The two-day program features more than 50 keynote sessions, over ten hands-on workshops, and interactive demo zones that showcase real-world AI applications.
Machines Can Think 2026, the latest edition of the UAE’s flagship AI Adopters event, will convene more than 20 leading researchers alongside executives from global technology companies including Meta, NVIDIA, and Google. The summit, organized by Polynome, will be held January 26–27, 2026, at Park Hyatt Saadiyat.
The two-day program features more than 50 keynote sessions, over ten hands-on workshops, and interactive demo zones that showcase real-world AI applications. Built around three tracks — Co-Evolution, Tech, and C-Level — the event will explore human-AI collaboration, technical breakthroughs, and executive-level strategies for responsible and scalable AI adoption.
Discussions will focus on areas critical to the UAE’s long-term national strategy, including AI for life sciences, computer vision, talent development, foundation models, and national infrastructure. With AI expected to add $100 billion to the UAE’s GDP by 2030, the summit reinforces Abu Dhabi’s ambition to build the world’s first AI-native government.
Alexander Khanin, Founder and CEO of Polynome.ai, said the region is emerging as a global AI powerhouse. “As AI is projected to contribute US$320 billion to the region’s economy, our mission is to turn this potential into tangible progress — helping nations, industries, and innovators build sustainable, intelligent systems that advance the region’s global leadership in technology.”
Ivan Laptev, Professor of Computer Vision at MBZUAI and Co-Founder of Machines Can See, added: “This summit provides a valuable platform to share our work, deepen global collaboration, and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a hub for the international AI community.”
Machines Can Think forms part of the broader Machines Can Summits series, which last year drew more than 3,500 attendees from 82 countries. The 2026 edition includes two flagship events — Machines Can Think in Abu Dhabi and Machines Can See in Dubai — and will partner with Women in AI for a dedicated panel on inclusivity.
