GITEX 2023: E-Government, Smart Homes in Focus

The UAE has established a Circular Economy Committee to encourage investments in circularity and the adoption of circular economy practices. Quantum computing’s remarkable computational power has the potential to revolutionize various industries, spanning cybersecurity, telecommunications, healthcare, mobility, finance, and defense.

In the previous year, the UAE unveiled the “UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative,” a national initiative aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This landmark initiative positions the Emirates as the first Middle East and North African nation to pursue such a goal. During GITEX GLOBAL 2023, Faisal Ali Rashid, the Senior Director of Energy Demand Side Management at the UAE’s Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, spotlighted the successful execution of this mission.

Rashid underscored the UAE’s shift from a linear to a circular economy, noting the establishment of a Circular Economy Committee comprising members from both the public and private sectors. This committee’s role is to stimulate investments in circular practices and expedite the embrace of circular economy principles.

Redefining Public Services in the Digital Era

GITEX GLOBAL serves as a platform for substantial public-private collaboration, with 250 government entities seeking to partner on e-government and digital government initiatives. The Smart Government market, estimated to be nearly $30 billion in 2022 (source: link), is projected to reach $110 billion by 2029, growing at a rate of 21 percent annually.

A session titled “Reimagining government in the digital age: Transforming public services for the future” featured Lord McNicol, a Member of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament, along with other panelists including Alby Bocanegra, Founder and Former CTO of NYC, The Urban Futurist, Kristina Ishmael, Deputy Director at the Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education, and Mikko Rusama, the Former Chief Digital Officer at the City of Helsinki. They discussed the role of digital technologies in reshaping public services for the future and highlighted the advantages of Open Data policies that enable organizations to gather and utilize data for informed decision-making in citizen services.

Quantum Computing Ushers in a New Era of Productivity

The integration of AI and quantum computing into hybrid cloud workflows is opening up new frontiers in digital transformation. Leading exhibitors at GITEX GLOBAL 2023, including IBM, Dell Technologies, Microsoft, AWS, HPE, and the Canadian startup Xanadu, are championing quantum computing, a field of computer science that leverages qubits (quantum bits) to deliver substantial advancements in processing power.

Though still in development, quantum computers possess unparalleled computational capabilities that can revolutionize industries such as cybersecurity, telecommunications, healthcare, mobility, finance, and defense. Boston Consulting Group, a management consultancy, estimates that by 2050, quantum computers could boost users’ operating income by $450 billion to $850 billion annually.

Mohammed Amin, Senior Vice President at Dell Technologies for Central Eastern Europe, Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, emphasized the need for businesses to invest in quantum computing and harness the power of data strategically. He believes that by adopting quantum computing and integrating it into their operations, businesses can remain at the forefront of technological progress and seize unique opportunities for innovation and process advancement.

Peter Oganesean, the Managing Director of HP Middle East, discussed the significant implications of recent quantum computing advancements, particularly in fields like cybersecurity, medicine, and finance. He noted that this technology represents the next breakthrough in IT, offering the potential to address pressing scientific challenges, such as genome profiling and rapid disease treatment.

Xanadu Founder and CEO, Christian Weedbrook, revealed their collaboration with car manufacturers like BMW and Volkswagen on quantum chemistry for developing the next generation of electric vehicle batteries. He foresees that quantum computing will soon garner the same level of investment and interest as AI has today, underscoring its transformative potential.

To showcase its capabilities, Xanadu’s quantum computer, Borealis, competed against Fugaku, the world’s fastest supercomputer, last year in solving a complex mathematical problem. Fugaku would have taken 7 million years to solve it, while Borealis accomplished the same task in just two minutes.

The Connected Home of Tomorrow at Your Fingertips

Through a collaboration with etisalat by e&, Samsung unveiled the Family Hub Refrigerator during GITEX GLOBAL’s fourth day. This innovative appliance features an “View Inside” internal camera, allowing users to check the fridge’s contents via smartphones, monitor food item expiration dates, and make grocery purchases directly from the Etisalat Smile grocery platform. Moreover, it seamlessly integrates and controls smart devices within users’ homes, serving as a central hub for smart connectivity.

Burcin Arabul, Director of the Home Appliances Division at Samsung Gulf Electronics, highlighted how this smart fridge enhances the experience for UAE families. She expressed excitement about partnering with Etisalat at GITEX GLOBAL and launching the Family Hub refrigerator, which aligns with the event’s theme of “Imagining AI in everything” and represents the future of connected homes.

The 43rd edition of GITEX GLOBAL, held from October 16 to 20, 2023, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is a tech showcase that reached full capacity. With over 6,000 exhibitors, GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star span 41 halls, covering 2.7 million sq. ft of exhibition space—a 40% increase compared to the previous year. The events bring together top innovators and forward-thinking companies to explore, challenge, define, and empower the digital agendas of the world.