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The GITEX GLOBAL Tech Fair Has Opened Its Doors In Dubai
Over 1,000 AI-related companies are participating, according to event organizers.
Dubai is hosting the 43rd edition of GITEX Global, one of the world’s largest tech shows with 2.7 million square feet of exhibition space, and a place where the best and brightest minds come together to shape the future of technology.
Around 6,000 exhibitors will be showing off their products at the five-day conference at the Dubai World Trade Centre, with off-shoot events at Dubai Harbour and the Museum of the Future. Among those participating are over 1,000 AI-related companies and global players, including Microsoft, Huawei, and Salesforce.
Industry leaders are joined by local UAE AI innovators G42, along with the Advanced Technology Research Council and Juniper Networks, who will announce locally hosted cloud and AI-driven networking solutions.
The Dubai Harbour section of the event will host Expand North Star, a gathering of over 1,800 next-gen startups from around the world. The themes include Fintech Surge, a Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania.
UAE Vice-President and ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a regular of the event, was also seen checking out the latest innovations.
“Gitex is similar to Dubai in how it grows rapidly. It is similar to Dubai in embracing the best minds from 180 countries. It is similar to Dubai in its passion for everything new that contributes to changing our future for the better,” Sheikh Mohammed posted on X, formally known as Twitter.
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So far, the highlight of GITEX Global has been the first live demonstration of ARTEMIS, the world’s fastest-walking humanoid robot. The machine was developed by UCLA researchers and stands at 142 cm tall, weighing 38 kilograms. ARTEMIS, which stands for Advanced Robotic Technology for Enhanced Mobility and Improved Stability, can walk on rough and unstable surfaces and even play football!
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Expand North Star hosted a panel discussion about using AI and machine learning to “create products that dent the universe”. The panel featured spokespersons from global names such as Bolt, Reddit, and Booking.com, who shared best practices and tips.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
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The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.