How to Prepare for Dubai AI Festival 2026
Make the most of Dubai AI Festival: meet founders, discover products, assess trust and compare the value of AI tools for your SME.
You don't need an AI strategy or technical background to enjoy Dubai AI Festival. On 26–27 October at Dubai World Trade Centre, come ready to meet people, try products and discover what's possible.
What should I ask startups at Dubai AI Festival?
Make time for the startup booths, especially early-stage companies. Speak to the founders, try what they're building and ask about the problem that got them started. Some of your most useful conversations may be with companies you hadn't planned to visit.
Start simply:
- "What are you building? Can you show me?"
- "Who uses it, and what for?"
- "I work in ___. Where might this be useful?"
- "What made you start the company?"
Tell them what takes too long, what your customers ask for or what you wish you could offer. You can explore together whether AI could help.
Should I book meetings in advance?
Browse the agenda and company listings. If someone interests you, request a meeting before the event. Leave time for spontaneous conversations too.
Our startup shortlist is a starting point for investors, universities, educators and creators.
How do I assess an early-stage startup?
Especially with early-stage startups, ask about the founders' background: what have they worked on, what do they know about this problem, and why are they building this product? Ask to see what they've built so far and what they've learned from users.
They may still be developing customer traction. Relevant experience, a working demo and honest answers about what is ready can help you decide whether to explore further.
How do I evaluate an AI product before buying?
You don't need to investigate every company. For a product you might use, ask:
| What to check | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Evidence | Have customers like us used it? What changed? |
| Reliability | What happens when it gets something wrong? |
| Your data | Where does our information go, who can access it and is it used for training? |
| Implementation | What setup, integrations and staff time will we need? |
| Support | Who helps us when something breaks? |
| Leaving | Can we export our information, revoke access and request deletion? |
Try a realistic, anonymised example. Ask which features are available today and which are still planned.
How should an SME compare the value of AI tools?
The cheapest subscription may still take significant time to implement. Compare the full cost: setup, usage, integrations, training and ongoing review.
Then ask what your business could gain: useful time back, better work, faster service or something new you could offer customers.
For example, saving ten hours a month matters only if the output is reliable and those hours can be put to good use. Ask for a small pilot with a clear outcome and budget before committing to a wider rollout.
What should I do after a good conversation?
For conversations you want to continue, note the person, what interested you and the next action. Put a follow-up meeting in the calendar while you're together, if it makes sense.
You don't have to leave with a purchase. New ideas, useful contacts and a clearer sense of what's possible are worthwhile outcomes too.
Come say hi to SLAN
Curious about helping people apply your expertise? Visit booth S175, next to the coffee stand. Try SLAN and tell us what you're working on.
Meet the team or request a meeting.
Visit the official festival website for registration and event updates.