Sheikh Hamdan Launches Create AI Agents Championship With Dh2.5 Million Prize Pool for Agentic AI Innovation

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, launched the Create AI Agents Championship on October 7, 2026, marking the evolution of Dubai's Create Apps Championship into a global competition focused on autonomous AI-agent systems, according to the Dubai Media Office and multiple reporting outlets. The championship features four categories: Best Societal AI Agent, Best Personal AI Agent, Best Business AI Agent, and Best Youth AI Agent, with the total prize pool exceeding Dh2.5 million. Each category winner receives a Dh550,000 grant, while one of the four category winners is also named AI Agent of the Year and receives Dh1 million instead of the standard Dh550,000.

The competition is open worldwide to individuals, teams and existing businesses regardless of technical background, with no minimum age requirement. The Best Youth AI Agent category is restricted to participants under 21 at registration. Fully commercialised solutions are not eligible. Registration closes in December 2026, with the Digital Academy opening in November offering training courses, workshops and mentorship sessions. The grand final is scheduled for the first week of May 2027.

The championship reflects Dubai's strategy to position itself as a global leader in agentic AI adoption and innovation, complementing recent announcements from other UAE entities on AI transformation. The shift from app development to AI agents signals official recognition that autonomous systems capable of executing tasks and decisions represent the next phase in digital transformation. The prize structure and global reach aim to attract talent and start-ups to Dubai, supporting the emirate's broader technology and future-economy objectives.

Sources

The National News, Dubai launches Create AI Agents Championship with prize money exceeding Dh2.5m, October 7, 2026, thenationalnews.com TBreak, Create AI Agents Championship Dubai: prizes, dates, entry, October 8, 2026, tbreak.com Entrepreneur Middle East, Sheikh Hamdan Launches Create AI Agents Championship With AED2.5 Million-Plus Prize Pool, October 8, 2026, mena.entrepreneur.com Khaleej Times, Sheikh Hamdan launches Dh2.5-million AI agents challenge for innovators globally, October 7, 2026, khaleejtimes.com Focus HiDubai, Hamdan bin Mohammed Launches Create AI Agents Championship in Dubai, October 8, 2026, focus.hidubai.com