ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates- The United Arab Emirates has reinforced its position as a global leader in artificial intelligence by joining forces with 58 nations at a major summit in New Delhi, committing to enhanced international cooperation on responsible AI development and governance.
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the opening session of the AI Impact Summit on Thursday on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, participating in high-level discussions alongside heads of state, policymakers, investors, and tech executives from over 100 countries.
The summit, which runs until February 20, focused on deepening global partnerships to accelerate AI adoption for sustainable development, bridging divides between the Global North and South, and fostering inclusive innovation ecosystems.
On the sidelines, the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) convened a key meeting with representatives from its 58 member countries. Participants reviewed ongoing initiatives, aligned on shared priorities, and pledged to boost collaboration in responsible AI research, policy formulation, and ethical deployment.
The UAE’s active involvement highlights its strategic drive to integrate AI across key economic sectors while advancing future-oriented models built on knowledge, innovation, and advanced technology. Officials emphasised the Emirates’ longstanding dedication to supporting multilateral efforts that harness AI for humanity’s benefit, promote inclusive growth, and tackle global challenges such as sustainability.
Sheikh Khaled also held bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (pictured), exploring ways to further strengthen UAE-India ties in technology, economy, healthcare, and insurance. The meeting underscored mutual interest in emerging fields like AI, supercomputing, and data infrastructure.
The participation aligns with the UAE’s broader ambition to become a worldwide AI hub, evidenced by recent moves such as joining the US-led Pax Silica initiative in January 2026 to secure resilient AI and semiconductor supply chains alongside partners including the US, Australia, Britain, Israel, Japan, Qatar, and Singapore.
Analysts view the New Delhi engagement as a timely step amid regional geopolitical tensions, positioning the UAE to play a constructive role in shaping international AI norms while attracting investment and talent. The summit also announced that the UAE will host the AI Impact Summit in 2028, following Geneva in 2027, signalling its growing influence in global AI dialogue.
As the UAE advances domestic initiatives—including massive investments in AI campuses, research universities like Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and partnerships with entities such as the World Economic Forum—the country’s outreach to 58 GPAI members reinforces a vision of collaborative, responsible innovation that supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The move comes at a pivotal moment for the Gulf region, where tech diversification complements traditional energy strengths, even as broader security concerns dominate headlines. UAE leaders stressed that strong international AI frameworks can contribute to stability, economic resilience, and shared prosperity worldwide.