UAE goes AI: 325 companies apply for ‘Dubai AI Seal’ so far

Dubai: As of May 15, 2025, a total of 325 companies licensed in Dubai have applied for the city’s newly launched “Dubai AI Seal” certification. The programme is designed to standardise trust, transparency, and accountability in artificial intelligence applications across industries.

The certification, introduced by the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), is open to all local and international companies operating in the emirate that use or provide AI-based services. Participation is voluntary and free of charge, with applications submitted online.

The AI Seal categorises applicants by certification tiers and provides each successful recipient with a serial number. While not currently mandatory, certification is expected to become a prerequisite for future participation in government-led AI projects in Dubai.

Companies from sectors including health, media, software, and real estate have already been certified, with 77 international offices represented among the applicants. Initial awardees include multinational firms and regional startups.

The programme was formally highlighted during Dubai AI Week, where officials met representatives of the first batch of certified entities. Among them, e& and IBM received the highest-tier classification, known as “Tier S.”

The certification is part of Dubai’s wider efforts to set governance frameworks around emerging technologies while attracting companies focused on ethical and purposeful AI development.

The initiative comes at a time when regulatory clarity and public trust in AI technologies are increasingly seen as critical, both for innovation and for user protection in rapidly evolving digital economies.

No financial incentives are directly tied to the certification, but DCAI officials indicated it may be used as a reference point in future partnerships, funding, and project selection within Dubai’s AI ecosystem.