Abu Dhabi will host more than 20 leading AI researchers and senior Big Tech executives at Machines Can Think 2026, the UAE capital’s flagship AI Adopters event, taking place on January 26–27, 2026 at Park Hyatt Saadiyat.
The summit marks the latest step in the UAE’s push to accelerate advanced AI adoption as part of its national 2031 AI strategy and growing global influence in the sector.
The two-day summit will feature more than 50 keynotes, multiple partners including Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), hands-on workshops, and immersive demo zones showcasing breakthrough AI technologies.
Machines Can Think in Abu Dhabi
Attendees will have the opportunity to interact directly with next-generation systems and engage with the teams building them.
Machines Can Think 2026 will run across three dedicated tracks — Co-Evolution, Tech and C-Level — covering the human–AI interface, technical advancements and executive strategies for responsible, scalable adoption.
Programme highlights include:
- UAE Stargate: Building a National AI Fabric; Foundation Models and Infrastructure
- AI for Life Sciences
- AI for Talents
- Computer Vision — “Machines Can See and Act,” demonstrating how AI systems perceive and operate in the physical world
With AI projected to add $100bn to the UAE’s GDP by 2030, and Abu Dhabi developing the world’s first AI-native government, the summit underscores the UAE’s rapid emergence as a global AI innovation hub.
Among the headline speakers are Michal Valko, Chief Models Officer at a Stealth AI Startup; Manohar Paluri, VP of AI at Meta; Andrey Doronichev, CEO of Optic; Marc Hamilton, VP of Solutions Architecture and Engineering at NVIDIA; and Serge Belongie, Director of the Pioneer Centre for AI, alongside other leading global researchers and innovators.
UAE leading AI conversation
Alexander Khanin, Founder and CEO of organisers Polynome.ai, said: “The UAE is rapidly solidifying its position as a global AI powerhouse, supported by major investments from both government and Big Tech players.
“In this environment, the Machines Can Summits have become a catalyst for meaningful dialogue between creators and decision-makers. As AI is projected to contribute $320bn to the region’s economy, our mission is to turn this potential into tangible progress, helping nations, industries, and innovators build sustainable, intelligent systems that advance the region’s global leadership in technology.”
Ivan Laptev, Professor of Computer Vision at MBZUAI and Co-Founder of Machines Can See, added: “Abu Dhabi is rapidly strengthening its position as a centre for advanced AI, and Machines Can Think 2026 exemplifies that momentum by bringing together leading researchers and practitioners from around the world.
“As the UAE continues to invest in cutting-edge infrastructure and talent, MBZUAI remains focused on driving excellence in AI knowledge creation, transfer, and application.
“Across computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, and computational biology, our community is developing research that can meaningfully advance industries and society.
“This summit provides a valuable platform to share that work, deepen global collaboration, and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a hub for the international AI community.”
Machines Can summits
Machines Can Think forms part of the wider Machines Can Summits (MCS) series, where AI creators present technologies reshaping industries, cities and daily life.
Building on last year’s gathering — which attracted 3,500 attendees from 82 countries, 105 speakers from 30 nations and five country delegations — the 2026 edition is positioned to elevate the conversation further.
This year, the series will span two flagship UAE events: Machines Can Think in Abu Dhabi and Machines Can See in Dubai, both aimed at accelerating responsible AI development and adoption.
The summit will also collaborate with Women in AI to host a dedicated panel focused on global leadership and inclusion in the AI ecosystem.
