Dubai AI Festival returns as the headline event of Dubai AI Week in 2026, and it’s getting a bigger stage. Moving to the Dubai World Trade Centre, the third edition aims to welcome over 20,000 people from more than 120 countries.
Expect two packed days on 7–8 April with 150+ sessions, 50+ roundtables and workshops, and a strong investor and exhibitor presence. The event is led by Dubai AI Campus in partnership with DIFC and the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, aligning with Dubai’s D33 agenda and DIFC’s Strategy 2030.
- Two-day event on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 April 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre
- 20,000+ attendees, 200+ speakers, 200+ exhibitors, 500+ investors expected
- 150+ sessions plus 50+ roundtables and workshops; 120+ countries
- Organised by Dubai AI Campus with DIFC and the UAE AI Office
- Backs Dubai’s D33 and DIFC Strategy 2030; ties into the expansion of Dubai AI Campus and its AI Academy
What’s new for 2026
The Festival outgrows Madinat Jumeirah and shifts to DWTC to handle rising demand.
- New venue: Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
- Bigger crowd: 20k+ attendees vs 10k+ last edition
- Wider programme: 150+ sessions and 50+ workshops/roundtables
- Global mix: 120+ countries represented
The move to DWTC signals scale. It’s the same campus that hosts major tech showcases every year, from vendor megastands to hands-on demos. For context, see how global players showed up at DWTC during GITEX, from Microsoft’s agentic AI demos to national-scale skills pushes like AWS and e&’s AI Nation – Afaaq.
The numbers that matter
Organisers expect a step-change in participation and content.
- Attendees: 20,000+
- Speakers: 200+
- Exhibitors: 200+
- Investors: 500+
- Countries: 120+
- Sessions: 150+ plus 50+ roundtables/workshops
The second edition crossed 10,000 visitors. This third edition aims to double that and add more structured content. That means denser tracks, more matchmaking, and more chances to meet investors and customers in one place.
Who’s behind it and why it matters
The Festival is organised by Dubai AI Campus, in partnership with DIFC and the UAE AI Office. It directly supports city-level strategies to grow the digital economy.
- Aligns with Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and DIFC Strategy 2030
- Under directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
- Focus on practical AI across government, finance, creative industries and mobility
- Platform for startups, policy makers and enterprise buyers
DIFC frames the event as part of a bigger push to make Dubai a launchpad for high-growth companies. As DIFC’s CEO Arif Amiri puts it, the Festival reflects Dubai’s aim to “lead the global dialogue on AI.”
Inside Dubai’s AI ecosystem
DIFC’s Dubai AI Campus sits at the centre of a fast-growing cluster.
- 200+ AI companies already on campus
- 315 entities under the Dubai AI Licence
- Campus projected to exceed 100,000 sq ft, host 500+ companies, create 3,000+ jobs and attract USD 300m by 2028
- Dubai AI Academy to train and upskill 10,000 professionals by 2030
This campus activity mirrors broader moves across the city: new experience centres and infrastructure aimed at real-world adoption. See Oracle’s AI Experience Centre in Dubai Internet City and du’s plans for a National Hybrid AI platform and AI Park to support sovereign AI workloads.
What attendees can expect on 7–8 April 2026
The agenda focuses on use cases, investment and policy.
- Tracks on finance, public sector, creative industries, mobility and skills
- Investor meetings and startup showcases
- Roundtables for regulators, CIOs and founders
- Workshops on deployment, governance and safety
With 200+ exhibitors and 500+ investors projected, the two days should compress months of outreach into a tight schedule. Expect hands-on sessions, sector-specific briefings and plenty of networking in the halls and side rooms at DWTC.
How to get involved
Registration and agenda updates will go live ahead of the event.
- Dates: Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 April 2026 (Dubai time)
- Venue: Dubai World Trade Centre
- Organiser: Dubai AI Campus with DIFC and the UAE AI Office
- Info: dubaiaifestival.com
If you’re building or buying AI in the UAE, block the dates now. The Festival is positioned as a meeting point for decision-makers, founders and technical teams, with clear links to Dubai’s economic plans.
FAQ
When and where is Dubai AI Festival 2026?
It runs on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 April 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre, as part of Dubai AI Week.
How big is it compared to last year?
The second edition welcomed 10,000+ visitors. The 2026 edition targets 20,000+ attendees and a bigger programme.
Who is organising the event?
Dubai AI Campus, in partnership with DIFC and the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office.
What’s on the agenda?
More than 150 sessions, plus 50+ workshops and roundtables. Topics span public sector, finance, creative industries, mobility and skills.
Who should attend?
Government leaders, enterprise buyers, investors, startups and anyone deploying AI across the UAE and wider region.
How do I register?
Visit dubaiaifestival.com for registration and the full agenda when it’s published.
