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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence approved updated targets for the Dubai AI Campus during a review of digital economy initiatives the Emirates News Agency reported. The campus which launched in 2023 under directives from Sheikh Hamdan now hosts more than 400 specialised companies a figure the agency highlighted as evidence of rapid uptake in advanced technology clusters. Officials presented progress on the AI Academy component which has already trained over 1 500 participants as part of broader plans to position Dubai as a global hub for artificial intelligence development and deployment.
The Emirates News Agency said the new targets focus on scaling training programmes and attracting additional AI-focused enterprises to the facility located within the DIFC Innovation Hub. Sheikh Hamdan who chairs the Higher Committee for Future Technology Development and the Digital Economy examined how the campus integrates with other efforts such as the AI Infrastructure Empowerment Platform that has been adopted by 27 government entities since its introduction. This platform ensures data sovereignty while enabling faster incorporation of AI tools into public services the agency noted in its account of the meeting.
Dubai’s digital economy strategy has seen parallel advances including the Agentic AI transformation programme that aims to empower 295 000 companies develop 100 specialised AI assistants over the next two years and support establishment of 50 dedicated firms according to Emirates News Agency data. The Dubai AI Campus forms a central pillar of these objectives by providing computing resources business acceleration and tailored licensing models for AI ventures. Sheikh Hamdan directed further preparations to build on the campus’s existing momentum as part of annual reviews that align with national AI strategies.
Growth at the campus mirrors expansion in related hubs such as the Dubai PropTech Hub which recorded 118 percent growth in resident companies within a single year the Emirates News Agency figures show. Training initiatives at the AI Academy emphasise practical applications ethical considerations and strategic integration of artificial intelligence across government and private sectors. Participants gain skills that support everything from service delivery improvements to new enterprise creation in emerging technologies.
The approval comes amid ongoing efforts to double artificial intelligence’s contribution to Dubai’s gross domestic product through talent development and infrastructure investment the agency indicated. Sheikh Hamdan has consistently stressed the need for the private sector to drive AI adoption turning technological opportunities into measurable economic gains. Earlier initiatives such as the Unicorn 30 Programme which seeks to cultivate 30 billion-dollar startups headquartered in Dubai complement the campus’s role in fostering innovation ecosystems.
Emirates News Agency coverage of the meeting underlined that the updated targets will enhance collaboration between government entities and industry players while maintaining a focus on responsible AI governance. The campus continues to evolve as a dedicated cluster that supplies both physical infrastructure and knowledge programmes to support Dubai’s long-term vision. Additional details on implementation timelines are expected to emerge from follow-up committee sessions in the coming months.
