Artificial Intelligence Sandbox

Companies are encouraged to apply where they:

• Have an AI solution facing a material regulatory or policy barrier
• Require access to data that is currently inaccessible to test or deploy their AI solution
• Have developed a genuine AI innovation sufficiently mature for experimentation are currently established, or plan to establish, in Dubai and/or elsewhere in the UAE 

Applications may come from any sector, as well as from companies developing enabling AI technologies.

The scope of the AI Sandbox spans all sectors, with particular emphasis on education, tourism and hospitality, transport and mobility, logistics, media, and government services.

Companies developing enabling technologies, such as foundation models and hyperscaler solutions, are also encouraged to apply.

Companies currently established in Dubai and/or elsewhere in the UAE may apply.

Companies planning to establish a presence in Dubai and/or the UAE are also within scope.

Solutions should be sufficiently mature to support meaningful experimentation. Applicants should have a solution beyond the early concept stage, with sufficient maturity to be tested in a relevant environment.

Evidence of prior testing, deployment, customer interest or market demand will also be considered.

Relevant challenges may include unclear regulations or policies, existing requirements that constrain deployment, or emerging AI applications and technologies where the appropriate regulatory or policy approach remains uncertain.

Where data access represents a material barrier, Sandbox Dubai may facilitate engagement with relevant data owners to explore potential access arrangements. Any data access would be subject to data owner approval and is not guaranteed.

Support will depend on the specific needs of each selected use case and may include:

• Have an AI solution facing a material regulatory or policy barrier
• Require access to data that is currently inaccessible to test or deploy their AI solution
• Have developed a genuine AI innovation sufficiently mature for experimentation are currently established, or plan to establish, in Dubai and/or elsewhere in the UAE 

The exact support provided will be tailored to each use case.

No. Each eligible application will be considered through the AI Sandbox evaluation process, but submission does not guarantee selection or Sandbox support.

Selection will depend on factors including but not limited to the solution’s level of innovation, market readiness, relevance of the challenge, and potential impact.

Depending on the use case and results of experimentation, participants may:

• Validate the real-world feasibility of their AI solution
• Improve the effectiveness of their technology
• Gain greater clarity on applicable regulations and policies and the pathway toward compliant deployment