Abu Dhabi deepens AI drive with global summit

Artificial-intelligence companies and asset managers from over 60 nations are converging on Abu Dhabi next month for the AI Everything summit, set for October 6-7 at the ADNEC Centre. This event aims to transform the city's burgeoning AI investment into broader economic benefits. Over 400 AI infrastructure developers, model creators, startups, and unicorns will join more than 200 investors managing $91 billion in assets, as reported by organizers.

Wesam Lootah, Director General of GovDigital at the Department of Government Enablement, shared Abu Dhabi's vision of becoming the world's first AI-native government next year. The city has already redefined public services for millions and is showcasing its blueprint for intelligent governance at scale. Over 180 speakers, including Co-founder and CEO of Mistral AI, Arthur Mensch, and Founder of Boston Dynamics, Marc Raibert, will participate, marking their first joint appearance in the UAE.

The summit comes at a time when global AI spending is projected to reach $2.59 trillion this year, a 47% increase from 2025, according to Gartner. Abu Dhabi's summit also aims to highlight the government's strategy, combining computing infrastructure, AI research, and public-sector deployment. Over 50 UAE government entities, led by the Department of Government Enablement, are participating, with more than 100 AI use cases already operational across public services.

The government's push is complemented by private-sector investment and infrastructure. Solutions+, a Mubadala company and the event's global partner, emphasizes operational delivery of AI across national ambition. In Nigeria, AI-driven insurance services are expanding with Prince AI, and judicial officers are advised to complement AI rather than replace it. G42, a major Abu Dhabi AI company, is pushing an "Intelligence Grid" to support AI adoption across society.

The conference will feature exhibitors with a combined market capitalization of over $10 trillion, including AWS, Alibaba Cloud, Cerebras, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Nokia, Oracle, and Snowflake. Ai Everything CEO, Trixie LohMirmand, focuses on AI's transformative impact on industries and public services, moving beyond speculative potential.

Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute will showcase 23 demonstrations from nine research centers, including GeoAI for subsurface geology mapping and energy, materials, and aerospace applications. The event will also provide investors access to AI companies like Mistral AI, which recently raised €3 billion in a Series D round.