Twenty Global Talents Selected for AI Grandmaster Challenge’s Million Dirham Prize

The Dubai Future Foundation unveils the competitors who will vie for supremacy in artificial intelligence innovation at Dubai Future Week, where the brightest minds will demonstrate their prowess across a series of demanding real time challenges.

Twenty contestants from across the world have been selected to participate in the AI Grandmaster Challenge, a compelling showcase of innovation and technical mastery set to take place during Dubai Future Week from 18 to 21 November 2026. The competition will unfold at The Challenge Dome, located within the prestigious Emirates Towers and the Museum of the Future.

On 18 November, the participants will navigate a series of progressively complex challenges designed to evaluate their capacity to harness artificial intelligence across diverse domains. The tasks encompass the creation of multimedia content, the development of intelligent applications and solutions, and the engineering of AI powered assistant experiences. Competitors will need to balance creativity with precision while working within exacting time constraints, with each successful round propelling the highest performers toward the final prize: AED 1 million and the title of AI Grandmaster.

Google Cloud serves as the technology partner for the challenge, providing the sophisticated tools and infrastructure that enable participants to showcase their skills in real time problem solving. A panel of AI specialists and experts from Google Cloud will evaluate contestants across multiple dimensions: the calibre of their outputs, their creative vision, technical execution, adaptability and their effectiveness in leveraging AI under pressure.

Abdulaziz AlJaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, noted that the challenge represents a significant opportunity to recognise exceptional talent and expertise in artificial intelligence. As we reported earlier in October, Dubai Future Week brings together over 10,000 participants globally in AI and robotics competitions, cementing the emirate’s role as a nexus for technological innovation.

Building upon the momentum of the previous edition in 2025, which drew more than 3,800 applications from 125 countries, the challenge aims to cultivate a global community dedicated to exchanging knowledge and expertise in AI prompt engineering. The initiative provides an open platform for both local and international talent, fostering international collaboration and unlocking the possibilities that rapid advances in artificial intelligence continue to present.

The broader Dubai Future Week programme, unfolding under the theme ‘For the Human of the Future’, encompasses keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions and immersive experiences across eight main concepts including The Big Stage, The Prototype Floor, The Pitch, The Policy Room and The Challenge.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The AI Grandmaster Challenge reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position within the wider UAE ecosystem as a centre for digital innovation and technological advancement. By attracting elite talent from across the globe, the competition strengthens the region’s standing among the world’s leading digital cities and demonstrates a commitment to remaining at the forefront of artificial intelligence development and adoption.

The initiative contributes to a broader strategic vision of leveraging AI as a tool for human progress and development. By encouraging the creation of practical, AI powered solutions and fostering an ecosystem that supports sustainable innovation, Dubai Future Week and its associated challenges help position the UAE as a thought leader in shaping how artificial intelligence can serve humanity’s future needs and aspirations.

Source: WAM