This initiative was introduced under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, aligning with the ‘Dubai Universal Blueprint for AI’.
“We are dedicated to establishing an enabling environment for the advancement of the AI industry in Dubai and adopting its applications to drive economic growth, benefit the society, and shape the future we envision for Dubai and the world,” stated H.H. Sheikh Hamdan.
Related: Sheikh Hamdan Reiterates Dubai's Aim to Be Among Top 10 Digital Economies
Powerful Partnership Between Public and Private Sectors
Designed to foster robust partnerships between government agencies and technology companies, the groundbreaking Dubai AI Seal is a first-of-its-kind program that will create a trusted network of AI-certified companies. Government and businesses can rely on these companies for secure and responsible AI solutions.
Each certified company will receive a unique serial number and classification, signifying its credibility. To qualify as a partner in UAE and Dubai government projects, companies must hold the AI Seal certification. The AI Seal will be prominently displayed on their digital platforms and marketing materials, enhancing their reputation and trustworthiness.
Applicants will be evaluated based off key criteria, including the nature of their services, AI expertise, ongoing and future projects, and partnerships with both public and private sector entities.
Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, said, “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to better serve the economy, society, and the future we aspire to.”
Related: Dubai Elevates AI Governance with 22 Chief AI Officers
Impact on Dubai’s AI Economy
The Dubai AI Seal is more than just a symbol of authenticity; it also acknowledges a company's contribution to Dubai's economy. The certification system is divided into six tiers: E, D, C, B, A, and S, with the ‘S’ tier representing the highest level of impact on the city's AI-driven economy.
Overall, the initiative aims to achieve several key objectives: provide a trusted and accessible verification method for AI service providers, stimulate business opportunities for AI companies in Dubai, and highlight the crucial role of AI businesses in the city's economic growth. It underscores the sector's potential to generate new job opportunities and strengthen partnerships between government entities and technology companies.
Moreover, a study conducted by Digital Dubai showed that adopting the strategic vision for AI-backed data centers will add more than AED 14.3 billion in value to the digital economy by 2028, consequently contributing to the creation of more job opportunities.