Dubai is set to accelerate its push to become a global artificial intelligence powerhouse after Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum unveiled an ambitious strategy aimed at embedding next-generation AI across the emirate’s private sector.

Chairing a meeting of Dubai’s Higher Committee for Future Technology Development and the Digital Economy, Sheikh Hamdan approved a series of initiatives designed to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading hub for digital innovation, talent, and advanced technologies.

At the centre of the plans is an executive programme to promote the adoption of Agentic AI—autonomous AI systems capable of carrying out tasks, making decisions, and managing operations with minimal human intervention.

“Our goal is for Dubai to become the world’s leading hub for developing and deploying advanced AI solutions,” Sheikh Hamdan said, stressing the crucial role of the private sector in driving the emirate’s technological transformation.

The programme aims to support 295,000 businesses across Dubai, develop 100 specialised AI assistants over the next two years, and facilitate the establishment of 50 Agentic AI companies.

Sheikh Hamdan said AI was becoming a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness, adding that future success would depend on moving beyond traditional AI tools towards more autonomous and capable systems.

The committee also approved Dubai’s hosting of the 50th International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) World Finals in November 2026. The event, regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious student programming competitions, is expected to attract 140 teams from more than 70 countries.

In a further effort to attract skilled professionals, Sheikh Hamdan endorsed the launch of the Dubai Global Talent Network, a platform designed to connect international talent with ties to the emirate and engage them in future development projects.

Among other initiatives approved was a Digital Twin System for Dubai Police, which will use advanced digital modelling and real-time data analysis to enhance surveillance and operational decision-making. The pilot phase will cover 150 cameras across the city.

The meeting also reviewed progress across several flagship digital economy projects. Dubai’s SME digital trade initiative, developed in partnership with Amazon, has reached more than 105,000 companies, surpassing its 2026 target ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, the Ignyte entrepreneurship platform has attracted over 36,000 users, while the Dubai AI Campus now hosts more than 400 specialist firms and has trained over 1,500 participants through its AI Academy.

Officials also highlighted the rapid growth of Dubai Founders HQ, which has attracted more than 1,100 members and 500 startups within nine months of its launch. Startups within the network have collectively secured more than AED200 million in funding.

The meeting was attended by senior government officials including Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, alongside leaders from Dubai’s technology, economic development, and innovation sectors.

British car rental technology platform Final Rentals has announced a strategic partnership with AUTORENT, one of the Gulf region’s largest vehicle rental and leasing operators, as it accelerates expansion across the GCC.

The agreement gives Final Rentals access to AUTORENT’s fleet of more than 13,000 vehicles operating across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, significantly strengthening the company’s regional presence.

The move marks a homecoming of sorts for Final Rentals, which launched its first operations in the UAE in 2021 before growing into a global platform serving customers in more than 65 countries.

The company’s growth has been rapid. Annual bookings surged from just 1,900 in 2021 to more than 139,000 in 2025. Momentum has continued this year, with 148,065 bookings recorded in the first five months of 2026 alone, already surpassing its full-year 2024 performance.

“The UAE is where Final Rentals started,” said CEO Ammar Akhtar.

“Many of the lessons that shaped our technology and business model were learned here. Expanding our Gulf operations is both a strategic and symbolic step as we return with a much larger international network and greater scale.”

Founded in Wales in 2016, Final Rentals operates a digital marketplace that connects travellers with local vehicle rental providers across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.

For AUTORENT, the partnership supports its digital transformation ambitions by enhancing online booking capabilities and improving customer access to its vehicle network across the region.

The announcement comes as economic ties between the UK and Gulf countries continue to strengthen, with discussions ongoing around a proposed UK-GCC free trade agreement aimed at boosting trade and investment.

Industry observers say the Gulf remains an attractive destination for international technology companies due to its rapidly growing digital economy, advanced infrastructure and strategic position linking Europe, Asia and Africa.

The UAE is preparing to make work permit applications even faster and simpler as the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) launches a new phase of labour market reforms.

As part of the initiative, MoHRE has opened a public consultation period until July 30, inviting employers, employees and members of the public to share feedback on existing work permit services and suggest improvements.

The ministry said the latest reforms will focus on simplifying procedures, reducing administrative requirements and expanding digital services to improve customer experience and speed up transaction processing.

Faster, simpler work permit services

According to MoHRE, the planned upgrades are designed to support the UAE’s wider Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme by making work permit services more efficient and user-friendly.

The ministry recently removed the requirement for supporting documents across several permit categories and reduced mandatory application fields by up to 97 per cent, significantly cutting processing times.

Officials say the next phase will build on those changes by redesigning permit procedures and increasing the use of digital channels.

13 types of work permits

MoHRE currently issues 13 different work permits tailored to various employment arrangements, including:

• Recruitment permits for workers hired from outside the UAE
• Transfer work permits
• Family-sponsored resident work permits
• Part-time work permits
• Temporary and mission work permits
• Freelance work permits
• Golden Visa holder work permits
• Student training and employment permits
• Juvenile work permits for individuals aged 15 to 18
• UAE and GCC national work permits

The ministry said the reforms are aimed at supporting private-sector growth, protecting workers’ rights and strengthening the UAE’s position as a competitive global labour market.

Public feedback open until July 30

Residents, employers and businesses can submit suggestions through MoHRE’s electronic consultation platform before July 30.

The ministry said public feedback will help shape future enhancements and support the development of faster, more flexible and fully digital government services aligned with the UAE’s long-term economic vision.