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UAE and WEF Launch $1M AI Challenge and Global Policy Opportunities Centre

The UAE has partnered with the World Economic Forum to launch three global initiatives, including a $1 million agentic AI innovation challenge. The collaboration also establishes the Global Centre for Future Opportunities to translate emerging technologies into policy. A third programme, Future 20, will recognise 20 emerging leaders under 30.

Published Source: Gulf News
Issuing authority
UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs
Jurisdiction
United Arab Emirates
Publication date
October 14, 2026
Official source
news.google.com
Illustration: Editorial photograph of a modern tech convention centre hall in Dubai with illuminated digital displays showing abstract network data vi
Illustration

The UAE has launched three joint initiatives with the World Economic Forum (WEF), Gulf News reported. Mohammad Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs, announced the programmes during the opening plenary of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders in Dubai, which gathered leaders and entrepreneurs from more than 100 countries.

Among the initiatives is the Global Centre for Future Opportunities, established through a UAE-WEF partnership designed to translate technological advances and economic prospects into tangible public policies.

A second programme, the Global Innovation Challenge and Agentic AI Award, offers a $1 million prize. The competition expects 10,000 Global Shapers across 150 countries to develop artificial intelligence solutions addressing modern-day challenges, with the winners to be unveiled at the 2027 meeting.

The third initiative, titled Future 20, will highlight 20 leaders under the age of 30 who demonstrate the capacity to influence communities and turn concepts into opportunities. Al Gergawi noted that the UAE's institutional relationship with the WEF began in 2008 and is expanding its focus toward next-generation leadership.

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