Gitex global 2022, one of the largest technology summits of the MEA region kicked off on October 10, 2022. The event is taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre, with 5,000 exhibitors spread across 26 rooms and two million square feet of exhibition space, the event is seeing a 25% increase YoY. This year GITEX expects around more than 100,00 visitors to check out the latest innovations in technology and services provided by some of the tech giants.
This Gitex which is the 42nd edition is seeing some of the best and brightest that are there in the tech sphere showcasing products and ideas that can further many causes like digital transformation, automation, sustainable infrastructure etc. The event is themed under the umbrella of seven technologies that circle web3.0, metaverse, sustainable digital economy and decentralized internet.
On day one of GITEX, the event saw the inaugural speech conducted by His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. There he talked about unleashing people’s potential and making a better future.
He said, “We are a country, that believe in the power of globalization and the power of unleashing people’s potential and allowing them to thrive in an ecosystem unlike any other.”
The event was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai who took to Twitter to talk about the event.
He tweeted “GITEX Global 2022 has opened in its 42nd edition, which welcomes leading technology companies that shape the future of the world. The exhibition returns this year with the latest innovations and ideas that improve human life, and from it, new possibilities for development and digital transformation are launched. Dubai does not wait for tomorrow, but contributes to making it today.”
Major companies are showing their latest innovative products or services in Gitex along with networking and expanding the technology sphere. The event caters to around 250 government entities that often help with public-private partnerships and more.
The startup event ‘North star Dubai’ saw 35 Unicorns and many more startups exploring fresh opportunities and growing into one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
The event also saw the launch of an eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing aircraft) by XPeng. The two-seater XPeng X2 eVTOL flying automobile has a 130 kmph top speed. Along with autonomous flight, radar ranging, an automatically deployed safety parachute, and an obstetric avoidance system, it has several more unique characteristics.
GITEX also saw the unveiling of Dubai’s first driverless taxis displayed by Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA). Except for a few locations in the US, Dubai will be among the first cities to offer self-driving cars as a transportation option when Cruise Origin cabs are made available as a service in 2019.
Gitex this year has gotten so big that the event has requested visitors to use the Dubai metro to reach the location as RTA warned motorists about expected delays in the city.
According to RTA, congestion is expected to take place at Al Mustaqbal Street and 2nd Zaabeel Road. To reduce delays RTA is asking motorists to start their commutes early and is even offering alternative routes such as Sheikh Zayed Road, DIFC, and Al Sukouk Street.
