Abu Dhabi, UAE:  EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced the launch of The Drone Challenge to explore and accelerate national talent in artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for drones.
The challenge will take place at UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi from 20 to 22 January 2026. Emirati citizens aged 18 years and above will have the opportunity to compete in teams of two to three people, completing a series of programming tasks that demonstrate precision and innovation.
The challenge seeks to enhance the skills of the next generation of Emirati programmers by providing a practical platform to develop secure and flexible AI-powered software solutions, while also allowing participants to engage with a specialised audience in drone technology and cybersecurity.
This initiative embodies the shared vision of EDGE and the MoD to invest in national human capital, empowering talented Emiratis with advanced digital and programming capabilities that strengthen national security readiness and support the UAE’s knowledge-based economy.
