Abu Dhabi’s turn in the AI spotlight starts today. Ai Everything Abu Dhabi opens at ADNEC Centre on Tuesday, October 6 and runs through Wednesday, October 7, bringing AI companies, policymakers, investors and researchers together for a summit and expo focused on real-world deployment rather than theory.

The venue listing from ADNEC puts day one at 8:30am to 6pm and day two at 9am to 5pm in Halls 1-4. Previews of the event report a sold-out inaugural expo, with more than 400 AI companies and start-ups and over 180 speakers, according to Intelligent CIO.

Who is speaking, and what is on the agenda

Headline names trailed for the summit include Mistral AI co-founder Arthur Mensch and Boston Dynamics founder Marc Raibert, appearing in the UAE for the first time to discuss sovereign AI and industrial intelligence. Sessions span AI in government services, energy, enterprise operations and research, with organisers inD putting the emphasis on evidence of returns, not prototypes.

Keynote speaker on stage at an artificial intelligence summit
More than 180 speakers lead the summit programme over the two days.

Why Abu Dhabi is hosting an AI-first show

The event sits inside a wider Abu Dhabi push to move from AI strategy to delivery, including a reported rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot to 35,000 government employees as the emirate works toward an AI-native government goal for 2027, noted by INC Arabia. For visitors, that context matters: this is a working industry show, and the capital’s hotels and the ADNEC district will be busy across both days.

Visiting ADNEC for the show

ADNEC Centre sits on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, with on-site car parks and valet options listed by the venue. If you are extending the trip, our guides to places to visit in Dubai, the Museum of the Future and Dubai trip costs help plan a combined Abu Dhabi-Dubai stay, and the Dubai Metro guide covers getting around once you reach Dubai.

ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi exhibition building exterior
Halls 1-4 at ADNEC host the expo, with day one running 8:30am to 6pm.

FAQs

When and where is Ai Everything Abu Dhabi?

October 6-7, 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, Halls 1-4. Day one runs 8:30am-6pm, day two 9am-5pm.

How big is the event?

Previews report more than 400 AI companies, over 180 speakers and participants from more than 60 countries.

Who are the headline speakers?

Trailed names include Mistral AI’s Arthur Mensch and Boston Dynamics founder Marc Raibert.

What else is on at ADNEC this week?

Global Food Week runs at the same venue from October 6 to 8, so expect a busy site across all three days.