The UAE has never been content with simply keeping pace. That’s never been the spirit of this country where cities of the future have quite literally sprung up from the sand. Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to pride themselves on setting the standard for innovation and pushing the limits of what's deemed possible.
That spirit was on full display when I visited Gitex Global at the World Trade Centre in Dubai last year. The event was packed wall-to-wall with cutting-edge technology, from humanoid robots and smart city infrastructure to flying cars and everything in between.
But it wasn’t just the futuristic tech that caught my attention. What impressed me most were the organisations behind these innovations.
For the UAE to lead the way in AI and future technology, it is having to nurture a culture of innovation. It's having to create space for people to try new things. A big part of this lays in building and backing forward-thinking companies, companies led by visionaries and futurists. This is what I saw at Gitex.
By removing the barriers to innovation and experimentation, these organisations are able to attract, hire, and retain the best talent from around the world. Talent that will help them create and shape the future.
This presents a huge opportunity for you (and other ambitious professionals) to future-proof your career and join some of the most exciting and pioneering workplaces on the planet. It gives you the opportunity to work in increadible companies and contribute to career defining projects.
In this article, I’m going to introduce five such organisations. Five organisations that I have been following for some time, and that I believe offer some of the most exciting career opportunities in the UAE today. All five of these organisations are currently hiring and I'll provide links to their career pages and open job vacancies.
Here is my list of top boundary-pushing oranisations operating in Dubai and the UAE today. Follow these companies on LinkedIn, visit their websites and take a look at the kind of work that they're doing.
Dubai Future Foundation has a clear mission to make Dubai the world’s foremost future city. DFF works with public and private sector partners to imagine and design Dubai’s future.
Backed by the Government of Dubai, DFF plays a central role in shaping the emirate’s long-term vision. Its mission is to position Dubai as a global hub for innovation and the future economy.
An example of the programs run by DFF is the Dubai Future Experts Program (DEEP). DEEP is a government-led initiative designed to develop a network of certified foresight professionals within Dubai’s public sector.
DEEP offers a two-level training programme focused on strategic futures thinking, scenario planning, and innovation. Open to experienced Emirati government professionals, DEEP equips participants to shape long-term policy and drive Dubai’s future-readiness.
• Dubai Future Labs – a centre for robotics and AI development
• Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence – supporting smart government services
• The Dubai AI Seal – a certification for ethical AI use
Working with DFF means joining projects that push the limits of what’s possible in tech and public service. You can explore open jobs with the Dubai Future Foundation, here.
Based in Abu Dhabi, TII is one of the most advanced applied research centres in the region. It houses multiple specialised research units, including:
TII is a fantastic environment for people pursuing careers within cutting edge industries. TII also developed the Falcon large language model, a serious rival to other global AI systems. It also supports deep tech development across cybersecurity, robotics, and autonomous systems.
I had the pleasure of listening to a keynote from Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII whilst at Gitex.
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1. TII and the UAE are commited to nurturing and developing local talent through specialised education: With initiatives like MBZUAI (Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence), students in the UAE can now earn degrees focused specifically on AI and emerging technologies. These programs are training the next generation to lead the UAE’s tech landscape.
2. TII is working to harness global expertise through strategic partnerships: TII is collaborating with 100+ universities across 37 countries, attracting world-class researchers to work alongside local talent. This global exchange is fueling innovation in AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and more.
3. TII is not just filling jobs—it’s building a sustainable ecosystem where talent can grow and thrive: By offering competitive packages and fostering a culture of learning, TII aims to help the UAE stand out as a true global tech hub.TII is paving the way for a tech-driven future here in the UAE, and it starts with attracting and developing top global talent.
The Technology Innovation Institute has a lot of open job vacancies for you to explore.
MBZUAI is the world’s first graduate university focused entirely on AI. It offers master’s and PhD programmes in machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. MBZUAI is a fantasic option for young people seeking to future-proof their careers and prepare themselves for the workforce of the future.
The University is driven by a mission to turn knowledge into meaningful impact. Its world-class faculty lead cutting-edge research, working across disciplines to solve real-world problems. From sustainable energy and healthcare to social progress, students and researchers are empowered to tackle global challenges and help shape a better future for individuals and communities alike.
With labs in Silicon Valley and Paris, MBZUAI is gaining global recognition. Students and staff work on real-world applications for AI across healthcare, energy, and finance.
It's also a strong talent pipeline for government and private sector roles in the UAE. Explore open roles with (MBZUAI).
G42 is an Abu Dhabi-based global leader in artificial intelligence, focused on using AI to improve lives and drive human progress. With projects spanning from molecular medicine to space exploration, G42 sees AI as a force for good. A force that has the potential to enhance rather than replace humanity. G42 collaborates with governments, businesses, and researchers worldwide to build a smarter, more sustainable future.
G42’s recent $1.4 billion investment in India highlights its ambition to become a global tech leader. It partners with major institutions and is behind some of the most ambitious AI initiatives in the region.
AIQ - An AI pioneer in the global energy sector.
Core42 - Delivering Enterprise AI and national-scale AI programs.
CPX - Delivering cybersecurity solutions.
Inception - Putting AI to work.
Khazna Data Centers - Providing commercial wholesale data center solutions.
M42 - Tech-enabled healthcare solutions and operating at the forefront of medical advancement.
Presight - Big data analytics powered by AI.
Space42 - A UAE-based, AI-powered SpaceTech company.
G42 and it's nine companies have lots of exciting career opportunities for you to explore, here.
AI71 is a next-generation AI company launched in the UAE. It works closely with TII and Amazon Web Services to scale AI innovation.
Their focus is on:
• Democratising access to large language models like Falcon
• Building scalable AI infrastructure
• Supporting responsible AI development
AI71 represents the commercial edge of the UAE’s AI ambitions. It’s a fast-moving company that’s open to international collaboration.
AI71 has jobs available in Abu Dhabi and London UK.
The UAE is striving to build the future, and you could be part of it. These five organisations are proof that the region is serious about becoming a global hub for innovation.
Whether you’re a graduate, a tech specialist, or a forward-thinking professional, opportunities in AI and advanced technology are growing fast. If you're planning a long-term career in the UAE, now’s the time to get familiar with the organisations leading the way.
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