Abu Dhabi Crown Prince to Lead UAE at India AI Summit

The United Arab Emirates is accelerating its global artificial intelligence engagement as the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, prepares to lead the UAE delegation to a major international AI conference in India. The high-profile visit reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing ambition to shape the future of advanced technologies and strengthen its influence in global AI governance.

Sheikh Khaled will represent President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, scheduled from February 16 to 20. The event is expected to gather heads of state, senior policymakers, technology leaders and industry experts from more than 100 countries.

By assigning the Crown Prince to head the national delegation, the UAE is sending a clear signal: artificial intelligence is now a top-tier strategic priority in the country’s economic and geopolitical agenda.

Crown Prince to Represent UAE at Major Global AI Forum

The participation of Sheikh Khaled underscores the importance the UAE attaches to international cooperation in emerging technologies. The India AI Impact Summit is widely viewed as one of the most influential global platforms for shaping the future of artificial intelligence policy and innovation.

What Makes the Summit Significant

• Participation from over 100 countries

• High-level government representation

• Focus on global AI governance

• Cross-border technology dialogue

• Industry and policy integration

For the UAE, attending at the highest leadership level reinforces its position as an active architect of the global AI ecosystem, not merely a technology adopter.

Officials say the Crown Prince’s presence will help deepen bilateral and multilateral technology partnerships while showcasing the UAE’s rapid progress in digital transformation.

UAE Seeks to Expand International AI Cooperation

According to officials, the UAE delegation will focus heavily on strengthening international collaboration in advanced technologies and building new strategic alliances.

Core Objectives of UAE Participation

• Expanding global AI partnerships

• Accelerating adoption of advanced technologies

• Supporting innovation-driven ecosystems

• Strengthening public-private collaboration

• Promoting responsible AI development

These priorities align closely with the UAE’s long-term vision of becoming a global hub for artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and future technologies.

The country has already positioned AI as a central pillar of its economic diversification strategy, and participation in global forums is a key component of that roadmap.

Summit Expected to Shape Future AI Governance

The India AI Impact Summit is expected to host a series of high-level dialogue sessions focused on shaping international frameworks for artificial intelligence governance.

Key Topics on the Agenda

• Strategic priorities for global AI development

• Ethical and regulatory frameworks

• Cross-border technology cooperation

• AI-driven sustainable development

• Innovation and research partnerships

• Data governance standards

Organisers say the event aims to help countries coordinate policy approaches while unlocking the economic potential of AI across sectors such as healthcare, finance, energy, manufacturing and public services.

With global competition in AI intensifying, outcomes from the summit could influence international technology policy for years to come.

UAE–India Technology Ties Continue to Deepen

Sheikh Khaled’s visit comes against the backdrop of rapidly expanding UAE-India relations, particularly in the fields of technology, digital economy and innovation.

In recent years, the two countries have significantly increased cooperation across multiple strategic sectors.

Areas of Growing UAE–India Collaboration

• Digital infrastructure development

• AI research partnerships

• Startup ecosystem support

• Investment flows

• Fintech and digital payments

• Advanced manufacturing

India’s vast digital market and deep talent pool complement the UAE’s strong capital base and global connectivity. Analysts say this combination creates powerful synergies for joint AI initiatives.

Part of the UAE’s Broader AI Leadership Strategy

The Crown Prince’s participation is not an isolated event but part of the UAE’s wider push to become a leading global player in artificial intelligence.

Over the past several years, the country has implemented a highly coordinated national AI strategy.

Major UAE AI Initiatives Include

• Launch of the UAE National AI Strategy

• Creation of dedicated AI government roles

• Heavy investment in hyperscale data centres

• Expansion of sovereign cloud infrastructure

• Support for AI research and development

• Partnerships with global technology firms

• Development of smart government services

This ecosystem-focused approach emphasises not only building advanced AI models but also creating the infrastructure, regulatory environment and talent pipeline required for large-scale adoption.

Why the India AI Impact Summit Matters Globally

The summit comes at a pivotal moment when artificial intelligence is reshaping global economic competition, national security strategies and industrial development.

Major Themes Likely to Dominate

• Global AI competitiveness

• Responsible AI deployment

• Data sovereignty and governance

• AI-driven economic growth

• Workforce transformation

• International technology cooperation

With participation from more than 100 countries, the forum could play an important role in shaping how nations coordinate — or compete — in the AI era.

Strategic Importance for the UAE

For the UAE, high-level participation in the India AI Impact Summit delivers multiple strategic advantages.

Expanding Global Influence

By taking a visible leadership role, the UAE reinforces its image as a forward-looking technology nation actively shaping global digital policy.

Attracting Investment and Partnerships

Major international forums provide opportunities to:

• Secure new technology partnerships

• Attract AI-focused investment

• Promote UAE innovation ecosystems

• Engage with global tech leaders

Supporting Economic Diversification

Artificial intelligence is central to the UAE’s long-term plan to build a knowledge-based economy beyond hydrocarbons.

AI adoption is expected to drive productivity gains across key sectors, including:

• Government services

• Energy

• Healthcare

• Finance

• Logistics

• Smart cities

Strengthening the UAE–India Economic Corridor

Technology cooperation is rapidly becoming a major pillar of the already strong UAE–India relationship.

Trade, investment and digital collaboration between the two countries have expanded significantly in recent years, supported by:

• Strong political ties

• Growing bilateral trade

• Deep people-to-people connections

• Expanding business partnerships

The Crown Prince’s participation in the summit could further accelerate momentum in the UAE–India technology corridor.

Opportunities for Business and Startups

The summit is also expected to create new opportunities for private sector collaboration.

Potential Areas of Commercial Growth

• AI startup partnerships

• Venture capital flows

• Cross-border innovation programmes

• Research commercialisation

• Enterprise AI deployment

• Digital infrastructure projects

For businesses and investors, high-level government engagement often signals future deal flow and policy support.

What Observers Will Be Watching

Following the summit, analysts and market participants will be closely monitoring several potential outcomes.

Key Signals to Watch

• New UAE–India technology agreements

• AI investment announcements

• Joint research initiatives

• Startup collaboration programmes

• Policy coordination frameworks

• Digital infrastructure partnerships

Any concrete agreements emerging from the event could significantly accelerate the UAE’s AI ambitions.

Broader Implications for Global AI Competition

The UAE’s active participation highlights a broader shift in the global AI landscape. Middle powers with strong capital resources and strategic vision are increasingly positioning themselves as key players in shaping AI governance.

The Gulf region, in particular, is investing heavily in:

• Advanced computing infrastructure

• AI talent development

• Digital government transformation

• Sovereign technology capabilities

This suggests the global AI race is no longer limited to traditional technology superpowers.

Conclusion

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan leading the UAE delegation to the India AI Impact Summit marks another significant step in the country’s ambitious artificial intelligence strategy.

By engaging at the highest levels of global AI dialogue, the UAE is reinforcing its commitment to innovation, international collaboration and digital economic transformation. The visit also highlights the deepening technology partnership between the UAE and India — a relationship with growing strategic and commercial importance.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the global economy, the UAE’s proactive approach positions it as an increasingly influential voice in the future of AI governance and deployment.

For businesses, investors and policymakers across the Middle East and beyond, the summit represents an important milestone in the UAE’s fast-evolving journey toward global AI leadership.