Dubai Expands AI Campus Targets as Global Leaders and Chinese Tech Firms Convene

Dubai has approved expanded strategic growth targets for the Dubai AI Campus, aiming to attract more than 1,000 specialized artificial intelligence companies and create over 5,000 jobs by 2030. The targets were announced at the third Dubai AI Festival, which brought together over 20,000 international participants, including more than 100 Chinese technology companies. The campus has already surpassed its original five-year growth goals two years early, securing AED 1 billion in investment.

Published October 28, 2026 Source: Fortune

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Dubai has set new expansion targets for the Dubai AI Campus, aiming to house more than 1,000 specialized artificial intelligence companies and generate over 5,000 skilled jobs by 2030, according to event announcements. The targets were approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, during the opening of the third edition of the Dubai AI Festival at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The campus, developed under the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), achieved its original five-year targets two years ahead of schedule. To date, the facility has attracted more than 500 AI companies, generated over AED 1 billion ($272 million) in venture capital and private equity investment, and created more than 2,000 technology jobs. Leadership also reviewed development blueprints for a purpose-built facility within DIFC's Zabeel District expansion.

The two-day festival drew more than 20,000 attendees from over 100 countries, 150 speakers, 500 investors, and 200 exhibitors. International commercial delegations featured prominent participation from Asia, including more than 100 Chinese technology companies exhibiting digital innovations and an Indian Bharat Pavilion hosting 23 companies in cloud, data center, and GPU infrastructure. The gathering also hosted over 20 global unicorns, 20 venture capital firms, and 20 government entities.

Discussions during the event centered on AI governance, cross-border digital infrastructure, workforce evolution, and commercial deployment across public and private sectors.