The inaugural edition of the “Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Festival” has unveiled the winners of the national competition. This event underscores the nation’s commitment to strengthening its digital resilience and empowering local talents in the realms of cybersecurity and advanced technologies.
Participants vied to create innovative cybersecurity solutions leveraging artificial intelligence, competing in two main categories: “AI in Auditing, Compliance, and Review” and “AI-Powered Information Security Analyst.” Three finalist teams presented their projects to a panel of specialized judges.
On the final day of the festival, held during the “GITEX Global 2025” event, the final projects from the national competition were showcased alongside an awards ceremony that recognized a select group of young Emirati talents in cybersecurity. The event drew over 80 students from 17 universities across the country, as well as a number of experts, innovators, and decision-makers in technology and artificial intelligence sectors.
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, stated, “The advancements we’ve observed have been remarkable and inspiring. Every participant has added real value to our journey toward enhancing the security of our national digital space.”
He further addressed the winners by saying, “Given the rapid development of modern technologies and the surge in cyber challenges, your efforts represent the first line of defense we rely upon to safeguard our digital ecosystem. We appreciate your commitment and look forward to seeing more innovations in the future.”
Ahmad Al Zarouni, CEO of Tech-Firm and founder of the Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Festival, remarked that the quality of the submitted projects reflected the spirit of innovation and ambition among the students. It is inspiring to witness a young generation with such advanced entrepreneurial thinking that can contribute to shaping the future of cybersecurity in the UAE.
The judging panel announced the results of the competition as follows: First place: Team No Time – 42 Abu Dhabi Academy; Second place: Team Zenith – Abu Dhabi University; Third place: Team Unity – Heriot-Watt University Dubai.
The Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Festival has established itself as a leading national platform aimed at empowering Emirati talents to spearhead the upcoming wave of innovation in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
This initiative aligns with the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 and the National Cybersecurity Strategy, both designed to enhance the nation’s digital readiness, develop local talent capabilities, and solidify the UAE’s position as a global leader in building a secure and sustainable digital ecosystem.