Inside Dubai’s collaborative AI community: Home to pioneering ideas

Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, has announced that the UAE has been chosen to join a coalition of 49 other nations in the Hiroshima Artificial Intelligence Process Friends Group.

The UAE is the first nation in the Arab world to join the AI safety and security organisation, whose other members include the US, UK, Canada, India, Japan, South Korea, and Spain.

“In this momentous stride towards progress, the UAE shines as a symbol of innovation and collaboration. Embracing the boundless potential of technology and innovation,” the Minister wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Established in May during the 49th G7 Summit in Japan, the Hiroshima AI Process initiative was introduced with the aim of offering a holistic framework for ethically advancing AI technologies, while also addressing potential challenges associated with their rapid evolution.

Amidst this global recognition, Dubai’s thriving collaborative AI community is constantly bolstering the rise of the country on the global AI map.

The first-ever AI retreat in Dubai to build an AI community

To fuel the AI industry and bring all stakeholders on the same page, Dubai has announced to hold its first ever AI Retreat 2024 on June 11.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, announced that the event aims to envision the future of AI and discuss local and global challenges and opportunities in the field.

To be hosted at the Museum of the Future and Jumeirah Emirates Towers, the AI Retreat will bring together more than 1,000 AI experts and specialists, thereby strengthening the burgeoning community.

Participants will also work together to devise strategies for utilising AI to drive innovation and gain a competitive edge. They will brainstorm AI applications that have the potential to greatly enhance quality of life and actively engage with local AI communities and talent.

The retreat will be organised by the Dubai Centre for AI Applications in collaboration with the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence. It is the first event planned under the framework of the annual Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence.

Dubai being the perfect platform for AI idea exchange

One of the most prominent features of Dubai’s AI community is its vibrant ecosystem of networking events, conferences, and meet-ups dedicated to building collaboration and knowledge exchange.

There are a plethora of events, such as the Global AI Show, the Dubai Future Talks, AI Everything Summit, Dubai AI & Web3 Festival, and the Dubai AI Week, that bring together industry leaders, experts, and innovators from across the world to discuss the latest trends, technologies, and advancements in AI.

These events offer a platform for start-ups to showcase their innovations, ink strategic partnerships with incubators and facilitators like Seed Group, and learn from leading voices in the field, steering collective progress and innovation within the AI community.

Strong links with academia and research institutions

In a bid to leverage the expertise and resources of research institutions, Dubai has seen many global collaborative initiatives such as joint research projects, technology transfer programmes, and academic-industry partnerships.

These initiatives aim at solving some of the world’s most complex challenges, enabling the start-up community to access cutting-edge research and insights, and benefiting academia from real-world applications of their research.

Moreover, collaborations between start-ups and established tech players also play a crucial role in driving innovation and accelerating the growth of the AI sector in Dubai.

We are confident that, driven by Dubai’s wise leadership, the Emirate offers a very collaborative AI ecosystem capable of providing one of the most conducive environments for start-ups, academic institutions, research centres, and established technology firms to unite, cooperate, and fuel AI innovation.