Dubai: The inaugural AICyberFest, held under the patronage of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, concluded at GITEX 2025 with final pitching sessions and an awards ceremony celebrating the UAE’s most promising cybersecurity talents. The event highlighted the innovative spirit of over 80 students from 17 universities across the UAE who participated in the national competition aimed at developing AI-powered cybersecurity solutions.
According to Emirates News Agency, the competition focused on two key tracks: AI for Compliance and Audit Review, and AI-Powered SIEM Analyst. The final pitching session featured three finalist teams who presented their projects to an expert jury. This session culminated in the announcement of the top winners, marking a milestone in advancing the nation’s digital resilience through artificial intelligence.
Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, emphasized the importance of these contributions, stating that the participants have added significant value to the shared mission of cybersecurity, especially in times of evolving threats and emerging technologies.
Following a rigorous evaluation, the jury announced the winners: First Place went to Team No Time from 42 Abu Dhabi, comprising Ahmad Kanbari, Haithem Bendjaballah, and Mukhammadusmon Ganiev. Second Place was awarded to Team Zenith from Abu Dhabi University, with members Wardah Jamil, Muaaz Hafiz Ahmed Muaaz, and Bilal Bashir. Third Place was secured by Team Unity from Heriot-Watt University, featuring Dmitry Zadorin, Stanislav Merkulov, and Fedor Galkin.
Ahmed Al Zarouni, CEO of TechFirm LLC and founder of AICyberFest, praised the quality of the projects, highlighting the forward-thinking nature of the teams and their role in shaping the next generation of cybersecurity innovation in the UAE.
Organised by TechFirm LLC, a UAE-based technology company specializing in AI-driven cybersecurity, the event was supported by leading industry partners. AMD joined as Industrial Partner, contributing its global expertise in high-performance computing, while other partners such as Honor, KERNO, Kaspersky, Check Point, Circularo, Aruba, Ras Infotech, KnowBe4, CADD Emirates, and SecureWay played a pivotal role in fostering innovation and collaboration across the UAE’s cybersecurity ecosystem.