Dubai AI Week 2026 is set to take place from April 7-8, making it one of the city’s biggest and most anticipated events for technology and innovation. This week-long festival and conference will bring together top experts, industry leaders, and innovators from around the world to explore the latest advancements in artificial intelligence.
With high-profile conferences, interactive workshops, and exhibitions happening across Dubai’s leading venues, AI Week 2026 is where technology meets imagination. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, policymaker, or AI enthusiast, this is your chance to connect, learn, and experience the future of AI firsthand.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- A quick overview of Dubai AI Week 2026
- Key highlights and major venues
- Main events and conferences to attend
- Key Themes and Topics
- Attendance scale and global impact
- AI Market Growth and Economic Impact
- Dubai’s strategic vision and economic outlook
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Quick Overview of Dubai AI Week 2026
Dubai AI Week 2026 builds on the success of 2025, expanding into a large-scale festival featuring 20 city-wide events. The week will welcome 10,000+ participants from 100+ countries, including policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders.
Organised under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event underscores Dubai’s commitment to advancing AI innovation on a global stage.
Key Highlights
- Dates: April 7–8, 2026 (expanded programming throughout the week)
- Venues: Dubai World Trade Centre, DIFC, Museum of the Future, AREA 2071 at Emirates Towers
- Participants: 10,000+ experts, 180+ speakers, 150+ workshops, 140+ AI activations
- Events: Dubai AI Festival, AI@70 Conference, Dubai Assembly for AI, AI Retreat, Global Prompt Engineering Championship, Machines Can See Conference
Organisers and Strategic Partners
Dubai AI Week 2026 is driven by key innovation bodies in the UAE:
- Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence – Leading AI research and policy.
- Dubai Future Foundation – Shaping Dubai’s innovation ecosystem.
- Dubai AI Campus (DIFC) – A dedicated hub for AI startups and R&D.
Strategic partners include Dartmouth College, government ministries, and global tech corporations collaborating to highlight AI’s transformative potential.
Event Locations: A Hub for Innovation
AI Week 2026 unfolds across Dubai’s most iconic innovation hubs:
- Dubai World Trade Centre – Core exhibitions and product launches.
- DIFC – Dubai AI Campus – Innovation and industry collaboration.
- Museum of the Future – AI retreats and visionary panels.
- AREA 2071, Emirates Towers – The Dubai Assembly for AI.
The Dubai AI Campus at DIFC remains a cornerstone for AI growth, projected to expand to 100,000 sq. ft. by 2028, hosting 500+ companies, creating 3,000+ jobs, and attracting US$300 million in investment.
Major Events at Dubai AI Week 2026
With so much on offer during Dubai AI Week 2026, attendees will have the chance to experience a variety of flagship and specialised events designed to showcase the latest in AI innovation and thought leadership.
Dubai AI Festival
The flagship event showcasing Dubai’s vision for AI adoption with:
- 20+ global unicorns presenting AI innovations
- 20+ government agencies demonstrating AI integration
- 8,000+ global leaders from 100+ countries
- Multiple specialised tracks and workshops
- Exhibition spaces featuring AI-powered activations
AI@70 Conference
Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the original Dartmouth Workshop, this global conference will bring the greatest minds from academia, business, technology, philosophy, art, and science, supported by Dartmouth College.
AI Retreat
A closed-door gathering of 100+ AI leaders focused on governance, ethics, and responsible adoption.
Dubai Assembly for AI
Held at AREA 2071, the event brings together 2,500+ policymakers and executives to shape global AI strategies.
Specialised Events
- Global Prompt Engineering Championship – Celebrating cutting-edge AI skills.
- Machines Can See Conference – Dedicated to computer vision and visual AI.
Key Themes and Topics
- Responsible AI Deployment – Ensuring ethical implementation of AI systems
- Transparency – Building trust through openness in AI decision-making
- The Future of Work – How AI will transform employment and skills
- AI for All – Democratizing AI access and benefits
- Global AI Governance – Establishing regulatory frameworks
- AI Literacy and Infrastructure – Building foundational knowledge and systems
- Innovation and Ethics – Balancing advancement with responsibility
- Infrastructure and Investment – Funding and resources for AI growth
These themes provide direction for policymakers, innovators, and industry leaders navigating AI’s next chapter.
Attendance and Scale
| Metrics | Expected Numbers |
| Participants | 10,000+ global experts |
| Countries Represented | 100+ nations |
| Speakers | 180+ |
| Workshops | 150+ |
| AI Activations | 140+ |
| Total Events Across Dubai | 20 Events |
Dubai AI Week 2026 stands out as one of the largest AI gatherings in the world and one of the top events to attend in Dubai next year.
AI Market Growth and Economic Impact
AI is transforming economies worldwide, with significant growth projected across global and regional markets. Here’s what to expect in the coming years:
Global Projections:
AI is expected to contribute US$15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
UAE Context:
- UAE AI Market: US$46.33 billion by 2033
- Machine Learning Market: US$2.41 billion by 2033
- Enterprise AI Integration: 80%+ adoption by 2026
Dubai’s AI initiatives – including the Dubai AI Campus and the Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI – strengthen its position as a global hub for smart, responsible innovation.
Strategic Vision and Philosophy
Guided by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s vision is to double AI’s positive impact for humanity. The Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI ensures growth that’s ethical, sustainable, and globally collaborative.
Attendees can expect:
- Prime Minister’s Office of the UAE
- Major multinational corporations (previous editions featured Amazon, GE Healthcare, Ola, Schneider Electric, WPP)
- Government agencies and ministries (20+)
- Global unicorn startups (20+)
- Academic and research institutions
- Technology and innovation leaders
Supporting Organisations
Dubai AI Week 2026 is supported by multiple strategic partners, including:
- DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)
- Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence
- Dubai Future Foundation
- Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence
- Digital Economy & Remote Work Applications Office
- Dartmouth College (for AI@70 Conference)
Key Takeaways
Dubai AI Week 2026, taking place from April 7–8 across iconic venues such as the Dubai World Trade Centre, DIFC, Museum of the Future, and Emirates Towers, promises an unmissable week of innovation and insight.
With over 10,000 participants, 180 speakers, 150 workshops, and 140 activations, the festival offers a deep dive into the future of AI – from governance and ethics to innovation and enterprise adoption. Backed by Dubai’s forward-thinking initiatives like the Dubai AI Campus and the Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI, the event reflects the emirate’s growing role as a global leader in artificial intelligence, with the UAE’s AI market projected to reach US$46.33 billion by 2033.
For anyone eager to explore how AI is shaping industries and societies worldwide, Dubai AI Week 2026 is the place to be.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A: April 7–8, 2026, with multiple events across Dubai venues throughout the week.
A: Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Dubai Future Foundation, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
A: A landmark conference marking 70 years since the Dartmouth Workshop, bringing together global AI leaders to discuss philosophical and practical implications of AI development, officially supported by Dartmouth College.
A: Over 10,000 participants from more than 100 countries, with 180+ speakers, 150+ workshops, and 140+ AI-powered activations.
A: Responsible AI deployment, transparency, the future of work, AI for all, global AI governance, AI literacy, innovation and ethics, and infrastructure and investment.
