The International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Sports (ICAIS 2026) is hosted by the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain as part of UAEU's Golden Jubilee celebrations, in strategic partnership with Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club. The conference brings together researchers, coaches, clinicians, technologists, industry leaders, and decision makers to explore how Artificial Intelligence is transforming every layer of the sporting ecosystem—from elite performance and coaching to grassroots participation, athlete wellbeing, fan engagement, and sports governance.

ICAIS 2026 serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation, connecting academia with the sports industry to showcase emerging AI technologies, research, and real-world applications. The invitation-based program features distinguished keynote speakers, expert panel discussions, and peer-reviewed poster presentations by the next generation of researchers.

As the conference's strategic sports partner, Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club contributes practical insights into AI-driven sports innovation through initiatives such as the Artificial Intelligence Football Hackathon with UAEU, supporting the adoption of advanced technologies and strengthening community engagement in sports.

Conference Themes

The program is organized around themes including:

• Performance analytics and player tracking
• Computer vision and biomechanics for movement analysis
• Wearables, sensors, and physiological monitoring
• Injury prediction, prevention, and rehabilitation
• AI-assisted coaching, tactics, and decision support
• Talent identification and athlete development
• Fan experience, broadcasting, and immersive media
• Sports management, scheduling, and operations
• Ethics, fairness, privacy, and responsible AI in sport
• AI for inclusive sport, para-athletes, and community health

Program Format

ICAIS 2026 follows an invitation-based program complemented by an open, peer-reviewed poster track:

• Invited keynote speakers from leading national and international institutions and organizations
• Invited speakers from academia, industry, and the sports sector, nationally and internationally
• Peer-reviewed poster sessions open to researchers, postgraduate students, and undergraduate students
• Student competitions with prizes recognizing outstanding work
• Panel discussions bringing together academia, sports clubs, federations, and industry partners
• Networking sessions designed to seed cross-sector collaborations

Publication

Selected contributions accepted to the conference will be invited for publication as chapters in an edited book on Artificial Intelligence in Sports. Authors will receive detailed feedback through the review process and a clear pathway from poster to indexed publication.

Who Should Attend

ICAIS 2026 is designed for academic researchers and faculty, postgraduate and undergraduate students, sports scientists and medical staff, coaches and performance analysts, representatives of sports clubs, federations, and governing bodies, technology companies and startups working in sports tech, and policy makers shaping the future of sport in the region and beyond.

Aims and Outcomes

The event aims to strengthen collaboration between academia and the wider sports community, accelerate the translation of AI research into real applications on the field, in the clinic, and in the stadium, build a regional and international research network around AI in sport, showcase student talent and create pathways into research, industry, and publication, and position the UAE as a hub for AI-driven innovation in sport.

Host and Venue

The conference is organized by UAEU in Al Ain, the cultural and academic heart of the UAE. Al Ain offers easy access from Abu Dhabi and Dubai international airports and a setting that combines world-class university facilities with the heritage and hospitality the region is known for.