Dubai Launches AI Park Design Challenge With AED 200,000 Prize Pool

Dubai Municipality has launched the AI Park Design Challenge, an initiative inviting participants to reimagine Al Safa 2 Park using artificial intelligence as part of the planning and design process.

The competition focuses on using AI as a support tool for human creativity, not as a replacement for designers. Participants are expected to show how AI can assist with site analysis, user insights, environmental response, concept exploration, spatial planning, design iteration, optimisation and visualisation.

The challenge carries a total prize pool of AED 200,000. First place will receive AED 100,000, second place will receive AED 65,000 and third place will receive AED 35,000.

Applications are open until 15 August 2026, and participation is free.

Who can participate?

The challenge is open to architects, urban designers, landscape architects, planners, engineers, students, recent graduates, researchers, academics, design studios, startups, AI specialists, technology innovators and multidisciplinary teams.

Participants may apply individually or as a team. If applying as a team, one member must be assigned as the team leader and main point of contact.

What the challenge is looking for

Submissions are expected to include a design concept and narrative, a masterplan, design drawings, visualisations, renderings, a description of the AI tools and methodology used, sustainability considerations and implementation considerations.

The design should demonstrate how artificial intelligence was used to support analysis, iteration and decision-making. This may include climate analysis, user behaviour insights, shade and heat response, solar exposure, wind analysis, accessibility, usability and AI-assisted visualisation.

Why it matters

This challenge is an important signal for the UAE AI ecosystem. AI is no longer limited to chatbots, dashboards, content generation or workflow automation. It is now entering urban planning, architecture, landscape design, public space development and sustainability.

For UAE founders, designers and AI builders, the opportunity is clear: the next wave of AI will not only be about building tools, but applying AI to real sectors where domain expertise matters.

The AI Park Design Challenge shows how artificial intelligence can support the design of public spaces while keeping human creativity, community needs and practical implementation at the centre.

Key details

Challenge: Dubai Municipality AI Park Design Challenge
Project: Reimagining Al Safa 2 Park
Prize pool: AED 200,000
First place: AED 100,000
Second place: AED 65,000
Third place: AED 35,000
Deadline: 15 August 2026
Participation fee: Free
Submission language: Arabic or English
Contact: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Contest details:
https://aipark.dm.gov.ae/ai-competition

For designers, students, startups and AI innovators, this is a practical opportunity to show how artificial intelligence can improve the way public spaces are imagined, tested and built.