UAE targets $119bn in domestic investment to scale AI finance sector

The UAE Ministry of Investment has confirmed a strategic push to scale domestic artificial intelligence (AI) companies, citing Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) of up to $119 billion as a primary engine for growth. Speaking ahead of the Ai Everything Abu Dhabi 2026 summit, which begins on Tuesday, 6 October at ADNEC Centre, officials detailed how the technology is being integrated across the national financial ecosystem. ADGM allocates Dh400 million for digital growth Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is deploying Dh400 million through 2029 to modernize its regulatory infrastructure and expand AI capabilities. The investment coincides with a surge in the capital’s financial activity, with ADGM now hosting 190 fund and asset managers overseeing 276 funds. H.E. Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, stated that the UAE’s DDI—estimated between $100 billion and $119 billion—outpaces annual FDI inflows by more than double, providing a stable foundation for scaling local AI firms. New technologies in fraud and investment Several UAE-based entities are launching AI-driven tools at the upcoming summit. FedTuna, a federated-learning platform, reported that a recent pilot involving two banks increased fraud detection rates by up to 3.7 percentage points without sharing sensitive customer data. Meanwhile, Genesis AI will unveil its 'Financial Idea' platform, which utilizes 15 specialized AI agents to manage valuation, risk, and Shariah compliance. Retail investment is also…