Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alibaba Cloud to accelerate the adoption of Agentic AI technologies among private sector companies in Dubai.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in three key areas: developing AI capabilities through training and skills development, supporting startups, and helping enterprises test and deploy Agentic AI solutions.
Partnership framework
The MoU was signed during the Dubai Business Forum – China, organised recently by Dubai Chambers in Shenzhen. Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and Dr Feifei Li, Chief Technology Officer and President of International Business at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, signed the agreement.
The partnership supports an initiative launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, to accelerate the private sector’s transition towards Agentic AI. The initiative is overseen by Dubai Chambers.
Al Gergawi said the partnership would strengthen international cooperation and expand access to specialised AI technologies and expertise.
“We are committed to strengthening international partnerships in Agentic AI as an important enabler for knowledge exchange and broader access to specialised technologies and expertise. By deepening cooperation with partners from around the world, we are working to empower Dubai-based companies to develop their capabilities and leverage these technologies to enhance their operations and create innovative solutions and new business models. This will contribute to the growth of the digital economy and further strengthen Dubai’s position as a global hub for advanced technology,” he said.
Moving AI into business use
Eric Wan, General Manager of Middle East, Turkey and Central Asia at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, said the technology was moving beyond experimentation towards wider business applications.
“Agentic AI is moving from experimentation to everyday business use, and the companies that move first will set the pace for Dubai’s digital economy. Having served customers in the UAE since 2016, we are pleased to bring our technology, training and startup programmes to the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s community — helping local businesses build the skills and confidence to put AI agents to work in their own operations,” he said.
Training and startup support
Under the agreement, the two organisations will work together to develop Agentic AI skills through the Dubai Chambers Academy. This will include training content, certifications, technical workshops, expert-led sessions and train-the-trainer programmes, alongside educational resources for company employees.
The partnership will also provide startups with technical mentorship, technology credits, computing resources and software licences. Selected startups will be connected with Alibaba Cloud’s programmes and wider network.
Enterprise adoption
For established businesses, the collaboration will explore support for pilot projects and full-scale deployment of AI solutions, including technical and implementation expertise. Proven solutions will also be showcased through Alibaba Cloud Marketplace, an online platform that connects cloud users with independent software vendors.
The two organisations will additionally work on case studies to assess the business impact and commercial value of Agentic AI adoption.
Alibaba Cloud has provided cloud services to private companies and public institutions in the UAE and wider Middle East since 2016. The company has launched two data centres in the region.
