In brief
On November 3, 2026 the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office and Emirates NBD launched the UAE Codes 2026 hackathon in Dubai, gathering 100 Emirati banking professionals for a two‑day competition. Teams built AI‑powered platforms for personalised learning, real‑world practice scenarios and workplace communication, taking first, second and third place respectively. Dr. Abdelrahman Al Mahmoud highlighted the event’s role in advancing national AI capacity and coding as a vital digital language.
The UAE Artificial Intelligence Office, in partnership with Emirates NBD, launched the UAE Codes 2026 hackathon on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, gathering 100 Emirati bankers and tech specialists to develop AI‑driven solutions for the banking sector.
The two‑day event, held in Dubai, built upon previous UAE Codes initiatives and expanded the program to cover the banking industry’s real‑world challenges. Participants formed cross‑functional teams and experimented with AI and coding tools to create practical solutions that could be adopted by banks and other financial institutions.
Throughout the hackathon attendees met with industry experts, AI Programme alumni and technology leaders, gaining insights into emerging AI applications and learning from diverse perspectives. The event concluded with team presentations to a panel of judges who awarded the top prizes.
The contest’s winners were Project Ready, an AI‑powered platform that offers personalised learning and career development; Career Lab, a tool that simulates real‑world professional scenarios; and Mashoura, an AI solution that assists employees in navigating challenging workplace conversations. Project Ready took first place, Career Lab second and Mashoura third.
Dr. Abdelrahman Al Mahmoud, Director at the UAE AI Office, said the hackathon “reflects the UAE leadership’s forward‑looking vision to build a society equipped with the skills of the future and establishes coding as an essential language of the digital age and a key driver of a technology‑powered economy.” He added that investing in Emirati talent and advancing national capabilities in coding, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies remains a strategic priority in the UAE’s journey toward the future.
