Dubai is accelerating its ambitions to become one of the world’s leading artificial intelligence hubs, with plans to attract more than 1,000 AI companies and create over 5,000 specialised technology jobs by 2030.
The ambitious expansion strategy was approved by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, during the third edition of the Dubai AI Festival, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre on 26–27 October 2026.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in Dubai’s efforts to establish itself as a global centre for artificial intelligence development, investment and commercialisation.
Since launching in May 2024, Dubai AI Campus has attracted more than 500 artificial intelligence companies, generating over AED 1 billion in private equity and venture capital investment and supporting the creation of more than 2,000 specialised technology jobs.
The initiative has already surpassed its original 2028 targets two years ahead of schedule, prompting Dubai’s leadership to establish more ambitious objectives for the remainder of the decade.
Building a Global AI Powerhouse
Developed under the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai AI Campus has emerged as an important platform connecting artificial intelligence startups, multinational technology companies, investors and government organisations.
The initiative is designed to strengthen Dubai’s position within the global AI economy by providing businesses with access to investment opportunities, advanced infrastructure, specialist talent and a supportive regulatory environment.
Sheikh Hamdan emphasised that Dubai’s long-term vision centres on transforming technological innovation into sustainable economic growth.
The emirate is seeking to create an environment where companies can develop, test and deploy advanced AI applications while benefiting from collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, highlighted the campus’s rapid progress, confirming that its initial target of attracting 500 AI companies by 2028 had already been achieved.
The revised strategy aims to more than double the number of companies operating within the campus ecosystem while significantly expanding employment opportunities across the AI sector.
New 100,000-Square-Foot AI Campus to Accelerate Innovation
A central component of the expansion involves the development of a purpose-built Dubai AI Campus facility within the DIFC Zabeel District.
Spanning approximately 100,000 square feet, the new development will provide infrastructure dedicated to artificial intelligence research, development, testing and commercialisation.
The facility will incorporate specialised AI laboratories, secure development environments, advanced computing infrastructure and digital twin technologies.
Government organisations and private businesses will be able to collaborate on developing AI-powered solutions, testing applications in controlled environments before introducing them across industries and public services.
An interactive AI Experience Centre will also form part of the development, showcasing emerging technologies and real-world applications.
Accessible to residents, students, international visitors, investors and business delegations, the centre will demonstrate how artificial intelligence is transforming sectors ranging from healthcare and financial services to education, transportation and urban development.
The wider campus is expected to strengthen collaboration between technology developers, investors, researchers and policymakers, helping businesses bring AI innovations to market more efficiently.
Dubai AI Festival Attracts Global Technology Leaders
The announcement coincided with the third Dubai AI Festival, which is bringing together more than 20,000 participants representing over 100 countries.
The two-day event features more than 150 speakers, 500 investors and 200 exhibitors, reflecting the growing international interest in Dubai’s expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Held under the theme Where Intelligence Meets Opportunity, the festival explores developments in AI governance, investment, infrastructure, ethics, workforce transformation and the commercial adoption of emerging technologies.
During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan reviewed innovations presented by several international technology organisations.
Among those featured were ElevenLabs, known for its generative AI audio technologies and expanding multimodal capabilities; Amazon Web Services and Alibaba Cloud, both major providers of cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure; and Linkerbot, which is developing advanced robotic hands and intelligent robotic control systems.
He also reviewed applications of artificial intelligence in medical education and clinical training at Dubai Medical University.
The demonstrations highlighted the increasingly diverse applications of AI across healthcare, robotics, enterprise technology, education and digital infrastructure.
Strengthening Dubai’s Position in the Global AI Economy
Dubai’s latest investment in artificial intelligence forms part of a broader strategy to diversify its economy, attract international technology businesses and establish the emirate as a preferred destination for emerging industries.
By combining government support, access to international capital and dedicated technology infrastructure, Dubai is seeking to create an environment capable of supporting AI companies throughout their development, from early-stage innovation to international expansion.
Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, highlighted the importance of bringing together businesses, investment capital, talent and infrastructure to accelerate the commercial adoption of artificial intelligence.
The continued expansion of Dubai AI Campus is expected to strengthen the emirate’s ability to attract global technology companies while providing opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs developing the next generation of AI applications.
With more than 500 companies already established within its ecosystem and over AED 1 billion in investment secured, Dubai AI Campus has demonstrated substantial early momentum.
The new targets of 1,000-plus companies and 5,000 specialised jobs by 2030 represent the next stage of Dubai’s ambition to become a major international centre for artificial intelligence innovation, investment and economic growth.
