Dubai AI Festival 2026: 20,000 Business Leaders to Convene at DWTC in October Under Sheikh Hamdan
Dubai AI Festival 2026 brings 20,000 business leaders, 200 speakers, 500 investors and 200 exhibitors to DWTC on 26-27 October, held under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan. Registration is now open.
Key Takeaways
- ▸Dubai AI Festival 2026 takes place on 26-27 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre, held under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
- ▸The event expects more than 20,000 business leaders, 200 global speakers, 500 investors and 200 exhibitors across two days.
- ▸The festival brings together 20+ global unicorns, 20+ government agencies and ministries, and 20+ top venture capital firms in one venue.
- ▸Key themes include AI innovation and ethics, sovereign AI, infrastructure, workforce transformation and investment flows across the GCC.
- ▸Registration and stand bookings are open now at dubaiaifestival.com.
The Dubai AI Festival is scheduled to return to the Dubai World Trade Centre on 26 and 27 October 2026, organisers have confirmed, following a date change announced earlier this year. The event is held under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE.
Based on attendance figures from previous editions, organisers expect more than 20,000 business leaders, 200 speakers, 500 investors and 200 exhibitors across the two days. The 2026 edition is co-hosted by the Dubai Future Foundation and the Dubai International Financial Centre, and managed by Terrapinn. Strategic partners include the UAE Ministry of AI, Google Cloud, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, HP and the Dubai Health Authority.
Eight Themes Across Two Days
The 2026 programme is structured around eight themes. AI for All examines inclusive access to artificial intelligence across geographies and demographics. Global AI Governance addresses the frameworks needed for ethical and secure AI development at an international level. Immersive Experiences focuses on real-world AI applications. Innovation and Ethics looks at how AI advancement can be balanced with responsible deployment.
The remaining four themes cover the Future of Work, exploring how automation is reshaping human roles; AI as Cornerstone, examining how AI underpins sector-wide efficiency gains; AI Literacy, focused on building organisational and individual capability; and Infrastructure and Investment, addressing how capital allocation into AI infrastructure drives long-term innovation.
Format and Participation
The event's programme includes plenary sessions, fireside chats, FutureTech Dialogues, workshops and roundtables. A startup competition, the FutureTech World Cup, offers early-stage companies a platform to present AI solutions to investors and industry figures. A separate FutureTech Launchpad and Global FutureTech Innovation Programme are also part of the schedule.
Confirmed sponsors for the 2026 edition include KB Financial Group as Diamond Sponsor, Mistral and Mantika AI Consultancy as Gold Sponsors, and Alibaba Cloud as Silver Sponsor, among others.
The festival sits within Dubai AI Week and is organised in partnership with the DIFC Innovation Hub. It is one of several large-scale AI events the UAE is hosting in 2026 as part of its broader AI economy agenda, which includes the Stargate UAE infrastructure programme and the country's confirmed role hosting the 2028 Global AI Summit.
Delegate registration and stand enquiries are open at dubaiaifestival.com.
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