As the AI revolution takes the world by storm, Gitex Global 2024 recently opened the doors for its biggest-ever international edition where the entire global tech ecosystem experienced another action-packed agenda at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC).
With five themed days locked in across the 2024 event program, the AI revolution was the focal point of ‘AI Super Tuesday’, which presented the most groundbreaking innovations helping shape the future of society and industry.
AI in drug discovery
Drug discovery is a key sector benefitting from AI and the world could soon witness the most significant shift in medicine since the advent of modern pharmaceuticals. But with such rapid advancements, the session ‘The Next Leap in Medicine: Are we on the Edge of a Breakthrough?’ saw experts discuss whether AI transformation is fast approaching or further away than some anticipate.
Dr. Shameer Khader, global head and executive director – Computational Biology Cluster, Precision Medicine and Computational Biology at global pharmaceutical company Sanofi, gave AI a remarkable endorsement.
“Drug discovery on average takes 10-15 years and one project around $1.5-2 billion in cost. Is that something sustainable? The model must change, and we should harness AI capabilities and value across the ecosystem. We should optimize every single process to reduce development costs, streamline the drug discovery lifestyle, and build data disease models and infrastructure,” he said.
BabyX
In a special case study, the audience at Gitex Global 2024 became acquainted with ‘BabyX’, an interactive simulation of a lifelike infant through AI. This virtual animated baby learns and reacts like a human infant with a built-in virtual brain and a detailed likeness to that of a human.
Functioning through biological AI and an operating system called Brain Language, stimulated neurochemical reactions help BabyX decide how she will react, something that could prove revolutionary in the future AI economy.
Elaborating on the significance of BabyX, Dr. Mark Sagar, its creator who co-founded New Zealand-based Soul Machines, pointed out the defining difference between human and AI intelligence.
“As humans, we learn from a young age through exploring the world and experimenting. Play is such a key part of making intelligence open-ended and inventive, but it’s one thing what’s missing from current AI. If we’re ever going to regulate general AI intelligence, we need to build a cognitive architecture that yields intelligent behavior through a comprehensive approach,” he said.
Notable partnerships
On its second day, Gitex Global 2024 also reaffirmed its status as a catalyst for collaboration and forward-facing projects. Participants unveiled a number of exciting high-profile partnerships with one involving KAOUN – the world-leading organizer of business events and trade fairs, leading all Gitex events outside the UAE.
Tuesday saw KAOUN sign a memorandum of understanding with the Digital Dubai Authority to grow the Gitex ecosystem, support Dubai’s internationalization strategy, and explore new partnership opportunities.
Additionally, AWS and e& entered into a $1 billion-plus agreement as part of a new strategic alliance to deliver cloud solutions and support AI deployment and digital transformation across the region.
AI in aviation
Another key feature of Gitex Global 2024’s second day was illustrations of how high-performance computing is steering humanity’s quest for the next generation of aircraft. During ‘Quantum Maturation: Introducing The Quantum Mobility Quest’, companies moved beyond the physical limits of present-day computing and scaled up future solutions to unlock aviation’s vast potential.
“Quantum computing is seen as the next big game-changer in the aviation industry and has the potential to solve the most complex aerospace challenges and create a paradigm shift in the way aircraft are built and flown. This is a very exciting time,” stated Isabell Gradert, vice president of Central Research & Technology, Airbus, Germany.
AI services and solutions showcased
Gitex Global 2024 also witnessed several companies showcasing their latest services and solutions. UAE-based Presight, the region’s leading big data analytics company powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI), unveiled its Intelli Platform, an AI-powered management and operations platform that lets cities, transport, energy, and infrastructure organizations immediately use generative AI.
AWS also spotlighted AWS Bedrock, a fully managed service that enables enterprises to easily build, customize, and deploy generative AI applications using foundation models from top AI providers, all through the AWS platform.
Read: Khazna to build MENA region’s first AI-optimized data center in Ajman, largest in UAE
Cybersecurity Day
Gitex Global 2024 continues today, Wednesday, as Cybersecurity Day welcomes a slew of thought leaders and experts to explore the emerging threats landscape, counter-infringement strategies, and tools organizations require in an increasingly digital world.
Gitex Editions also presents Intelligent Connectivity with visitors set to explore how industry leaders can bridge digital divides and harness emerging technology to drive innovation and economic growth.
The World Future Economy Digital Leaders Summit also continues today with another cast of world-famous experts and innovative minds.
Gitex Global 2024 is seamlessly connecting with the world’s largest network of tech events, including Gitex Europe Berlin, Gitex Asia Singapore, Gitex Africa Morocco, and Gitex Nigeria. These events are fostering collaboration and driving innovation to shape the tech landscape of tomorrow.
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