AI@70: Global Leaders To Convene In Dubai For Future Of Artificial Intelligence In 2026

The UAE is set to host a significant event in 2026, bringing together experts from academia, business, technology, philosophy, art, and science. This gathering aims to chart the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the next 70 years. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum emphasised the importance of this initiative during Dubai AI Week 2026.

AI@70: Towards a Global Humanity will coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Dartmouth Workshop, which marked AI's inception as a field of study. The event will be officially supported by Dartmouth College, the original host of these pivotal meetings in 1956. The conference seeks to explore philosophical questions that underpin AI's evolution.

His Highness stated, "Dubai believes in the power of knowledge sharing, global cooperation, and meaningful partnerships to anticipate the future of artificial intelligence and harness it to improve lives and advance societies." This highlights Dubai's commitment to fostering international collaboration in AI development.

The event will also serve as a precursor to establishing the 'Humanity Lab,' an eight-week incubator hosted at DIFC’s Dubai AI Campus. This incubator aims to merge art, philosophy, and technology to create innovative AI products that reflect AI's profound impact on humanity.

Sheikh Hamdan further noted, "AI is the transformative technology of our time. It has the power to change the way we understand what it means to be human, how we work, and how we understand the infrastructure of humanity." The event aims to unlock AI's full potential by gathering global experts to ensure its positive and inclusive development.

The conference will set a radical research agenda focusing on impactful scientific, philosophical, ethical, and societal questions surrounding AI. It seeks to align technological breakthroughs with philosophical innovation for a deeper understanding of current transformations.

Setting New Agendas for Future Generations

This initiative offers an opportunity for entrepreneurs and artists to explore new paradigms previously deemed impossible. By generating an inventory of potential futures, it aims to inspire a new generation in their creative and entrepreneurial pursuits.

Organised by DIFC in collaboration with APCO advisory firm, AI@70 will include representatives from both organisations on its steering committee. This collaboration underscores Dubai's strategic role in shaping global conversations around AI advancements.

The event positions Dubai at the forefront of global discussions on AI by leveraging its rich philosophical history. It aims to facilitate breakthroughs that benefit humanity while ensuring AI remains a force for positive change worldwide.

With inputs from WAM