Dubai:Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has launched the AI Sandbox through Sandbox Dubai, aiming to help both local and international technology companies overcome regulatory and policy barriers that hinder the transition of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions from experimentation to real-world deployment.
According to Wam, the initiative will unite startups, SMEs, established technology companies, and relevant government entities, including the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), to test AI-native solutions in real-world environments. Participants will receive technical, policy, and commercial expertise, along with tailored regulatory guidance to address deployment challenges. This may involve exploring regulatory exemptions, subject to approval from relevant authorities.
The AI Sandbox targets challenges in AI development, as 74 percent of companies have not advanced their AI initiatives beyond experimentation, as per research cited by the World Economic Forum. The Sandbox enables innovators and regulators to collaboratively address regulatory, data access, and policy challenges through practical testing. This collaboration helps regulators assess emerging applications, identify risks, and gather evidence to inform future policies and potentially adapt existing regulatory frameworks.
Khalifa Al Qama, Chief of Research, Development and Innovation at Dubai Future Foundation, emphasized the importance of regulatory clarity to move AI technologies from testing to practical use. The AI Sandbox is part of efforts to create an environment where companies can deploy AI technologies while ensuring policy development aligns with innovation.
Applications are open for AI-native solutions across sectors such as education, healthcare, transport, and others. Eligible solutions must be at the MVP stage or beyond, ready for commercialization, and capable of generating evidence to inform policy development. The initiative complements Dubai's research, development, and innovation ecosystem, addressing challenges in bringing new AI technologies to market.
The AI Sandbox builds on Sandbox Dubai's approach to regulatory modernization, which facilitates testing of emerging technologies and business models. Applications for the AI Sandbox are open until December 18, 2026. As part of the D33 Agenda, Sandbox Dubai supports the goal of establishing Dubai as a global innovation hub, focusing on AI, real estate technology, healthcare, and green technologies.