financial Center.
The inauguration of the campus is part of the first package of initiatives of the “Dubai Annual Plan to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence applications and technologies” recently launched with the aim of speeding up technology adoption across vital sectors, providing a conducive environment for AI companies and global talents to encourage innovation and expedite the adoption of advanced applications.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum emphasized Dubai’s commitment to launching strategic plans to enhance the use of artificial intelligence in various sectors, in line with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This aims to strengthen Dubai’s role as a global capital for the digital economy, a hub for leading AI companies and global talents. He highlighted the importance of Dubai AI Campus in achieving Dubai’s future goals and increasing the contribution of AI to the emirate’s GDP. This campus is a significant step towards making Dubai a preferred destination for tech companies and boosting the local economy by providing diverse job opportunities in the coming years.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum added that competitiveness in Dubai and its leading position as a hub for the digital economy are priorities in their programs and projects as they aim to achieve the targets of Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33. He affirmed their steady progress towards inaugurating a new phase in leading and sustaining the growth of Dubai’s knowledge-based economy, innovation, and future technological applications. He noted that Dubai will remain a hub of economic prosperity in the region and the world, and will be the ideal destination for creative minds.
The opening of the campus was attended by the Minister of Artificial Intelligence, the Governor of the Dubai International Financial Center, and the Chairman of the Dubai International Financial Center Authority. “Dubai Artificial Intelligence Campus” is the largest gathering of AI and technology companies in the Middle East and North Africa region, announced in 2023.
The opening of “Dubai Artificial Intelligence Campus” is in line with achieving Dubai’s economic goals under D33, aiming to transform Dubai into a leading global city in the digital economy. The objectives of this plan include creating new economic value averaging AED 100 billion annually to add to Dubai’s economy, with the aim of realizing the aspirations of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in making Dubai a global capital for the digital economy and a key player in the global digital system.
The center aligns with Dubai’s vision to become a premier business destination for technology companies, aiming to enhance Dubai’s status as a leading center for innovation and technology across all sectors. The economic contribution of artificial intelligence in the Middle East is expected to rise to $320 billion by 2030, with the UAE projected to have the most significant impact, accounting for 14% of GDP by 2030.
“Dubai Artificial Intelligence Campus” is located at the “Innovation Hub” in the Dubai International Financial Center, serving as a shared workspace for tech startups, including AI. The number of registered companies in this campus has increased to 75 companies in the first phase this year, spanning 10,000 square feet. The campus is expected to attract over 500 companies, providing more than 3,000 job opportunities by 2028, along with investments totaling $300 million in the same period.
The campus has an ambitious expansion plan to occupy premises covering over 100,000 square feet, expected to be completed by 2028. Isa Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Center, expressed his delight at the honor of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in inaugurating the “Dubai Artificial Intelligence Campus,” confirming that the campus will contribute to accelerating the achievement of Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 goals and related strategies.
In the future technology and digital economy in Dubai.It was noted that the opening of Dubai AI Campus is part of Dubai’s efforts to support the adoption of artificial intelligence applications, and that the campus plays a crucial role in enhancing Dubai’s position as a global hub for adopting advanced technologies.
He pointed out that the innovative ecosystem in Dubai and the Dubai International Financial Centre provide opportunities for startups to directly access investors, investment funds, large companies, and traditional financial institutions, helping them secure the necessary funding and support to achieve their goals.
Meanwhile, Arif Amiri, CEO of the Dubai International Financial Centre, stated that Dubai AI Campus contributes to accelerating the achievement of the Centre’s 2030 strategic goals, aimed at creating new ways to enhance our financial system, financial technology, and sustainable innovation.
“Dubai AI Campus strengthens the Dubai International Financial Centre as the largest incubator system for the sector in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia,” he said. “We look forward to collaborating with companies in the region to streamline and expand their operations by adopting artificial intelligence technologies across various sectors.” Dubai AI Campus forms global technological partnerships with major companies in the sector such as “Amazon Web Services,” “HP,” “Microsoft,” “Oracle,” and “NVIDIA,” who will join the campus as key partners. This contributes to enhancing the enabling environment for the business community, making the campus the headquarters of the first innovation lab focusing on providing AI solutions for small businesses in the UAE, in collaboration with “du.”
As part of its efforts to provide a conducive environment to support the growth of AI startups, “Dubai AI Campus” will also offer high-performance computing, including DGX stations that enhance digital freedom, facilitate the development of AI technologies, increase productivity, and achieve results faster.
The campus also operates business acceleration programs to promote the adoption of AI technologies in the private sector through partnerships with local and international institutions. “Dubai AI Campus” offers a unique license designed to meet the needs of upcoming companies relying on AI technologies, based on the legal framework of the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Companies within “Dubai AI Campus” will also benefit from the Digital Assets Law at the Dubai International Financial Centre, the first of its kind globally, aiming to provide legal assurance for investors in digital assets and their users.
The Data Protection Commissioner at the Dubai International Financial Centre strengthened AI companies by establishing an advisory committee comprising local and international policy experts to develop a framework for AI governance best practices and intellectual leadership. Dubai enhances its position by hosting the first Dubai AI and Web 3 Festival in partnership with Dubai AI Campus, the office of the State Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy, and the Dubai International Financial Centre from September 11 to 12 in Jumeirah, Dubai.
The “Dubai AI and Web 3 Festival” is a testament to the UAE’s commitment to spotlighting future technology by adopting a global platform seeking to shape the future of technology and innovation. The festival’s agenda covers a diverse range of topics, including discussions on ethical issues in the use of artificial intelligence. The festival is expected to attract over 5000 visitors and participants, over 500 investors, and over 100 exhibitors on three main platforms.
It was mentioned that the “Innoway Hub” at the Dubai International Financial Centre has witnessed growth since its opening in 2021, with purposeful and innovative partnerships, committed to innovation and its future vision. The hub accommodates over 1,000 startups within its ecosystem. In 2023, 316 innovative companies established headquarters at the hub and launched the “MetaVerse Business Accelerator Program” as part of Dubai’s MetaVerse strategy, receiving over 150 applications in the first batch.
