UAE: Dubai now inviting AI experts and companies to collaborate on building AI-driven government services

The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI) has officially opened applications for the second cycle of its “Future of AI in Government Services Accelerator,” inviting AI experts and companies from around the world to co-create the next generation of public services. This initiative, part of the city’s ambitious “Dubai Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence,” aims to cement the emirate’s position as a global leader in AI-driven innovation.

Running from October 6 to November 28, 2025, the intensive eight-week program provides a unique opportunity for selected innovators to work directly with over 20 Dubai government entities. Participants will receive fully sponsored travel and accommodation, allowing them to focus entirely on developing and piloting solutions to real-world government challenges. A key highlight of the program is its equity-free model, which ensures that innovators retain full ownership of their intellectual property.

The accelerator program focuses on four main areas, reflecting Dubai’s commitment to building a citizen-centric, efficient, and inclusive government. These include:

• Improving Existing Services: Using AI to enhance personalization and efficiency, making public services more streamlined and responsive to individual needs.
• Creating New Solutions: Developing novel AI-powered services to tackle complex challenges that were previously difficult to solve.
• Boosting Operational Efficiency: Integrating AI into daily government operations to increase internal productivity and resource management.
• Ensuring Accessibility: Creating inclusive AI solutions that break down barriers and make services accessible to all segments of society.

The inaugural cycle of the program, launched in 2024, saw significant global interest, attracting 615 companies from 55 countries. This resulted in the definition of 183 potential AI use cases, with 75 of those projects successfully piloted in real-world government settings. This success underscores Dubai’s proactive approach to innovation and its commitment to turning ambitious ideas into tangible results.

According to Saeed Al Falasi, Executive Director of the DCAI, the program is designed to position Dubai among the world’s top cities for delivering agile, AI-powered public services. “Our goal is to create effortless, intelligent experiences that save time and effort while enhancing the quality of life, all in service of making Dubai the happiest city in the world,” Al Falasi stated.

The accelerator is just one component of Dubai’s complete AI strategy. The city has also introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification program that identifies trusted AI partners for government projects. This initiative, along with other programs like the Dubai AI Academy and AI Week, works to create a robust ecosystem that fosters responsible, ethical, and trustworthy AI adoption across the public sector. The deadline for applications for the “Future of AI in Government Services Accelerator” is August 29, 2025.