Abu Dhabi Sees 67% Annual Rise in AI Company Registrations 

The research highlights Abu Dhabi's ambitions to harness the potential of AI systems, applications, technologies, and solutions to serve humanity and foster sustainable development across various societal and economic domains. The Abu Dhabi Chamber is particularly focused on promoting investment in AI, aligning with its vision to elevate the stature of the private sector in Abu Dhabi and position the emirate as the premier choice for business in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by 2025.

His Excellency Ahmed Khalifa Al Qubaisi, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, remarked, “Abu Dhabi stands at the forefront of pioneering destinations, actively advancing the role of AI in driving sustainable development. Projections indicate that the AI sector will contribute an additional $13 trillion to global economic activity by 2030, representing a 16% increase in cumulative global GDP. These efforts resonate with our forward-looking vision, guided by the leadership and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Our commitment is further underscored by our alignment with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and the UAE Centennial Plan 2071, aimed at positioning the UAE as a global leader across all domains.”

“The Abu Dhabi Chamber is steadfast in its commitment to align with Abu Dhabi's AI agenda. We have led the way among chambers of commerce globally by pioneering the utilization of ChamberGPT, the first AI-powered platform dedicated to handling business inquiries in Abu Dhabi. Since its launch in 2023, we have consistently topped international benchmarks in the active usage of such platforms,” he added.

His Excellency continued, stating, “As Abu Dhabi's AI landscape evolves, there is growing interest from the private sector and investors in establishing innovative AI-focused companies, as well as in AI research and consultancy services. Moreover, there is a notable increase in the adoption and management of AI robotic systems across various sectors.”

“The strategic focus on AI is a deliberate and calculated decision by the Abu Dhabi government. The establishment of the Advanced Technology Research Council in May 2020 paved the way for initiatives like AI71, a global AI company dedicated to advancing decentralized data control. Additionally, institutions such as the Technological Innovation Institute (TII) and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) have been established to drive research in AI, data science, autonomous robotics, and related fields. MBZUAI is ranked among the top 30 institutions worldwide for AI, computer vision, machine learning, and natural language processing,” he elaborated.

The study reinforces expectations that Abu Dhabi will emerge as a highly attractive destination for investors, startups, and talent in the AI sector, positioning the emirate as a leader in embracing AI across diverse economic sectors and sustainable development initiatives.