'AI Retreat' to become annual fixture in Dubai

The 'AI Retreat' will become an annual fixture on Dubai's events calendar as part of efforts to strengthen the city's position as a global hub for Artificial Intelligence.

The inaugural edition, which concluded on Tuesday, explored ways to lay solid foundations for the adoption of AI across core economic sectors.

Some 2,500 AI experts, policymakers and industry leaders engaged in crucial discussions to progress tangible AI-related policy and innovation.

Organised by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence and the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence, the AI Retreat 2024 is the debut event to run under the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (DUB.AI), which was announced in April, as part of efforts to accelerate the adoption of AI in the emirate.

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 next retreat will be held on April 29, 2025.

Sheikh Hamdan, who attended the AI Retreat 2024, met with the recently appointed 22 Chief AI Officers of government entities in Dubai. He directed the Dubai Government to intensify efforts and accelerate the implementation of the initiatives and ideas discussed at today’s event.

His Highness also attended some of the roundtables held as part of the retreat at the Museum of the Future, and viewed several workshops and events organised by international tech companies at AREA 2071.

"Our goal for the next phase is to double the positive impact of AI for the betterment of humanity. This will be achieved by leveraging the annual Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence, which includes initiatives and programmes to enhance Dubai’s economic competitiveness, resilience, quality of life, and future-readiness," said Sheikh Hamdan.

. @HamdanMohammed: We convened the AI Retreat in Dubai today, which brought together more than 2,500 government officials, executives, and experts. Featuring 35 sessions and workshops, the retreat saw the launch of new partnerships and initiatives that will contribute to shaping… pic.twitter.com/mQe0NiuBx7

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 11, 2024

During the Dubai AI Retreat today, I reviewed the Dubai Urban Design Platform, powered by generative AI. The launch of this unique initiative makes Dubai the first city to harness this technology in urban planning. Designed to offer a comprehensive overview of neighbourhoods and… pic.twitter.com/niRYRITnDn

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) June 11, 2024