Dubai to Host AI@70 Global Event Shaping AI’s Future Path

The United Arab Emirates, through its visionary leadership, is preparing to host a landmark event in 2026 that will bring together global thinkers and innovators from diverse disciplines to explore and shape the future of artificial intelligence. Set against the backdrop of Dubai AI Week 2026, the event, titled AI@70: Towards a Global Humanity, will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the historic Dartmouth Workshop that first conceptualized AI as a field. This pioneering initiative is spearheaded by His Highness 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.

This milestone gathering is designed to delve deep into the philosophical, societal, ethical, and scientific implications of AI’s rapid evolution while anchoring Dubai as a central hub for AI thought leadership, collaboration, and innovation.

Bringing the World’s Brightest Minds to Dubai

At the heart of this bold initiative lies the commitment to assembling a diverse and distinguished group of minds—ranging from philosophers and scientists to technologists, academics, artists, and business leaders. AI@70 is not merely a conference; it is envisioned as a transformative dialogue that draws upon the intellect and experience of global thought leaders to explore how AI will continue to redefine human existence and societal structures.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that Dubai’s approach is rooted in knowledge sharing, global cooperation, and meaningful partnerships. His statement encapsulated the essence of the event, declaring that the UAE is fully invested in anticipating the future of AI and harnessing its potential to benefit humanity.

Dubai’s ability to attract and host such a multidimensional event highlights the city’s role as an epicenter of future-oriented dialogue and development. By bringing together top global experts, Dubai aims to establish new paradigms in AI philosophy, governance, and application.

Commemorating 70 Years Since the Birth of AI

The event’s timing is symbolically powerful. AI@70 marks the 70th anniversary of the seminal Dartmouth Workshop held in 1956. That original series of meetings, hosted by Dartmouth College in the United States, is widely considered the birthplace of artificial intelligence as a formal academic discipline. In a meaningful gesture, Dartmouth College—one of the prestigious Ivy League institutions—will offer official support for the Dubai event.

This historical reference serves to connect the foundational ideas of AI with the transformative developments of the 21st century. AI@70 will not only honor the origin of the discipline but also act as a catalyst for the next seven decades of advancement, innovation, and introspection. It is, in every sense, a bridge between AI’s foundational past and its boundless future.

Dubai’s Vision for Inclusive and Human-Centric AI

Speaking about the event, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum offered a compelling vision of what artificial intelligence represents in the current era. “AI is the transformative technology of our time,” he said. “It has the power to change the way we understand what it means to be human, how we work, and how we understand the infrastructure of humanity.”

His Highness further emphasized that the true potential of AI can only be realized through deliberate, inclusive global dialogue that takes into account its ethical and philosophical dimensions. The aim is to steer AI’s growth toward positive development, ensuring that it uplifts societies rather than undermining them.

This vision reflects Dubai’s holistic approach to AI development—one that is as concerned with ethics, culture, and human values as it is with technological progress. The city seeks to position itself not only as a leader in innovation but also as a guardian of AI’s impact on humanity.

Humanity Lab: An Incubator for Philosophical AI Innovation

One of the key outcomes of AI@70 will be the launch of the ‘Humanity Lab’, a unique eight-week incubator initiative inspired by the original length of the Dartmouth Conference. The Humanity Lab will be hosted at the Dubai AI Campus within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Its purpose will be to merge art, philosophy, and technology into the creation of entirely new categories of AI-driven products and ideas.

This experimental and creative space is designed to reflect the profound and ongoing transformations AI is imposing on every aspect of modern life. Artists, technologists, and thinkers will collaborate to address questions not just of what AI can do, but what AI should do. The Humanity Lab will represent a living workshop where imagination meets engineering, giving rise to ideas that are both innovative and deeply human.

Setting a Global Research Agenda for AI

The AI@70 initiative will serve as the starting point for an ambitious global research agenda. Participants will delve into questions at the intersection of science, philosophy, ethics, and society, addressing concerns and possibilities that extend far beyond immediate applications.

The agenda will challenge attendees to look ahead—to envision futures that could not have been imagined before the advent of AI. From ethical dilemmas to metaphysical inquiries, from artistic inspiration to societal reengineering, the questions raised at AI@70 will aim to establish new benchmarks for intellectual exploration.

This global thought exchange is expected to generate a detailed inventory of speculative futures, guiding entrepreneurs, researchers, and artists toward possibilities that redefine the boundaries of human creativity and agency.

Positioning Dubai as the Intellectual Capital of AI

Dubai’s decision to host AI@70 and the associated initiatives is part of a broader strategy to place the Emirate at the forefront of global technological and philosophical leadership. With AI reshaping industries, economies, and social systems, cities that foster deep interdisciplinary reflection will be best equipped to guide the future.

Dubai’s blend of technological ambition, cultural diversity, and philosophical depth makes it uniquely suited to host this unprecedented event. The city’s efforts extend beyond economic development; they aim to embed values, humanity, and inclusivity into the core of technological evolution.

Sheikh Hamdan reiterated that this event is about understanding AI not as a mere tool, but as a new infrastructure of thought—one that demands reflection, regulation, and responsibility. By hosting AI@70, Dubai is not only participating in the global AI conversation—it is helping to write its next chapter.

Collaboration Between DIFC and Global Leaders

AI@70 will be co-organized by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in partnership with global advisory firm APCO. The event’s steering committee includes representatives from DIFC, APCO, and leading international experts in artificial intelligence.

This collaboration ensures that the event will benefit from world-class strategic guidance, academic rigor, and innovative programming. With DIFC’s ongoing commitment to tech-driven economic growth and APCO’s expertise in global policy and advisory services, AI@70 is expected to emerge as a defining moment in the history of AI governance and development.

The partnership also reflects Dubai’s belief in cross-sector collaboration, bringing together public institutions, private firms, academic entities, and cultural organizations in pursuit of common goals.

Reimagining AI Through a Multidisciplinary Lens

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of AI@70 is its multidisciplinary approach. By integrating thinkers and creators from arts, humanities, sciences, and business, the event will transcend traditional silos and create an open environment for new ideas to flourish.

AI is not only a computational breakthrough—it is a cultural and philosophical shift. The organizers recognize that AI cannot be separated from the context in which it evolves. Every algorithm, every application, and every system reflects a set of assumptions, values, and goals. AI@70 will make those often-invisible structures visible—and open them to questioning, debate, and redefinition.

A New Dawn for Global AI Collaboration

As AI technologies grow more powerful, the need for responsible, inclusive, and ethical frameworks becomes increasingly urgent. Events like AI@70 represent more than just gatherings—they are turning points in global cooperation.

By aligning technology with humanity’s deepest values, AI@70 will help ensure that the AI revolution is not just about automation and efficiency, but about purpose, equity, and vision. And with Dubai leading the charge, the world may very well witness a new era of AI development grounded in global wisdom and shared futures.