A new dawn is breaking in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with the rise of a city set to redefine the very idea of urban living: Aion Sentia. Far more than a typical “smart city,” Aion Sentia is poised to become the world’s first AI cognitive city — a living, breathing testament to the power of artificial intelligence. Backed by an impressive $3.3 billion investment and slated for completion by 2027, the project aims to transform the emirate into a global epicenter for AI and sustainable urban innovation.
“The Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027 reflects our leadership’s vision of being an AI-native government—seamlessly integrating AI across all systems for a future that is proactive, agile, and fully technology-enabled,” said Ahmed Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement in Abu Dhabi, according to media reports. This vision serves as the philosophical cornerstone of Aion Sentia: a city where AI isn’t just a tool, but a foundational element of everyday life.
Imagine a city where autonomous transport, predictive healthcare, energy-efficient infrastructure, and AI-driven governance function in harmony, all powered by intelligent systems. This is the promise of Aion Sentia — a comprehensive model designed to optimize every dimension of urban life for efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.
5,000 new jobs
But the impact of Aion Sentia extends far beyond technological advancement. The project is expected to contribute more than AED 24 billion (approximately $6.5 billion) to Abu Dhabi’s GDP by 2027. It’s also set to generate over 5,000 new jobs in rapidly growing fields such as data science, cybersecurity, robotics, and AI ethics. This initiative not only aligns with the UAE’s Emiratisation goals but also helps cultivate a highly skilled technology workforce, further cementing Abu Dhabi’s role as a global leader in innovation.
Strategic partnerships lie at the heart of this bold initiative. Aion Sentia is being developed in collaboration with leading institutions such as the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), and G42. The project itself is a product of international cooperation, developed under a $2.5 billion Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement between Abu Dhabi-based Bold Technologies and Italian AI firm My Aion Inc.
What truly distinguishes Aion Sentia from other smart cities is its cognitive nature. “This city will not just be smart; it will be cognitive—learning and evolving with its residents,” emphasized Daniele Marinelli, CEO of My Aion Inc., the project’s Italian developer. In other words, Aion Sentia won’t just gather data; it will understand and act on it, continuously adapting to the needs of its residents. Picture a city that anticipates your needs, manages infrastructure autonomously, and optimizes energy in real time—constantly learning and evolving alongside the people who live there.
At the core of this hyper-personalized, zero-effort lifestyle is MAIA, an AI-powered app that serves as the city’s central nervous system. MAIA connects residents to every imaginable service — from public transportation and smart home controls to healthcare and personalized recommendations—through a single, intuitive interface. Powered by a ‘Personal Profile Graph,’ MAIA learns from your interactions to tailor your experience. Imagine asking your phone to plan your anniversary dinner, and MAIA not only books the restaurant, but also arranges transportation and adjusts your home’s climate for your return—all with one effortless request.
As one government official put it, “Abu Dhabi’s AI-native city vision is not just a regional milestone; it’s a global inflection point. The Emirati capital is rewriting the playbook on how economies grow, how governments serve, and how people experience urban life.” Aion Sentia is more than a technological feat — it’s a blueprint for the cities of tomorrow, setting new benchmarks for sustainability, efficiency, and intelligent design. As the world watches, Abu Dhabi’s leap into the future with Aion Sentia marks a defining moment in the evolution of urban development and AI-powered governance—a future where cities don’t just respond, they think.
Key features of Aion Sentia
World’s First AI Cognitive City: Unlike traditional smart cities, Aion Sentia is designed to think, learn, and evolve with its residents—offering predictive, adaptive services.
End-to-End AI Integration: Artificial intelligence will power all aspects of urban life, including transport, healthcare, infrastructure, and governance.
Major Economic Impact: Expected to add over AED 24 billion (about $6.5 billion) to Abu Dhabi’s GDP by 2027.
5,000+ High-Tech Jobs: The city is projected to create thousands of jobs in fields like AI, data science, robotics, and cybersecurity.
Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with institutions such as MBZUAI, ATRC, and G42 are key to developing the city’s AI ecosystem.
BOT Development Model: Developed through a $2.5 billion Build-Operate-Transfer agreement between Bold Technologies (UAE) and My Aion Inc. (Italy).
MAIA: The AI Hub: A centralized, AI-powered app that delivers hyper-personalized services and seamless access to all city functions.
Personal Profile Graph Technology: Enables MAIA to understand user behavior and anticipate individual needs for a custom-tailored urban experience.
Global Urban Development Model: Aion Sentia is set to become the benchmark for sustainable, intelligent cities around the world.
