Dubai is certainly an example of how innovative tech from across the globe should be assembled in one city to develop a smart ecosystem, but neighbouring Abu Dhabi is busy focusing on local talent to strengthen homegrown solutions. The Emirati capital has been in the news for the use of AI to nab drivers who text on the move, and for establishing hubs for startups as well as game developers.

The city which is home to the first ever university focusing on AI, also offers e-sports training to a growing tribe of gamers, and is ground zero for the development of the high-speed hyperloop. But innovators in the city have no plans to slow down, as they are set to establish a hub which will provide space to work on machine learning and intelligent gadgets.

This separate section for AI will be used for gathering data, in order to create algorithms that can significantly boost the creation of smart living tools. The AI research centre will carve its own place in Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute, which is also home to UAE's very own quantum computer, along with an array of projects.

Work on enhancing AI will benefit from knowhow, that flows in thanks to 46 partnerships with more than 32 institutes on a global scale. Development of robots remains a priority, prompting innovators at the TII to create a smart boat, which is meant for tackling oil spills by deploying mechanical fish.

The robotic devices will relay information about the damage to drones which get a bird's eye view of the situation, and analyse the data to determine an effective strategy for the clean-up. Such projects are crucial as droids for various purposes are more likely to attract paying customers in the market, while quantum computers can be developed with a longterm approach.

Being the city which is already testing self-driving buses, and has robots to assist for surgeries, Abu Dhabi is ideal for providing technical support to smart solutions.