On October 29, 1999, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum unveiled Dubai Internet City, a key initiative of TECOM Group aimed at harnessing emerging technologies to bolster the UAE’s knowledge economy. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Dubai Internet City has become a vital hub for the region’s digital economy, facilitating the convergence of global technology leaders and talent. In 2023, it was announced that the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization would designate this date as World Coding Day.
In the first nine months of 2024, Dubai Internet City witnessed a 175% increase in businesses, reaching over 4,000, with a burgeoning talent pool exceeding 31,000 professionals. This growth highlights the area’s drawing power for global technologists. Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President of Commercial for TECOM Group, noted that Dubai Internet City has been instrumental in advancing digital transformation and fostering innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence.
The district hosts a diverse range of companies, including industry giants such as Oracle, Amazon, and Huawei, and has become a breeding ground for unicorns in the tech sector. Recent developments include Microsoft’s AED 55 billion investment to bolster AI initiatives and the launch of Salesforce’s office to support the expanding digital ecosystem. Furthermore, significant investments nearing AED 19 billion over the past two years solidify Dubai Internet City’s role as a prime location for evolving tech needs.
