The 45th edition of GITEX Global continues to serve as a platform for major government announcements, strategic partnerships, and technology initiatives, highlighting the UAE’s commitment to digital transformation and innovation-driven growth.

The exhibition was officially inaugurated on October 13 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and has expanded in both scale and scope this year.

In his opening remarks, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the UAE’s vision to harness advanced technologies to build a future-ready economy. He stated that the country aims to be “a global model in developing an integrated digital economy driven by innovation, knowledge, and artificial intelligence,” and to serve as a global hub accelerating technological and economic transformation.

Several senior UAE leaders attended the inauguration, including H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai; H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.

Sheikh Mohammed also toured the exhibition, visiting pavilions of key participants including Google, ServiceNow, Micropolis, Digital Dubai, and the governments of Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. During his visit, he was briefed on the latest innovations in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, quantum computing, digital infrastructure, smart city technologies, and cybersecurity.

GOVERNMENT DRIVES DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

More government entities announced new partnerships and projects, highlighting the UAE’s growing leadership in digital transformation and AI innovation.

The Abu Dhabi Government unveiled a series of world-first innovations and strategic collaborations as part of its vision to become the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027. Over 30 entities are participating under the theme “AI-Native by Design, Community-Driven by Purpose,” showcasing cross-sector collaboration between government, academia, and industry.

At the center of the announcements was TAMM 4.0, the upgraded super app offering more than 1,100 services. New AI-driven features include AutoGov, AI Vision, Smart Guide, and TAMM Hologram, providing real-time assistance.

Additional updates, such as TAMM by You, allow users to co-create services, while two new Spaces—Mobility and Family—expand the app’s integrated service ecosystem. Partnerships with the Department of Municipalities and Transport and the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre also enable residents to complete vehicle and property transactions directly through TAMM.

In Dubai, the DANA Project was launched by Dubai Municipality to enhance city management through data-driven solutions. By integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with Artificial Intelligence (AI), DANA provides intelligent visualization and analysis of geospatial data. Its platform enables precise identification of specialized buildings and offers comprehensive smart building data to support strategic decision-making. A built-in voice-control assistant allows inspectors and staff to interact seamlessly with the system, reducing response times and improving operational efficiency.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) announced a collaboration with Google Cloud to position AI as a key driver of real estate investment. By integrating DLD’s data with Google Cloud’s AI and analytics capabilities, the partnership aims to streamline the investor journey from exploration to execution, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a sustainable and transparent investment hub. The initiative also introduces the DLD Investor AI Assistant, powered by Google Gemini, to enhance investor engagement through AI, cloud, and mapping technologies, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033.

Continuing Dubai’s push for digital well-being, Digital Dubai, in partnership with the Community Development Authority, KHDA, and DHA, launched the Digital Balance Program, which promotes responsible technology use. The initiative encourages individuals to leverage digital tools effectively while minimizing behavioral, health, and social risks associated with excessive use.

Adding to the momentum, Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) signed an MoU with K2 to advance a smart and sustainable transport ecosystem. The partnership focuses on developing regulatory and operational frameworks for autonomous vehicles, delivery robots, and air taxis, while fostering R&D in AI, machine learning, and sustainable mobility. Under the agreement, ITC will lead strategic planning and pilot zone development, while K2 manages operational trials and provides research insights to support the integration of intelligent mobility solutions into Abu Dhabi’s transport network.

TECH LEADERS TAKE CENTER STAGE AT GITEX

Private sector leaders also took center stage at GITEX, unveiling major advancements in artificial intelligence and next-generation technologies.

Deloitte Middle East and IBM announced a strategic partnership to accelerate digital transformation across key regional markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar. The collaboration will deliver AI-driven and technology-enabled services for sectors such as banking, government, energy, and utilities. The two firms will focus on AI, FinOps, and quantum-resilient security systems, and plan to establish an AI Governance Centre of Excellence, combining Deloitte’s consulting expertise with IBM’s watsonx.governance platform to support responsible and scalable AI deployment.

du unveiled two major initiatives supporting the UAE’s sovereign AI agenda: the launch of du’s AI Park in Dubai and the National Hybrid AI Platform under du Tech. Spanning 500,000 square meters in Warsan, the AI Park will serve as the country’s sovereign AI hub, featuring liquid-cooled hyperscale data centers with up to 1-gigawatt capacity. It will also house AI research labs, startup incubators, and a hybrid AI production cluster, enabling innovators to develop, test, and deploy AI solutions entirely within the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group introduced three new AI-powered tools—AI Financial Insight, AI Court Order Agent, and TAMM for ADX Investors—aimed at improving financial literacy, transparency, and inclusion across the UAE. Developed in collaboration with TAMM and judicial authorities, these solutions reflect ADX’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional partnerships and deliver people-focused digital services.

Meanwhile, Microsoft showcased its latest Surface for Business Copilot+ lineup in the Middle East, including the new Surface Laptop with built-in 5G—the company’s first laptop with native 5G capability. The devices, which also include the Surface Pro 12, offer AI-optimized performance, extended battery life, and enterprise-grade manageability. Equipped with Intel Core Ultra and Snapdragon X Plus processors, they are designed for seamless Copilot+ experiences and integrate with Microsoft Intune to simplify IT management for organizations across the region.