Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence Applications will organize the second edition of Dubai AI Week from April 6 to 9, 2026.
The event is set to welcome strong participation from government entities, leading global technology companies, and artificial intelligence pioneers from around the world. With this second edition, Dubai continues to position itself as a global meeting point for conversations and collaborations that are shaping the future of technology.
Dubai AI Week serves as an annual platform that brings together innovators, decision-makers, and industry leaders, in line with the Dubai Annual Plan to Accelerate AI Adoption and the broader ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
Six Key Pillars Guiding the Agenda
The 2026 edition will revolve around six main pillars: empowering communities, shaping future governance, accelerating infrastructure development, enhancing planetary sustainability, expanding the boundaries of human knowledge, and redesigning the future of healthcare.
These themes reflect the expanding influence of artificial intelligence across vital sectors. From public services to environmental solutions and medical innovation, the discussions will explore how AI can be applied in practical ways to improve efficiency, drive sustainable growth, and enhance quality of life.
A Diverse and Dynamic Program
Dubai AI Week will feature a rich lineup of events, including the “AI Retreat,” the “Dubai AI Forum,” the “Dubai AI Festival,” and the “Machines Can See Summit,” along with several other specialized gatherings designed to engage different segments of society.
Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Future Foundation, highlighted that the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to establish Dubai AI Week as an annual global platform offer an important opportunity for partners in the UAE and abroad to strengthen the role of AI in advancing the digital economy and accelerating technological progress.
He noted that the week will bring together decision-makers, chief executives, technology pioneers, and major global companies to exchange insights on both current and emerging AI opportunities. The goal is not only to explore innovation, but also to spotlight practical applications that can positively impact government performance and community wellbeing.
Building on a Successful First Edition
The inaugural Dubai AI Week attracted more than 30,000 participants and experts from across the globe, alongside some of the world’s largest technology companies and a number of promising startups.
It featured 10 major events held across Dubai, more than 250 panel discussions and workshops, and over 700 speakers. The first edition also saw the launch of more than 30 partnership initiatives and agreements between government entities, private sector companies, investors, and startups, reflecting the event’s tangible impact beyond dialogue.
Key Topics on the Table for 2026
The 2026 edition will address a range of pressing topics, including AI’s impact across industries, its role in shaping future jobs and skills, its applications in education and academic research, AI leadership, responsible AI ethics, and the future of media in an increasingly intelligent digital landscape.
Specialized meetings will also bring together Chief AI Officers from both the public and private sectors to enhance collaboration in adopting advanced technologies. In parallel, developers from within the UAE and internationally will gather to discuss innovative AI applications and showcase their technical contributions to building the tools of tomorrow.
With a comprehensive and forward-looking agenda, Dubai AI Week continues to strengthen its role as a leading annual platform where global expertise meets bold ambition, helping shape a smarter and more sustainable future.
