Sheikh Hamdan approves new targets for Dubai AI Campus by 2030

What happened

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, has approved new strategic targets for the Dubai Artificial Intelligence (AI) Campus [1, 2]. During the opening of the third Dubai AI Festival on Monday, October 26, 2026, the new goals were announced [2].

Key details of the approved plan include:

• The target to attract more than 1,000 specialised AI companies by 2030 [1, 2].
• The goal to create over 5,000 highly skilled or specialised jobs by 2030 [1, 2].
• The review of plans for a new 100,000-square-foot headquarters for the campus located in the DIFC Zabeel District expansion [2].

According to the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the campus was launched in May 2024 and has already attracted more than 500 specialised companies [2]. These companies have secured over Dh1 billion in private equity and venture capital investment [2]. Arif Amiri, the Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, stated that the campus achieved its original 2028 target of attracting 500 companies two years ahead of schedule [2]. The DIFC also reported that the campus has helped create more than 2,000 specialised technology jobs [2].

The proposed new building in the Zabeel District is designed for the development, testing, and commercialisation of AI technologies [2]. It is planned to include:

• AI laboratories for government entities and private companies to test solutions [2].
• Secure AI development zones and computing infrastructure [2].
• Digital twin environments and AI-powered building systems [2].
• An AI Experience Centre for residents, students, visitors, delegations, and investors [2].

The Dubai AI Festival, which runs from October 26 to 27 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, features over 20,000 attendees from more than 100 countries, 150 speakers, 500 investors, and 200 exhibitors [2]. The event is organised by the Dubai AI Campus, part of DIFC, in collaboration with the Office of the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence [2].

Who is affected

• AI Companies and Innovators: Targeted to provide infrastructure and a flexible regulatory environment for technology development [2].
• Job Seekers: Over 5,000 specialised roles are expected to be created by 2030 [1, 2].
• Students and Residents: The AI Experience Centre will be open to these groups to showcase sector applications [2].
• Government and Private Entities: Can use the proposed AI laboratories to develop and test solutions [2].
• Dubai Economy: Aiming to position the city at the forefront of the global AI economy [1, 2].