AI industry growth by 61% in Abu Dhabi within a year, making it a major player in global AI landscape
Abu Dhabi, the fastest-growing AI hub in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, is witnessing a 61% increase in its AI sector between June 2023 and June 2024, boasting a total of 673 AI companies as of mid-2025[1][2][4]. In the first half of 2025 alone, over 150 new AI firms have been launched[1][2][3].
This remarkable growth is a result of a mix of government and private sector initiatives, strategic investments, advanced infrastructure, and cross-sector adoption of AI technologies in healthcare, logistics, finance, education, and more[2][3][4].
A significant portion of these firms, approximately 58%, focus on innovation, research, and consultancy, underscoring a mature, research-driven market[1][2][4]. Key institutions driving Abu Dhabi's emergence as a global AI innovation hub include:
- Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI): The world’s first graduate-level, AI-focused research university, attracting top talent and advancing cutting-edge AI research in areas like machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics[4].
- Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC) and the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC): These bodies develop policies, research infrastructure, and investment strategies to foster AI growth[4].
- Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and innovation hubs like AI71, Hub71, G42, Space42, and GIQ: These organizations and platforms promote AI research, open-source model development, and global collaborations[2][4].
The synergy between government and business, supported by a strong research community and global partnerships, sustains Abu Dhabi’s position as a magnet for groundbreaking AI ventures and positions it as a global AI innovation epicenter[3].
Moreover, a dedicated Advocacy Working Group on Artificial Intelligence and Technology has been established, bringing together sector leaders to develop and implement policies that further strengthen Abu Dhabi's position in the global AI landscape[1].
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also unveiled a three-year strategic roadmap (2025–2028), focusing on policy advocacy, ease of doing business, and ecosystem connectivity to attract international and local AI firms and maintain Abu Dhabi's competitive edge globally[1][2][3].
Abu Dhabi's AI sector is not only growing rapidly but also evolving from early adoption to real-world transformation, setting global standards for the adoption of AI across strategic sectors[1][3]. With approximately 90,904 AI companies globally as of 2024[1], Abu Dhabi's AI sector is poised to make a significant impact on the global AI stage.
[1] Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (2025). Abu Dhabi Chamber's Strategic Roadmap (2025-2028).
[2] Abu Dhabi Media Office. (2024). Abu Dhabi's AI Sector: A Global Innovation Hub.
[3] Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. (2025). MBZUAI: Advancing AI Research and Education.
[4] Technology Innovation Institute. (2025). TII: Pioneering AI and Technology Research.
- The growth in Abu Dhabi's AI sector, with a 61% increase in just one year and over 150 new AI firms launched in the first half of 2025, highlights the strong impact of technology, strategic investments, and advanced infrastructure on education, healthcare, and other sectors.
- The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), a graduate-level research university, plays a crucial role in advancing AI research in technology, particularly in machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics, driving the overall improvement in infrastructure and education.
- Recognizing the importance of AI in various industries, initiatives like the Advocacy Working Group on Artificial Intelligence and Technology and the three-year strategic roadmap by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry aim to continually strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a global leader in AI innovation, ensuring the sector's continued evolution and impact not just in the MENA region, but also on the global AI stage, with approximately 90,904 AI companies worldwide in 2024.
