His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, has approved new targets for the Dubai AI Campus, which aims to host more than 1,000 AI companies and create over 5,000 specialised jobs by 2030.

The decision was announced on Monday, October 26, 2026, as the third Dubai AI Festival opened at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

More than 500 companies attracted and AED 1 billion in funding secured

The Dubai AI Campus, launched in May 2024 as part of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has attracted more than 500 specialised companies to date.

Together, these companies have secured more than AED 1 billion in funding from private equity and venture capital funds. The campus has also helped create more than 2,000 specialised jobs in the technology sector.

Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of the DIFC Authority, said the campus had achieved its target of attracting 500 companies by 2028 two years ahead of schedule.

Plans reviewed for new AI campus building

Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed the architectural design and development plans for the new Dubai AI Campus building within the DIFC Zabeel expansion.

The 100,000-square-foot building is planned to include specialised AI laboratories, advanced computing infrastructure, secure technology development environments and digital twin systems.

Government entities and private companies will be able to develop and test AI solutions at the facility before deploying them on a wider scale.

Plans also include an AI experience centre showcasing the latest technologies and applications in the sector. It will eventually be open to the public, students, tourists and investors.

Dubai AI Festival draws more than 20,000 participants

According to the organisers, the third Dubai AI Festival will be held on October 26 and 27, bringing together more than 20,000 participants from over 100 countries, more than 150 speakers, 500 investors and 200 exhibitors.

Sheikh Hamdan said Dubai aims to lead the adoption of emerging technologies and turn the potential of AI into sustainable economic value by developing advanced infrastructure, creating a flexible regulatory environment and attracting global talent.