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GITEX Global 2022
Gitex Global
One of the world’s most influential meeting places for the technology industry, GITEX GLOBAL brings together the best tech minds to deep dive into the Web 3.0 economy.
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Dubai was recently the digital epicentre of the world as it hosted the world’s largest tech show. International pioneers brought neverseen-before experiences and technological innovations to propel the next digital revolution to this Middle Eastern location. The event featured the latest developments and innovations in 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud technology, cyber security, FinTech, blockchain, data analytics and smart cities.
From Oct 10-14, 2022, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) hosted awe inspiring show bringing together more than 1,000 speakers and over 5,000 companies from 90 countries spanning 26 halls over two million sq. ft of exhibition space. The event welcomed an unprecedented 52% of new exhibitors who chose the show and the UAE as partner in their market access strategies. These included global tech companies Binance, AMD, Tencent and ByteDance.
GITEX presented the most empowering curation than ever before with seven multitech themes experimenting in the Metaverse, a decentralised future of the internet and a sustainable global digital economy. The event wowed visitors with the largest and most immersive Metaverse experience across multiple sectors from music, fashion and sports to lifestyle and business.
The five-day event’s continued expansion mirrors the ambitions of the UAE and the region’s digital transformation movement, as government initiatives such as the National Program for Coders, the Dubai Metaverse Strategy, and Next GenFDI propels the UAE to the forefront of the global digital economy.
This is amplified by GITEX GLOBAL 2022’s new launches of X-Verse, sponsored by TMRW Foundation in collaboration with Decentraland, one of the world’s most immersive Metaverse journeys. It featured 28 experiential brands and Global DevSlam, the Middle East’s largest-ever coder and developer meet-up, which sold out to a global audience within two months.
His Excellency Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work
Applications delivered the welcome note at the official press conference saying:
“GITEX this year is bigger than ever. It spans two million square feet with over 5,000 exhibitors from more than 90 countries, making this truly the world’s biggest tech show. This year, my office partnered with GITEX to ensure that we are not just showcasing technology but inventing and developing technology.”
His Excellency said that the UAE and Dubai believe in the power of globalisation and creating an ecosystem that allows people to thrive. He also highlighted how GITEX GLOBAL has continued to grow despite the global technology sector’s turmoil and uncertainty. He concluded his speech by reiterating that conversations at GITEX GLOBAL will create ‘sparks’ that will change the world.
GLOBAL REACH UAE companies are making their mark on the global tech scene with their commitments in tech R&D and inventions, including Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a leading international scientific institution and the applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council. TII had a significant presence at GITEX GLOBAL showcasing AI and Digital Science, Directed Energy and Autonomous Robotics Research.
GITEX also unified the participation of 250 government entities leading strategic digital projects and public-private partnerships with Digital Dubai Authority and Abu Dhabi Digital Authority among the UAE government bodies advancing smart city and digital projects.
Speaking in the Middle East for the first time, Dr Tian Qi, Chief AI Scientist at Huawei Cloud, delivered an informative session on the new paradigms of Artificial Intelligence. Dr Qi focused on the value that AI can have for the scientific community, highlighting that AI can speed up computation time by a factor of at least 10,000 and can help better predict weather patterns and support in discovery of new medications.
ROBOTICS REVOLUTION GITEX 2022 was packed with innovation and new technology, including a host of robots to be used on an industrial scale. While some were built with service in mind, others took on a more humanoid form.
Developed by Engineered Arts, the leading designer and manufacturer of humanoid entertainment robots, Ameca is the world’s most advanced, most realistic humanoid robot, representing the cutting-edge technology of humanoid robotics.
Ameca is a cloud-connected platform that multiplies the power of Artificial Intelligence with an artificial body where AI and machine learning systems can be tested and developed alongside Engineered Arts’ powerful Tritium robot operating system. This allows companies working on robotic research to test their products. Ameca is remarkable with its smile, its ability to blink its eyes regularly, gasp in surprise, scratch its nose and even have a staring contest with its owner for fun, among other high-tech functions. The robot’s congeniality makes it perfect for fostering human to human connections in any Metaverse or digital environment.
Using its sensors, Ameca can track movement in the room. It is equipped with face recognition technology allowing it to scan a visitor and interpret whether they are happy, sad or laughing, so it can respond accurately.
A total showstopper at GITEX GLOBAL, Ameca drew visitors in droves to the e& stand. When asked if it uses lipstick, it replied, “I believe humans use lipstick, I am a robot.” When another passer-by asked if he could take a selfie with it, it replied: “Yes, I would like that!”
X-VERSE, one of the world’s most immersive metaverse journeys featuring 28 experiential brands
Those who missed the chance at GITEX can now see Amica and all of the latest innovations that could change the world at the Tomorrow Today exhibit at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, which explores how designers, researchers, and corporations are responding to the world’s most urgent challenges.
AI TECHNOLOGY Day 4 of GITEX saw Dubai Internet City, a member of TECOM Group PJSC and regional business and technology hub, announce that its newest artificial intelligence software R&D centre will be helmed by Intel. The first of its kind in the GCC, the research centre will help to advance the capabilities of Intel’s leading artificial intelligence software solutions.
Intel and the centre will collaborate closely with the artificial intelligence and software businesses in Dubai, connecting with the wider region to pursue partnerships. They will also create a robust knowledge-sharing platform on the latest AI trends, technologies, and solutions. Intel will use its experience and industry knowledge to support cutting-edge AI products and services for Intel’s AI portfolio. The centre will work closely with the academic community to build a strong talent pool for future discoveries, benefiting from Dubai Internet City’s proximity to both Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City. Intel will also relocate AI experts from various global offices to bring international tech talent and skills into the mix.
Dubai Internet City has been the cornerstone of the U.A.E.’s economic and technological growth for more than 20 years now. Home to Fortune 500 companies, SMEs, start-ups, and entrepreneurs, the business district also contains 15 innovation centres that allow customers to establish specialized technological solutions for the region and better meet the needs of local governments and businesses around the world.
HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMMED VISITS GITEX During his visit to GITEX GLOBAL His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was briefed on the latest developments in fintech, retail, education, cybersecurity, energy, utilities, and smart cities by Microsoft and its partners. The crown prince also viewed Dubai’s various attractions virtually through HoloLens 2, a device that has been designed through Microsoft’s partnership with Kagool. The device utilizes advanced Metaverse technologies to create a unique experience for tourists, allowing visitors to experience Dubai virtually using Microsoft artificial intelligence capabilities.
Sheikh Mohammed said that the world is on the verge of a new technological age. His visit to GITEX highlighted how knowledge-based economies would lead the charge into the future. “A quick tour of the existing global technology companies confirms that humanity is in a historical transit stage towards a future governed by technology,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter. “And its economy is made of knowledge, and its most important wealth lies in data.”
Sheikh Mohammed said Dubai’s hosting of the annual event reflected the UAE’s emerging role in shaping the society of tomorrow:
“The biggest ever edition of GITEX GLOBAL places Dubai at the vanguard of cities opening new horizons for innovation and shaping the future of technology,” he added in a statement carried by state news agency Wam.
“We have established strong partnerships with leading global technology companies spearheading innovation worldwide to make our vision a reality. The global entrepreneurial success stories that have emerged from Dubai demonstrate its ability to provide a fertile ground for technology innovators to transform their promising ideas into reality.”
THE FLYING CAR Whilst flying cars aren’t yet in our skies, a number are in development. Chinese XPeng X2 successfully completed the first public test flight of its two-seater flying car at GITEX technology expo in Dubai.
The XPeng X2 lifts vertically off the ground using eight propellers, without need for a runway and is therefore suitable for built-up urban areas. The vehicle, designed to carry two passengers, is fully electric and its makers say it can rise through the air at around two meters per second and reach speeds of up to 80 miles per hour.
Although the test flight lasted just 90 seconds, according to Liu Xinyin, chief aviation specialist at XPeng Aeroht, the technology is close to being ready for public use with an anticipated launch date in 2024.
