AICyberFest Celebrates Young Emirati Talents In Cybersecurity Innovation At GITEX 2025

The first AICyberFest, supported by the UAE Cybersecurity Council, concluded at GITEX 2025. The event featured final pitching sessions and an awards ceremony to honour the UAE's top cybersecurity talents. Over 80 students from 17 universities participated, competing in AI-powered cybersecurity challenges focused on Compliance & Audit Review and SIEM Analyst roles.

During the final presentations, three teams showcased their projects to a panel of experts. This marked a significant step in enhancing the nation's digital security through artificial intelligence. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, stated, "The progress we’ve witnessed is remarkable. Each of you has added great value to our shared mission. In times of evolving threats and emerging technologies, your contribution forms a vital line of defense. We truly appreciate your dedication and look forward to achieving even more together."

The competition concluded with the announcement of winners after thorough evaluation by the jury. Team No Time from 42 Abu Dhabi secured first place with members Ahmad Kanbari, Haithem Bendjaballah, and Mukhammadusmon Ganiev. Team Zenith from Abu Dhabi University took second place with Wardah Jamil, Muaaz Hafiz Ahmed Muaaz, and Bilal Bashir. Team Unity from Heriot-Watt University finished third with Dmitry Zadorin, Stanislav Merkulov, and Fedor Galkin.

Ahmed Al Zarouni, CEO of TechFirm LLC and founder of AICyberFest, praised the participants' efforts: "The quality of the projects was outstanding — from concept to execution. It’s inspiring to see such strong, forward-thinking teams shaping the next generation of cybersecurity innovation in the UAE."

TechFirm LLC organised this event with support from major industry partners. AMD contributed its expertise as an Industrial Partner in high-performance computing. Other partners included Honor, KERNO, Kaspersky, Check Point, Circularo, Aruba, Ras Infotech, KnowBe4, CADD Emirates, and SecureWay. These collaborations aimed to drive innovation within the UAE's cybersecurity landscape.

The AICyberFest served as a platform for young talents to showcase their skills in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. By bringing together students and industry leaders, it fostered collaboration essential for advancing digital resilience in the region.

With inputs from WAM