Dubai AI Week Kicks Off: Minister Al Olama Says Every Company Must Go AI-First

The future of Dubai’s economy will be built on artificial intelligence, and every business must prepare for it now.

That was the message delivered by Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, as he opened the inaugural Dubai AI Week at the Museum of the Future.

“Every single company that’s going to be in our digital economy, moving forward, needs to be an AI-first company,” Al Olama declared, addressing a packed audience of global AI experts, government leaders, and tech entrepreneurs during the AI Retreat, the flagship opening event of the week-long summit.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the event has drawn over 10,000 participants from more than 100 countries to shape the future of AI across every sector—from governance to education and the economy.

A Seal of Trust for AI-Driven Companies

In a landmark announcement, Al Olama revealed that 325 companies have been awarded Dubai’s AI Seal, a new certification that distinguishes firms offering secure and responsible AI solutions. “We want to know who’s really building best-in-class AI in the UAE, and who’s simply repackaging open-source models,” he said, underscoring the need for transparency and quality in AI innovation.

The seal is also meant to guide government entities and businesses in identifying trusted AI partners and solutions.

Government Readiness: 230 Chief AI Officers Appointed

Dubai isn’t stopping at the private sector. According to the minister, over 230 Chief AI Officers have already been appointed across government departments, tasked with developing tailored AI strategies and projects. “We will evaluate every public entity on the effectiveness and impact of their AI adoption,” Al Olama said.

He emphasized that AI will not be deployed for its own sake, but to meaningfully enhance public services and quality of life: “It must be about impact. Better schools, better hospitals, better cities—that’s the goal.”

AI Infrastructure and Talent

Al Olama also highlighted Dubai’s investments in infrastructure, noting the launch of 17 AI-focused data centers over the past year. He cited 26 complementary initiatives—including the "One Million Prompters" campaign, aimed at training one million people in AI prompt engineering.

The minister stressed that Dubai’s strategy relies on collaboration: “We don’t claim to build the best AI tools ourselves. But we do claim to be the most business-friendly city in the world, and we’ll work with the brightest minds to make sure Dubai is where AI gets built—and where its benefits are realized.”

A Global AI Gathering

The AI Retreat is just one pillar of Dubai AI Week, which includes the Dubai Assembly for AI at Emirates Towers, featuring delegations from 15 countries, 60 startups, 20 universities, and tech giants like Meta, Google Cloud, Nvidia, and OpenAI.

Key events include the Global Prompt Engineering Championship, the Dubai AI Festival at Madinat Jumeirah, and AI Week in Schools. The week concludes with a massive hackathon and specialized summits, including HIMSS Executive Summit and the International Conference on AI Innovations.

A Word of Warning

In his closing remarks, Al Olama urged attendees to think boldly and act quickly. “I urge you to dream big, think in terms of the next year—not the next five—and work together to achieve that vision.”

As Sheikh Hamdan put it: “Those who ignore AI today will fall behind.”

Dubai’s AI Week sets the tone for a city determined not to follow but to lead in the AI era—through infrastructure, collaboration, and visionary leadership.