Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 11 November 2025: The Dubai AI Festival is set to make a monumental return in 2026, this time expanding to the Dubai World Trade Centre to accommodate the overwhelming surge in international participation and interest. As the flagship event of Dubai AI Week, the third edition of the festival is expected to surpass all previous records, building on the success of the 2025 edition which welcomed over 10,000 attendees.
The upcoming event, scheduled for 7–8 April 2026, will bring together more than 20,000 participants, 500+ investors, 200+ global speakers, and 200+ exhibitors from 120+ countries. With over 50 workshops and roundtables planned, the festival will serve as a critical platform for discussions on artificial intelligence, innovation, and the future of technology.
A Strategic Move to the Global Stage
Organised by the Dubai AI Campus, in partnership with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Office of the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, the event reflects Dubai’s growing global influence in the AI sector. The relocation from Madinat Jumeirah to the Dubai World Trade Centre underscores its expanding scale and ambition to host a truly global audience.
Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Festival aims to reinforce Dubai’s position as a premier AI and future technology hub.
A Reflection of Dubai’s Vision for AI Leadership
His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, highlighted the festival’s alignment with Dubai’s strategic ambitions:
“The Dubai AI Festival is a powerful reflection of Dubai’s ambition to lead the global dialogue on AI and future technologies. The Festival directly supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and DIFC’s Strategy 2030 by accelerating AI adoption and positioning Dubai as a launchpad for high-growth companies. With the expansion of the Dubai AI Campus, the largest dedicated AI cluster in the region, we are building the infrastructure to attract global talent, foster innovation, and shape the future of AI from Dubai.”
The Expanding Dubai AI Ecosystem
Dubai continues to stand among the world’s top five cities for AI adoption and is recognized as one of the top four FinTech hubs globally. Backed by the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the UAE AI Strategy 2031, the city is pioneering the application of artificial intelligence across all sectors — from governance and finance to creative industries and mobility.
Global market forecasts show AI growing from USD 391 billion in 2025 to over USD 1.8 trillion by 2030, with projections reaching USD 3.5 trillion by 2033. Within the Middle East, AI is expected to contribute USD 320 billion to the economy by 2030 — with the UAE leading the charge. By 2033, the UAE’s AI market could reach USD 46.33 billion, with its machine learning sector alone projected at USD 2.41 billion.
At the center of this evolution is DIFC, through the Dubai AI Campus — a hub that already hosts over 200 AI companies and 315 entities under the Dubai AI Licence. The campus aims to expand to 100,000 square feet, support 500+ companies, create 3,000+ jobs, and attract USD 300 million in investments by 2028.
Complementing this growth is the Dubai AI Academy, the campus’s talent engine, which aims to train and upskill over 10,000 AI professionals by 2030, further securing Dubai’s role as a global AI innovation center.
A Global Platform for Collaboration and Investment
The 2026 Dubai AI Festival will act as a convergence point for global collaboration, attracting the world’s most influential AI thinkers, companies, and investors. From roundtable discussions to hands-on workshops, the event will offer a comprehensive view of AI’s transformative potential across industries.
Attendees can look forward to networking sessions, startup showcases, and the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technologies that are shaping tomorrow’s economies. For registration and agenda details, visit Dubai AI Festival’s official site.
Discover Dubai Beyond the Festival
Visitors attending the Dubai AI Festival can also explore the city’s rich offerings and world-class attractions through 10BestDubai.com — the premier digital guide to the best experiences in Dubai. From luxury dining and cultural hotspots to hidden gems and tech-driven experiences, the platform offers curated recommendations to help attendees make the most of their stay in the City of the Future.
Whether it’s planning after-hours activities, discovering Dubai’s AI-driven smart city innovations, or finding the top-rated business hubs and dining spots, 10BestDubai.com is your go-to guide to experiencing Dubai at its best.
For more information and updates on the Dubai AI Festival 2026, visit dubaiaifestival.com and 10bestdubai.com.
