Abu Dhabi to Host Ai Everything Global 2026, Cementing the UAE’s Position as a Global AI Powerhouse

Abu Dhabi is set to host Ai Everything Global in 2026, a move that signals just how serious the UAE is about planting its flag at the centre of the global AI map. The announcement came during the opening day of the inaugural Ai Everything Global Summit at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, where tech leaders from around the world gathered in what organisers described as the largest meeting of its kind.

The plan is clear. Abu Dhabi wants to become the world’s first fully AI-powered government within the next two years, backed by the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027. The UAE already ranks second globally, after the United States, in attracting AI talent. That’s no small feat. I’ve seen first-hand how founders across the region are now talking about AI not as a buzzword, but as basic infrastructure — like electricity. And, honestly, it feels like the country is chuffed to bits about pushing that advantage further.

Ai Everything Global, an extension of GITEX GLOBAL, will be organised by KAOUN International, the events arm of Dubai World Trade Centre, and hosted at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism. The event is expected to bring together influential public and private sector leaders each year to shape policy, investment and research in artificial intelligence.

His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President and Secretary General of the Advanced Technology Research Council, highlighted that the UAE’s ecosystem is built to empower talent and drive research and development. He noted that the summit will gather AI leaders and innovators in the capital to explore how AI can be developed and deployed safely, reinforcing the country’s ambition to shape intelligence-driven economies.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, described the move as part of a broader effort to position Abu Dhabi as a global technology hub. In his view, hosting the event will create space for industries and governments to tap into AI’s transformative potential while strengthening the emirate’s leadership in digital economies.

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International and Executive Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre, pointed to the summit as a platform for global stakeholders to “reflect, recalibrate and reset” as AI rapidly reshapes industries. She emphasised that the event aims to influence policy, R&D and investment, while encouraging what she described as responsible and human-centred AI adoption. On the flip side, with so many global AI gatherings popping up, some might wonder if the world needs another mega-event — but given GITEX’s track record, this one will likely pack a punch.

Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau at DCT Abu Dhabi, said hosting the summit supports the emirate’s wider ambition to position itself as a destination for knowledge and innovation, while enhancing its appeal as a future-ready city.

The numbers attached to the UAE’s AI ambitions are eye-catching. AI is projected to contribute $100 billion to the national GDP by 2030. The country’s broader roadmap includes the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and major international engagements, such as MGX’s participation in the $500 billion Stargate AI Consortium. Meanwhile, the ADQ Growth Lab has committed $27 million to fund R&D testbeds and pilot projects aimed at accelerating adoption.

And believe it or not, there’s also a strong policy push at home. Dubai has appointed Chief AI Officers across several government entities to ensure integration at the highest level. Add to that the ‘One Million Arab Coders’ initiative, which continues to train young talent in coding and AI skills, and you start to see how this strategy connects from classrooms to boardrooms.

The 2025 edition of Ai Everything Global is taking place across Abu Dhabi and Dubai from 4 to 6 February, under the theme “Big Winds of Change: It’s AI in Everything”. More than 200 speakers, 500 tech companies and startups from over 70 countries, 500 Chief AI Officers and 150 global investors managing a combined $70 billion in assets are participating. Industry heavyweights including ASUS, Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Dell, e&, Fortinet, G42, HP, IBM, Intel, Lenovo, Nokia, Oracle, Palo Alto Networks, Red Hat, the Technology Innovation Institute and Zoom are showcasing their latest AI developments.

The venue for 2026, ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, is built for scale, with interconnected halls and six on-site hotels — details that matter when you’re hosting thousands of delegates flying in from 149 countries, as seen at the summit’s first edition. It’s not just a conference centre; it’s part of a bigger ecosystem Abu Dhabi is carefully constructing.

From where I stand, there’s something strategic — and a bit bold — about tying AI so closely to national identity. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I reckon the UAE’s clarity of vision is spot on. For startups across MENA watching this unfold, the message is simple: AI is not a side show anymore. It’s the main stage, and Abu Dhabi definately wants the spotlight.

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