DIFC targets 25,000 jobs in bid to become world’s first AI-native financial centre

Dubai: Dubai International Financial Centre said it will become the world’s first AI-native financial centre, embedding artificial intelligence at a foundational level across its legal frameworks, business environment, talent development and infrastructure.

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The initiative aims to position DIFC as a global model for AI adoption in the financial industry, with the centre integrating the technology into its ecosystem and physical urban fabric rather than deploying it as a standalone tool.

DIFC said its Native AI programme is expected to generate $3.5 billion in economic benefits and create around 25,000 jobs, underscoring the scale of its planned transformation.

DIFC announces that it will become the world’s first AI-native financial centre, embedding artificial intelligence at the foundational level across its legal frameworks, business environment, talent development, ecosystem infrastructure, and physical urban fabric. Through this… pic.twitter.com/ip07825uOI

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 21, 2026

The strategy reflects a broader shift among financial hubs to incorporate AI into core operations, particularly in areas such as compliance, risk management and service delivery, as institutions seek efficiency gains and new growth avenues.

DIFC did not provide a timeline for the rollout, but described the approach as a structural shift that embeds AI across all layers of its operations.