Dubai International Financial Centre has announced a landmark strategic initiative to integrate artificial intelligence across its legal frameworks, operations, infrastructure, urban environment, and talent development systems, becoming the world’s first financial centre built at its core around AI.

The move comes at a time when many global financial hubs are still exploring how AI can be applied within parts of their ecosystem. DIFC, by contrast, is taking a broader step by aiming to embed AI across every layer of its jurisdiction, from regulation and compliance to internal operations, talent development, and physical infrastructure.

This transition builds on groundwork laid in 2023, when DIFC launched its five-year AI strategy, introduced data governance policies, and included AI under Article 10 of its Data Protection Law. The centre also rolled out four AI use cases focused on compliance and customer relationship management.

Through this initiative, DIFC is positioning itself as a global model for responsible AI adoption in financial services. The strategy is expected to generate economic value of $3.5 billion, equivalent to AED 12.9 billion, while also creating around 25,000 new jobs. DIFC’s ability to move at speed is supported by its flexible regulatory environment and its capacity to implement innovation at scale across multiple sectors.

As part of the plan, DIFC will become the first financial centre in the world to offer a shared AI tool, or large language models as a service, to financial institutions. It also aims to export AI governance software and trained talent to countries across the Global South. The centre’s ecosystem will further expand to include physical AI capabilities such as robotics, autonomous mobility, and digital twins within its legal and financial regulatory frameworks.

Commenting on the announcement, Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, said the transformation marks an important milestone in Dubai’s rise as a global capital for the future of finance. He noted that as AI continues to reshape the global financial landscape, the initiative reinforces Dubai’s role in setting new standards for innovation, trust, and competitiveness, in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said the announcement goes far beyond limited AI experimentation. Instead, he described it as a structural shift that places AI at the centre of DIFC’s legal frameworks, regulatory environment, talent systems, and infrastructure. He added that the initiative will help establish a global benchmark for AI governance and responsible innovation, while delivering measurable economic impact.

On the regulatory side, DIFC plans to adopt ethical frameworks for AI use that extend beyond human activity to include AI agents and robots. In its day-to-day operations, AI will be integrated into workflows, compliance systems, and the delivery of financial services, supporting the development of smarter, more automated, and highly trusted financial systems.

Talent development is also a central part of the initiative. DIFC will work to build the skills needed for collaboration between people, AI systems, and robotics at scale. This will include executive education programmes, systems training, and accredited technical certifications. The effort will also support professionals across the sector, including Emirati talent, as part of a broader push to prepare the workforce for the next phase of financial innovation.

Employees at DIFC Authority will also be supported by specialised AI agents designed to improve productivity, strengthen governance practices, enhance decision-making, and elevate customer experience.

In terms of infrastructure, DIFC aims by 2030 to have a significant share of smart buildings, autonomous transport systems, service robots, digital twins, and smart facilities operating as part of a connected urban environment powered by advanced sensors. The first phase is expected to include the installation of thousands of such sensors, helping to build what could become the world’s first urban district fully enabled by AI.

At the same time, AI-driven efficiencies are expected to contribute to lower energy consumption, while robots will take on selected maintenance and security functions within the district.

This next stage of development is built on Dubai’s established strengths in innovation, advanced digital infrastructure, regulatory agility, and global connectivity. DIFC already serves as the leading financial centre in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, hosting thousands of active registered firms and a broad ecosystem of financial institutions, asset managers, fintech companies, and professional service providers.

Aligned with Dubai’s wider AI strategy and the UAE’s ambitions in advanced technology, DIFC’s latest initiative reflects a practical effort to turn research into regulation, innovation into real-world application, and policy into functioning infrastructure.

That commitment is also reflected in the Dubai AI Festival, which is expected to bring together more than 20,000 participants from over 100 countries. The event will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre on 26 and 27 October 2026.