Bringing AI Innovation to the Forefront
NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) recently hosted Slush’D: The Future of AI in MENA, an event that brought together over 500 attendees, 60 companies, and 30 speakers to explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI). Organized by Violet Ventures, the UAE’s largest student startup community, Slush’D is the MENA edition of Slush — the world’s largest founder-focused gathering.
Held in collaboration with Nokia, Business Finland, startAD, and the NYUAD Career Development Center, the conference showcased AI’s role in healthcare, fintech, and aerospace while fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.
Distinguished Guests at Slush’D & UAE’s Commitment to Entrepreneurship
The event featured key figures, including:
- H.E. Alia Bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, UAE’s Minister of State for Entrepreneurship
- H.E. Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Cultural Affairs
- Tuula Yrjölä, Finnish Ambassador to the UAE
- Fabio Piano, Vice Chancellor of NYUAD
In her address, H.E. Alia Bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei highlighted the UAE’s commitment to startups and innovation-driven policies. She introduced “RIYADA”, a government-backed initiative supporting entrepreneurship, aiming to increase startup success rates from 30% to 50% by 2031. She emphasized the vital role of AI in future economic growth and the importance of collaboration between academia and private sectors in fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
AI for Good Hackathon – A Showcase of Student Innovation
A key highlight of the event was the AI for Good Hackathon, powered by Nokia. Out of 344 participants, 12 finalist teams competed live on the Slush’D stage, presenting AI-driven solutions.
🏆 First Place: ContosoAE (Khalifa University & UAE University) – “Socia,” an AI-powered social and professional training app
🥈 Second Place: Unbreakable 3310 (NYUAD) – “How To,” a digital assistant for seniors
🥉 Third Place: OptiMinds (NYUAD) – “TrueSight,” an AI tool combating deepfakes and misinformation
Student Startup Exhibition & Career Expo
The Student Startup Exhibition showcased 10 student-led ventures, offering young founders a platform to connect with investors and industry leaders. Additionally, the Career Expo, organized in partnership with NYUAD’s Career Development Center, facilitated over 270 student interviews with 18 top employers, including Careem, DarDoc, and Al Maryah Community Bank.
Industry Experts Share Insights on AI’s Future at Slush’D
The event featured 18 sessions across two stages, with experts from Amazon Web Services, Nokia, Careem, e& Capital, BECO Capital, MBZUAI, and the Technology Innovation Institute discussing:
- AI’s impact on startup funding
- AI-driven advancements in healthcare and fintech
- The future of AI in the workforce
Ashwin Joshi, Director at startAD, emphasized the growing influence of AI, stating:
“With nearly 40% of global jobs exposed to AI, the potential—and risks—are immense. Our goal at startAD is to nurture groundbreaking ideas that create lasting impact.”
Slush’D, a Catalyst for Startup Growth
As the only Slush’D organizer in MENA, Violet Ventures continues to foster networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration among students, startups, and investors. By bringing together industry leaders and emerging entrepreneurs, the event reinforced Abu Dhabi’s role as a global startup hub.
About startAD
Powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi, startAD is an accelerator helping local and global startups scale in the UAE. The program has supported startups that have collectively:
- Raised $270 million in funding
- Generated $220 million in revenue
- Secured 80+ global pilot projects
- Created 2,500+ jobs worldwide
Looking Ahead
With events like Slush’D, the UAE continues to drive innovation, support AI-driven startups, and position itself as a leading global hub for entrepreneurship and technology.