On January 26 and 27, 2026, Abu Dhabi will host the Machines Can Think 2026 summit, a pioneering event that brings together over 20 leading researchers in artificial intelligence from more than 12 countries, alongside top executives from major global technology companies. Organized by Polynom AI, this summit will take place at the Park Hyatt Saadiyat, showcasing the latest advancements in AI.
A Gathering of Innovators
The Machines Can Think 2026 summit will feature over 50 keynote speeches, partnering with eminent organizations including the Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence. Participants can expect more than 10 workshops and immersive exhibition zones designed to offer firsthand interactions with cutting-edge AI technologies. The summit aligns seamlessly with the United Arab Emirates’ robust AI infrastructure and the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, reflecting the country’s broader goals to foster AI applications that enhance economies and communities.
Program Highlights
The agenda will cover three specialized tracks: collaborative evolution, technology, and executive-level strategies, all focusing on the interaction between humans and AI, recent technological breakthroughs, and strategies for adopting scalable responsible AI. Notable topics include the UAE Gateway for AI, foundational models and infrastructure, AI in life sciences, AI talent development, and computer vision—exploring how “machines can see and act.” With predictions that AI will contribute $100 billion to the UAE’s GDP by 2030 and Abu Dhabi’s initiative to implement the world’s first sovereign AI cloud system, the summit underscores the nation’s rapid ascent as a global innovation hub.
Insight from Industry Leaders
For two days, the summit will host thought-provoking discussions from distinguished leaders in AI, including Michel Falco, Chief Model Officer at AI startup Stealth; Manoj Baluri, Vice President of AI at Meta; and Andre Doronichev, CEO of Optic, a biotech firm leveraging AI. Alexander Kahnin, the founder and CEO of Polynom AI, emphasized, “The UAE is rapidly solidifying its position as a global powerhouse in AI, supported by substantial government investments and major tech initiatives. In this encouraging environment, the Machines Can Think 2026 summit serves as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue between creators and decision-makers.”
Advancing Abu Dhabi’s AI Frontier
Ivan Laptev, a computer vision professor at the Mohammed bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence, noted, “Abu Dhabi is continuing to establish itself as a leader in advanced AI. The Machines Can Think 2026 summit exemplifies this success by uniting top researchers and specialists on one platform. As the UAE invests in advanced infrastructure and upskilling qualified personnel, we remain committed to innovation in AI research that drives meaningful advancements across sectors.”
Part of a broader series of summits, Machines Can Think 2026 will build on the immense success of last year’s event, which welcomed 3,500 participants from 82 countries, featuring 105 speakers and five delegations. The 2026 edition promises to enhance this dialogue further, highlighting the commitment to responsible AI development.
This year’s summit will offer two main events: “Machines Can Think” in Abu Dhabi and “Machines Can See” in Dubai, both crafted to accelerate responsible AI adoption. A dedicated panel discussion titled “Women in AI” will feature global leaders emphasizing the importance of inclusivity within the AI ecosystem.