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Abu Dhabi’s artificial intelligence growth is becoming one of the most significant stories in global tech development.
From my perspective, no city in the region has moved faster or more strategically in building a strong AI ecosystem. The emirate is now home to 673 AI companies. That is a 61 percent increase between June 2023 and June 2024, according to data from the Abu Dhabi Chamber.
In the first half of 2025, 150 new companies entered Abu Dhabi’s artificial intelligence sector. This wave is not just about quantity. Many of these firms are focused on deep research, enterprise-scale transformation, and real-world applications. The drivers of this growth are clear: dedicated infrastructure, targeted investments, and high demand across key industries.
Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri from the Abu Dhabi Chamber said the AI sector is shifting from early-stage adoption to large-scale deployment. That shift reflects both ambition and capability.
“Abu Dhabi’s artificial intelligence sector is rapidly evolving from early adoption to real-world transformation, with a growing share of activity rooted in research, strategic consultancy, and enterprise-level solutions.”
said Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, second vice chairman and managing director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Abu Dhabi leads MENA in AI sector momentum
What I’ve found is that Abu Dhabi is now recognized as the fastest-growing AI hub in the MENA region. Out of 90,904 global AI companies, Abu Dhabi’s numbers mark a strong presence. The emirate’s unique strategy includes focusing on high-quality education and research, which reinforces sustainable expansion.
The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) plays a central role. As the first graduate-level university focused solely on AI, it is attracting global talent and producing measurable research impact. MBZUAI specializes in machine learning, computer vision, robotics, and other essential domains.
“What sets this ecosystem apart is the strength of collaboration between government and business, global leaders and emerging innovators, and research and industry. At the Chamber, we see it as our responsibility to foster these connections and create the conditions for innovation to thrive, not as an exception but as the standard,” Al Dhaheri added.
I would argue that this educational foundation is one reason Abu Dhabi’s artificial intelligence sector is not just growing, but maturing. And let’s just not forget about the outstanding investment from Microsoft in AI centers in Abu Dhabi.
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AI innovation thrives through strategic collaboration
The broader ecosystem includes institutions like the AIATC, ATRC, TII, and G42. Each one contributes to making Abu Dhabi a serious AI innovation hub. From where I stand, this collaboration across institutions, startups, and government bodies has become a key advantage.
These efforts go beyond theory. For example, TII and MBZUAI are building open-source AI models. These tools are already helping developers and researchers worldwide. That kind of global relevance puts Abu Dhabi’s AI sector in a different league.
Still, I don’t agree with those who think scale alone guarantees impact. The real test will be Abu Dhabi’s ability to convert its early gains into long-term results across sectors like healthcare, logistics, and education.
Final take on Abu Dhabi artificial intelligence growth
Abu Dhabi’s artificial intelligence growth is not a temporary trend. My analysis indicates that this is a long-term transformation with serious global implications. With strong institutions, a clear policy framework, and access to capital, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a world-class center for applied AI.
