Aion Sentia: Abu Dhabi’s Visionary AI City Set to Redefine Urban Living by 2027
Zyla Accountants: Specialists in Accounting for Tech Businesses, Startups, and SMEs in the UAE.
In a transformative move that puts artificial intelligence at the core of urban living, Abu Dhabi is set to unveil the world’s first fully cognitive AI city — Aion Sentia — by 2027. Unlike traditional “smart cities”, Aion Sentia will harness the power of AI to actively learn from and adapt to its residents’ behaviours, creating an intuitive and personalised urban experience.
As accountants specialising in the tech sector, we at Zyla Accountants are constantly tracking global innovation, and Aion Sentia represents a major milestone in AI-driven ecosystems — an important development for startups and SMEs operating in, or planning to enter, this space.
A New Era of Cognitive Living
Aion Sentia is the brainchild of Italian AI firm My Aion Inc., in collaboration with Bold Technologies, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi’s Bold Holding. The $2.5 billion project, structured under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, aims to integrate artificial intelligence seamlessly into the fabric of everyday life — from energy usage and healthcare to transport and personalised recommendations.
"This city will not just be smart; it will be cognitive — learning and evolving with its residents," said Daniele Marinelli, CEO of My Aion Inc.
At the heart of this vision lies MAIA, a pioneering AI-powered mobile application designed to unify city services into a single, hyper-intelligent platform. Whether it's scheduling public transport, managing your energy consumption, or booking a dinner reservation, MAIA is built to do it all — contextually and conversationally.
MAIA: Your Personal AI Concierge
MAIA isn’t your standard app. Marinelli explains that it’s much more than generative AI. It operates as a cognitive framework, capable of real-time decision-making by learning from user data and interactions via its proprietary Personal Profile Graph.
"We want to go to the next level," said Marinelli. "Imagine an AI that knows you so well, it can recommend the perfect place for your anniversary dinner and book it for you without you lifting a finger. That’s the power of MAIA, and it’s just one example of how Aion Sentia will redefine convenience."
The platform will manage a range of essential services — from mobility and education to healthcare and energy — allowing users to interact with their city as they would with a trusted digital assistant. For instance, a resident could simply ask MAIA to analyse their monthly electricity bill and receive instant, tailored advice on cutting costs.
Built for Scale, Designed for People
Set to launch in 18 months, Aion Sentia will first take root in Abu Dhabi, before being rolled out globally to major cities across Europe and North America. According to Marinelli, Abu Dhabi offers the perfect environment for this kind of technological leap.
"Here, people are not just open to innovation; they embrace it," he said, citing the city’s strong digital infrastructure, progressive regulation, and commitment to cybersecurity.
In contrast to conventional smart cities, Aion Sentia aims to orchestrate urban life — connecting public services, private enterprises, and even personal IoT devices through a single, cohesive platform. It’s an ambitious reimagining of how we interact with our environment.
Empowering the UAE and Beyond
Beyond the tech, Aion Sentia is also a strategic driver for economic development in the UAE. Bold Technologies CEO Thani Al Thani Al Falasi noted:
"This initiative will support job creation for UAE nationals, foster local innovation, and contribute meaningfully to the national AI ecosystem."
The project also includes plans for upskilling the workforce, in partnership with UAE universities, to ensure the local talent pool is prepared for careers in AI and digital services — something particularly important for local tech startups and SMEs looking to scale within the region.
What This Means for Tech Businesses and Startups
For tech entrepreneurs and small business owners, Aion Sentia opens a world of opportunities — from B2B integrations with the MAIA platform to partnerships in AI services, IoT, digital health, and sustainable tech. With the UAE’s government-backed commitment to AI innovation, the ecosystem is ripe for growth.
At Zyla Accountants, we help tech businesses stay agile and future-ready by providing specialist financial guidance tailored to fast-evolving industries like AI and digital infrastructure. Whether you're expanding into the UAE or investing in AI ventures, we’re here to support your journey with clarity and expertise.
Thinking of entering the AI or smart city space?
Get in touch with Zyla Accountants for tailored financial advice that keeps your business ahead of the curve.