Selected AI-generated artworks by students from the American University in Dubai (AUD) are now displayed on billboards throughout Tilal Al Ghaf — a milestone for Dubai's Dreamscapes AI design competition and a vivid sign of how artificial intelligence is reshaping urban creativity in the UAE.
What Is the Dreamscapes Dubai AI Competition?
The artworks are the product of Majid Al Futtaim's 'Dreamscapes: Envisioning the Future of Dubai with AI' international design competition, organised in partnership with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and the American University in Dubai. The challenge asked students to envision Dubai's growth over the next 10 to 15 years, using any available AI tools to produce futuristic visual concepts of the city.
The artworks on display celebrate values that Dubai is known for: sustainability, community spirit, placemaking, and technological ambition.
Over 250 Works Submitted by 150+ Students
More than 150 AUD students took part, collectively submitting over 250 futuristic artworks. Ahmed El Shamy, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said the competition was designed to foster innovation from the ground up. He noted that the students' work powerfully demonstrates how AI can revolutionise urban design and offer a credible vision of Dubai as one of the world's leading smart cities.
The Winners: AED 30,000 Awarded Across Three Places
The top prize of AED 15,000 went to Abbas AlObaidi for 'Tomorrow's Horizons' — a striking image of Burj Khalifa set against a vibrant sky, blending tradition with a boldly imagined future. Ahmed Al Salman's 'Intertwine' earned second place and AED 10,000, while Kareem Eid's 'Dynamic Quarters' claimed third place and AED 5,000.
AI as a Cultural and Urban Tool
Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, highlighted AI's potential across creative industries and its power to inspire new generations of artists, designers, and architects. The competition, he said, directly reflects Dubai's broader vision of integrating technology into cultural and artistic life.
A Documentary on AI in Architecture
Alongside the billboard gallery, Majid Al Futtaim released a documentary exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and architectural design — examining how human creativity and advanced technology are converging to transform the built environment. AUD's Dr. Sabrina Joseph also praised the collaboration, describing the project as a rare opportunity for students to actively help shape Dubai's evolving city identity through AI-powered design.
The Dreamscapes initiative stands as one of the UAE's most concrete examples of AI being deployed not just as a business tool, but as a medium for civic imagination and public art.
