Native AI programme expected to deliver $3.5 billion in economic benefits.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) said it plans to become the world’s first AI-native financial centre by integrating artificial intelligence across its legal frameworks, business environment, talent development systems, and infrastructure.
The Native AI programme is expected to generate $3.5 billion in economic benefits and create around 25,000 jobs as the centre expands AI adoption across financial services and related sectors.
Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, said: “Today we are announcing that DIFC will become the world’s first AI-native financial centre. This is not about experimenting with AI at the edges; it is about embedding AI across our legal frameworks, regulatory systems, talent development, and physical infrastructure.
“By doing so, DIFC will set a global benchmark for AI governance and responsible innovation, while delivering tangible impact, including $3.5 billion (Dh12.9 billion) in economic value and the creation of 25,000 new jobs.”
From pilot projects to core systems
The move marks a major shift from pilot-based adoption to full-scale integration, with AI set to underpin the centre’s regulatory architecture, enterprise operations, and physical urban environment.
Dubai International Financial Centre said the initiative builds on its five-year AI strategy launched in 2023, under which data governance policies were introduced and artificial intelligence was incorporated into its Data Protection Law as Regulation 10. The centre has already deployed AI tools to support client compliance and relationship management.
Regulation and global reach
DIFC said it will establish governance frameworks covering both human activity and AI agents, including robotics, as part of its regulatory model. It also plans to give financial firms access to advanced AI tools while exporting AI governance software and trained talent to markets across the Global South.
The centre will also integrate physical AI technologies such as robotics, autonomous mobility, and digital twins into its ecosystem. By 2030, a significant share of its buildings is expected to be equipped with intelligent systems supported by thousands of sensors, with some maintenance and security functions handled by robots and energy use reduced through AI-driven efficiencies.
Ecosystem and talent push
Dubai International Financial Centre said it will launch a full-stack AI campus that combines regulation, training, computing infrastructure, and physical AI, while also expanding accelerators, venture platforms, and strategic partnerships.
It also plans to introduce executive education, regulatory training, and technical certification programmes to support large-scale human-AI collaboration across the financial sector.
The centre aims to position itself as a leading destination for AI-in-finance companies by targeting higher startup density, stronger venture capital funding, and more unicorn creation than other global financial hubs.
The initiative aligns with Dubai’s wider economic and technology strategy, with DIFC citing regulatory agility, advanced digital infrastructure, and strong global connectivity as key factors supporting implementation at scale.
