The Artificial Intelligence (AI) economy is booming. This new tech paradigm shift will take center stage at the GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star, which Dubai will host next week. For the first time, the event will happen in two venues.
The Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) will welcome 6,000 exhibitors and 180,000 tech leaders and professionals from 180 countries from October 16 to 20, 2023. Meanwhile, Expand North Star, a powerhouse startup show, will take place at the Dubai Harbor from October 15 to 18. The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCDE) serves as the latter’s organizer. They will accommodate 1,800 start-ups across various activities that will explore emerging opportunities in the world of tech.
Landmark year
This year’s GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star combine to offer an expansive 2.7 million square feet of exhibition space. In particular, this marks a 40 percent increase from the previous year. Discussions about AI, the cloud, Web 3.0, and a sustainable digital economy will highlight the world’s largest tech event.
“GITEX GLOBAL is where the best and brightest minds come together to shape the future of technology,” said Omar Sultan Al Olama, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) minister of state for Artificial Intelligence, digital economy, and remote work applications, in a press conference. In addition, he is the chairman of DCDE and is among the 100 most influential people in AI according to TIME Magazine.
“Dubai is a global market and through GITEX GLOBAL, we are pushing the envelope by showcasing new technologies including the transformational power of AI to inspire everyone and shape a better future,” he added.
GITEX GLOBAL
At the upcoming event, GITEX GLOBAL will witness a record level of involvement from the public and private sectors. This year, over 250 government entities are intensifying their forward-thinking digital city visions and collaborations.
Trixie LohMirmand, DWTC’s executive vice president of events management, shared, “We have not seen such an intense level of excitement and anticipation for GITEX GLOBAL in recent years.”
This annual five-day event will delve deeply into the major aspects of the AI era. It will feature the return of “AI Everything,” recognized as the year’s largest showcase of AI solutions and concepts. Other highlights include the “GITEX Cyber Valley,” which will tackle critical AI security agenda, and the “GITEX CTO World Congress.” This is considered the most significant gathering of tech architects and disruptors.
“GITEX Impact,” another notable program, will be an important avenue to advance a net-zero carbon future through green technologies. Meanwhile, the “Future Urbanism Expo” will be dedicated to shaping the smart cities of the future.
Read: Inaugural GITEX Africa sells-out
Expand North Star
This year, Expand North Star will host its most extensive lineup to date. It will feature 1,000 investors from 70 countries managing a total of $1 trillion in funds. They are poised to ramp up the revival of venture capital (VC) investments in start-ups on a global scale.
This development coincides with UAE-based companies securing the majority of the $4 billion in start-up funding across the Middle East and North Africa in 2022. In the said period, the country amassed investments totaling $1.85 billion through 250 deals. This is equivalent to a 5 percent increase in value from 2021.
“Expand North Star reflects Dubai’s strong commitment to enabling ambitious start-ups to thrive in the emirate,” said Saeed Al Gergawi, vice president of DCDE.
Al Gergawi further expressed excitement about several initiatives at the event. These include “India Central,” “Asia Fast 100,” and “Africa Fast 100.” Moreover, “Launchpad Dubai” will offer tech businesses opportunities to accelerate their operations and kickstart their ventures in Dubai.
“By bringing the global start-up ecosystem together in the emirate, Expand North Star supports our drive to transform Dubai into one of the world’s leading digital economies in line with the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33),” added Al Gergawi.
Tech giants and UAE-based exhibitors
Tech giants Microsoft, Huawei, and Salesforce are leading the charge at GITEX GLOBAL 2023. They will headline a gathering of over 1,000 AI-infused companies at the year’s largest AI showcase and summit.
Microsoft, having invested $10 billion in OpenAI, the entity behind ChatGPT, is committed to democratizing AI and empowering people globally to utilize AI for socioeconomic growth.
Additionally, Huawei reaffirms its commitment to intelligence, digitalization, and AI-powered opportunities. On the other hand, Salesforce is set to introduce its new “Einstein 1” AI assistant. Users can utilize this for all customer relationship management enterprise applications.
Furthermore, the UAE is also heightening its presence in the epic AI innovation race. G42, Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), and Masdar City are among the UAE-based research and tech innovation hubs who will participate in the event.
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