Dubai Holding and Palantir launch UAE AI joint venture: Aither

Aither platform built on 18 months of operational success

#UAE #investment – Diversified investment group Dubai Holding and US operational AI platform leader Palantir Technologies have established Aither, a UAE joint venture to accelerate AI adoption across Dubai’s public and private sectors. The partnership formalises 18 months of operational collaboration that has delivered measurable transformation across Dubai Holding’s portfolio of over AED 280 billion ($76.2b) in assets spanning real estate, hospitality, finance and infrastructure, including brands such as Nakheel, Meraas and Jumeirah. The new joint venture will serve as a national platform to scale enterprise-grade AI capabilities across commercial sectors whilst supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda D33’s target to generate AED 100 billion ($27b) annually through digital transformation.

SO WHAT? – According to the media statement, the new Aither joint venture is built on 18 months of proven operational results within one of the region’s most diversified portfolios. Therefore, this is not a purely aspirational announcement, but a new venture that can be expected to have an impact from day one. Palantir has been active in the UAE for some years, but this is its first joint venture. Due to Dubai Holding’s international portfolio, Aither is likely to empower the group’s operations globally.

Here are some key points about the joint venture announcement:

• Dubai Holding and Palantir Technologies signed an agreement on October 31st to establish Aither as a UAE joint venture to accelerate AI adoption across Dubai’s public and private sectors. It’s Palantir’s first joint venture in the UAE.

• The joint venture formalises 18 months of operational collaboration beginning in early 2024, during which Dubai Holding deployed Palantir’s AI and data integration platforms across its diverse operations, achieving greater efficiency, faster decision-making and improved data visibility across sectors.

• Dubai Holding operates a portfolio of over AED 280 billion ($76.2b) worth of assets across 10 key sectors with investments in more than 30 countries and a combined workforce exceeding 45,000 people, including major brands such as Nakheel, Meraas, Jumeirah, Global Village and Ain Dubai.

• Aither will serve as a national platform to accelerate AI adoption across Dubai’s priority industries, enabling both government and private sector organisations to access AI solutions that have demonstrated measurable impact across Dubai Holding’s diversified portfolio operations.

• The venture will localise the economic value of Palantir’s technologies by transferring knowledge to develop national talent and establishing governance frameworks designed to guide AI implementation across the commercial landscape in alignment with national digital transformation strategy.

• The signing ceremony took place in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Holding, and His Excellency Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, with signatures from Amit Kaushal, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding, and Noam Perski, Executive Vice President at Palantir.

• Dubai Holding’s portfolio includes Dubai Holding Real Estate combining Meraas, Nakheel, Meydan and Dubai Properties, Dubai Holding Hospitality managing 53 hotels including Jumeirah’s 31 properties, and Dubai Holding Entertainment comprising Global Village, Ain Dubai and Dubai Parks and Resorts.

• The joint venture will directly contribute to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to generate AED 100 billion ($27b) annually through digital transformation initiatives, by providing local businesses with access to enterprise-grade AI solutions developed and proven locally.

ZOOM OUT – The UAE has emerged as a focal point for strategic AI partnerships between global technology leaders and major regional conglomerates, with several high-profile collaborations announced throughout 2024 and 2025. The emphasis on proven operational results before formalising joint ventures reflects growing sophistication in regional AI deployment, moving beyond technology demonstrations toward sustained business transformation. The UAE has purposefully accelerated its adoption of AI across business, government and education. A recent Microsoft report found that 59.4% of the working-age population now using AI tools, placing the UAE first globally in AI adoption.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]