10 Best AI Conferences and Summits in Dubai | 2026

2026's Hottest AI Conferences in Dubai

Dubai has firmly established itself as one of the world's leading hubs for artificial intelligence innovation, and 2026 is shaping up to be its most dynamic year yet. From government-backed AI festivals to enterprise summits and developer-focused gatherings, the city is hosting events where cutting-edge research meets real-world deployment across some of the world's most important industries. Backed by the Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence and the D33 economic agenda, Dubai's ambition to become a global benchmark for AI adoption is on full display this year. If you want to stay ahead of the AI curve in the Middle East and beyond, these AI conferences in Dubai are worth marking on your calendar.

1. AI Revolution in Healthcare Summit Dubai 2026

When: April 24– 25, 2026

About: The Middle East's premier B2B conference and exhibition dedicated exclusively to artificial intelligence in healthcare, covering AI-powered diagnostics, telemedicine, robotic surgery, and clinical decision-making.

Registration link: https://events.assimilate.one/AIRevolutioninHealthcare

Registration fees: $150 to $500

For whom: Hospital CEOs, CIOs, and medical directors; AI/ML researchers and healthcare data scientists; clinicians, surgeons, and radiologists; health tech startups and solution providers; pharmaceutical executives; policymakers; and investors in the healthcare AI space.

Details: Organised by Assimilate by Medvarsity and held at Conrad Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road, this second edition builds on a highly successful inaugural summit that drew 1,200+ global delegates and featured 80+ distinguished speakers. The 2026 edition goes deeper into the clinical, operational, and regulatory frontiers of AI in healthcare, with a unifying framework around Value, Impact, Trust, Transparency, and Accountability (VITTA). Key themes include AI-powered diagnostics and precision medicine, generative AI and large language models in clinical settings, telemedicine innovations, robotic surgery, AI for hospital operations and drug discovery, and responsible AI governance in healthcare. The two-day programme features expert-led keynotes, hands-on workshops, live demos of AI-driven diagnostic tools, in-depth case studies on improved patient outcomes, and a dedicated showcase for GCC-based healthcare AI startups to present cutting-edge innovations to investors and enterprise buyers.

Notable Speakers:

• Dr. Madhu Sasidhar, President & CEO, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd.
• Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals
• H.E. Dr. Mubaraka Ibrahim, Chief Information Officer, Emirates Health Services (EHS) & UAE Government Chief AI Officer
• Antonio Spina, Lead, Digital & AI Health, World Economic Forum
• Prof. Andre Dekker, Professor of Clinical Data Science, Maastro Clinic
• Dr. Farah Shamout, Assistant Professor of Computer Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi

2. Dubai AI Festival (Dubai AI Week 2026)

When: Tuesday, April 7 – Wednesday, April 8, 2026 (with expanded programming across Dubai from April 6–9)

About: The flagship AI event of Dubai AI Week, a government-backed global gathering bringing together AI innovators, government leaders, investors, and enterprises to shape the future of artificial intelligence.

Registration link: https://dubaiaifestival.com/

Registration fees: Multiple pass tiers available; Ranges from $50 to $3,000.

For whom: Government leaders, CX executives, AI researchers, enterprise decision-makers, startup founders, investors, and professionals across all industries looking to explore AI's transformative potential.

Details: Organised by Dubai AI Campus in partnership with DIFC and under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai AI Festival is the centrepiece of Dubai AI Week 2026. Now in its third edition, the Festival expands to the Dubai World Trade Centre to accommodate surging global interest, with over 20,000 expected attendees, 200+ speakers, 200+ exhibitors, and 50+ workshops and roundtables from more than 120 countries. The expanded programme spans six core pillars: empowering societies, governing the future, accelerating infrastructure, sustaining the planet, expanding frontiers of knowledge, and reimagining health. The broader Dubai AI Week (April 6–9) also includes the Machines Can See Summit, the Dubai Assembly for AI, the AI Retreat at AREA 2071, and the Global Prompt Engineering Championship with a prize pool of AED 1,000,000. The Dubai AI Campus at DIFC, the largest dedicated AI cluster in the region, serves as the innovation backbone for the entire week.

Notable Speakers:

• H.E. Essa Kazim, Governor, DIFC, United Arab Emirates
• H.E. Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, United Arab Emirates
• H.E. Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Data & Statistics Establishment at Digital Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Adel Ahmad Al Redha, Deputy President, Emirates, United Arab Emirates
• H.E. Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer, DIFC Authority, United Arab Emirates
• Robert Nishihara, Co-Founder, Anyscale, United States
• Sagnik Nandy, Chief Technology Officer, Docusign, United States
• Sindhu Gangadharan, Chairperson, Nasscom

180+ speakers from government, global tech companies, and academic research institutions (full lineup TBA at dubaiaifestival.com)

3. Machines Can See 2026

When: To be decided

About: A world-class, two-day AI summit focused on Physical AI, systems that perceive, reason, and act in the real world, including computer vision, robotics, autonomous systems, and enterprise AI deployment.

Registration link: https://machinescansee.com/

Registration fees: Not published yet.

For whom: AI researchers, enterprise technologists, robotics engineers, government decision-makers, C-level executives, and professionals interested in real-world AI systems aligned with the UAE's 2031 AI Strategy.

Details: Organised by Polynome Events in partnership with the UAE's Office for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work, and the Dubai Future Foundation, Machines Can See (MCS) 2026 is part of the broader Machines Can Summits series, which drew 3,500+ attendees from 82 countries and 105 speakers from 30 nations in its previous edition. The 2026 Dubai edition focuses specifically on Physical AI: systems that operate in the real world, not just language models. The summit features 1,200 visitors, 850 experts, and 20 carefully curated keynotes, alongside hands-on workshops, immersive demo zones with autonomous robots and real-time AI systems, and a parallel workshop track offering practical AI frameworks. A special Women in AI panel highlights global leaders driving inclusion in the AI ecosystem. The event also features an international Legal RAG Engineering Challenge. Sessions are designed around three core tracks, executive strategy, technical deep-dives, and co-evolution, ensuring relevance for both practitioners and senior leaders.

Notable Speakers:

• Gary Bradski, Chief Science Officer, Bonsai Robotics
• Daniel Cremers, Director, Munich Center for Machine Learning
• Fernando De La Torre, Research Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
• Abhinav Gupta, Co-founder & President, Skild AI; Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
• Daniel Dobos, Research Director, Swisscom

Speakers from Meta, NVIDIA, Google, and leading UAE AI institutions (full lineup TBA at machinescansee.com)

4. World AI Expo Dubai 2026

When: Wednesday, October 7 – Thursday, October 8, 2026

About: A premier AI conference, expo, and summit gathering global AI leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors from 20+ countries to explore the latest innovations in artificial intelligence, automation, and generative AI.

Registration link: https://worldaiexpo.io/

Registration fees: Contact organiser for ticket pricing

For whom: Senior executives (CEOs, CTOs, CIOs), AI practitioners, enterprise decision-makers, startups, investors, VCs, government officials, policymakers, developers, and researchers.

Details: Held at the Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Hotel in Dubai, the World AI Expo 2026 is one of the Middle East's most comprehensive AI business events, bringing together 1,200+ AI leaders, 500+ entrepreneurs from diverse industries, and 100+ investors including VCs, angel investors, and institutional funds. The two-day event features keynote sessions, solution-focused panel discussions on generative AI, data governance, and automation, a startup showcase connecting emerging companies with international capital, an AI Hackathon, AI Awards, and an immersive expo floor showcasing next-generation solutions in robotics, automation, and AI platforms. Attendees get direct access to 90+ speakers and can explore real-world AI applications across finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.

Notable Speakers:

• Nitin Akarte, AI Network Director, Microsoft, United States
• Akshay Singh Dalal, Head of Regional Risk & Compliance, Google, United Arab Emirates
• Dr. Nader M. Ghazal, Managing Director, African-Asian Council for AI and Cybersecurity, United Arab Emirates
• Diksha Shrivastava, Manager, Data Scientist, Mastercard, United Arab Emirates
• Mohamed Elsaied, GenAI Practice Head – AIA CEME, Cognizant
• Anwesha Kar, System Software Engineer, NVIDIA, India
• Priscila Bossi, VP IT SSEA, CIS & MEA, Philip Morris International, United Arab Emirates
• Prasad Sumant Banavalikar, Director Commercial Operations, Philip Morris International, United Arab Emirates

90+ speakers from leading global AI companies (full lineup at worldaiexpo.io)

5. GITEX GLOBAL 2026

When: Monday, December 7 – Friday, December 11, 2026 (GITEX Scale Summit: December 7; Exhibition: December 8–11)

About: The world's largest tech and AI show, now in its 46th edition, bringing together technology leaders, AI innovators, governments, startups, and investors to set the global technology agenda.

Registration link: https://www.gitex.com/gitex-global-2026

Registration fees: Multiple tiers available; visit gitex.com for pricing

For whom: Technology executives, AI practitioners, government entities, startup founders, investors, developers, enterprise decision-makers, and tech professionals from around the world.

Details: GITEX GLOBAL 2026 marks a landmark new chapter, GITEX 5.0, as the show moves to its new home at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai, which is undergoing a $2.7 billion expansion to become the largest purpose-built indoor events venue in the region. The five-day event opens on December 7 with the GITEX Scale Summit, a high-level strategic dialogue on the decisive trends, opportunities, and policy frameworks shaping global AI economies. From December 8–11, the exhibition showcases frontier innovations across AI, quantum technologies, biosciences, advanced manufacturing, and smart cities. Expected to draw 200,000+ attendees from 180+ countries, 6,800+ exhibiting companies, and 400+ government entities, GITEX 2026 also introduces TechCation, the world's first initiative blending technology with lifestyle through citywide activations across Dubai. Running alongside GITEX is Expand North Star for startups and investors, and AI Everything Global, cementing the event week as the unmissable AI and tech gathering of the year.

Notable Speakers:

• 400+ government entities and global tech leaders represented; full speaker lineup announced closer to the event at gitex.com

6. TechNext AI & Cybersecurity Summit 2026

When: Thursday, November 5, 2026

About: A premier technology summit exploring the convergence of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, focused on real-world AI applications, digital transformation, and AI-driven cyber defense innovation.

Registration link: https://technextcon.com/

Registration fees: Passes ranges from $999 to $4,999.

For whom: CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, AI researchers, cybersecurity professionals, entrepreneurs, government leaders, and enterprise technology decision-makers.

Details: Organised by Internetshine Technologies and MENA Trade Enterprises, TechNext 2026 returns for its second edition at the Pullman Dubai Downtown Hotel. Building on the inaugural edition which attracted 500+ industry leaders and innovators from over 20 countries, TechNext 2026 promises a more dynamic agenda bridging AI innovation and information security. The day-long summit features keynote sessions, expert panel discussions on generative AI, NLP, machine learning, responsible AI, and AI-powered cyber threats, hands-on workshops, and live technology showcases. The event also hosts the prestigious TechNext Awards 2026, honoring outstanding contributions in AI innovation, cybersecurity leadership, and digital transformation. A strategic platform for leaders to exchange insights and collaborate on AI-driven security frameworks defining tomorrow's digital economy.

Notable Speakers:

• Yunus Sevimli, CTO & Co-founder, Almond Fintech
• Karthikeyan Ramdass, Cybersecurity Lead Member of Technical Staff, Salesforce
• Montserrat Ventosa Garcia Morato, Organisational Psychologist & Human Performance Architect; Academic Program Chair, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE
• Ahmed Nabil Mahmoud, VP & Head of Information Security Engineering, ADIB – Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
• Andreas Papadaniil, CEO, Suresecure
• Margarita Kadochnikova, Head of PR & Global Events, Immunefi
• Abdelghani Alhijawi, Head of Enterprise Technology Department, Dewan Architects & Engineers
• Chukwuemeka Nwaopara, Founder, Majestic Cyber Enterprises

Full speaker lineup TBA at technextcon.com

7. AI in Education Summit 2026

When: October 8-9, 2026

About: The Middle East's premier summit dedicated exclusively to the practical integration of artificial intelligence in education, designed for educators, policymakers, and school leaders.

Registration link: https://aiineducationsummit.com/

Registration fees: Contact organiser for pricing

For whom: School leaders, educators, curriculum designers, policymakers, education technology professionals, and anyone responsible for implementing AI in learning environments.

Details: Held at the Millennium Lakeview Hotel in Dubai, this second annual AI in Education Summit is the region's only summit focused exclusively on bridging AI's potential with its practical implementation in schools and educational institutions. Day One features inspiring keynotes from educational innovators and thought leaders, followed by case study workshops showcasing successful AI implementations across diverse learning environments, and concludes with an expert panel on the future of education in the AI era. Day Two offers deep-dive, two-hour masterclasses where attendees develop hands-on, practical skills and strategies for integrating AI into their own educational settings. The summit is designed around real strategies and actionable frameworks, no theoretical discussions, ensuring every attendee leaves with concrete tools and valuable peer connections.

Notable Speakers:

• Leading educational innovators, ed-tech practitioners, and regional policymakers (full lineup TBA at aiineducationsummit.com)

8. AINext Conference Dubai 2026

When: Thursday, October 22, 2026

About: A focused enterprise AI conference exploring how AI agents and supercomputing are redefining intelligence across industries, from finance and healthcare to logistics and government.

Registration link: https://dubai.ainextconference.com/

Registration fees: Free visitor pass available. Other paases ranges from $399 to $7,299.

For whom: Business leaders, AI strategists, enterprise architects, C-suite executives, founders, and professionals seeking scalable AI implementation strategies across industries.

Details: Organised by Next Business Media, AINext Conference Dubai 2026 is built for business leaders who want to move past AI hype and understand practical, scalable AI deployments. The conference targets the intersection of agentic AI, supercomputing, and enterprise transformation, with sessions covering AI governance, responsible AI, edge AI, predictive analytics, and autonomous systems. AINext brings together international thought leaders, investors, and industry practitioners for high-impact keynotes, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. It serves as a key gathering point for the UAE's growing AI ecosystem, connecting global expertise with regional ambitions for digital transformation.

Notable Speakers:

• Anas Jawed, CEO, Next Business Media
• Parul Yadav, Founder, North Wave Media
• Laura Estefanía, Founder & CEO, Conquista PR

Full speaker lineup TBA at dubai.ainextconference.com

9. World AI Expo (February Edition) 2026

When: October 7-8, 2026

About: An earlier edition of the World AI Expo series bringing together AI entrepreneurs, investors, and enterprise leaders in Dubai for innovation showcases, startup pitches, and high-impact business networking.

Registration link: https://worldaiexpo.io/

Registration fees: Contact organiser for pricing

For whom: AI founders, enterprise executives, investors, startup teams, and technology professionals looking to engage with the global AI ecosystem in the Middle East early in the year.

Details: The February edition of the World AI Expo Dubai precedes the main October event and serves as an early-year gathering for the region's AI community. The event includes a curated AI conference bringing together the brightest minds from technology, business, and research, an AI Expo showcasing revolutionary products in robotics, automation, and generative AI, a Startup Showcase and Investor Pitch sessions connecting emerging companies with VCs and institutional funds, and interactive panel discussions on data governance, enterprise AI, and global AI investment trends. With participants from 20+ countries and 100+ investors in attendance, the event provides both strategic insights and direct business development opportunities in one of the world's fastest-growing AI markets.

Notable Speakers:

• Global AI executives, researchers, and startup founders (full lineup at worldaiexpo.io)

10. GISEC Global 2026

When: Tuesday, May 5 – Thursday, May 7, 2026

About: The Middle East and Africa's largest and most influential cybersecurity exhibition and conference — with a major focus on AI-driven security, bringing together global CISOs, government leaders, technology buyers, and ethical hackers for three days of innovation, strategy, and live cyber drills.

Registration link: https://event.gisec.ae/2026-visitor-registration

Registration fees: Free visitor pass available; exhibitor and sponsor starts from $70 to $820 (Approx.)

For whom: CISOs, CIOs, government cybersecurity leaders, ethical hackers, AI security researchers, technology buyers, enterprise decision-makers, and cybersecurity professionals from across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.

Details: Now in its latest edition and moving to the iconic Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai, GISEC Global 2026 brings together 25,000+ infosec professionals from 180+ countries and 750+ global cybersecurity brands under one roof. The 2026 programme is significantly expanded, with hands-on workshops led by global partners including SANS and Huawei, live Capture-the-Flag challenges, a global cyber drill simulating advanced threat scenarios, and a multi-stage conference agenda covering AI-driven security, cloud vulnerabilities, deepfakes and ransomware, national data protection, and critical infrastructure defence across energy, telecom, and law enforcement. The event also features high-stakes live hacking demos targeting the financial sector and networking sessions with top security executives. For AI professionals, GISEC Global is where the convergence of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity is front and centre — making it a must-attend event as AI-powered threats and AI-powered defences reshape the security landscape globally.

Notable Speakers:

• Global CISOs, government cybersecurity officials, and threat intelligence leaders from 180+ countries (full speaker lineup TBA at gisec.ae)

‍

‍