GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything: A Showcase of Innovation and Collaborations

WAM

The Event Unfolds

This week, the bustling halls of Messe Berlin were transformed into a hub of innovation as Europe hosted its largest inaugural tech, startup, and digital investment event: GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything. With the UAE’s cutting-edge advancements taking center stage, this three-day event, concluding on Friday, attracted more than 1,400 exhibitors, 600 leading global investors, and over 500 speakers from more than 100 countries. It marked a historic moment for cross-border tech collaboration in Europe.

Global Participation

The event showcased national pavilions from diverse regions, including India, Italy, Morocco, South Korea, and 35 European countries. Notably, the UAE’s participation underscored its emergence as a global reference point for technological innovation across various industries, including governance and public services. This collective effort demonstrated the strong international interest in fostering partnerships and shared technological aspirations.

UAE’s Growing Tech Market

According to Statista data, the UAE’s IT services market is predicted to reach an impressive $3.76 billion by 2025. This growth trajectory was palpably felt on the event floor, which featured 65 UAE organizations—the largest startup and digital investment delegation the nation has sent to a European tech event. This presence not only highlights the UAE’s ambitions but also its commitment to addressing global challenges through meaningful innovations.

Highlights from the UAE Pavilion

The UAE’s Ministry of Economy pavilion displayed an array of home-grown tech ventures tailored to tackle pressing global issues. Noteworthy projects included:

• Zeroe: A company focused on comprehensive carbon management to help accelerate worldwide net-zero initiatives.
• Hikmah Labs: This innovative venture merges artificial intelligence with advanced research, aiming to revolutionize various industries.
• IngenioData: Specializing in augmented reality and Bluetooth Low Energy technologies, they offer indoor navigation, asset tracking, and data analytics.
• Responsive Drip Irrigation: Creators of a pioneering plant-responsive irrigation system that empowers plants to self-manage their water intake.

Dignitaries and Insights

The significance of GITEX was further amplified by the presence of dignitaries such as Alia Al Mazrouei, the UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the growing trade relationship between Germany and the UAE, noting Berlin’s critical role as a global innovation hub. “Germany is now the UAE’s second largest trading partner within the EU,” she stated, highlighting the commitment to building an economically vibrant corridor based on innovation.

Joining her were Hazza Al Mansoori, the first Emirati astronaut, and Nora Al Matrooshi, the first female Emirati astronaut. Al Mansoori shared exciting developments in aerospace technology, particularly the role of AI in creating autonomous systems for lunar missions, emphasizing, “Artificial intelligence in space is something that we are experimenting with.”

The Dubai Pavilion: A Showcase of AI-Powered Services

Organized by Digital Dubai, the Dubai Pavilion illustrated the city’s AI-driven evolution in public services. Featuring 12 key governmental and private entities—including Dubai Police, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre—this pavilion demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the quality of life through technological advancements.

Some standout innovations included:

• Dubai Dashboard: A comprehensive platform providing a holistic view of city data across various sectors.
• Dubai Monitor and DubaiNow: Tools designed to improve city management and service delivery.
• UAE PASS: A secure national digital ID system that utilizes facial recognition for identity verification.
• Autonomous Policing: Dubai Police showcased its smart patrol car, Ghaith, and the AI-powered platform, Salama, which streamlines residency services with automated processes.

Looking Ahead

As GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything drew to a close, it reflected not just technological advancements, but the spirit of collaboration and shared goals among nations. The initiatives and innovations presented unveiled a promising future, highlighting the potential for technology to address global challenges and improve lives across the world.