Capital deployed across the United Arab Emirates is increasingly directed toward artificial intelligence solutions that deliver measurable financial returns rather than exploratory pilot projects, according to investors and founders speaking at the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF 2026).
The two-day forum was held at Sharjah's Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre under the theme 'Building Adaptive Economies', organised by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Investment, convening participants from more than 60 countries.
According to study data presented during the event, AI and AI-enabled companies across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region raised $678 million in the first half of 2026, marking an 81 percent increase year on year. The UAE accounted for 93 percent of the regional funding total.
Founders and corporate leaders pointed to concrete commercial use cases driving this transition. Pablo Charron, founder and chief executive of UAE startup Ayan, which secured Dh2.2 million in pre-seed funding, reported that frontline retail advisors' daily use of AI briefing tools increased fourfold over 13 weeks across five Gulf markets, resulting in conversions for four in ten shoppers arriving pre-influenced by AI.
Panellists also emphasised the link between institutional regulation and commercial scalability. Saqr Ereiqat, Secretary General of the Dubai Digital Asset Association, noted that early regulatory, talent, and infrastructure frameworks have positioned the UAE digital economy for sustained oversight and governance, aligning with the UAE Cabinet's April approval of a plan to run half of federal public services on agentic AI within two years.
Sources
- Khaleej Times · 2026-10-15
