325 companies apply for Dubai AI Seal
Graded certification aims to promote trust and public-private AI adoption
#UAE #certification – Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI) has registered more than 325 applications from companies for the official Dubai AI Seal, according to remarks made by the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama at Dubai AI Week 2025. Introduced in January, the new verification programme was created to establish trust in AI service providers and accelerate adoption across public and private sectors. The Dubai AI Seal allows organisations to confirm a company’s legitimacy, R&D presence in the UAE, and the type of AI services offered.
SO WHAT? – Dubai attracts entrepreneurs new AI companies from all over the world and has become a hub for AI startups. There is also a high demand for AI solutions among UAE organisations that are, on average, very positive about the benefits to be derived from AI. However, in this dynamic environment it is also now a challenge for organisaitons to choose the right AI partners and some find it difficult to differentiate between one AI company and another. The Dubai AI Seal fills a critical gap, offering a standardised, transparent method to verify AI companies and reduce procurement risk. Introduced in January, the application of over 300 companies out of about 800 AI companies identified by the government, is a good start.
Here are some key points about the Dubai AI Seal:
The Dubai AI Seal was launched by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence in January to verify trustworthy AI companies and support sector-wide adoption.
According to the UAE AI minister (who is also Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation) speaking at the Dubai AI Retreat, 325 AI companies applied under the new programme, which includes a six-tier grading system from A to S.
The S-grade represents companies making the highest economic and technological contributions to Dubai’s AI sector.
The seal gives certified firms a competitive edge in securing public contracts and builds credibility with enterprise buyers.
Each certified company is issued a unique serial number, allowing customers to verify the firm's credentials through an online portal.
Evaluation criteria include the company’s AI workforce, product maturity, UAE-based R&D, and industry partnerships.
The initiative is open to all Dubai-licensed tech firms that offer AI services and pass DCAI’s strict verification standards.
The Dubai AI Seal programme aligns with the Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI, which aims to make the city a global AI leader.
A recent study by DCAI revealed over 800 AI-specialised firms now operate in Dubai, with 66% using it as their global hub.
The certification initiative is expected to streamline AI vendor selection processes for IT leaders and procurement teams.
ZOOM OUT – As cities compete to attract AI companies, investment and talent, Dubai is taking a structured approach, building not just hype, but foundational tools like the AI Seal to support local commercial transactions. The initiative echoes strategies in leading tech hubs, where certification helps separate credible innovators from opportunistic players, boosting buyer confidence and accelerating adoption. With over 800 AI companies and rising global interest, Dubai’s strategy to institutionalise trust could serve as a model for other digital economies.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Updated 22-Apr-25 - This story previously read that 325 companies have been awarded the Dubai AI Seal. However, Dubai AI Week advised that 325+ companies have applied for the Dubai AI Seal, but not necessarily been awarded one.
LINKS
Dubai AI Seal (website)
Read more about AI companies in Dubai:
Dubai AI Seal launched to help accelerate AI sector (Middle East AI News)
Dubai AI Week to bring AI ecosystem together in April 2025 (Middle East AI News)
Dubai boasts 800 AI companies (Middle East AI News)
Dubai launches Ignyte to empower 100,000 start-ups (Middle East AI News)