Abu Dhabi, UAE: ADIB Ventures, an initiative founded by Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), partnered with DIFC Innovation Hub to introduce the Generative AI (Gen AI) Innovation Challenge. The initiative aimed to foster the development of cutting-edge Gen AI solutions to enhance banking services, streamline operations, and improve customer experiences.

The challenge provided start-ups and tech innovators from around the world with the opportunity to showcase their Gen AI-driven products and solutions directly to ADIB, where the winning participants would be offered the chance to collaborate with ADIB to test and apply their cutting-edge solutions in real-world banking environments, with the potential to establish long-term strategic partnerships.

The Gen AI Innovation Challenge demonstrated ADIB’s steadfast commitment to driving innovation in banking. By leveraging generative AI, the challenge sought to bring solutions that deliver value, optimise operational efficiency, and redefine customer experiences. Key focus areas included using AI to enhance service delivery, improve back-end processes, and develop personalised and seamless banking experiences.

DeepOpinion, an Austria-based AI platform specialising in advanced natural language understanding (NLU) and document intelligence, was announced as the winner of the Generative AI

Innovation Challenge. The platform's solutions focus on automating complex workflows such as document processing automation and customer service enhancement. These capabilities align closely with ADIB’s vision for operational excellence and digital transformation within the banking sector.

Commenting on the announcement, Fernando Plaza, Chief Digital Officer at ADIB, said: “The Generative AI Innovation Challenge showcased ADIB’s forward-thinking approach to banking. We are not just exploring what’s next for the industry; we are actively helping shape and improve it. By partnering with DIFC Innovation Hub, we created a platform for AI innovators to present their transformative ideas and collaborate with ADIB to redefine what banking can achieve.”

Plaza added: “Generative AI represents a groundbreaking frontier in technology, and its potential in banking is limitless. Through this challenge, we harnessed the power of AI to drive operational efficiency, strengthen customer relationships, and pave the way for a new era of digital transformation in the financial sector.”

Through this initiative, ADIB Ventures has solidified its position as a key player in the development of the regional fintech ecosystem, building stronger partnerships with innovators and reinforcing its role as a catalyst for transformative change in the financial industry.

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About ADIB:

ADIB is a leading bank in the UAE with AED 223 billion in assets. The bank also offers world-class online, mobile and phone banking services, providing clients with seamless digital access to their accounts 24 hours a day. ADIB provides Retail, Corporate, Business, Private Banking and Wealth Management Solutions. The bank was established in 1997, and its shares are traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).

ADIB has a strong presence in five strategic markets: Egypt, where it has 70 branches, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Qatar, and Iraq.

Named World’s Best Islamic Bank by The Financial Times - The Banker publication, ADIB has a rich track record of innovation, including introducing the award-winning Ghina savings account, award-winning co-branded cards with Emirates airlines, Etihad and Etisalat and a wide range of financing products.

For media information, please visit www.adib.ae or contact:
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Lamia Khaled Hariz                                                       Simon Hailes 
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