Dubai has launched a global AI agents championship offering $750,000 in grants, training and mentorship for innovators developing practical AI solutions. Announced on 7 October by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Create AI Agents Championship is led by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
It replaces the earlier Create Apps Championship, shifting the focus from mobile applications to AI agents designed for practical use. The competition is open to participants worldwide, including students, entrepreneurs, developers and existing businesses proposing new AI-agent solutions.
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The official programme lists four categories, with a grant of $150,000 for each category winner and additional funding for the overall Dubai AI Agent of the Year.
Categories for the AI Agents Championship
Participants can enter one of four categories: Best Societal AI Agent, Best Personal AI Agent, Best Business AI Agent and Best Youth AI Agent. The categories cover AI systems designed to address community challenges, help individuals manage everyday activities, improve organisational operations or showcase emerging youth-led talent.
The youth category is reserved for entries led by participants under 21. There is no minimum age for the overall competition, and entrants do not need a technical background.
Individuals and teams of up to six people can participate. Existing businesses are also eligible if they are proposing a new AI-agent solution or capability, rather than submitting an already commercialised product.
Development and Submission Requirements
Participants can register with an idea, prototype or early-stage minimum viable product (MVP). They will have access to online learning resources, workshops, specialised training and mentorship to help develop their submissions.
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However, reaching the final requires more than a promising concept. Finalists must demonstrate a fully functional AI agent in front of the judges, alongside a pitch deck and demonstration video.
This distinction matters because an AI agent is designed to go beyond answering a question. It can interpret a goal, plan steps, use tools and take actions to complete a task.
Potential applications include automating business processes, improving public services and helping users manage complex activities.
Competition Timeline and Support
Registration opened on 7 October 2026, with the championship continuing through a series of learning, development and competition stages. The grand final is scheduled for the first week of May 2027.
The programme includes introductory workshops, self-paced learning, practical training and mentorship. Selected teams will progress through the competition, with finalists expected to demonstrate working agents rather than early-stage prototypes.
Why it Matters to AI Startups
For early-stage AI founders, the championship offers a route to funding and structured development support without requiring them to arrive with a fully commercialised product. The competition also gives Dubai another mechanism to attract international talent and encourage AI solutions with practical applications.
For startups, the emphasis on working agents and business potential makes the opportunity relevant to teams building automation tools, enterprise applications and consumer-facing AI products. The outcome will depend on the solutions participants develop and whether they can turn those ideas into useful, commercially viable products beyond the competition.
Engagement
