Dubai is expanding its AI ecosystem with plans to attract more than 1,000 companies and create over 5,000 specialised jobs by 2030 through the Dubai AI Campus at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Since launching in May 2024, the campus has attracted more than 500 AI companies, secured over AED 1 billion in investment and contributed to more than 2,000 technology jobs, according to the announcement.
A planned 100,000-square-foot facility in the DIFC Zabeel District expansion will include GPU-ready infrastructure, secure AI development zones, digital twin environments and specialised laboratories. The facilities are intended to help startups, businesses and government organisations test and validate AI applications before commercial deployment.
The opportunity extends beyond AI developers. Cloud computing, cybersecurity, data management, software integration, recruitment, consulting and digital marketing providers could benefit as companies adopt AI across financial services, healthcare, real estate, logistics, tourism and hospitality.
Dubai has also launched a two-year initiative to support Agentic AI adoption in the private sector, including training, incubators and funding mechanisms. Separately, the Dubai Future Foundation’s AI Sandbox is helping startups and technology companies test AI solutions with technical, commercial and regulatory support. Applications for the current programme are open until 18 December 2026.
Source: Business News This Week
