Autonomous delivery vehicles and robotaxis are expanding across the UAE, with officials projecting thousands of autonomous taxis in operation by next year. Speaking at the AI Everything 2026 summit, officials stated the UAE aims to become the largest deployer of autonomous taxis outside China. Abu Dhabi is also targeting becoming an AI-native government by 2027.
A senior UAE official stated that countries must create independent evaluation frameworks rather than expecting the global artificial intelligence race to decelerate. Speaking at a technology summit in Abu Dhabi, he noted that developers should not be solely responsible for certifying their own AI systems. He also advocated for adaptive benchmarks that align with the critical nature of specific AI applications.
At the Presight Future Forum in Abu Dhabi, Chief Executive Thomas Pramotedham stated that turning AI ideas into revenue and navigating corporate change remain the sector's primary challenges. The Abu Dhabi-based firm unveiled its FutureSight platform to connect international founders with enterprise customers, government entities, and capital providers. Industry data cited shows that while 89% of firms use AI, only 6% report significant financial returns.
Dubai-listed Al Ansari Financial Services aims to employ 1,200 UAE Nationals by the end of 2026, according to a report by Gulf News. As of September 2026, the company employed 1,041 Emiratis, making up around 24 percent of its UAE workforce. The group continues expanding recruitment in partnership with government programs including NAFIS and Dawamee.
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