The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has launched The Entrepreneur’s AI Playbook, a practical guide designed to equip entrepreneurs with powerful AI tools to build, grow, and scale their businesses effectively.

Developed under the Create Apps in Dubai initiative by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the guide aligns with Dubai’s broader digital vision—to triple the number of app developers, train 1,000 UAE nationals, and launch 100 homegrown apps. Here’s how the playbook can help you get there:

1. Get started fast with branding and naming

Naming your business or app can be time-consuming. The AI Playbook suggests tools and prompts that help you instantly generate memorable names and visual identities tailored to your brand values, audience, and tone.

2. Craft compelling value propositions

The guide walks founders through using AI to quickly create persuasive value propositions that resonate with specific audiences—an essential step in building a strong market fit.

3. Design smarter business models

AI helps entrepreneurs model revenue streams, cost structures, and pricing tiers that scale. Whether you’re building a SaaS, e-commerce, or service startup, the playbook provides AI prompts to help you chart a clear path to profitability.

4. Accelerate app and product development

From AI-assisted wireframing to user experience (UX) enhancements, founders can speed up their digital product journey. The guide includes hands-on examples to design app features that meet real user needs.

5. Attract and retain customers with AI-powered marketing

The playbook shares strategies for leveraging AI in campaign planning, social media messaging, and visuals—helping startups run effective, conversion-driven marketing on tight budgets.

6. Streamline billing and fulfillment

Operational pain points like billing, order processing, and logistics are tackled with AI automation tips. Founders are shown how to integrate invoicing tools, manage customer payments, and improve delivery processes.

7. Deliver world-class customer support

Entrepreneurs can use AI to implement chatbots, automate responses, and identify customer behavior trends—all designed to enhance satisfaction and free up human time for more complex interactions.

As the guide states: “With practical examples and expert insight, this guide is your key to using AI to refine your business model, attract customers, and provide exceptional support with minimal resources.”

Read: New report reveals 10-point drop in AI readiness in EMEA

Entrepreneurs can download The Entrepreneur’s AI Playbook from the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy website and start building businesses aligned with the city’s AI-first future.

DMDC, one of the region’s fastest-growing interior design and construction firms, has officially launched DMDC Estates — a new division dedicated to property investment and renovation that aims to transform Dubai’s high-end real estate market.

The announcement was made during a private press conference and marks the company’s largest strategic investment since its inception. DMDC has allocated Dhs70m to kickstart a portfolio of premium residential projects, with flagship developments already underway in Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Emerald Hills.

An additional Dhs30m investment is planned for the second half of 2025, bringing the total capital commitment to Dhs100m for the year.

Unlike DMDC’s core client-focused services, DMDC Estates is wholly owned and operated by the company, focusing exclusively on acquiring, renovating, and selling luxury properties across Dubai. By operating independently, the new division allows DMDC to apply its full creative and construction expertise without external constraints.

The company confirmed it will continue to undertake client projects across interior design and construction, while DMDC Estates will focus solely on its own development ventures.

The first completed property under DMDC Estates is already generating buzz. A fully reimagined six-bedroom villa in Arabian Ranches, the project has been elegantly redesigned from the ground up and serves as a model for a series of curated homes currently in progress.

“We are excited to finally share DMDC Estates, a division that has been months in the making,” said Raji Daou, CEO of DMDC. “The market is constantly evolving, and we are delighted to be part of Dubai’s dynamic real estate scene in a brand new way. Through DMDC Estates, we’ll be curating exceptional masterpieces that reflect our design philosophy and high standards.”

Founded in 2021, DMDC has quickly risen to become a key player in Dubai’s design and construction scene. The firm employs more than 700 professionals and delivers integrated solutions across residential, commercial, and retail sectors.

By blending innovative design, digital technology, artisanal craftsmanship, and sustainable practices, DMDC has earned a reputation for pushing creative boundaries. The launch of DMDC Estates is a bold step toward expanding that vision — not just shaping interiors, but entire lifestyles, one property at a time.

Empower Insulated Pipe Systems (ELIPS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), has signed a new contract to supply insulated pipes for the Ali Al-Sabah Military Academy project in Al Zahra, Kuwait. The scope of the contract includes pipe sizes ranging from 25 mm to 800 mm and covers a total network length of 19 kilometres. Deliveries are set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking the start of the project’s infrastructure implementation phase.

A leading regional provider of insulated pipe systems and advanced thermal solutions, ELIPS is known for its focus on precision, safety, and quality. The company implements robust monitoring and supervision mechanisms to ensure full compliance with international specifications.

The latest contract adds to ELIPS’ growing footprint in Kuwait, where it has already delivered key infrastructure for developments such as Kuwait University in Khaldiya, the industrial and storage zones in Sabah Al Ahmad City, and commercial facilities in Jaber Al Ahmad Residential City.

“We are proud to be a part of the Ali Al-Sabah Military Academy project led by the Kuwait Ministry of Defence. Through the supply of highly efficient, world-class insulated pipes, we aim to support the project’s sustainability goals in line with the highest international standards. This reflects Kuwait’s vision for carbon neutrality and reinforces ELIPS’ reputation for delivering quality, efficiency, and reliability,” said H.E. Ahmad bin Shafar, chairman of ELIPS.

Read: Empower begins district cooling service for world’s largest residential tower

“We continue to implement our expansion strategy by strengthening ELIPS’ presence in new markets in the region and driving sustainable growth that benefits our stakeholders. Our manufacturing operations are highly sustainable that contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions, reflecting our firm commitment to environmental protection and resource conservation. By leveraging innovation, advanced technologies, and cutting-edge solutions, we aim to help build a sustainable, green future. This project also underscores the strong trust our clients place in ELIPS, which is known for supplying defect-free insulated pipes that operate with high efficiency and meet the rigorous demands of district cooling projects across various applications,” he added.

The project is being supervised by Dar Al Khaleej Engineering Consulting and implemented by Hydrotech Engineering. It forms part of Kuwait’s broader push towards sustainable infrastructure, where district cooling systems are increasingly being used to reduce carbon emissions, lower electricity consumption, and preserve natural resources. These systems are particularly well-suited to Kuwait’s challenging climate conditions.

Over the past 16 years, ELIPS has produced and supplied more than 880 kilometres of insulated pipe systems, with a 40 per cent production increase recorded in the last five years alone. The company currently serves over 300 customers and has successfully delivered more than 240 projects across the UAE, the broader Gulf region, and North Africa.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have secured spots among the world’s top 20 nations for artificial intelligence (AI) talent density, surpassing established players such as Italy and Russia, according to the latest edition of the Global AI Competitiveness Index.

Read: Building trust in AI: The UAE’s journey to a digital cognitive future

The report, released by the International Finance Forum (IFF) in collaboration with Deep Knowledge Group (DKG), reveals that the UAE and Saudi Arabia account for 0.7 per cent and 0.4 per cent of the global AI talent pool, respectively. The rankings mark a major milestone in the two Gulf nations’ strategic ambitions to become global AI powerhouses.

The IFF, a non-profit organisation founded by G20 member states and institutions including the United Nations and the World Bank, partnered with DKG, a leading AI think tank, to assess global AI progress across research, innovation, and human capital development.

KAUST joins global elite for AI talent

A key highlight from the report is King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), which now ranks among the top 150 universities worldwide for producing AI talent. The university is the highest-ranked institution in the Middle East for AI, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s growing academic and institutional capabilities in the sector.

This achievement reflects the country’s aggressive national strategy, which includes a $20bn investment in partnerships with leading global institutions such as Stanford University. The funding has helped KAUST develop one of the most advanced AI research laboratories in the region.

Beyond infrastructure, Saudi Arabia is nurturing its domestic talent pipeline through initiatives like the “10,000 Coders” program, aimed at training young Saudis in advanced programming and machine learning skills.

“This report is the third in a series focused on global AI competitiveness,” said Chu Jian, a data expert at the IFF Research Institute. “In this edition, we highlight talent as a critical driver of AI product development, research output, and the balance between technological benefits and risks. We aim to provide stakeholders a clear picture of the global AI talent flow and spotlight countries making notable strides.”

AI strategy drives investment and infrastructure

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are deploying national strategies centered around AI to fuel future economic growth. Under its Vision 2030 plan, the Kingdom has designated AI as one of seven core pillars of economic transformation, aiming to become one of the top 10 countries globally in AI by the end of the decade.

To support this vision, Saudi Arabia has established the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), which accelerates the approval process for AI projects, often within 30 days, and coordinates national efforts across research, governance, and implementation.

Sovereign wealth funds are also playing a key role. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched a $1.5bn AI-focused investment fund. Meanwhile, AI infrastructure accounts for over 30 per cent of the $500bn budget for the NEOM smart city, a flagship Vision 2030 megaproject that aims to set new benchmarks for AI integration in urban planning.

The UAE is also taking bold steps, positioning itself as a leader in AI governance and policy. In 2017, the country appointed the world’s first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and has since introduced national AI strategies, R&D hubs, and incentives to attract global talent and tech firms.

“AI talent, in terms of human capital, is the most precious asset for all future economies,” said Dmitry Kaminskiy, General Partner at Deep Knowledge Group. “Saudi Arabia and the UAE are making bold moves to become AI leaders through strong education systems, regulatory support, and investment in infrastructure.”

World-leading incentives and neutrality in global tech

To compete for elite AI talent, Saudi Arabia is offering compensation packages among the highest in the world. Top AI scientists can earn median annual salaries of $420,000, tax-free, while executives recruited to NEOM may receive signing bonuses of up to $5m. The benefits also include subsidized education for their children and fast-track residency options.

In zones like NEOM, cultural regulations have been relaxed to better accommodate the lifestyles of foreign workers. These changes are designed to attract high-caliber professionals who might otherwise relocate to Silicon Valley, London, or Singapore.

NEOM’s crown jewel, The Line, is set to be the world’s first AI-controlled city, where critical services such as transport and energy will be run by autonomous systems. The city’s advanced biometric and data monitoring systems are expected to enable real-world testing and deployment of next-generation AI technologies.

“Nations that invest in AI talent today are not just shaping their digital future; they’re securing their global competitiveness for decades to come,” said Professor Patrick Glauner, Coordinator of the IFF AI Committee.

Strategically, Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic positioning as a bridge between East and West adds further appeal. With active partnerships in both China and the United States, the Kingdom presents itself as a politically neutral ground for tech development and multinational AI collaboration.

A region on the rise

With AI now viewed as central to future economic and scientific competitiveness, the rise of Saudi Arabia and the UAE as AI talent hubs signals a broader shift in global tech leadership. Their ability to pair ambitious vision with financial muscle and policy coordination offers a potential roadmap for other nations seeking to compete in the next technological frontier.

As the global race for AI dominance intensifies, the Middle East’s growing influence may no longer be an outlier, it may be the beginning of a new AI order.