Sandbox Dubai AI Sandbox

About

A Dubai regulatory sandbox for AI companies to test market-ready solutions with regulators and government entities under temporary regulatory relief, with applications open until 18 December 2026 and no application fee.

Benefits

• 🛡️ Regulatory relief
  Selected participants are provided tailored temporary regulatory relief, which may include exemptions, waivers or modifications to specific requirements such as licensing, compliance timelines or operational restrictions, to test without the full application of standard regulations.
• 🧪Real-world testing
  Selected participants can test AI solutions in real-world settings and use trial evidence to improve performance and develop a clearer path toward compliant deployment.
• 🏛️ Regulator collaboration
  Selected participants work with regulators and relevant government entities and receive feedback and guidance on compliance and product refinement.
• 🧭Guidance
  Selected participants access technical, policy and commercial guidance and end-to-end support to navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
• 🔐Data access support
  Support with exploring data access arrangements may be available, subject to data-owner approval.
• 📈Post-program path
  If the solution is deemed successful, Sandbox Dubai facilitates transition to full market adoption by supporting regulators in formalizing temporary regulatory adjustments used during the program.
• 🤝Ecosystem connections
  Participants may gain insights, credibility and connections with key stakeholders; alumni relationships may include invitations to industry events and introductions to potential partners or investors.
• 💸No funding or investment
  Sandbox Dubai states it is not an investor, incubator, accelerator or grant program.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mandatory: open to startups, scale-ups and established businesses with innovative, market-ready AI solutions that face significant regulatory or policy barriers or a lack of regulatory clarity
• Mandatory: eligible projects are expected to involve regulatory challenges that cannot be resolved by a single regulator and require collaborative regulatory solutions
• Mandatory: innovations should demonstrate technological or business-model novelty, be close to market readiness and show true market demand
• Mandatory: applications are assessed for economic and social benefits, alignment with Dubai’s strategic priorities and ability to manage associated risks
• Preferred: AI use cases in education, tourism, hospitality, transport, mobility, logistics, media and government services
• Preferred: providers of enabling technologies such as foundation models and cloud infrastructure may apply if they face significant regulatory uncertainty
• International companies with market-ready solutions are encouraged to apply, including companies planning to establish a presence in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE; no nationality or residence restriction is stated

Participation Commitments

• Applications must be submitted through the Sandbox Dubai website when the application window is open
• Applications are reviewed by regulators and subject-matter experts against pre-defined criteria
• Applying does not guarantee participation
• There is currently no application fee to apply
• The experimentation phase typically lasts 6-12 months and may vary or be extended based on the innovation’s needs, regulatory requirements, scope changes or failure to meet predefined success criteria
• Participants must adhere to strict data privacy and security standards in line with Dubai’s data protection laws
• If a participant fails to meet regulatory requirements after temporary relief expires, it will no longer be permitted to serve customers in Dubai until full regulations are issued and it can comply

Target Region

Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other