Dubai has been ranked the world’s second-leading city for artificial intelligence and intelligent technology adoption in the inaugural Intelligent Cities Index released by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), reinforcing the emirate’s reputation as a global hub for digital innovation and smart governance.
The index assessed 61 cities across 39 countries, measuring how effectively they use digital technologies and AI to improve public services, support businesses, and enhance residents’ quality of life. Dubai also emerged as the global leader in AI adoption and smart city implementation, highlighting the city’s rapid progress in integrating advanced technologies into everyday government operations.
BCG’s first-ever Intelligent Cities Index evaluates urban digital maturity across five core areas: outcomes, strategy, adoption, ways of working, and enabling capabilities. Using 35 performance indicators spanning 14 dimensions of digital transformation, the report provides a comprehensive benchmark of how cities leverage technology to strengthen competitiveness and drive sustainable growth.
Dubai’s strongest performance came in the adoption category, where it ranked first worldwide. The report credited the emirate’s extensive use of AI-powered services and smart city solutions across multiple sectors, enabling it to translate cutting-edge technologies into practical applications that benefit residents, businesses, and public institutions.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, said the recognition reflects the long-term vision of Dubai’s leadership, which has placed digital transformation and artificial intelligence at the center of the city’s development strategy.
He noted that Dubai’s success is built on an integrated digital ecosystem supported by shared infrastructure, data-driven decision-making, and close collaboration between government entities and the private sector. According to Al Mansoori, this approach has allowed the emirate to convert technological innovation into services that improve daily life while strengthening economic competitiveness.
He added that Dubai views AI as more than an emerging technology, describing it as a driver of service innovation, economic growth, and improved quality of life. He said the city will continue investing in digital infrastructure while expanding the use of AI and data across industries to reinforce its position as a leading smart city.
Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation, said the ranking demonstrates the effectiveness of Dubai’s forward-looking strategy of transforming emerging technologies into practical solutions with measurable economic and social impact.
Belhoul emphasized that true leadership in AI depends not on the volume of technologies adopted but on their ability to improve productivity, generate innovation, and create new opportunities for sustainable growth. He added that Dubai’s integrated ecosystem—combining research, innovation, agile regulation, and strategic partnerships—continues to accelerate AI adoption while preparing the city to capitalize on future technological advancements.
The BCG report concluded that cities placing AI at the core of public services and operational models tend to achieve faster improvements in service delivery and quality of life. It also found that leading AI cities typically deploy a wider range of real-world AI applications and enjoy higher levels of resident satisfaction.
The study further identified a strong relationship between the regular use of generative AI tools and increased public trust in artificial intelligence, with residents showing greater confidence in AI’s long-term role. It also highlighted the Middle East, including Dubai, as one of the regions demonstrating the strongest enthusiasm for AI adoption and innovation.
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