Gitex Global 2024, the world’s largest tech and startup event, is taking center stage in the UAE with this year’s 44th edition that aims to redefine the world’s digital economy and AI ecosystem.
Held at Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) from October 14 to 18, this gathering will be more influential than ever this time around, presenting an expanded events program that transforms the UAE into an AI universe epicenter.
Under the theme ‘Global Collaboration to Forge a Future AI Economy’, Gitex Global 2024 welcomes the world’s largest technology enterprises alongside governments, investors, experts, startups, academia, and researchers.
“At Gitex Global in Dubai, we shall close the year with significant manoeuvers from our tech community by doubling down on global collaborations and intensive engagements amongst all involved. Through these efforts, we shall forge competitive advantages in the race towards regional and international digital supremacy,” stated Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president of DWTC, organizer of Gitex Global and Expand North Star.
Expand North Star
Running concurrently with Gitex Global 2024 is Expand North Star, the world’s largest startup and investment show, at Dubai Harbour from October 13 to 16, hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and organized by DWTC.
With over 6,500 exhibiting companies, 1,800 startups, and 1,200 investors from more than 180 countries participating across 38 halls of innovation and business opportunities, these blockbuster events will see the UAE “strategically propel the next generation of AI-driven technologies”.
“As the world’s most global tech event brand with events in Germany, Singapore, Morocco, and Nigeria alongside Expand North Star, we are committed to strategically propelling the next generation of AI-driven technologies via startups, scale-ups, and unicorns,” LohMirmand added.
AI economy set to soar
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global AI market is projected to reach $621 billion in 2024 and soar to $2.7 trillion by 2032. Given its influence and impact now and in the future, the technology takes center stage at Gitex Global 2024 with over 3,500 enterprises presenting the latest breakthrough innovations in AI, IoT, data, and the cloud.
“With international participation in Gitex Global 2024 rocketing by almost 40 percent, it’s a barometer of the unstoppable ambitions of many young rising digital nations who are now confidently forging their ways into the future global AI economy through Gitex,” LohMirmand added.
Unlocking region’s AI potential
Among the key participants at Gitex Global 2024 is TECOM Group PJSC, which celebrates its 25th successive year at the event this week.
Ahead of the event, Ammar Al Malik, executive vice president of commercial at TECOM Group PJSC and managing director of Dubai Internet City, said: “Dubai’s pro-innovation frameworks are the bedrock of tech advancements that serve a greater purpose. Gitex Global is a springboard to unlock this potential, and as the region’s leading tech hub, Dubai Internet City has been a proud partner for decades in its mission towards a brighter future.”
Abu Dhabi’s most influential companies and organizations, including the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and G42 Group with its leading enterprises Presight and Khazna, will reinforce the Emirate’s position as an emerging global AI nexus.
Other tech giants participating also include Adobe, Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Builder Ai, Dell, Google, Honeywell, Huawei, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, Salesforce, SAS, solutions by STC, and Tech Destination Pakistan.
120-plus hours of AI and tech content
Presenting the year’s largest AI event, Gitex Global 2024 will deliver 120-plus hours of AI and deep tech content across various topics. The event will facilitate discussions on the implications of AI in Future Health, Digital Finance, and EdTech.
The event is also launching the region’s largest Data Centre Symposium in 2024, featuring the industry leaders Datalec, Kerno, Khazna, Legrand, NTT Data, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, among many others.
Platform for unicorns
Throughout its six-day duration, Gitex Global 2024 will become a microcosm of the world, launching industry-defining programs such as Gitex Editions, an exclusive platform for late-stage advanced tech companies and a premier hub for unicorns, soonicorns, and rhinos. In 2024, the event will connect 59 top global unicorns, such as Axelera, DeepL, Insilico Medicine, and Synthesis AI.
Gitex Cyber Valley
The World Future Economy Digital Leaders Summit is another must-attend show at Gitex Global 2024 with global innovators and influential leaders set to address critical priorities shaping the future of technology.
Additionally, Gitex Cyber Valley is this year’s most anticipated cybersecurity showcase, hosted by the UAE Cyber Security Council. With specialists forecasting that damage costs could reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, the show will present a power-packed conference agenda as the world’s most influential CISOs, CIOs, and GRC leaders to discuss the risks of global cybercrime.
“Gitex Global offers a unique platform for us to engage in meaningful dialogues with industry peers about the trends and perspectives on industrial intelligence. We look forward to sharing our insights and learning from others to explore the endless possibilities of industrial digital and intelligent transformation,” stated Leo Chen, corporate senior vice president and president of enterprise sales at Huawei.
Read: Gitex Global 2024 kicks off, showcases Digital Dubai’s solutions and AI technologies
Fast-tracking the next generation of startups
In addition to Gitex Global 2024, the world’s largest startup and investment event, Expand North Star, will foster the next frontier of tech and innovation. In another record-breaking edition, the event will connect the most innovative global founders with new markets, enterprise customers, and an influential pool of investors and venture capitalists with over $1.2 trillion in assets under management. These include SOSV, Bessemer Ventures, Lightrock, Sinovation Ventures, and the European Innovation Fund.
Additionally, Expand North Star seeks to redefine the future of money, blockchain, and creativity through leading co-located events Gitex Impact, Fintech Surge, Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania.
Accelerating the next generation of scaleups, the world’s largest start-up pitch competition, Supernova Challenge 2.0, also graces Gitex Global with the winners claiming a share of the $200,000 prize pool.
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