Dubai Ranks Second Globally for AI and Intelligent Technology Adoption - Business Today Middle East
Dubai has securedsecond place globallyin the inauguralIntelligent Cities Indexpublished byBoston Consulting Group (BCG), which assessed61 cities across 39 countrieson their use of artificial intelligence and. . .
Dubai has securedsecond place globallyin the inauguralIntelligent Cities Indexpublished byBoston Consulting Group (BCG), which assessed61 cities across 39 countrieson their use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. The ranking reinforces Dubai’s position as a global leader in leveraging AI and advanced technologies to improve quality of life, enhance government services, and create a business-friendly environment. It also reflects the emirate’s progress in building a human-centric, future-ready digital city. The Intelligent Cities Index evaluates cities across five key pillars—Outcomes, Strategy, Adoption, Ways of Working, and Enablers—using35 indicators spanning 14 dimensionsof digital transformation. The framework measures how effectively cities deploy digital technologies and AI to support sustainable development and strengthen global competitiveness. According to the report,Dubai ranked first worldwide in the Adoption category, achieving the highest performance in deploying AI technologies and smart city solutions. The city’s widespread implementation of AI-powered services across multiple sectors has contributed to one of the highest levels of digital maturity among the cities evaluated, demonstrating its ability to transform advanced technologies into practical solutions that deliver measurable benefits for residents and businesses. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, said the achievement reflects the leadership’s long-term vision of making digital transformation and AI strategic priorities for building an efficient government and a future-ready city. He noted that Dubai’s integrated digital ecosystem, built on shared infrastructure, data, and collaboration across government entities and economic sectors, has enabled the successful deployment of AI-driven services that enhance society and boost economic competitiveness. Al Mansoori added that Dubai views AI as more than an emerging technology, describing it as a key driver for improving quality of life, simplifying services, and supporting economic growth. He said the emirate will continue investing in digital infrastructure while expanding the use of AI and data across all sectors to strengthen its position as a global model for future cities. Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation, said the recognition highlights Dubai’s strategy of turning emerging technologies into practical applications that benefit both people and the economy. He stressed that true leadership in AI is measured by its real-world impact, including improvements in productivity, innovation, and sustainable economic growth. Belhoul also said Dubai continues to set an international benchmark for future readiness through an integrated ecosystem that combines innovation, research and development, agile regulation, and strategic partnerships, accelerating AI adoption across industries while creating new opportunities for sustainable development. The BCG report found that cities integrating AI into their core operations achieve faster and more sustainable improvements in public services and quality of life. It also concluded that leading AI cities typically have a wider range of real-world AI applications and consistently record higher levels of resident satisfaction. Additionally, the report identified a strong relationship between the frequent use of generative AI tools and higher levels of public trust in the technology. It noted that cities across the Middle East, including Dubai, show particularly strong enthusiasm for embracing and advancing AI adoption.