/function1 Returns with Expanded AI Conference and Exhibition in November 2025

After debuting in May 2025, /function1 returns this November with an expanded edition of its AI Conference and Exhibition in Dubai, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for artificial intelligence talent and innovation.

The first edition drew attention across the region and abroad, featuring over 40 speakers, 10 hours of discussions, and the UAE’s first large-scale AI hackathon.

This year’s conference builds on that foundation with a broader agenda, three stages of programming, and a focus on the technologies reshaping industries from finance and cybersecurity to healthcare, smart cities, energy, and sustainability.

Organizers expect more than 10,000 participants, including developers, founders, investors, regulators, and academics.

A centerpiece of the event, the Founders Program, will spotlight more than 5,000 AI startups from around the world, offering exposure, networking, and funding opportunities. Companies such as AVM, Ignite AI, and Antal are among the confirmed participants. Details here.

The conference will also host the next edition of AI Genesis, billed as the largest AI hackathon in the Middle East. Organized with LabLab and NativelyAI, the competition will gather over 4,000 developers for a week-long hybrid challenge culminating in a live finale on-stage. Learn more.

New this year is the AI Futures Lab, an education and pitch program designed to engage university students in creating AI solutions for global challenges. The initiative offers mentorship from industry and academic experts, with top projects presented during the conference in front of attendees and media. Full details here.

With a growing roster of founders, developers, and investors converging on Dubai, /function1 aims to close out 2025 as one of the UAE’s most significant gatherings dedicated to the business and future of artificial intelligence.

In less than two months, /function1 will bring together over 150 handpicked speakers representing the world’s leading AI companies, academic institutions, government entities, and global corporations. The first group of confirmed participants includes Dr. Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation; Ron Levin, Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures; Ahmed Mostafa, Regional AI Adoption Lead at NVIDIA; Omnia Hame, Director of International Ventures at Seed Group and The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum; Priyanka Vijayan, Managing Director at Seed Ventures; Bimal Mehta, Head of AI/ML Engineering at Vanguard; Jeanie Fang, Director of Data and AI Management at Crunchbase; Yuki Shirato, Managing Director at Techstars; Ankit Lathigara, AVP of Client Services Portfolio Management at Nasdaq; Tiago Henriques, Head of AI/ML Technology Practice at Google Cloud EMEA; Lydia Andresen, Executive Director of AI Research at Invisible Technologies; Faisal Iqbal, Head of Innovation Programs, Public Sector, MEA, at AWS; Casper Guldager, Director at KPMG NewTech; and Hamad Odhabi, Vice Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University.

Among this year’s sponsors, AppliedAI is redefining the future of work through its flagship platform Opus, the first ABPX platform delivering enterprise-grade, human-supervised automation across industries. By combining intelligence, compliance, and adaptability in one system, AppliedAI bridges the gap between experimentation and execution—driving practical, scalable automation with measurable real-world results. Another key sponsor, AI/ML API, provides access to over 200 AI models, enabling low-latency, high-scalability solutions for advanced machine learning applications.

/function1 also welcomes a diverse lineup of world-class partners, including NVIDIA, the global leader in AI computing infrastructure; Seed Ventures, part of Seed Group under the Dubai Royal Family’s Private Office; and leading academic institutions such as Abu Dhabi University, American University in the Emirates, and Plekhanov University in Dubai. Additionally, Dubai Business Events, the official business events bureau of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, joins as a strategic partner—further strengthening /function1’s role as a cornerstone gathering for the UAE’s rapidly expanding AI ecosystem.

Entrepreneur Middle East is the General Media Partner for the upcoming /function1 Conference and Exhibition.

As an official partner, we’re extending an exclusive opportunity to our readers – a limited number of complimentary curated passes to attend /function1 free of charge.

Passes are limited and will close once the quota is reached, so secure yours now at the /function1 website.