A Whole New World

The UAE is close to realising its potential as a worldwide centre for the Metaverse with the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai.

The Dubai Metaverse Strategy aims to turn Dubai into one of the world’s top ten Metaverse economies as well as a global hub for the Metaverse community. The strategy seeks to contribute AED 4 billion to the national economy over five years and support the creation of 40,000 virtual jobs by 2030.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed underscored the importance of consolidating Dubai’s status as a hub offering the most advanced ecosystem for the Metaverse and as a frontrunner in adopting digital solutions globally, describing it as: “The next revolution in technological and economic fields which will impact on all aspects of life during the next two decades.”

The strategy aims to build on Dubai’s achievement of attracting more than 1,000 companies in the fields of blockchain and Metaverse. It prioritises education and training in the field of Metaverse and developing Metaverse applications to be used in Dubai government institutions.

3D VIRTUAL SPACES Metaverse is an online, 3D, virtual universe connecting users in all aspects of their lives. Like the internet, it connects multiple platforms through a single browser.

The Metaverse is not yet fully in existence. Still, it is dubbed the future iteration of the internet that will allow users to work, meet, game, and socialise in 3D virtual spaces facilitated by VR and AR headsets. For example, instead of trying out clothes physically in a store or choosing them online, based on images, users can try them on virtually. Or, instead of visiting

Metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social interaction connecting users in all aspects of their lives.

the doctor directly, users can ‘visit’ the hospital and interact with a doctor in the Metaverse.

To demonstrate the technology, Italian fashion and design school Istituto Marangoni made its Middle Eastern debut in Dubai with a unique talent show at the landmark Museum of the Future. The show took place simultaneously at The Museum of the Future and in the Metaverse where avatars joined real-life models on the catwalk.

Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta wrote, “It [Metaverse] is the next generation of the internet; a more immersive, 3D experience. Its defining quality will be a feeling of presence like you are right there with another person or in another place.”

METAVERSE + WEB3 Web3 is the third version of the web. After webpages and HTML text of web1, to blogs, internet pathways and social media platforms on web2, comes web3, which will integrate blockchain and cryptocurrency to create a decentralised ecosystem for its users. Metaverse with web3 is a place where 3D avatars can spend money, play games and conduct real-world business.

A blog in Accenture states that the Metaverse, despite being completely virtual, “provides banks with a much-needed avenue to bring humanity back into banking and deepen connections with current customers.”

Commercial Bank International, a corporate and retail bank headquartered in Dubai, announced the official launch of its Metaverse location. The bank claimed to be the first UAE bank to have a presence in the Metaverse.

The premise is that one day we might do everything related to banking on the Metaverse. Users could meet a financial advisor, explore homes or other assets, withdraw money and make purchases in the Metaverse from the comfort of their own home.

We have 1,000 companies in Dubai currently working in this sector, which contributes $500 million to our national economy. We expect it to rise strongly during the coming period,” Sheikh Hamdan.

E& UNIVERSE UAE tech conglomerate e& (formerly Etisalat Group) launched its ‘e& universe’ at GITEX, hosting it virtually on Mars, at the ‘Arcadia Planitia’.

“Scientific research indicates Arcadia Planitia is a location most suitable for future life on Mars,” said Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e& and he explained: “According to NASA, it is one of the few regions where abundant shallow ice is present at relatively low latitude.”

He added that the project’s next phase will allow users to purchase digital assets, watch virtual concerts and sporting events, purchase NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and many other digital experiences that will be the first in the country and the region.

The other telecom giant, du, is working with the RTA on a digital twinning project for the Dubai Metro. “Another potential use we see happening is in creating interactive workplaces for enterprises,” said Martin Tarr, Chief ICT Officer, du.

PUBLIC SERVICES Medcare Women and Children’s hospital in Dubai has also stepped into the Metaverse, claiming to be the UAE’s first healthcare facility to do so. “We expect in the long-run, traditional telemedicine services to be replaced by a need for Metaverse interactions, allowing patients to receive a more tangible and collaborative service,” Alisha Moopen, Deputy Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare said.

For inpatient services, operations or longterm hospice care, the Metaverse could help customers check out facilities, meet doctors and interact with them before choosing a particular hospital, all without stepping outside the home. Healthcare-related Metaverse applications could also include virtual study options. For example, surgical teams may learn new procedures without being physically present in the operating room.

Members of the public in Dubai can interact with Ajman Police in the Metaverse, where avatars of officers will answer people’s queries. Ajman Police became the first law enforcement agency in the world to provide its services inside the Metaverse. At GITEX the Ajman Police General Command introduced a new innovative service called “Request for Sponsorship,” which enables the general public to contact the police remotely.

A RETAIL REVOLUTION The first ever Metaverse Fashion Week was held in March in the virtual world of Decentraland. Big name brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce&Gabbana, Elie Saab, Guo Pei, Etro, Jacob & Co, Vogue Arabia, Dundas, Cavalli and Paco Rabanne participated in the show.

According to a BBC report that followed, the idea for retailers that an avatar can pop into a Metaverse clothing store and buy items to be sent out in the real world is ground-breaking. For the fashion industry the Metaverse opens access to millions of visitors for the right kind of engagement.

Italian fashion and design school Istituto Marangoni made its Middle Eastern debut in Dubai with a unique talent show at the Museum of the Future. The show took place simultaneously at The Museum of the Future and in the Metaverse, where avatars joined real-life models on the catwalk.

Ralph Lauren has partnered Zepeto, a South Korean social network app, to enable users to dress avatars from a selection of products, like a virtual fashion collection.

A VIRTUAL REALITY While extended-reality gaming and social spaces have existed for decades, early 2020s technological advances and societal transformations brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic have pushed the development of the Metaverse to the forefront.

The development of more advanced and immersive 3D online worlds can benefit all aspects of society, from education and healthcare, gaming and entertainment to the arts, social and civic life and many other activities.

While the daily real-world applications of the Metaverse may still be some time in the future, the UAE is investing heavily in the technology, encouraging innovators, and making significant headway in this tech-enabled universe.

Members of the public can interact with Ajman Police in the Metaverse, where avatars of officers will answer people’s queries.

The Dubai Metaverse Strategy aims to turn Dubai into one of the world’s top 10 Metaverse economies as well as a global hub for the Metaverse community.

Expand North Star 2023

Announcing the extension of the acclaimed start-up brand, North Star, into Expand North Star, His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama stated that the UAE and Dubai have long consolidated their status as the international hub to set up and attract unicorn and leading digital companies from across the globe. This reflects the UAE leadership in creating the best ecosystem for entrepreneurs, tech-preneurs and start-ups to flourish and expand their impact on the world of AI and digital economy. His Excellency Omar Al Olama said that Expand North Star 2023 would be a key platform for the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy to attract companies, while showcasing Dubai and the UAE’s competitive advantages and growth opportunities in a thriving digital economy:

“The event will offer an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs, innovators, and digital business leaders to connect with potential venture capital investors from around the world while international unicorn founders can share their inspiring success stories.”

His Excellency further noted that Expand North Star will act as a strategic catalyst to expand the future of the digital economy, reflecting what GITEX GLOBAL is to the global technology industry.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, added: “As VC’s look to future proof their investments against the backdrop of global economic challenges, opportunities for start-ups to raise funds have never looked better. In partnering with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, we will further augment the achievements and success of Expand North Star, leveraging synergies and networks with a shared mission to broaden the global start-up ecosystem, build relationships, and create more opportunities.

“As the new name implies, Expand North Star will ramp up the start-up entrepreneurship momentum, transcending geographic industries and intellectual boundaries as it looks to connect government partners, investors, and corporate accelerators with innovators and tech stars from every continent.”

A NEW CREATIVE FORMAT Hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and organised by Dubai World Trade Centre, Expand North Star will present a new creative format to extend its engagements with venture capitalists, unicorns, scale-ups, start-ups, and key stakeholders in the tech ecosystem. This in turn will advance the continued expansion of GITEX GLOBAL and amplify its achievements.

The new concept start-up show arrives as the UAE enters a new phase of economic development catalysed by new digital generational technologies and innovation. The digital economy is expected to be a major driver of the UAE’s sustainable economic growth, contributing nearly 20 percent to the country’s GDP over the next ten years.

New policies and initiatives are being put in place, promoting smart infrastructure that enhances the digital readiness of the UAE government to ensure business continuity. From IoT, AI, blockchain, Metaverse, or Web 3.0, the UAE has been at the forefront of adopting the latest technologies, which has benefited all sectors of the economy and society.

There are more than 1,400 start-ups in the UAE with an estimated value of $24 billion and a further 90 investment funds in the digital sector along with 12 business incubators. UAE companies also held the lion’s share of a record-breaking $2.6 billion in start-up funding across the Middle East and North Africa in 2021, achievements that underscore Expand North Star’s attractiveness to international startups to leverage the UAE’s vibrant network and expand their ambitions into broader markets.

Expand North Star will present more space and flexibility to engage and develop the international community with an even more creative and impactful programme from 10th to 12th May 2023. The showpiece event will be co-located with the inaugural GITEX Impact and Future Urbanism Summit & Expo, the region’s dedicated dual platform for techcentred sustainability investments and publicprivate partnerships.

H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, DWTCA & Jiawei-Liu, CEO of Huawei UAE.

“In partnering with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, we will further augment the achievements and success of Expand North Star, leveraging synergies and networks with a common mission to broaden the global start-up ecosystem, build relationships, and create more opportunities.”