The world of new technologies is converging in Dubai today. From 13 to 17 October, thousands of companies and start-ups, and almost as many investors, gathered at the GITEX Global trade fair. The biggest moment of the year for everything to do with innovation and artificial intelligence, with a focus on digital health, data centres, quantum computing and cyber security, among other topics.
Organised once again at the Dubai World Trade Centre, this key event will be even bigger next year. In December 2026, GITEX Global will move to the Dubai Exhibition Centre, whose expansion is part of the redevelopment of Expo City, the future major centre for business tourism ( MICE ) on a global scale. This development will enable GITEX and Expand North Star, which until this year has been held alongside its "big brother", Dubai Harbour, and is dedicated to bringing together investors and tech start-ups, to be held under the same roof.
The MICE sector is thus highlighting a strategy geared towards the economy of the future. Earlier in the year, the world's first event devoted to artificial intelligence, Ai Everything Global, was also held in Dubai. It's hardly surprising that the emirate should be the focal point for such gatherings, especially as it intends to play a key role in the development of the global economy. a key role in the digital future of the global economyThe UAE is no longer dependent on oil for three quarters of its GDP. With three quarters of the United Arab Emirates' GDP no longer dependent on the oil sector, His Excellency Al Marri, the country's Minister of the Economy, sees further ahead: "the aim now is to reach 80 % by 2030 and become an R&D hub for the whole world."
Based on leading technological infrastructures, particularly in 5G and blockchain, the local ecosystem attracts both talent and capital. As a result, Dubai has become the world leader in foreign direct investment in the AI and robotics sectors. Nothing less. As for talent, the metropolis, like the United Arab Emirates as a whole, is a highly sought-after home base. An innovative breeding ground nurtured by major centres such as Dubai Healthcare City and Dubai AI Campus, and incubators such as the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus.
First things first: in the context of the Smart Dubai roadmapAlmost all of the emirate's government services can now be accessed online. And to take things a step further, the Digital Dubai Authority recently teamed up with Microsoft to deploy artificial intelligence throughout the administrative sector and, at the same time, to train one million people in the use of this key technology for the future.
To demonstrate its digital ambitions, Dubai can also rely on the strengths of its economy. First and foremost, finance, in which the metropolis has already carved out a place of choice in the world and which fuels a whole network of fintechs and insurtech specialists. With its futuristic skyscrapers, proptech - digital innovation applied to the property sector - is also one of the emirate's centres of excellence, along with e-commerce, logistics, biotechnology and agritech.
It is in this buoyant and innovative environment that Dubai invites business event organisers. Dubai Business Events is a key partner in bringing together the multitude of players involved in tomorrow's economy.
