Dubai Champions Future With Global Prompt Engineering Championship Winners Honoured
In an event that placed creativity, innovation, and emerging technologies at the forefront of international discourse, Dubai once again demonstrated its forward-thinking vision during the recently held Global Prompt Engineering Championship 2025. The prestigious competition concluded with a grand ceremony where H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, honoured the outstanding individuals who emerged victorious in this groundbreaking contest. Taking place during Dubai AI Week, the event brought global attention to the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and its intersection with creativity.
A Visionary Approach to Future-Oriented Talent Empowerment
Addressing a distinguished audience that included innovators, policymakers, and global media, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed articulated the vision that has placed Dubai at the heart of global AI discourse. He underlined that artificial intelligence has not only revolutionised industries but has also created entirely new skillsets and professions, notably in the field of prompt engineering. Prompt engineering, a technique vital to the efficient use of generative AI models, was celebrated in this championship through the recognition of talents who excelled in diverse creative domains including art, video production, gaming, and software coding.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan highlighted how empowering talents in this emerging discipline contributes to shaping the broader trajectory of technological evolution. According to him, this championship was more than a competition—it was a glimpse into the future, where innovation powered by AI will continue to shape and redefine the global creative and technological sectors. The Crown Prince reiterated Dubai’s commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes change, encourages innovation, and remains focused on developing AI talent for the benefit of humanity.
Sheikh Hamdan’s Commitment to Dubai’s AI-Centric Growth
What sets Dubai apart in the global AI race is not just its investment in infrastructure, but its emphasis on nurturing human capital. Sheikh Hamdan spoke of how Dubai was among the first cities globally to actively invest in AI capabilities. Through initiatives such as the Dubai Future Foundation and strategic programs under the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the emirate has built a dynamic ecosystem that is attracting and retaining the brightest AI minds from across the world.
The commitment extends beyond hosting competitions. It involves establishing academic institutions, providing financial backing to startups, and forging public-private collaborations that enable the practical use of AI innovations in sectors ranging from healthcare and education to media and city planning. By supporting such comprehensive development, Dubai is positioning itself as not merely a participant in the AI revolution, but a leader.
Global Participation Reflects Dubai’s Inclusive Innovation Culture
One of the key highlights of the Global Prompt Engineering Championship was its truly international nature. This year’s competition attracted an overwhelming 3,800 entries from 125 different countries. After a rigorous selection process, 24 finalists from 16 nations were invited to Dubai to compete in the championship’s final rounds. The global scale of participation underscored Dubai’s status as an inclusive and welcoming innovation hub—one that transcends borders and political affiliations to unite the world’s most creative minds.
The championship was organised by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence, a flagship initiative of the Dubai Future Foundation, and supported by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. Its success reflects the collaborative model that Dubai champions—bringing together government bodies, private companies, academic institutions, and global talents to shape the future together.
Celebrating Excellence in Creativity, Innovation, and AI Synergy
The winners of the 2025 championship exemplified the extraordinary possibilities that arise at the intersection of creativity and artificial intelligence. In the Coding category, the top prize went to Abdulrahman Al Marzooqi from the UAE. A master’s student at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, his work represented the local talent that has risen to global prominence. His victory also underscored the calibre of education and research institutions in the UAE that are contributing to AI advancement.
The Video category was won by Syrian filmmaker Ibrahim Hajjo, who is known for his creative direction at Hajjo Media. His project demonstrated how storytelling can evolve when AI tools are used to enhance narrative, visual effects, and emotional engagement. His work received praise not just for technical mastery, but for the human touch he retained through digital innovation.
From Canada, Ibrahim Helmy earned first place in the Gaming category. As a Senior Cloud Solutions Architect at Microsoft, Helmy’s entry showcased an immersive AI-integrated gaming experience that redefined user interaction and real-time learning. His project also symbolised the potential for gaming to serve educational and therapeutic purposes.
In the Art category, Yahya Kaddoura from Palestine took the top honour. An Architectural Designer and Associate Principal at Atkins, Kaddoura combined computational design with aesthetic philosophy, creating artworks that echoed both traditional motifs and modern sensibilities, all powered by generative AI algorithms. His piece resonated with audiences by blending digital innovation with a deep cultural consciousness.
Area 2071: A Symbolic Venue for Future-Making
The championship finals were held over two days at AREA 2071, located in the iconic Emirates Towers. This venue is not just an architectural landmark; it embodies Dubai’s ethos of being a platform for future-making. Named after the UAE’s centennial vision for the year 2071, AREA 2071 brings together thinkers, creators, and doers from around the world to co-design the future.
This futuristic space provided the ideal setting for the championship, enabling contestants to interact with each other, share experiences, and present their work to a jury comprising industry leaders, AI specialists, and creative professionals. The atmosphere of collaboration and excitement was palpable, with every project receiving detailed feedback and recognition.
AI, Creativity, and the Road Ahead for Humanity
Beyond the awards and recognitions, the Global Prompt Engineering Championship 2025 served as a window into the possibilities that AI brings to the creative economy. As participants demonstrated their talents, it became evident that AI is not replacing human creativity but rather amplifying it. The winning projects showed how, when used responsibly and ethically, AI can unlock new dimensions of artistic expression, problem-solving, and emotional connection.
This theme was reiterated by many of the guests and speakers, including H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. Their presence at the event reinforced the importance that Dubai’s leadership places on creative industries and the digital economy as cornerstones of future development.
Dubai AI Week: A Hub for Thought Leadership and Inspiration
The championship was a central part of Dubai AI Week, a platform that brought together thousands of delegates from technology companies, research institutions, startups, and government agencies. The week featured panels, workshops, exhibitions, and networking events that explored the latest trends in AI, ethics, policy, and innovation. It provided a rare opportunity for cross-disciplinary dialogue and highlighted how AI is influencing every aspect of human life.
Events like Dubai AI Week serve as catalysts for long-term collaboration. They open avenues for students to learn from experts, for businesses to discover new partnerships, and for policymakers to understand the impact of technology in shaping inclusive and sustainable societies.
Prompting a New Era of Global Creative Synergy
The Global Prompt Engineering Championship 2025 was more than a celebration of talent; it was a celebration of the future. It showed how cities like Dubai can play a pivotal role in catalysing global change by offering platforms that nurture innovation without borders. As artificial intelligence continues to redefine our creative and professional landscapes, competitions like this remind us of the importance of human imagination, collaboration, and ethical advancement.
Dubai’s leadership continues to inspire through action, and as the world watches, it becomes evident that the city is not only dreaming about the future—it is building it, one prompt at a time.
