Crown Prince Hamdan Launches Create AI Agents Championship to Advance Innovation for Global Impact
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed announces evolution of Create Apps Championship, inviting innovators worldwide to develop autonomous AI-agent systems addressing real-world challenges with prizes exceeding AED2.5 million.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has announced the launch of the Create AI Agents Championship, marking a significant evolution in Dubai’s commitment to technological innovation and human empowerment.
The announcement came during the awards ceremony for the third edition of the Create Apps Championship at Emirates Towers Boulevard, where His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honoured exceptional digital innovators. Reflecting on the transformative vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Crown Prince emphasised how Dubai continues to shape the future by remaining at the forefront of advanced technology adoption.
The Create Apps Championship, led by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, has demonstrated remarkable global reach across three editions, attracting 15,564 applications from 153 countries, facilitating the development of 1,700 prototypes, and supporting the launch of over 140 applications. The third edition alone received 9,754 entries from around the world.
The new Create AI Agents Championship represents a strategic shift from traditional app development towards autonomous AI-agent systems designed to address genuine user needs and market requirements. This evolution positions Dubai as a pioneer in harnessing agentic artificial intelligence for practical, scalable solutions.
The Championship encompasses four primary categories. The Best Societal AI Agent category recognises solutions creating positive social impact through strengthened social cohesion, educational support, and sustainability initiatives. The Best Personal AI Agent category celebrates systems enhancing daily productivity, health, and wellbeing. The Best Business AI Agent category honours innovations improving organisational workflows and customer experience across public and private sectors. The Best Youth AI Agent category, restricted to participants under 21 years, encourages emerging talent to shape technological futures.
Category winners will each receive AED550,000 in grant funding, with the AI Agent of the Year recipient receiving AED1 million. The Championship’s total prize pool exceeds AED2.5 million, reflecting Dubai’s commitment to nurturing innovation.
Open to innovators regardless of technical background or age, the Championship welcomes individuals, teams, and established businesses at varying development stages—from conceptual ideas to early-stage prototypes and minimum viable products. Fully commercialised solutions remain ineligible to ensure focus on developing and emerging innovations.
The Crown Prince highlighted Dubai’s role as a global platform for creativity, stating the initiative would contribute to establishing more efficient, accessible, and people-centric service delivery approaches. Support mechanisms include introductory Agentic AI workshops in October, the launch of the Digital Academy in November offering advanced training courses and mentorship, with registration closing in December 2026.
Third-edition Create Apps Championship winners received recognition for exceptional achievements. Ettan Ehsan claimed the Best Youth-made App award with its gamified educational platform; RUSH won Most Impactful App for curated group travel experiences; LiaPay secured Most Innovative App honours as an AI-powered financial wellness assistant; and POP by Kwelio earned both the Longevity App of the Year and Dubai’s App of the Year for its smart medication-adherence solution.
Finalists and semi-finalists gain direct entry to Oraseya Capital’s Launchpad, a structured six-month programme designed to accelerate early-stage startups toward investment readiness through expert guidance and network access.
Source: WAM