When you think of global leaders in innovation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is certainly one nation that comes to mind. Made up of seven emirates, this Middle Eastern nation has gained worldwide recognition for its entrepreneurship, technological advancements and incredible infrastructure that pushes the boundaries.
The country’s free zones like Dubai Internet City and Hub71 in Abu Dhabi have been a major drawcard for foreign entrepreneurs. These are customs-free areas where no taxes or duties are levied in an attempt to attract more international business owners.
The UAE has made innovative strides in cybersecurity, sustainability and specifically in the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI).
How Is The UAE Pioneering The AI Space?
The AI industry has seen major success and developments in the UAE. This came after the UAE appointed a Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence back in 2017, and was one of the first countries in the world to do so.
The government launched the UAE National AI Strategy 2031 which will see the integration of AI into critical sectors like healthcare, education, finance and transport. The aim of the initiative is to leverage AI’s capabilities to solve complex problems and improve efficiency.
Dubai also opened its AI & Robotics Excellence Centre to offer AI startups with financial resources and mentorship to support their development of cutting-edge AI solutions.
Furthermore, institutions such as the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence provide highly specialised education on AI to foster startups in this industry.
Top 15 AI Startups In The UAE
The UAE continues to set benchmarks for AI innovations, so let’s take a look at some of the startups that are contributing to setting this global standard.
1. AppliedAI
AppliedAI was originally founded in London but relocated to Abu Dhabi in the UAE to take advantage of its flourishing tech scene. The company specialises in automating complex processes in industries with stringent regulations like healthcare, pharmaceuticals and insurance.
In February of this year, AppliedAI was able to raise $55 million in a Series A funding. The company is currently valued at $300 million.
2. G42
G42 is an AI and cloud computing company offering innovative AI solutions across the healthcare, finance, aviation and hospitality industries. The company is constantly reimagining what technology can do, and how it can improve lives and processes.
The company was able to secure $800 million in investment funding, securing its position as one of the leading companies in the UAE’s AI landscape.
3. Genie AI
Genie AI is an artificial intelligence lab that aims to introduce AI to real-world applications. They work with organisations to determine where AI could work best, and implement it.
The company’s goal is to make advanced technology easy for everyone to use by the year 2035. This will be achieved by giving people AI tools to improve their work and daily lives without the need for advanced technical skills.
4. One.com
Based in Dubai, One.com is an AI-powered platform for website development. Users are able to choose from templates and build a website in real-time, without any coding experience needed.
It also includes an AI writing assistant to generate content and web hosting services to keep your site online.
5. Vault Hill
Founded in 2021, Vault Hill is an AI-based metaverse platform where people can interact digitally. They use blockchain to create a personalised virtual world with real-time support.
The company wants to change the view that extended reality (XR) makes people feel less human and less connected. Instead, it can do the opposite by making people feel more in tune with how they feel.
6. Seez
Seez is a company that develops AI-powered software for buying and selling cars. Using AI, their marketplace is able to match buyers with relevant cars faster and more efficiently, which improves the overall customer experience and boosts sales.
Using this platform, people are able to find cars that they are interested in, purchase them or sell their own vehicles.
7. Derq
Founded in 2017 with headquarters in Dubai, Derq is an AI company specialising in making roads safer for travel. The company uses a combination of AI and vehicle technology to predict and prevent accidents.
By offering real-time insights, traffic flow can be improved and motorists can be aware of potential dangers while on the road.
8. Sarwa
Sarwa is an investment platform that uses AI to help people invest easily. Their solutions offer automated investment advice which guides users on where to put their money based on their financial goals.
By combining AI with human expertise, users can receive personalised investment strategies to manage their finances without making complex decisions.
9. Invixium
Invixium is a company that manufactures biometric security products to help businesses control access more conveniently. Their technology uses a combination of fingerprints, facial recognition and multi-factor authentication to safeguard sensitive information.
The company’s solutions are beneficial for industrial access, workforce management and enterprise security to make it easier who enters and exits a business’s premises.
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10. Yango Tech
Founded in 2022, Yango Tech offers smart digital solutions for businesses in retail, e-commerce and quick-commerce. These solutions assist companies with improving both their online and in-store shopping experiences as well as manage orders and deliveries.
Additionally, they offer insight into customer behaviour through AI analytics to help retailers personalise their services and increase sales.
11. Visage
Visage is an online hiring platform that assists businesses with finding qualified candidates through crowdsourcing. This can save hours of looking for the right employees as companies can receive a steady stream of pre-screened candidates to interview.
The company’s use of AI makes the recruitment process much faster and efficient, saving businesses both time and money.
12. Lulu Exchange
Lulu Exchange provides financial services to banks, businesses and people, covering international money transfers and currency exchange.
The platform makes it easy to send money and pay bills through the use of AI-powered bots. Users are able to make payments via wire transfers, debit cards or Internet banking.
13. Sleek Flow
Founded in 2019, Sleek Flow is an intelligent AI system that allows companies communicate with their customers on multiple channels, including e-mail and social media.
AI is used to automate daily tasks from marketing and sales to customer support to allow businesses to personalise their day-to-day interactions.
14. HireSmart
HireSmart, based in Sharjah, offers AI services that use advanced technology to create innovative solutions for businesses. They specialise in helping companies use AI for streamlining their operations and assist with complex problem-solving.
From automating tasks to enhancing customer experiences, HireSmart and their use of AI helps businesses to work smarter while growing quicker.
15. DP World
DP World provides a variety of logistics services specialising in sustainability in social, environmental and economic areas which are powered by AI. Some of the company’s solutions support supply chain management, transportation and financial support to make these services more efficient.
