AI, Capital And The Consumers Of 2035 Among Six Questions To Watch At SIF 2026

What happens as artificial intelligence moves from answering questions to making decisions and taking action? Where will global capital move next? What will consumers want a decade from now? And what makes a company choose to stay, expand and reinvest?

The ninth Sharjah Investment Forum, taking place October 14–15, 2026, under the theme “Building Adaptive Economies,” will bring investors, businesses, entrepreneurs, policymakers and a new generation of talent into conversations about where markets are heading and what comes next.

Alongside discussions on disruptions changing economies, the agenda creates opportunities for founders, businesses and investors to connect directly. Here are six conversations worth joining.

What happens when AI starts acting, not just answering?

Agentic AI systems can already plan, make decisions and carry out tasks towards defined goals. Businesses are increasingly moving the technology beyond testing and into their operations. According to McKinsey’s 2026 State of AI survey, the share of organisations scaling AI agents in at least one business function rose from 27% to 40%.

For businesses and governments, that raises an immediate question about how much decision-making can be handed to AI, and under what safeguards.

SIF 2026 will examine how the technology could change government and investor services, business processes and decision-making, alongside the need for trusted data, governance, accountability and human oversight.

What will the consumer of 2035 want?

For brands, retailers and entrepreneurs, understanding the next consumer could influence what they build, sell and invest in.

AI, demographic shifts and changing expectations around convenience, personalisation, sustainability and experience are already reshaping consumer behaviour. A dedicated SIF 2026 fireside chatwill look at how people could shop and engage with brands in the coming decade, and how businesses can anticipate where future demand will emerge.

Where is smart capital moving next?

Capital can move quickly across markets, sectors and emerging asset classes. The challenge for investors is deciding where the next opportunities lie, while companies and founders need to understand what will attract that capital.

UNCTAD reports that global FDI reached $1.6 trillion in 2025, yet the top 20 host economies attracted more than 80% of global FDI, while strategic sectors accounted for 44% of global greenfield project value, up from 16% in 2020. The figures show that while capital is available, it is becoming increasingly selective about where it goes.

SIF 2026 will bring those perspectives into a discussion spanning investor appetite, financing for high-growth companies, cross-border expansion, digital assets and the regulatory frameworks influencing investment decisions.

Can supply chains withstand the next global shock?

For companies that depend on global trade, disruption can affect where they source, produce, invest and move goods. Geopolitical tensions and changing trade patterns have therefore pushed supply chains higher up the economic agenda.

The forum will examine how ports, railways, logistics networks, infrastructure investment and diversified trade links can give economies and businesses more options when established routes and trading relationships come under pressure.

What makes a business stay, grow and reinvest?

Attracting an investor is only the beginning. The longer-term test is whether a market gives businesses what they need to expand once they are there.

SIF 2026 panel titled “Beyond Ease of Doing Business: Building Economies Where Businesses Grow” will follow that journey beyond market entry, looking at licensing, digital services, access to data, innovation and expansion. For companies considering where to establish or expand their operations, the discussion shifts to what happens after the initial investment decision.

Can a conversation turn into an investment?

At the 2025 edition of Seal the Deal, nine start-ups pitched directly to investors and attracted investment commitments exceeding AED 4 million, with ventures spanning AI, robotics and sustainability.

The initiative returns on the second day of SIF 2026 with a dedicated two-hour session connecting businesses and potential investors. For founders seeking capital and investors looking for emerging ventures, the conversation can move directly from a pitch to a potential investment.

Together, these six questions point to the decisions businesses and investors will face in the years ahead. At Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, SIF 2026 will give them room to examine those decisions and meet the people who can help turn ideas into partnerships.

Organised by Invest in Sharjah in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Investment, the forum is expected to welcome more than 10,000 participants from over 60 countries, with 80+ speakers, 20+ exhibitors and more than 140 activities, including over 80 business meetings.