Dubai is poised to usher in a new era of global AI prominence next week by hosting the world’s largest tech and start-up event. This gathering will bring together visionary leaders, forward-thinking governments, and cutting-edge companies to redefine the parameters of the AI economy and influence the future of the next major technological shift on a global scale.
In its 43rd edition, GITEX GLOBAL, globally recognized as the premier tech exhibition, will for the first time span two massive venues. From October 16th to 20th, 2023, it will welcome 6,000 exhibitors and 180,000 tech leaders from 180 countries at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Running from October 15th to 18th, 2023, the dynamic start-up event, Expand North Star, hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, will take place at the impressive new Dubai Harbour venue. Across both events, over 1,800 start-ups will explore emerging opportunities in one of the world’s most adaptable, diversified, and technology-driven digital economies.
Globally Significant Tech Showcase in Dubai with 2.7M Sq. Ft. Space
These two major events, organized by DWTC, will encompass a combined exhibition space of 2.7 million square feet, marking a 40 percent increase from the previous year. This monumental occasion invites the world to engage in the year’s most eagerly awaited discussions and in-depth exploration of a new technological era focused on AI, the cloud, Web 3.0, and a sustainable digital economy.
Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, as well as Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, addressed attendees at the official press conference for GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star 2023, according to WAM.
“We are working with AI policymakers to ensure that the world is better for everyone everywhere,” said Al Olama, who was named by TIME Magazine as one of the world’s top 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence in 2023. “GITEX GLOBAL is where the best and brightest minds come together to shape the future of technology. 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.”
Expand North Star Attracts International Investors
“We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of participants at GITEX GLOBAL and this growth really is a testament to the UAE’s status as a global leader in technology.”
With the growing international attention on the UAE, Expand North Star is set to welcome its largest gathering of 1,000 investors hailing from 70 countries, collectively managing an impressive $1T in assets. This gathering reflects their intentions to boost the global venture capital start-up investment resurgence.
This development comes as companies in the UAE secured the majority of the $4B in start-up funding throughout the Middle East and North Africa in 2022, amassing investments amounting to $1.85B through 250 deals. This represents a five percent increase in value compared to the previous year.
“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 Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCDE), host of Expand North Star.”
Key Initiatives Unveiled for GITEX GLOBAL 2023
“We look forward to introducing several initiatives at the event including India Central, the biggest showcase of Indian start-ups ever assembled outside India; Asia Fast 100 and Africa Fast 100, the event’s largest showcases bringing together more than 100 leading start-ups from each continent for an intensive programme of conferences, networking events, and dedicated pitch competitions; and Launchpad Dubai, a first-of-its-kind initiative providing local and international tech businesses including start-ups, scaleups, and unicorns opportunities to accelerate their business and kickstart their operations in Dubai through a one-stop experience at DCDE’s booth at Expand North Star.”
“Hosting this event enables us to harness the full potential of the digital economy by connecting stakeholders from the government sector, investors, and accelerators with the world’s leading industry experts, innovators, and tech start-ups,” added Al Gergawi.
“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).”
GITEX GLOBAL 2023 will witness the most extensive engagement of public-private partnerships to date, with over 250 government organizations elevating their forward-looking digital city initiatives and strategic partnerships, fortified by resolute dedication to digital excellence.
AI Everything: The Pinnacle of AI Solutions and Ideas
During the annual five-day event, a profound exploration of the most significant facets of the AI era will be carried out. This includes the resurgence of AI Everything, the premier exhibition of AI solutions and ideas for the year, and the Global DevSlam, a gathering for coders and developers. Additionally, the immensely popular GITEX Cyber Valley will directly confront the shadowy cyber-criminal world.
“We have not seen this hyper level of fervour and anticipation of GITEX GLOBAL in recent years,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Events Management at Dubai World Trade Centre. “GITEX is synonymous with AI this year, especially when excitement over the emergence of generative AI is shadowed by a sense of trepidation and cautiousness.
“We are aggregating the year’s largest AI in Everything showcase and the most powerful AI architects across businesses. GITEX GLOBAL has not merely expanded in scale. It has totally upsized the big AI ethical conversation and commercial exploration to new dimensions.”
GITEX Global and Expand North Star will also feature 21 conference tracks with more than 1,500 expert speakers from 80-plus countries delivering 900 hours of immersive mind-stretching content, as they unpack and demystify 2023’s pressing tech challenges and controversies, from delivering the world’s faster AI supercomputer, or driving the green energy revolution, to scaling autonomous driving tech, and the assessing the impact of AI tools on cybersecurity.
