Dubai held its Assembly for Generative AI on October 11 and 12 at the Museum of the Future and AREA 2071 in Emirates Towers, drawing around 2,200 attendees. Organised by the Dubai Future Foundation, the gathering brought together executives from major technology firms, including Microsoft, Meta, IBM, PwC, Deloitte, SAP and Nokia.
On the sidelines of the event, organisers launched the Dubai Generative AI Alliance, a coalition of global technology companies aimed at accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and developing more advanced government digital services. Digital Dubai also unveiled "Dubai AI," a generative AI-powered city concierge designed to give residents and visitors information and services spanning health, entertainment, business and education.
Speaking at the assembly, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said artificial intelligence marks a new era in human history and that Dubai intends to be at the forefront of that shift. He added that the newly launched alliances are meant to ensure everyone is included in building that future.
The programme also featured a performance in which an 11-year-old Emirati pianist played live alongside an AI system that generated synchronised visual art in real time.
Industry estimates presented at the event suggested generative AI could unlock up to $400 billion in additional revenue for the global banking sector, according to McKinsey, while PwC projected that significant workplace automation driven by AI could arrive within the next 18 to 20 months. The assembly is the latest in a series of Dubai initiatives positioning the emirate as a hub for applied artificial intelligence.