Dubai:The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has announced that 20 contestants from around the world have been selected to compete in the AI Grandmaster Challenge. This event will take place at The Challenge Dome, as part of the Dubai Future Week from November 18 to 21, 2026, at Emirates Towers and the Museum of the Future.
According to Wam, the competition will begin on Wednesday, November 18, with contestants facing a series of increasingly complex challenges designed to test their ability to apply artificial intelligence across various disciplines. These challenges will include creating multimedia content, building intelligent applications and solutions, and developing AI-powered assistant experiences. Contestants must demonstrate their ability to innovate and deliver results within strict time limits.
The challenges will escalate in difficulty as the competition progresses, with top performers advancing to subsequent rounds until a winner is crowned AI Grandmaster and awarded a prize of AED 1 million. Google Cloud will partner as the challenge's technology provider, supporting participants as they use the latest AI tools to develop innovative solutions in real time.
A panel of AI experts and specialists from Google Cloud will judge contestants based on criteria such as the quality of their outputs, creativity, technical execution, adaptability, and ability to use AI effectively under time constraints. Abdulaziz AlJaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, emphasized the challenge's role in showcasing outstanding skills and emerging talent in artificial intelligence, which is crucial for enhancing human capabilities and adopting innovative solutions for a better future.
The AI Grandmaster Challenge, building on its previous edition's success in 2025, aims to foster a global community for exchanging knowledge and innovations in AI. It seeks to provide an open platform for local and international talent, encourage international collaboration, and explore new possibilities offered by advancing AI capabilities. The initiative also aims to reinforce Dubai's position as a global hub for advanced digital infrastructure and sustainable innovation.
Dubai Future Week, themed 'For the Human of the Future,' will feature a diverse program including keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, challenges, and competitions. Activities will occur across eight main concepts, including The Big Stage, The Prototype Floor, and The Challenge, among others.