Under the patronage of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, the inaugural AICyberFest is highlighting the country’s next generation of technology specialists. The national festival, which runs throughout October, brings together university teams to design artificial intelligence-driven cybersecurity solutions, with a final awards ceremony scheduled to take place during GITEX 2025 in Dubai.
Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, said the festival embodies the nation’s spirit of championing bold ideas. “By bringing our nation’s brightest university talents together to develop secure, responsible, and market-ready AI solutions, this challenge directly supports the National Cybersecurity Strategy and our vision of a digitally resilient economy,” he stated.
Dr Al Kuwaiti explained that the council’s patronage reflects the event’s importance in turning applied research into practical defences and nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets.
The Competition
The call for participation drew a significant response, with more than 80 individuals registering from across the United Arab Emirates. Following a selection process, 32 student teams from 17 universities advanced to the competition stage.
“This competition is not just about technology, it’s about nurturing the visionaries of tomorrow,” said Ahmed Alzarouni, chief executive officer of TechFirm LLC, the project’s organiser and founder. He noted that the creativity of these young innovators will shape the future of cybersecurity far beyond the UAE, echoing other initiatives that honour Young Changemakers.
The competition focuses on two key areas: AI for Compliance & Audit Review and AI-Powered SIEM Analyst. The event is organised by TechFirm LLC, a UAE-based company specialising in AI-driven cybersecurity, with support from the UAE Cybersecurity Council and industry partners.
Judging and Finale at GITEX
All projects will be assessed by a jury of industry experts from local and international technology companies, a move intended to ensure global relevance. This international presence at GITEX is growing, with participants like the Cyprus innovation hub also set to attend.
Project submissions closed on 10 October, with jury evaluations running until 12 October. The top three semi-finalists will be announced on 15 October. The competition will conclude with a Grand Finale and Awards Ceremony at 10 am on 17 October 2025, held at the UAE Cybersecurity Council’s stand at GITEX.
As one of the standout new events at the technology showcase, AICyberFest is gaining recognition for its role in inspiring innovation and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global leader in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. It joins a packed schedule where organisations like the Dubai Police will showcase smart innovations.
