UAE, a captivating high-tech haven

We are living in a technologically turbocharged world. Every now and then, there are new gadgets that flood not just the markets but our senses too. Everyone, from gadget geeks to Luddites to those in between, is fascinated by this high-tech treasure trove. The race to innovate the next marvel and charm the next generation is on.

From AI-backed voice assistants to ‘crowdfunded’ smart speakers to even gadgets that let you open the car door without even touching it –– the range is phenomenal.

Phenomenal too is the range of attractions that are on display at the annual Gitex show in Dubai. The mere fact that it is a physical event, not a virtual one, reflects the resilience of the nation that it stands for.

Which is why there are over a thousand innovative tech firms and startups from more than 60 countries involved.

Apart from this, there are more than 200 most active investors taking part in the event.

An Etisalat kiosk at GITEX displays for the first time a drone connected to the 5th G network and the first self-driving car and bike in the UAE.

This is an era of smart technology. Here smart services call the shots. It is the time for trendy developments such as blockchain tech and artificial intelligence, whose heft will be very much on display.

For the first time, however, Israel is making a mark at the event. The Israel Innovation Discovery Day @ GITEX Future Stars is your rare opportunity to get introduced to Israel’s startup ecosystem, forge new business collaborations and network with the first and largest business, tech and investor delegation flying in from Israel to Dubai.

The exhibition will truly dazzle the world and disrupt the trade and transport sectors in fulfilment of the national ambitious UAE Centennial 2071 Project, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, and Dubai Paperless Strategy 2021.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, on Sunday opened the 40th edition of Gitex Technology Week at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed said: “By hosting the world’s only live global technology event in 2020, Dubai and the UAE have demonstrated global leadership in accelerating economic recovery in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. With its strong management of the pandemic and comprehensive precautionary measures, the international technology community considers Dubai as one of the safest destinations to host global events of this magnitude. The positive response to the event also shows that the world’s tech industry looks to the emirate as a key player in revitalising networking, partnership building and knowledge sharing in the sector.”

The Crown Prince stated that the organisation of Gitex Technology Week this year is one of a series of initiatives Dubai is taking to inject confidence back into vital sectors both regionally and internationally. The event will see Dubai reinforcing its role as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration in the technology industry.

The event has attracted the participation of many government entities which are showcasing their digital and smart transformation initiatives launched as part of the directives of the leadership to enhance the nation’s preparedness for the next fifty years.

Through their participation in Gitex, the entities are also seeking to highlight their infrastructure, talent and readiness to embrace future technologies that form part of their sustainable development strategies.

On display are some of the tech innovations including artificial intelligence, 5G and future mobility. Truly the UAE is a tech centrepoint, the fulcrum of innovation, a model of spectacular growth.