11/02/2025
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has officially launched the 8th edition of the "UAE Hackathon" under the theme "Today's Challenges, Tomorrow's Solutions". This edition aligns with the theme for 2025, "The Year of the Community", which emphasizes on collaboration and shared responsibility in building a stronger and more inclusive society, as declared by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Through this hackathon, innovators from all sectors across the country are invited to develop technological solutions that address national challenges and contribute to building a sustainable digital future. The hackathon supports the UAE’s strategic goals, including the Green Agenda 2030, "We the UAE 2031" vision, Artificial Intelligence Strategy, UAE Centennial 2071, and the Zero Bureaucracy Government Program. It empowers participants to create impactful solutions that reflect the values of cooperation and progress.
This edition of the UAE Hackathon focuses on four key themes aligned with the UAE’s national priorities. The first theme explores leveraging artificial intelligence and automation to enhance government services and improve its efficiency. The second theme addresses cybersecurity by strengthening frameworks, protecting data, and fostering digital trust. In pursuit of sustainability, the third theme integrates eco-friendly technologies into digital transformation efforts to minimize environmental impact. Lastly, the fourth theme, "Zero Bureaucracy Government," aims to streamline public services, eliminate inefficiencies, and create a more agile and responsive government.
His Excellency Eng. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zarooni, Deputy Director General for Information & Digital Government Sector at TDRA, highlighted the importance of the UAE Hackathon in shaping the country's digital future. He says,"The UAE Hackathon is a pioneering platform that stimulates creativity and innovation. It brings together bright minds from various disciplines to collaborate on developing cutting-edge technological solutions that drive digital transformation and empower the community. This year, the hackathon aligns with the theme of 2025, “The Year of the Community”, which embodies the values of collaboration and shared responsibility in building a more inclusive and sustainable society, as well as advancing the UAE’s digital infrastructure."
Further, he adds,"We believe that collective innovation is key to addressing future challenges. Through community participation, we can build a more sustainable and prosperous digital future. In this context, TDRA remains committed to supporting government digital platforms that enhance community engagement and provide smart family services, ensuring seamless access to government services for greater convenience and social integration. Additionally, we continue to support digital education through an advanced technological infrastructure that enables remote learning and effective communication between students and teachers, thereby fostering a knowledge-based economy."
The UAE Hackathon 2025 will run over three months, from February to April. The journey will commence in Abu Dhabi at the Higher Colleges of Technology – Abu Dhabi from February 10 to 12, followed by the Sharjah and Ajman hackathon from February 12 to 14 at the Higher Colleges of Technology – Sharjah. The Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah hackathon will take place from February 17 to 19 at Umm Al Quwain University, while the Fujairah hackathon will be held from February 19 to 21 at the University of Science and Technology in Fujairah. The final stop will be in Dubai at the Higher Colleges of Technology – Dubai from February 24 to 26.
Participants will work in teams to develop innovative solutions using open data and emerging technologies. They will have the opportunity to explore advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, AI agents, smart chatbots, the Internet of Things, blockchain, cybersecurity solutions, and big data analytics.
The UAE Hackathon offers 4 participation tracks tailored to different segments of the innovation and entrepreneurship community. They are: Emerging Generation Track - designed for school students eager to showcase their creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, Pioneering Generation Track - encourage university students to apply their knowledge and gain hands-on experience in developing creative solutions for hackathon challenges, Entrepreneur Track - provides startups and experts with a platform to tackle pressing challenges and Government Innovators Track - dedicated to government employees aiming to develop solutions aligned with national goals and drive transformation in the public sector.
The event will bring together experts, mentors, and industry leaders to guide participants through the innovation process. In addition to technical skills, participants will gain insights into entrepreneurship and digital governance, including generative AI applications, intergovernmental collaboration, and best practices in digital transformation.
Since its inception, the UAE Hackathon has evolved into the country’s leading innovation event, attracting 13,347 participants and producing 430 innovative projects over 7 editions. The competition has engaged 453 mentors, 202 judges, and 868 volunteers, with 236 strategic partners from both the public and private sectors, making each organization’s participation a unique collaboration.
For more information and registration, please visit: https://hackathon.ae/.
Last updated :
11/02/2025 09:37
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