Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Dubai has been ranked second in the world in the Intelligent Cities Index published by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The index assessed 61 cities across 39 countries and recognized Dubai for its strong use of advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve government services, support businesses, and enhance the quality of life for residents.
The ranking highlights Dubai's continued progress in building a people-focused digital city while strengthening its position as one of the world's leading smart cities.
BCG Evaluated 61 Cities Across Five Key Areas
The Intelligent Cities Index is being published for the first time by Boston Consulting Group. It measures how successfully cities use digital technologies and AI to deliver practical benefits for people and businesses.
The study evaluated 61 major cities across five main areas:
- Outcomes
- Strategy
- Adoption
- Ways of Working
- Enablers
The assessment was based on 35 indicators covering 14 dimensions of digital transformation. Together, these measures provide a detailed picture of how cities use technology to support sustainable development and improve their global competitiveness.
Dubai Ranked First Worldwide in AI Adoption
According to the report, Dubai achieved the highest global ranking in the Adoption category, reflecting its leadership in implementing AI technologies and smart city solutions.
The report found that Dubai has introduced AI-powered applications and digital services across multiple sectors. This strong performance helped the emirate achieve one of the highest levels of digital maturity among all cities included in the study.
BCG noted that Dubai has successfully transformed advanced technologies into practical services and solutions that create measurable value for both residents and businesses.
Digital Dubai Highlights Leadership Vision
His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, said the achievement reflects the vision of Dubai's leadership, which has made digital transformation and artificial intelligence strategic priorities for creating a more efficient government and a city prepared for the future.
He said Dubai's success is supported by an integrated digital ecosystem built on data, shared digital infrastructure, and close cooperation between government entities and all sectors of the economy. According to him, this ecosystem enables advanced technologies to be converted into practical services that benefit society while strengthening the competitiveness of the economy.
Al Mansoori added that AI has become more than an emerging technology in Dubai. He described it as a key driver for improving quality of life, simplifying services, and supporting economic growth. He also said Dubai will continue investing in shared digital infrastructure while expanding the use of data and AI across all sectors to strengthen its position as a global model for future cities.
Dubai Future Foundation Emphasizes Practical Innovation
His Excellency Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation, said the ranking reflects Dubai's forward-looking strategy of turning emerging technologies into practical solutions that benefit both society and the economy.
He said leadership in AI should not be measured by the number of technologies adopted but by their ability to improve productivity, create meaningful impact, and generate new opportunities for innovation and growth.
Belhoul added that Dubai continues to build an integrated ecosystem combining innovation, research and development, agile regulation, and strategic partnerships. He said this approach is accelerating AI adoption across different sectors while strengthening Dubai's ability to capture future opportunities and develop sustainable growth models.
AI at the Centre of Future City Development
The BCG report found that cities placing AI at the core of their services and daily operations achieve faster and more sustainable improvements in service delivery and quality of life.
It also concluded that leading AI cities have a wider range of real-world AI applications and consistently record higher levels of resident satisfaction. The findings indicate that many cities are moving beyond using AI as a supporting technology and are instead making it a central part of their operating models.
Growing Public Trust in Artificial Intelligence
The report also identified a strong connection between the regular use of generative AI tools and higher levels of public trust in artificial intelligence. It found that people who frequently use these technologies tend to have more positive expectations about AI's future role.
In addition, the report noted that cities across the Middle East, including Dubai, show particularly strong enthusiasm for adopting and expanding the use of artificial intelligence.
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