Too often, creativity is a skill that goes under-appreciated because it’s hard to measure. Yet it’s invaluable to endeavor to improve people’s lives and save them.

Fast Company Middle East recognizes creativity, which comes in different forms and shapes. 

In 2023, the Most Creative People in Business will honor extraordinary people helping us find our way to a more just future, mitigating some of our most intractable problems. Leaders who are driving climate action, opening doors of opportunity for climate planning, and pioneering technology and science to make a big social impact.   

So we have expanded the Most Creative People in Business 2023 list to include two new categories for the 2023 gala in Dubai.

In 2022, we celebrated creativity and the amazing achievements of 35 leaders in Most Creative People in Business in six inspiring categories, which included For Challenging The Status Quo, For Rewriting The Rules, and For Delighting Us, among others.

The honorees under these categories included H.E Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Application; Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan Al Maktoum who has set a milestone in civil aviation; H.E. Under Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, who is leading the global innovation incubator and a testing ground for future technologies, Ammar Al Malik, managing director, Dubai Internet City, and Dubai Outsource City, shaping the MENA region’s largest tech-focused ecosystem, and Huda and Mona Kattan, co-founders of Huda Beauty, a global cosmetics line disrupting what it means to be beautiful, among many others.

The two new categories we added this year are: For Saving The Planet and For Advancing Technology and Innovation.

These categories shine a light on climate champions leading the groundswell of activities across the region, moving the world toward a low-carbon future by building resilience to climate disasters, and the unique leaders using science and technology for a brighter future by developing and implementing innovative and transformative solutions that address wider social challenges. 

And we’re pleased to report that many amazing climate champions and awe-inspiring tech leaders are driving monumental breakthroughs across the region.

These new categories came about through Fast Company Middle East’s annual process of reviewing an eclectic mix of achievers creating value.  

The 2023 list will be announced at a gala event hosted at one of the most iconic venues in Dubai on May 17. Last year’s gala saw over 200 celebrities, royals, and business leaders attend the prestigious event.