Abu Dhabi to host Ai Everything Global in 2026
The UAE's global AI event moves to Abu Dhabi for 2026 edition
#UAE #AiEverythingGlobal - Abu Dhabi is to host Ai Everything Global Summit & Expo in 2026, reinforcing the UAE’s vision to become a world leader in AI innovation and investment. Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre’s KAOUN International in partnership with ADNEC Group and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), the 2026 event will bring together AI leaders and policymakers from May 11th to 13th.
SO WHAT? - The UAE is positioning itself as a global AI powerhouse, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai leading the charge. However, the two emirates have so far capitalised on different opportunities, in accordance with their own strengths and technology ecosystems. Abu Dhabi has invested heavily in building a research and development, and innovation hub, creating I.P. (intellectual property) in computational labs and building world-class advanced AI models. Dubai on the other hand, has attracted AI companies and entrepreneurs from all over the world to move to the city. Born in Dubai, Ai Everything now draws on the strengths of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai ecosystems to showcase the UAE’s global proposition for AI professionals, investors, developers and businesses.
Here are some more details about the announcement:
Ai Everything Global Summit & Expo will take place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from May 11th to 13th 2026, a premier venue known for hosting large-scale global events.
The announcement was made during the Ai Everything Global Summit in Abu Dhabi today by: H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President & Secretary General of the Advanced Technology Research Council; Humaid Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of ADNEC Group; Mubarak AlShamsi, Director of Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau Director Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi); and Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International and EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre.
The event will drive AI integration across key industries, including government, biotech, education, healthtech, and mobility.
The summit is a strategic extension of GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech and startup show, which takes place annually in Dubai.
The UAE ranks second only to the U.S. as a global AI talent hub, with continued investments in AI-driven economic growth.
Abu Dhabi’s AI ambition aligns with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027.
The emirate is investing in AI locally and globally, including MGX’s participation in the $500 billion Stargate AI Consortium and ADQ Growth Lab’s $27 million R&D fund.
Meanwhile, Dubai has introduced a raft of AI initiatives aimed at accelerating AI adoption locally, such as its initiative to ensure that every government department and public sector company has a Chief AI Officer.
UAE initiatives such as the ‘One Million Arab Coders’ ensure that the country’s influence and catchment area for talent, investment and new technology spreads far beyond its borders.
Ai Everything Global 2025 takes place this week, bringing together 200+ speakers, alongside groundbreaking showcases, industry applications and use-cases from 500+ global tech enterprises and award-winning startups from over 70 countries.
ZOOM OUT - As in Saudi Arabia, government in the UAE has led investment and innovation in AI and has been responsible for inspiring the commercial sector to accelerate adoption of the technologies. According to the latest Annual CEO Survey by PwC, 93% of UAE CEO’s say that their companies adopted Generative AI during the past 12 months, compared with 83% globally, while 51% said that GenAI impacted profitably over the past 12 month compared with just 34% globally. Consequently, the UAE has become an important global testbed for AI companies to pilot and implement their platforms and solutions.