Abu Dhabi shifts AI focus from AI hype to real-world deployment

Abu Dhabi is positioning artificial intelligence as a driver of large-scale economic and government transformation as the global AI race moves from experimentation and hype towards practical deployment.

The shift will be a central theme at AI Everything Abu Dhabi, taking place on October 6 and 7 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), bringing together more than 400 companies and organisations from 60 countries, including over 150 startups and 200 investors.

The event will showcase how AI is being integrated into real-world services across sectors including healthcare, finance, energy, manufacturing, transport and government.

Healthcare applications will include AI-designed drugs, Arabic-first clinical systems and digital health solutions, while sessions will also explore the growing use of autonomous AI in scientific research.

The summit is being organised by in5 in partnership with the Department of Government Enablement and Solutions+, with participation from organisations including the Advanced Technology Research Council, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Hub71, AWS, Alibaba Cloud and Mistral AI.

A key focus will be helping organisations move beyond pilot projects by integrating AI into existing systems, data and daily operations while addressing security, scalability and measurable economic returns.

Abu Dhabi is also pursuing the development of an AI-powered government, with artificial intelligence, data and digital services increasingly integrated across the public sector.

The event will feature around 180 global speakers and provide a platform for governments, investors, startups and technology companies to examine how AI can be deployed at scale rather than simply demonstrated as a new technology.