Dubai AI & Web3 Festival 2024 Draws Global Attention

More than 6,800 delegates from over 100 countries and over 100 exhibitors came together for this year’s edition of the Dubai AI & Web3 Festival, an event organized by the Dubai AI Campus in collaboration with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Office of the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. 

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the UAE, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy, the two-day event brought together government officials, heads of state, academics, and business leaders to explore the commercial potential of AI and Web3 technologies. 

Speaking at the event, Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, emphasized the role of innovation in supporting Dubai’s economic diversification. “20 years ago, a future-focused DIFC emerged as a pillar to support Dubai’s economic diversification efforts, armed with world-class regulations and best practices,” he said. “Our culture of innovation serves as the foundation for propelling the region’s biggest ecosystem for business, finance and emerging technologies.”

In a significant announcement, Amiri introduced a new Dubai AI License aimed at attracting more companies to the region. This initiative follows the success of the DIFC Innovation license, which has brought over 1,100 businesses to the center. Additionally, DIFC launched the AI as a Service concept, designed to help companies assess their AI readiness, identify opportunities, and develop strategies for implementation. 

Amiri also highlighted that the Dubai AI Campus had surpassed its first-year goal by attracting over 120 firms, with plans to bring in over 500 companies by 2028. To advance the adoption of AI and Web3 technologies, the Dubai AI Campus also signed multiple agreements with organizations like Dubai Civil Defense, Holon, Kearney, NayaOne, Visa, Warba Bank, and Zurich through the course of the festival. 

The next edition of the Dubai AI & Web3 Festival is scheduled for November next year, with plans for it to become one of the world’s biggest AI-centric events by 2027.