In Partnership With

Mission of AIFest

AIFest inspires university students in the UAE to create innovative AI startups. The festival serves as a platform to showcase talent, exchange knowledge, engage with industry, and contribute to the UAE's AI and innovation strategy.

AlCyberFest 2025: TechFirm Initiative

AlCyberFest is a TechFirm Technology LLC program for universities and their students in the UAE, focused on cybersecurity and generative Al. The 2025 edition at GITEX Global in Dubai is under the patronage of the UAE Cybersecurity Council. This edition guides student teams and their faculty mentors to turn applied research and product concepts into startup-ready solutions, with practical, secure, and scalable outcomes that can move to validation and commercialization.



AI Challenge Tracks

#1 AI for Compliance and Audit Review

AI solutions for:

  • Automated review of submissions for information security audits
  • Compliance validation against standards and organizationalrequirements
  • Continuous monitoring for regulatory alignment
  • Intelligent reporting for auditors
  • Writing information security policies aligned with iso270001

#2 AI-Powered SIEM Analyst

AI solutions for:

  • Systematic Level 1 SIEM analysis
  • Log collection & event triage
  • Correlation of alerts with known threats
  • First-line incident prioritization
  • Automated development of SIEM add-ons

Competition Format

Teams: up to 5 students from UAE universities.

STAGES:

  • 1Submission of AI startup business proposal
  • 2Selection of the best projects for participation.
  • 3Mentoring sessions with industry experts.
  • 4Final pitch day at GITEX before judges and investors.

Winners in each track + Grand Prize for the best festival startup.

Evaluation Criteria

Innovation & Creativity

uniqueness and
novelty of the solution.

Market Potential

scalability and business
model.

Social & Economic
Impact

value for society and
the UAE economy.

Technical Feasibility

practicality and
implementability.

Presentation & Pitch
Quality

presentation skills and
team engagement.

Benefits

For Students

  • 1

    Opportunity to showcase projects at the region’s largest tech event (GITEX).

  • 2

    Networking with investors, companies, and startups.

  • 3

    Possibility to launch their own business.

For partners and sponsors

  • 1

    Access to top young AI talent.

  • 2

    Strengthening brand presence in the innovation and technology ecosystem.

  • 3

    Contribution to UAE AI Strategy 2031.

  • 4

    Image as a socially responsible company investing in youth.

Competition Timeline

Stage 1: September 26

Deadline to register

1
2
Stage 2: 17:00 September 29

Online kick‑off meeting

Stage 3: September 29 – October 10

Choose 1 of 4 Track. Team work and preparation of materials, submission to the committee

3
4
Stage 4: October 10–12

Jury evaluation of applications
1 representative from each Partner

Stage 5: 15 October

Announcement of top 3 semifinalists

5
6
Stage 6: 10:00 October 17

Final: presentation at GITEX, selection of 1st–3rd places, award ceremony During GITEX

Prize Fund

We have prepared valuable rewards to celebrate the achievements of our winners

1st Place — AED 12,000

The grand prize for the champion who demonstrated outstanding skills, creativity, and leadership.

2nd Place — AED 9,000

A significant award for the finalist who delivered an impressive result and secured a well‑deserved spot.

3rd Place — AED 6,000

A prize for the participant who showed perseverance, talent, and an original approach.

About AlCyberFest: AlCyberFest is a flexible brand from Techfirm, that can operate as a competition, a research showcase, a product challenge, a hackathon, or a CTF, and future editions may run with different partners or patrons.

About AlCyberFest: AlCyberFest is a flexible brand from Techfirm, that can operate as a competition, a research showcase, a product challenge, a hackathon, or a CTF, and future editions may run with different partners or patrons.