World’s largest tech and start-up show attract the best minds
Dubai will unleash a new era of global AI dominance next week, as the UAE hosts the world’s largest tech and start-up show, converging the best minds, future-focused governments, and most advanced companies to redraw the boundaries of the AI economy and shape the future of the globe’s next big technology shift.
For the first time, GITEX GLOBAL – independently rated globally as the best tech show in the world – shall take place in two mega venues as its 43rd edition prepares to welcome 6,000 exhibitors and 180,000 tech executives from 180 countries from 16-20 October 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Its powerhouse start-up show, Expand North Star hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy runs from 15-18 October 2023 at the stunning new Dubai Harbour venue. More than 1,800 start-ups across the events will explore rising opportunities in one of the world’s most agile, diversified, and technology-enabled digital economies.
The blockbuster duo, organised by DWTC, comprise a combined 2.7mn sqft of exhibition space, a 40 percent increase over the previous year, inviting the world to the year’s most anticipated dialogue and deep scrutiny into a new tech paradigm experimenting in AI, the cloud, Web 3.0, and a sustainable digital economy.
Dubai—a global market
“GITEX GLOBAL is where the best and brightest minds come together to shape the future of technology. Dubai is a global market and through GITEX GLOBAL, we are pushing the envelope by showcasing new technologies including the transformational power of AI to inspire everyone and shape a better future,” stated HE Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, at a specially convened pre-event press conference.
Expand North Star 2023 accelerates global VC investment revival
The influx of global interest in the UAE will see Expand North Star host the largest line-up of 1,000 investors from 70 countries with US$ 1tn under management, as they look to ramp up the global VC start-up investment revival.
It arrives as the UAE companies clinched the lion’s share of US$ 4bn in start-up funding across the Middle East and North Africa in 2022, fetching investments to the tune of US$ 1.85bn across 250 deals, a five percent increase in value over the previous year.
“Expand North Star reflects Dubai’s strong commitment to enabling ambitious start-ups to thrive in the emirate,” remarked Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCDE), host of Expand North Star.
Intense demand spurs new tech agendas, government participation rises
GITEX GLOBAL 2023 will see the highest involvement of public private partnerships yet as more than 250 government entities intensify their futuristic digital city visions and strategic collaborations amplified by bold commitments toward digital excellence.
“We have not seen this hyper level of fervour and anticipation of GITEX GLOBAL in recent years,” remarked Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Events Management at Dubai World Trade Centre. “GITEX is synonymous with AI this year, especially when excitement over the emergence of generative AI is shadowed by a sense of trepidation and cautiousness.
“We envision a future where AI is enhancing the capabilities of people across all professions to find innovative ways of solving pressing challenges and creating a positive impact in their communities,” commented Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE, one of the panellists at the top table.
Intelligent ICT Solutions
“At Huawei, we are committed to providing innovative and intelligent ICT solutions that advance industry transformation, enhance cybersecurity, and support sustainability goals,” noted Dr Alaa Elshimy, Managing Director & Senior Vice President, Huawei Enterprise Business Group, Middle East & Central Asia Region.
Salesforce, the global leader in customer relationship management (CRM), will meanwhile fuel the AI mania with its new Einstein 1 AI assistant for all CRM enterprise applications. Thierry Nicault, Area Vice President and General Manager, Salesforce Middle East, said attendees will see first-hand how the new AI platform enables organisations to safely connect any data and build AI-powered apps with low-code no-code capability.
Influential UAE challengers enter the epic AI innovation race
Elsewhere, G42, a champion of AI and cloud technologies, is returning to GITEX GLOBAL 2023 to contribute to the dynamic dialogue on AI under the theme ‘Imagination in Action.’ “Imagination in Action is not just a slogan but a reflection of the active steps we have taken to transforming theoretical AI concepts into tangible solutions,” commented Hasan Al Hosani, Managing Director, Bayanat, a G42 company.
“Masdar City is, at its heart, a place of innovation,” observed Mohamed Al Breiki, Executive Director of Sustainable Real Estate at Masdar City.
