Business and Economy

HighLevel opens AI Center of Excellence in Dubai Media City

HighLevel opens AI Center of Excellence in Dubai Media City Dubai Times © dubaitimes.org
HighLevel opens AI Center of Excellence in Dubai Media City © dubaitimes.org
HighLevel has launched its AI Center of Excellence, HQ East, in Dubai Media City. The company brings its engineering and product teams together to push faster AI development for millions of businesses worldwide.

HighLevel's new AI Center of Excellence, HQ East, is now up and running in Dubai Media City. The company has moved its engineering and product teams together under one roof. Their goal is simple. They want to build and deliver AI-powered tools faster for the millions of businesses that use their platform.

This move follows HighLevel's early access to OpenAI's GPT-Live-1 alpha release. The company is now in a strong position to bring new AI features into its business platform. In 2025, HighLevel's system supported 2.2 million businesses. It handled 6.9 billion customer interactions and generated $4.2 billion in sales. The platform combines marketing automation, CRM, sales tools, communications, and core business operations. These numbers come from company reports. They have not been independently verified by Reuters or Bloomberg.

Dubai was a deliberate choice. HighLevel's leaders say the city's global links and deep pool of tech talent made it the right place. Dubai Media City, set up by the Dubai Development Authority, has become a base for international tech firms looking for a regional HQ and skilled staff. The Dubai Media Office points to the city's ongoing investment in digital infrastructure and innovation. This fits with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. That plan aims to double Dubai's economy by 2033 and put it among the world's top three cities for business and innovation.

HighLevel plans to grow its Dubai team with both internal transfers and local hires. HQ East will be a hub where product and engineering teams work closely together. The company wants those building its technology to stay connected to the businesses that depend on it. HighLevel's approach is clear. It wants AI built into the core of business infrastructure, not added as an afterthought.

The new HQ East opened on 17 September 2026. This marks a new phase for HighLevel's global operations. Other international firms have also set up tech hubs in Dubai, as seen in recent expansions reported earlier. The UAE has backed this growth with new rules and support from groups like the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). These efforts have made Dubai a friendlier place for tech companies.

HighLevel is betting on Dubai's talent and business climate to drive its AI push. For Dubai's tech sector, the arrival of a major AI platform's headquarters is a strong sign. The city's plan to attract global tech investment is working. The Emirates News Agency (WAM) has noted that foreign direct investment is helping the UAE's non-oil economy grow, with tech and innovation getting special attention. The real test comes next. Can this new center deliver faster, more integrated AI tools for businesses worldwide? If it does, Dubai's pull for next-generation tech firms will only get stronger.

Omar Al Nuaimi Business, property and finance writer Dubai Times
Writer

Omar Al Nuaimi

Omar Al Nuaimi is a Dubai-born business and finance writer covering the emirate’s economy, property market and consumer money. He focuses on what company announcements, market data, housing trends and financial decisions actually mean for residents, professionals, homebuyers and investors.