Meta, in partnership with the UAE Cyber Security Council and implementation partner Startupbootcamp, has launched Meta Wearables Studio UAE, a hands-on innovation programme focused on helping UAE-based innovators build AI-powered experiences for wearable devices. Announced in connection with GISEC Global 2026, the initiative combines technical training, mentorship, prototyping and live pitching to help participants turn wearable-AI concepts into working solutions.
Programme Overview and Strategic Alignment
• Programme name: Meta Wearables Studio UAE
• Lead partners: Meta and the UAE Cyber Security Council, with Startupbootcamp as implementation and programme delivery partner
• Positioning: A hands-on innovation, education and talent-development programme focused on AI-powered experiences for wearable technologies
• Announcement context: GISEC Global 2026
• Target audience: UAE-based startups, developers, technical students and product teams
• Objective: Equip participants with technical expertise, practical training, mentorship and prototyping support to develop wearable-first AI applications
• Strategic alignment: Supports the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 by contributing to AI adoption, technical capability development and future-ready talent
• Participant access: Meta wearable development tools, technical and design workshops, industry mentorship and an intensive build sprint
• Core aim: Help participants progress from ideas and use cases to working wearable-AI prototypes addressing real-world needs across UAE industries.
Partnership and Delivery Roles
• Meta: Provides access to its wearable-AI ecosystem, development resources and engineering expertise. Participants build for Meta AI glasses, including the Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta platforms, using resources such as Meta's Wearables Development Toolkit and Mock Device Kit.
• UAE Cyber Security Council: Serves as the national partner and contributes cybersecurity expertise, with an emphasis on embedding security, privacy and user trust into solutions from the outset.
• Startupbootcamp: Leads programme implementation and on-the-ground delivery, including participant outreach, selection, workshops, mentorship and showcase activities.
Leadership Perspectives
• Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, highlighted the opportunities created by AI-enabled wearable devices while stressing that cybersecurity and privacy should be incorporated from the beginning of the development process. He described the initiative as a way to help students, developers, entrepreneurs and startups turn ideas into practical applications in a responsible and trusted environment.
• Joelle Awwad, Director of Policy Campaigns and Programmes for Africa, the Middle East and Türkiye at Meta, said the collaboration brings together government support, Meta's AI hardware capabilities and Startupbootcamp's programme expertise. She highlighted the opportunity for participants to use Meta's wearable platforms and mentorship to create useful everyday experiences with safety and privacy considered from the start.
Programme Journey and Format
• Format: A structured, hands-on innovation journey taking participants from ideation and technical enablement through mentorship, prototyping, pitching and showcase opportunities
• Applications & Ideation: Applications opened alongside an in-person ideation session at GISEC Global 2026 designed to introduce wearable AI, inspire use cases and help applicants refine their concepts
• Selection: Applications are reviewed and shortlisted against criteria including use-case relevance, wearable-first thinking, user value, technical feasibility, innovation and team execution potential
• Workshops & Mentorship: Selected teams participate in practical sessions covering wearable UX, the Developer Toolkit, intelligent wearables, AI prototyping, cybersecurity, privacy and product development, supported by dedicated mentors
• Hackathon & Pitchathon: Teams take part in an intensive build sprint during GITEX, rapidly developing wearable-AI prototypes before pitching their solutions
• Showcase: Selected teams may showcase at the Meta AI Summit on 24–25 November 2026, while teams participating in the GITEX Hackathon on 7–11 December 2026 will also have the opportunity to showcase and pitch
• Application deadline: 17 October 2026
• Programme kick-off: 2 November 2026
• Workshops and mentorship: 2–22 November 2026
• Additional mentorship: 23–30 November 2026
• Hackathon, Pitchathon & Showcase: 7–11 December 2026.
Application Sectors and Prize Pool
• Application scope: The programme encourages applications across five UAE priority sectors, while strong applications from other industries may also be considered under the same selection criteria
• Priority sectors: Tourism & Cultural Heritage, Healthcare, Education, Arabic AI Companion and Smart Retail
• Eligibility: Applicants must be based in the UAE and may include startups, developers, technical students and product teams with an interest in building wearable-first AI applications
• Prize pool: US$10,000 in total prize money for the top three teams
• Prize allocation: US$5,000 for first place, US$3,000 for second place and US$2,000 for third place.
Meta Wearables Studio UAE provides a structured pathway for UAE-based innovators to move from wearable-AI concepts to working prototypes. Combining Meta's wearable technology and development resources, the UAE Cyber Security Council's cybersecurity expertise and Startupbootcamp's programme delivery capabilities, the initiative offers technical workshops, mentorship, prototyping, pitching and showcase opportunities. The programme prioritises applications in tourism and cultural heritage, healthcare, education, Arabic AI companion solutions and smart retail, while remaining open to strong use cases from other sectors. The top three teams will share a US$10,000 prize pool.