News

Dubai To Issue Licenses To Support AI And Web3 Businesses

The licenses will be 90% subsidized and support the emirate’s push to transform itself into a digital society.

Published

1 year ago

August 15, 2023

dubai to issue licenses to support ai and web3 businesses

Dubai will issue commercial licenses to help artificial intelligence and Web3 startups to set up businesses as the UAE aims to attract more investment and further digitize its economy.

The licenses will be issued by the AI and Web 3.0 Campus through the Dubai International Financial Center and will be 90% subsidized, the DIFC said on Monday.

The activities will include AI research and consultancies, IT infrastructure, technology research and development, and public networking services.

“We are confident that by granting these licenses, we will attract more global talent and investment to the region and create a culture of collaboration and innovation. This is a notable milestone for the Dubai AI and Web3 Campus and will strengthen Dubai’s position as the business destination of choice for technology-focused companies,” explained Mohammad Alblooshi, chief executive of the DIFC Innovation Hub.

Launched in June, the campus aims to form the largest cluster of AI and Web3 companies in the MENA region. DIFC aims to attract over 500 companies by 2028, bring $300 million in funds, and create more than 3,000 jobs over the next five years.

Also Read: USB-C Will Be Mandatory From 2025 For All Saudi Smart Devices

AI has rapidly gained traction as the digital economy grows and countries continue to encourage its adoption. The technology is already in widespread use for online shopping, search engines, smart homes, data analysis, speech and face recognition systems, and more.

For businesses, AI could add between $2.6 trillion and $4.4 trillion annually, according to a recent study from McKinsey. Web3, meanwhile, encompasses blockchain and general decentralization and is projected to contribute $15 billion to GCC economies annually by 2030.

Related Topics:Artificial Intelligence Dubai Web3

Up Next

StarzPlay Launches Free-To-Play Fantasy Sports Game In MENA

Don't Miss

IDC To Explore Future Of Saudi Digital Economy At CIO Summit

Click to comment

News

“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships

The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.

Published

15 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Nour Nasir

ai seal certification now required for dubai gov partnerships

Dubai Media Office

Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.

Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.

The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.

dubai ai seal certification

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “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 serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.

All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.