Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar, has said that his next skyscraper will be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
Alabbar was speaking at the Rise Summit in Dubai, when he made the comments regarding the new skyscraper.
Then just hours after his appearance onstage at Rise, Alabbar posted a video of the Dubai Mall Plaza and Hotel on his social media account with a cryptic message saying: “Coming Soon”.
However, it remains unclear as to whether or not the Dubai Mall Plaza and Hotel was the same building Alabbar had described as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
Some are speculating that the Emaar founder is talking about an entirely different project.
There was a huge attendance at the Rise Summit, which attracts investment leaders from all over the world to Dubai to discuss global capital, markets and technology.
He spoke in glowing terms about his next building to attendees at the Rise Summit in 2026.
“We have a unique building that’s fully designed and ready. We just want to make sure that the logistics operation and our ports are eased a little so that we can tender the job. It’s probably going to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world,” said Alabbar.
Alabbar weighs AI’s role in construction
The dial of the conversation then shifted to the role at AI can play in the construction industry.
When asked whether he thought a building could be constructed with zero human intervention, Alabbar said it was a possibility, but remains unconvinced.
He did say that Chinese technology was leading the way in terms of reducing the headcount on mega construction projects in the future.
Alabbar referenced a 15-storey building in Abu Dhabi that was built in 12 days using lots of AI technology in the process.
“It’s much better than a normal building. Energy efficiency is 100 percent better than a normal building. It is four times better earthquake resistant than a normal building. We are going somewhere with this,” said the Emaar founder.
However, he did admit that it was hard for him to imagine no human intervention at all.
“At the end of the day, we still have humans that have to erect the building. My mind cannot think of a building that’s completely built by AI. But then again, what do I know.”
