Abu Dhabi convenes inaugural summit on agentic AI and digital sovereignty
Technology leaders and government representatives gather at ADNEC to explore how artificial intelligence can reshape services, governance and economic growth across the region
The inaugural Middle East edition of the Arabian Chatbot & Agentic AI Summit brought together a constellation of technology experts, government representatives and industry professionals at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, each drawn by a shared recognition that artificial intelligence has moved beyond experimentation into the realm of operational necessity. The gathering, which opened on Monday, focused on agentic AI: systems capable of performing multi-step tasks autonomously, alongside the broader landscape of generative AI, chatbots and voice technologies that are reshaping how organisations serve their customers and manage their operations.
The discussions ranged across governance frameworks and data sovereignty, cybersecurity protocols, ethical considerations and regulatory compliance. Participants examined how organisations navigate the transition from pilot projects to large-scale deployment, grappling with questions of system integration, reliability, security and the irreducible importance of human oversight in systems designed to augment human decision-making.
Dr. Anas Najdawi, Dubai Campus Director and Associate Professor of Digital Business at Abu Dhabi University, articulated a vision of digital sovereignty that extends beyond the acquisition of foreign technologies. The UAE, he emphasised, has positioned itself at the forefront of AI advancement through policies and strategies that strengthen both regional and global standing, while simultaneously developing homegrown AI models capable of understanding Arabic language and culture. This dual focus reflects a sophisticated understanding: that true technological autonomy requires not merely the adoption of tools, but the cultivation of domestic expertise and the creation of locally developed solutions.
Abu Dhabi University, through its campuses in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain, has become a nexus for this endeavour, advancing AI education and research through bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes. The institution encourages scientific research and patent development aligned with national needs, recognising that the applications of artificial intelligence now extend far beyond engineering into education, media, administration and business. The imperative, Najdawi stressed, is to develop talent capable of creating technologies locally rather than merely deploying them.
Faisal Al Dhaheri, Founder and CEO of Clickilink, spoke to the summit as evidence of the region’s growing technological maturity. The expansion of the summit from Britain to the UAE reflects a shift in global interest toward the Gulf, he noted, bringing together specialists from across the emirates and the wider world. His own company, established in 2015, has evolved into an Emirati social media platform comprising four interconnected services: an AI-powered trading system, Clicky Services for customer engagement and business development, and Clicky Browser. The underlying philosophy is one of integration and simplification: the company aims to unite social networking, business tools, blogging and project management into a single environment, allowing users to address both personal and professional requirements without fragmentation.
The summit itself represents a broader recognition within Abu Dhabi that agentic AI, when harnessed with attention to local control and digital sovereignty, can serve as a foundation for economic growth and prosperity. As organisations move from discussion to implementation, the conversations that took place at ADNEC will likely shape how the region approaches the governance, deployment and ethical stewardship of systems designed to think, decide and act with increasing autonomy.
What it means for Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a hub for artificial intelligence expertise and agentic AI development positions the emirate at the centre of a technological transition that will affect every sector of the economy. By emphasising digital sovereignty and the development of homegrown capabilities, the emirate is making a strategic choice to build enduring technological independence rather than remain dependent on external providers. This approach creates opportunities for local companies, strengthens educational institutions and attracts international talent and partnership.
For residents and businesses across Abu Dhabi, the advancement of agentic AI and locally developed solutions promises more efficient services, enhanced security through data sovereignty, and economic opportunities in a sector that is reshaping global commerce and governance. The summit signals that Abu Dhabi’s leadership recognises AI not as a tool to be passively adopted, but as a technology to be actively shaped according to the emirate’s values, needs and long-term vision for prosperity.
Source: Emirates News Agency