According to the analytical news base of Three News,Dubai, UAE – ۱۴ October 2024:
International audiences enjoyed a memorable first day at GITEX GLOBAL 2024 on Monday
as the world’s largest and best-rated tech event kicked off in sensational fashion – setting
the stage for an unforgettable week of breakthrough tech showcases.
Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 14-18 October, GITEX GLOBAL
presents a record-breaking edition in its 44
th year. It welcomes over 6,500 exhibitors, 1,800
startups, 1,200 investors alongside governments from more than 180 countries – the
highest-ever international participation at GITEX GLOBAL – comprising enterprises, experts,
investors, startups, academia, researchers, and the entire global tech ecosystem.
Eagerly awaited exhibitions and events take centre stage
Across a capacity-crowd venue, international audiences became acquainted with a wide
variety of incredible innovations on Day 1 of GITEX GLOBAL 2024. UAE technology group
G42 presented its Intelligence Grid immersive experience, enabling visitors to discover how
AI can power every aspect of future life as a ‘super utility’. Lenovo showcased its new range
of hardware and cloud solution equipped with transformative AI capabilities of the future,
while e& showcased some the world’s most mindblowing protypes in all of tech. One of the
highlights was the XPeng AeroHT eVTOL Flying Car – enabling audiences to discover how
such innovations represent a historic opportunity to revolutionise aviation and personal
transportation.
With five incredible themes across five unmissable days this year, “Tech Investment Day”
was first up with World Future Economy Digital Leaders Summit amongst the many
shows that drew huge crowds and received widespread audience acclaim.
In a special briefing, His Excellency (H.E.) Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, Cabinet Member &
UAE Minister of Economy, addressed attendees during ‘Rise of the New Economy: AI &
Emerging Industries’. This session delved into the UAE’s strategic initiatives fostering
innovation, enhancing competitiveness, and positioning the country as a global leader in the
new economy.
With the UAE’s non-oil sector accounting for 74% of national gross domestic product
(GDP) in 2024, H.E. Al Marri reaffirmed the Ministry of Economy’s ambitious plans for
the years ahead, insisting: “We are in the business of breaking records. We’ve already
achieved a non-oil sector that accounts for 74% of GDP – this record has never happened
before in our country’s history. The UAE’s environment and ecosystem attracts people from
around the globe – and the target now is to reach 80% by 2030 and become an R&D hub for
the world.”
With several leadership sessions held throughout the Monday schedule, H.E. Faisal Al
Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President & Secretary General of the Advanced Technology
Research Council (ATRC), shared key insights and perspectives during ‘AI Leadership:
Steering Societal Transformation’. AI socio-economic implications were discussed alongside
global AI leadership, models, governance, and regulation.
Elsewhere on a historic opening day to celebrate GITEX GLOBAL’s record-extending 44
th
edition, new industry-defining programmes were also launched – including GITEX Editions,
an exclusive platform for late-stage advanced tech companies and a premier hub for
unicorns, soonicorns and rhinos.
GITEX Editions connects 59 top global unicorns and was attended by H.E. Omar Sultan Al
Olama, UAE Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy & Remote Work Applications, also
addressed attendees between another applauded leadership session – ‘The UAE As The
Sandbox For Pragmatic Ai Regulation And Policy Development’.
The year’s most impactful discussions surrounding AI’s future in society and industry were
also attending by high numbers of visitors. While discussing the most transformative AI case
studies across government, enterprise, and startups, the need to balance AI’s potential with
creativity and human intuition was examined in various sessions, including ‘Regulating Tech:
The Intersection of Tech, Crime and Law’.

Photo caption: Didier Jacobs of Europol and Kai Zenner of the EU Parliament speak on the
intersection of tech, cybersecurity, and law in tech governance
Didier Jacobs, Head of ICT & Chief AI Officer at Europol, stressed that heightened
collaboration and cooperation are needed to overcome challenges and solve
international crime, adding: “Cybercrime knows no borders. There are many technologies
that can be misused for hacking, extortion, sabotage, illegal transactions, and so on. What’s
needed are solutions – a blend of increased human collaboration and technology
deployment is essential.”
As this week marks the largest-ever European participation at GITEX GLOBAL with 38
European countries exhibiting alongside 1,000-plus SMEs and 450-plus startups, the
European Innovation Council pavilion was officially launched to commemorate the milestone.
With debuting exhibitors from countries including Austria, Portugal, Latvia, Serbia, Bosnia &
Herzegovina, and Switzerland in attendance, Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President
of DWTC, the organiser of GITEX GLOBAL, opened the brand-new site. This casts a unique
spotlight on Europe’s AI, tech, and innovation advancements alongside the cross-continental
collaboration efforts currently taking shape across the continent.
What next at GITEX GLOBAL 2024?
GITEX GLOBAL 2024 continues Tuesday as “Super AI Tuesday” showcases how AI is
transforming business strategies, revolutionising industries, and creating new growth
opportunities across the globe. Up until Friday (October 18), attendees can also explore the
latest tech sector services and solutions being rolled out across Central Asia, Southeast
Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
GITEX GLOBAL is seamlessly connecting with world’s largest network of tech events with its
stellar list including GITEX EUROPE Berlin, GITEX ASIA Singapore, GITEX AFRICA
Morocco, and GITEX NIGERIA. These events are fostering collaboration and driving
innovation to shape the tech landscape of tomorrow.
More information on GITEX GLOBAL and to purchase passes, please visit www.gitex.com

Journalist:Parisa Amir mazahri