GITEX GLOBAL 2025 opened on 13 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Marking its 45th year, the event hosts more than 6,800 exhibitors, 2,000 startups, 1,200 investors, and delegations from over 180 countries.
This year’s edition focuses on the convergence of technology, economic policy, and geopolitics, positioning Dubai as a global meeting point for governments, industry leaders, and innovators.
Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, opened the discussions under the theme “The Race Beyond Innovation: AI, Geopolitics, and the Global Economic Reset.”
He said innovation and economic diversification remain central to the UAE’s national strategy.
“The UAE, thanks to the forward-looking vision of its wise leadership, is not merely participating in the global race for innovation; it is shaping its contours and cementing its foundations by building an economic model defined by resilience and a future orientation, grounded in knowledge and advanced technology.”
Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation at the European Commission, joined Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute, to discuss the role of deep-tech ecosystems in national development.
“The European Union and the UAE share a vision to drive innovation that benefits our citizens,”
Zaharieva said.
“We are aligned on the importance of startups and scaleups for our economies. This journey starts at GITEX 2025.”
Canada’s Minister for AI and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, and Amandeep Gill, UN Envoy for Digital Technologies, discussed AI’s growing role as a global economic infrastructure.
Andrew Feldman, CEO of Cerebras, spoke about the company’s partnership with G42 to build what he described as the world’s largest supercomputer for AI training.
Global companies showcased their latest technologies across AI, cloud computing, and mobility. e& presented over 90 innovations in robotics, digital healthcare, and autonomous transport, including eVTOL aircraft prototypes and long-range electric vehicles.
Oracle introduced new AI tools for financial planning and supply-chain management, while BlackBerry launched a communications platform certified by several governments for data-sovereign use.
Amazon Web Services demonstrated integrated cybersecurity and operational features, and HCL Software presented AI-driven personalisation tools and enhanced cybersecurity systems.
International representation reached record levels, with Brazil joining as Country Partner alongside delegations from Canada, Spain, Türkiye, Chile, and Ecuador.
14 October’s sessions will include a virtual discussion between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, on the foundations of AI-native societies.
GITEX GLOBAL 2025 continues until 17 October.
Featured image credit: GITEX GLOBAL
