DUBAI— Dubai Municipality has opened what it calls the world’s first AI-powered park design challenge, inviting architects, students and technologists to reimagine Al Safa 2 Park using artificial intelligence — with humans still making the final call.
The challenge, launched under directives from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, tests how AI tools can support every stage of park design: site analysis, user insights, concept generation, scenario testing, optimization and visualization. Final design decisions remain human-led.
Entrants are asked to submit a fully integrated master plan, backed by data analysis, visualizations and drawings, along with an explanation of how AI shaped their design choices — covering everything from shade and microclimate optimization to spatial planning and user-experience insights.
“Artificial intelligence is not replacing human creativity in this challenge,” said Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, director-general of Dubai Municipality. “It is being used as a tool to expand possibilities, deepen understanding and support better design decisions.”
Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, said the project tests whether AI can produce public spaces that are more responsive to climate, place and use, while staying “practical, inclusive and centred on human experience.”
The competition is open to working professionals in urban planning, architecture and landscape design, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, startups and AI specialists. Submissions will be judged on the strength of their AI integration, feasibility, inclusivity, sustainability and how well they translate data into usable design.
The total prize pool is AED200,000, split AED100,000, AED65,000 and AED35,000 for first through third place. A judging panel of Dubai government officials and international design and AI experts will shortlist finalists, after which the public will vote on the winning entries.
Applications are open through https://aipark.dm.gov.ae/ai-competition until 15th August, 2026
