Key Takeaways from Gitex Global 2023: The largest technology event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, just concluded in Dubai. The event showcased the latest innovations and trends in various sectors such as AI, 5G, cloud computing, cybersecurity, smart cities and more. In this article, we will highlight some of the key takeaways from this year’s Gitex Global 2023.
One of the main themes of the event was the role of technology in accelerating the recovery and transformation of the post-pandemic world. Several speakers and exhibitors emphasized how digital solutions can help businesses and governments cope with the challenges and opportunities created by the COVID-19 crisis. For example, Dubai Health Authority demonstrated how it used AI to improve its health services and vaccine distribution. Microsoft showcased how it enabled remote work and learning through its cloud platforms and tools. Huawei presented its vision of building a fully connected, intelligent world with its 5G and AI technologies.
Another theme that emerged from the event was the importance of collaboration and partnership in driving innovation and growth. Many exhibitors and speakers highlighted how they worked with other stakeholders to create value and solve problems. For example, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority announced its collaboration with Siemens Energy to develop a green hydrogen project in Dubai. IBM revealed its partnership with Dubai Customs to enhance its blockchain-based trade platform. Etisalat showcased its joint initiatives with various entities such as Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Digital Authority and more.
The event also featured several inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and startups who leveraged technology to create social impact and economic opportunities. The Gitex Future Stars, the region’s largest startup event, hosted more than 500 startups from over 60 countries who pitched their ideas to investors, corporates and government officials. Some of the winners of the pitch competitions included: Zbooni, a UAE-based fintech startup that enables merchants to accept payments through social media; Nafas, a Bahrain-based healthtech startup that provides online therapy for mental health issues; and Cargon, a Pakistan-based logistics startup that connects truck drivers with shippers.
Star Innovations and Ideas of Gitex Global 2023 Event
Virtual Police Officer:
Dubai Police has introduced a new virtual officer named Amna, who can help the public with various services using voice commands and artificial intelligence. Amna was showcased at the GITEX Global Technology Exhibition 2023, where she interacted with visitors and answered their questions about traffic fines, accidents, reports and more. Amna is also available on the Dubai Police website and soon on other platforms such as social media and WhatsApp. Amna is part of Dubai Police’s vision to transform policing and enhance customer satisfaction using innovative technologies.
Some of the services that Amna can provide include issuing police clearance certificates, checking traffic status, and giving details about traffic clearance certificates. Amna can also recognize faces, read car license plates, and detect criminal behaviour using advanced cameras and smart technology. Amna can speak both Arabic and English, and there are plans to add more languages in the future. Amna is not the only virtual officer in Dubai Police, as there will be more specialized ones in the future, such as those related to investigations.
Autonomous Retail Stores:
One of the most innovative trends in retail is the emergence of autonomous stores, which use artificial intelligence (AI) to create a seamless and personalized shopping experience for customers. These stores do not require human staff, cashiers, or checkout lines, as they rely on sensors, cameras, and smart algorithms to track and process purchases. Customers can simply walk in, grab what they need, and walk out, while their payment is automatically deducted from their digital wallet.
One of the platforms that showcased this technology was GITEX Global, the largest technology event in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, which took place in Dubai in October 2023. Among the exhibitors were several autonomous store solutions, such as AiFi, Standard Cognition, and Zippin, which demonstrated how they use AI to enable frictionless and convenient shopping for consumers and retailers alike.
AiFi is a company that provides an end-to-end platform for creating autonomous stores of any size and format. It uses a combination of computer vision, deep learning, edge computing, and sensor fusion to detect and identify products and shoppers in real time. AiFi also offers a mobile app that allows customers to scan a QR code to enter the store, view their shopping list and recommendations, and receive receipts and rewards. AiFi claims that its technology can support up to 500 concurrent shoppers in a single store, and that it can reduce operational costs by up to 75%.
Gitex Europe:
GITEX, the leading technology event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, has announced its plans to expand its global reach with a European edition of the fair, scheduled to launch in 2025. The announcement was made at the GITEX Global 2023 event, which showcased the latest innovations and trends in the tech industry.
The European edition of GITEX will be held in a major European city, and will feature exhibitors and speakers from across the continent and beyond, covering topics such as digital transformation, cybersecurity, smart cities, blockchain, cloud computing and more. The event will also provide networking opportunities for tech enthusiasts, investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers, as well as showcase the best practices and success stories from the European tech ecosystem.
GITEX Europe is expected to attract thousands of visitors and participants from around the world, and to position itself as a leading platform for innovation and collaboration in the European market. The event will also strengthen the ties between Europe and the Middle East, Africa and South Asia regions, fostering cross-cultural exchange and cooperation in the field of technology.
Zoho Corp Expansion Plans:
Zoho Corp, a global software company that offers a suite of cloud-based applications and services, has revealed its ambitious expansion plans for the Middle East and Africa region at the GITEX Technology Week 2023. The company, which has been operating in the region since 2012, plans to open more offices, hire more local talent, and launch more localized products and solutions to cater to the diverse needs of its customers.
One of the highlights of Zoho Corp’s participation at GITEX was the unveiling of its new artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant, Zia, which can help users with various tasks such as scheduling meetings, creating reports, and answering queries. Zia can also integrate with other Zoho products and third-party applications to provide a seamless and personalized user experience.
Zoho Corp also showcased its latest innovations in areas such as customer relationship management, business intelligence, collaboration, finance, and human resources. The company aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated platform that can help businesses of all sizes and industries to run their operations more efficiently and effectively.
RTA’s Smart Tech:
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced a smart gate initiative that allows passengers to pay public transport fares through facial recognition. The initiative, which was unveiled at GITEX Global 2023, is a breakthrough in smart mobility and customer service. The smart gate system works by registering and identifying the user’s face using 3D cameras and biometric data. The system then deducts the fare amount from the user’s account without the need for tickets, nol cards, or credit cards. The smart gate is applicable to Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, buses, taxis, and marine transport. The RTA also showcased other innovative projects at GITEX Global 2023, such as the world’s first electric Abra made using 3D printing technology and the Dubai Virtual Police Officers that use AI and metaverse technologies to enhance security and safety.
EdTech Sector:
The EdTech sector is one of the most dynamic and innovative fields of the 21st century, especially with the advent of generative AI. Generative AI is a type of AI system capable of creating text, images, or other media in response to prompts, using algorithms trained on human-generated content. Generative AI has many applications in education, such as generating personalized feedback, content, and assessments for learners, as well as enhancing teachers’ productivity and creativity.
One of the countries that is leading the way in using generative AI in EdTech is Estonia. Estonia has a long history of excellence in education and technology, ranking first in Europe for digital skills and digital public services. Estonia’s strategy for AI development foresees several reforms to the formal education and training systems in order to increase skills and competences in AI. The number of EdTech startups in Estonia has increased by 50% in the last five years, with an annual growth rate of 30-50%. Some of the Estonian EdTech companies that are using generative AI include Midjourney, which generates images from text prompts, and stability.ai, which transforms images and videos using style transfer.
Estonia’s achievements in using generative AI in EdTech were showcased at the GITEX GLOBAL 2023 event in Dubai, where Kristina Kallas, Minister of Education and Research of Estonia, shared how AI is transforming education in a fireside chat. She said that generative AI can improve access to education for various social groups facing barriers today, such as learners with disabilities, migrants, or refugees. She also highlighted the ethical and social challenges of using generative AI in education, such as ensuring quality, accuracy, and fairness of the generated content.
Farm Bots:
Farm bots are innovative technologies that can revolutionize the agriculture sector in the UAE and beyond. They can reduce human labor, water consumption, and environmental impact, while increasing productivity, quality, and profitability of crops. One example of a farm bot is the tree-planting bot designed by the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), which was unveiled at GITEX 2023. This bot can plant trees in seconds, using a drill and a seed capsule, and can cover large areas of land efficiently. It can also monitor soil conditions and optimize resource utilization.
Another example is the vertical farm built by iFarm in Dubai, which uses the new iFarm Multigreens technology to grow leafy greens, microgreens, herbs and edible flowers in a shared growing space. iFarm Multigreens technology allows a variety of crops to be grown in the same space, using the Ebb & Flow hydroponic system, which enhances oxygen supply to the plant roots and results in higher yields per square meter. This farm can produce around 3 tonnes of fresh produce per month, catering to the premium hospitality and retail sectors in Dubai. These farm bots demonstrate the potential of agritech to transform the food system in the UAE and contribute to its food security and sustainability goals.
AI-Powered Drones:
AI-powered drones are becoming more popular and versatile, as they can perform various tasks and functions that were previously impossible or impractical. One of the places where AI-powered drones are showcased is GITEX Global, an annual technology exhibition held in Dubai. GITEX Global 2023 featured several innovative and cutting-edge AI-powered drones that can be used for different purposes, such as delivering goods and services, monitoring traffic and security, conducting surveys and inspections, and more.
One of the most impressive AI-powered drones displayed at GITEX Global 2023 was the Dubai Virtual Police Officer, a drone that can act as a law enforcement agent and assist the public with various issues and inquiries. The Dubai Virtual Police Officer can recognize faces and voices, communicate in multiple languages, scan documents and licenses, issue fines and warnings, and even arrest suspects. The drone is equipped with a camera, a speaker, a microphone, a printer, and a handcuff dispenser. The drone can also connect to the Dubai Police Command Center and access databases and records.
Smart Cities:
Smart cities are urban areas that use artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve the quality of life of their residents. AI and IoT enable smart cities to monitor, analyze, and optimize various aspects of urban living, such as energy, transportation, security, environment, and waste management. One of the events that showcased smart city solutions that use AI to improve urban living was Gitex Global 2023, held in Dubai. One of the highlights of the event was the Dubai Virtual Police Officers, a project that uses AI to enhance public safety and security. The Dubai Virtual Police Officers are interactive kiosks that allow citizens to report crimes, pay fines, and access various services. They also use facial recognition and biometric authentication to verify identities and detect suspicious activities. The project aims to reduce crime rates, increase efficiency, and provide convenience to the public.
Some other examples of smart city solutions that use AI are:
- Smart meters, which use IoT sensors to track and monitor energy usage and provide real-time data to optimize energy consumption and save costs.
- Traffic management systems, which use AI to analyze traffic data and coordinate traffic signals, reducing congestion, improving transit efficiency, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
- Waste management systems, which use AI to optimize waste collection routes, identify waste types, and promote recycling and composting.
- Environmental monitoring systems, which use AI to measure air quality, noise levels, and weather conditions, and predict pollution levels and risks.
- Parking systems, which use license plate recognition technology to enforce payments and tickets, and recommend spaces based on availability and car size.
Climate Change Solutions:
Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, and it requires innovative solutions that can reduce the impact of human activities on the environment. One of the places where such solutions are showcased is GITEX Global 2023, the largest technology event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. GITEX Global 2023 featured a dedicated section for climate change solutions, where exhibitors from various sectors and industries displayed their products and services that use artificial intelligence (AI) to lower carbon emissions and promote sustainability.
AI is a powerful tool that can help us find and implement solutions for climate change, one of the biggest threats to our planet. AI can help us in many ways, such as:
- Measuring and reducing emissions from various sources, such as energy production, transportation, and industry.
- Developing and deploying new technologies that can capture and store CO 2 from the atmosphere or the oceans.
- Educating and empowering people to take action and adopt more sustainable lifestyles and behaviors.
- Exploring and evaluating the potential and risks of solar geoengineering, which involves manipulating the Earth’s climate system to counteract global warming.
- Financing and investing in green projects and initiatives that can support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Conclusion
Gitex Global 2023 was a successful event that showcased the vibrant and diverse tech ecosystem of the region and beyond. The event provided a platform for networking, learning and exchanging ideas among various stakeholders in the tech industry. It also highlighted the potential of technology to create positive change and value for society.