Abu Dhabi is preparing to host a major international gathering that could shape the future of global technology policy. Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the inaugural Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit (GETS 2025) will take place on May 5–6 at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Organized by the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) in strategic partnership with the UAE Public Prosecution, this landmark event will focus on building robust, ethical, and inclusive governance systems for rapidly evolving technologies.

The summit comes at a crucial time. With artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and Web3 technologies advancing at unprecedented speeds, there is growing urgency to ensure innovation is paired with sound regulation and societal protections. GETS 2025 aims to foster this balance by bringing together over 500 global leaders and experts from government, industry, academia, and civil society. These participants will engage in collaborative dialogue to address the complex legal, ethical, and policy challenges of emerging digital tools.

His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary General of ATRC, stressed the importance of this initiative, stating that innovation without governance is not sustainable. He emphasized that GETS 2025 represents the UAE’s commitment to aligning technological leadership with ethical policy-making that builds global trust and promotes human progress.

This sentiment was echoed by His Excellency Chancellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, UAE Attorney General, who noted that accelerating digital transformation demands judicial systems that can keep up. He described the summit as an opportunity to renew the commitment to responsive legislation and smart governance that protects society and upholds dignity in an increasingly digital world.

Youth participation will also play a central role at the summit. His Excellency Dr Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, underscored the importance of including younger generations in the conversation, stating that their creativity and forward-thinking mindset are essential in designing governance frameworks that will remain relevant in the future. He affirmed that GETS 2025 will offer a platform for young leaders to influence key decisions and contribute to the ethical development of next-generation technologies.

The summit reflects the UAE’s broader vision and strategic investments in emerging technologies, including more than AED 13 billion committed to artificial intelligence and the digital economy. This includes efforts to embed AI into national legislation, government services, and administrative frameworks, reinforcing the country’s role as a pioneer in tech-forward governance.

Attendees at GETS 2025 include senior UAE officials such as H.E. Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of Education; H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; H.E. Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi, Secretary General of the UAE Cabinet; H.E. Dr Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council; and H.E. Maqsoud Kruse, Chairman of the National Human Rights Institution. Prominent international figures and private sector leaders will also participate, including Changpeng Zhao, Founder of Binance; Christophe Legrand, Executive Vice President of PASQAL; Marc Rotenberg, Founder of the Center for AI and Digital Policy; and Gabriele Mazzini, Principal Architect of the EU AI Act.

Throughout the summit, participants will address critical issues such as artificial intelligence governance, digital rights and privacy, cybersecurity in a post-quantum world, and how emerging nations can contribute to setting global technology standards. These discussions aim to move beyond theoretical frameworks and toward actionable strategies that ensure technology serves humanity.