Dubai Hosts World’s Largest Tech and AI Event

Dubai is set to usher in a new era of global AI dominance next week, as it hosts the world’s largest tech and start-up event. This event will bring together the brightest minds, forward-thinking governments, and cutting-edge companies, all aimed at reshaping the boundaries of the AI economy and shaping the future of the next big technology shift on a global scale.

For the first time, GITEX GLOBAL, widely recognized as the world’s premier tech show, will take place in two massive venues as part of its 43rd edition. The event is expected to welcome 6,000 exhibitors and 180,000 tech executives from 180 countries, taking place from October 16 to October 20, 2023, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

In addition to GITEX GLOBAL, the Expand North Star, hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, will run from October 15 to October 18, 2023, at the stunning new Dubai Harbour venue. This event will feature over 1,800 start-ups exploring emerging opportunities in one of the world’s most agile, diversified, and tech-enabled digital economies.

Together, GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star, both organized by DWTC, will offer a combined 2.7 million square feet of exhibition space, a 40 percent increase over the previous year, inviting the world to engage in the most anticipated discussions and deep exploration of the new tech paradigm, focusing on AI, the cloud, Web 3.0, and building a sustainable digital economy.

His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, expressed his vision during the official GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star 2023 press conference today.

We are collaborating with AI policymakers to ensure a better world for everyone. 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 transformative power of AI, to inspire everyone and create a better future.

Expand North Star 2023 is expected to accelerate the global venture capital investment revival, with over 1,000 investors from 70 countries bringing $1 trillion under management. This surge in interest follows UAE companies securing the lion’s share of $4 billion in start-up funding across the Middle East and North Africa in 2022, totaling $1.85 billion across 250 deals, a five percent increase in value over the previous year.

Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, host of Expand North Star, emphasized their commitment to supporting ambitious start-ups in the emirate. “Hosting this event enables us to harness the full potential of the digital economy by connecting stakeholders from the government sector, investors, and accelerators with the world’s leading industry experts, innovators, and tech start-ups.”

The growth of AI has sparked discussions on the vulnerability of systems to cyber-attacks, leading to the creation of GITEX Cyber Valley to address the AI security agenda. Additionally, the global digital economy’s expansion towards deep tech and green tech missions has given rise to the GITEX CTO World Congress, GITEX Impact, and Future Urbanism Expo.

Leading tech companies at GITEX GLOBAL 2023, including Huawei, Microsoft, and Salesforce, will showcase how AI is transforming economies and societies. These companies aim to democratize AI and empower people to use AI for sustainable economic growth and societal improvement.

Local entities in the UAE are also actively participating in the AI innovation race, aligning with government strategies to diversify the economy through digital transformation. Research and tech innovation hubs like G42, Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), and Masdar City will shape the future of AI across various spheres of life.

GITEX GLOBAL 2023 is expected to witness the highest participation of public-private partnerships, with more than 250 government entities intensifying their futuristic digital city visions and strategic collaborations. The event will delve into the most significant aspects of the AI era, with the return of AI Everything, Global DevSlam coder and developer meet-up, and GITEX Cyber Valley, focusing on cybersecurity.

The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), part of ATRC, recently unveiled the world’s most powerful open-source AI model, Falcon 180B. ASPIRE, a sister company, is preparing to introduce an autonomous racing car at GITEX GLOBAL 2023, offering speeds in excess of 300 km/h. This initiative, known as the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), will revolutionize mobility through high-profile autonomous races.

G42, a proponent of AI and cloud technologies, will contribute to the discussion on AI under the theme ‘Imagination in Action.’ Masdar City will focus on greener, more sustainable urban living and showcase innovations such as net-zero energy buildings under construction.

By bringing the global start-up ecosystem together in the emirate, Expand North Star supports our drive to transform Dubai into one of the world’s leading digital economies in line with the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).

Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Events Management at DWTC

GITEX Global and Expand North Star will feature 21 conference tracks with over 1,500 expert speakers from 80-plus countries, delivering 900 hours of content to explore and demystify the pressing tech challenges and controversies of 2023, from AI supercomputing to green energy, autonomous driving, and the impact of AI on cybersecurity.

For more information, visit www.gitex.com and www.expandnorthstar.com.