UAE Launches US$1 Million Agentic AI Global Prize for Smarter Cities
The UAE has announced a US$1 million global competition to develop agentic artificial intelligence solutions that make cities more livable. The initiative aims to improve urban services, strengthen innovation and enhance quality of life worldwide.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, the UAE’s Minister of Cabinet Affairs, unveiled the Agentic AI Award at the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders. The UAE Government and the World Economic Forum (WEF) organized the gathering.
Developed through a partnership between Dubai Municipality and the WEF, the competition will attract more than 10,000 participants from 150 countries. Moreover, it will encourage innovators to create practical AI solutions that address urban challenges.
“This is an annual US$1 million prize involving over 10,000 global change makers across 150 countries to develop smart solutions that enhance urban services and quality of life,” Al Gergawi said.
Global Competition to Advance Smarter Cities
The competition will focus on using agentic AI to improve how cities deliver services and respond to residents’ needs. Consequently, participants will explore technologies that can support more efficient, responsive and sustainable urban environments.
Unlike conventional AI systems, agentic AI can independently plan tasks, make decisions and execute actions within defined boundaries. Therefore, its application could help cities streamline operations and improve everyday public services.
Organizers will announce the inaugural winner at next year’s meeting. Furthermore, they hope the competition will become a “model for hundreds of cities worldwide.”
The award also reflects the UAE’s growing emphasis on international collaboration and technology-driven urban development. Through this initiative, the country aims to encourage practical innovations with potential applications beyond its borders.
New Center to Turn Future Opportunities Into Action
Alongside the AI award, the Dubai Future Foundation and the WEF announced plans to establish a Center for Global Future Opportunities.
The center aims to “turn technological and economic opportunities into policies, legislation and projects that can be implemented.”
Additionally, the initiative will seek to connect emerging technological developments with practical government and economic strategies. As a result, it could help policymakers translate future opportunities into actionable projects.
The announcement highlights the importance of preparing institutions for technological and economic change. Meanwhile, the planned center will provide another platform for cooperation on emerging global opportunities.
Future20 Initiative to Recognize Young Global Leaders
The UAE also introduced Future20, an initiative recognizing 20 emerging leaders under the age of 30.
The program will highlight individuals who are “capable of driving major global transformations.”
Furthermore, Future20 places young leadership alongside artificial intelligence and future-focused policymaking as priorities for international cooperation.
Together, the three announcements outline an approach that combines technological innovation, institutional development and emerging leadership.
Ultimately, the initiatives aim to connect global expertise with practical solutions while strengthening the UAE’s role in shaping future-oriented development.
