GITEX GLOBAL 2024 Kicks Off with Record-Breaking International Participation

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 has kicked off with unprecedented international participation, marking a historic opening day for the world’s largest tech and startup gathering. The event, held at the Dubai World Trade Center, has drawn a record number of global innovators, showcasing the emirate’s growing influence as an innovation hub and its commitment to fostering digital solutions and advanced technologies.

This year’s exhibition features groundbreaking AI and tech showcases from industry giants like Huawei and Microsoft, highlighting the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. Key insights from UAE leadership, including Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, underscore the nation’s vision to become a future-ready digital economy. The event also spotlights the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and its goals to attract foreign direct investment and drive economic growth through technology and innovation.

Record-Breaking International Participation

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 has achieved an impressive milestone with the highest-ever international participation since its inception. The event has experienced a remarkable growth of almost 40 percent in global representation, solidifying its position as a premier tech and startup gathering.

Over 6,500 exhibitors from 180+ countries

This year’s edition brings together an unprecedented number of tech enterprises, showcasing the event’s global appeal. With over 6,500 exhibitors from more than 180 countries, GITEX GLOBAL 2024 has become a melting pot of innovation and technological advancements.

Highest-ever global representation

The event has attracted participants from diverse regions, including rising digital nations from Central Asia and Latin America. European participation has reached new heights, with nearly forty exhibiting countries and over 1,000 SMEs from the region. New participants such as Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Serbia, and Slovenia have joined the event, further expanding its global reach.

Central and Southeast Asia are also well-represented, with exhibitors from Singapore, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan making their debut. China, Japan, South Korea, and India continue to show record-breaking participation, bringing hundreds of enterprises, SMEs, and startups to Dubai’s center stage.

1,800 startups and 1,200 investors in attendance

The startup ecosystem at GITEX GLOBAL 2024 is thriving, with 1,800 startups and 1,200 investors in attendance. This impressive gathering of innovators and investors creates unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and growth. Latin American participation has also seen a significant boost, with Brazilian involvement doubling compared to previous editions. Over 50 exhibiting companies, startups, accelerators, and innovation hubs from Brazil alone are showcasing their technological prowess at the event.

Groundbreaking AI and Tech Showcases

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 has become a hub for cutting-edge AI and tech innovations, showcasing groundbreaking advancements from industry leaders. The event has highlighted how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping various sectors and paving the way for a digital future.

G42’s Intelligence Grid experience

G42, a UAE-based technology holding group, has introduced the concept of an ‘Intelligence Grid’ at GITEX. This innovative approach aims to set a new standard for scalable AI solutions across critical sectors such as government, healthcare, and energy. Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, presented this visionary concept during a fireside chat on the main stage. The Intelligence Grid is designed to integrate AI into every aspect of daily life, delivering knowledge, assistance, and capabilities on demand. This ambitious project aligns with the UAE AI Strategy 2031 and demonstrates the country’s commitment to becoming a global AI leader.

Lenovo’s AI-powered hardware and cloud solutions

Lenovo has showcased its ‘Smarter AI for All’ vision at GITEX, presenting a comprehensive portfolio of AI-driven solutions. The company’s display includes high-performance computing and data center solutions that support AI workloads and enable seamless integration of AI technologies. Lenovo’s smart devices, including AI-powered laptops, tablets, and collaboration products, are designed to enhance user experience and productivity. These innovations align with the UAE’s goal of creating high economic value through AI across various sectors.

XPeng AeroHT eVTOL Flying Car demonstration

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 has also featured a groundbreaking demonstration of the XPeng AeroHT eVTOL Flying Car, offering a glimpse into the future of mobility. This innovative vehicle represents a significant milestone in the development of flying cars, showcasing the rapid advancements in transportation technology. The demonstration has captured global attention and highlights the event’s role in showcasing transformative technologies that have the potential to reshape industries and everyday life.

Key Leadership Insights on AI and Innovation

UAE’s vision for non-oil economic growth

The UAE has set ambitious targets for its non-oil sector, aiming to increase its contribution to the national GDP from the current 74% to 80% by 2030. His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, Cabinet Member & UAE Minister of Economy, emphasized the country’s commitment to breaking records and becoming a global R&D hub. This vision aligns with the UAE’s efforts to foster innovation, enhance competitiveness, and position itself as a leader in the new economy.

AI governance and regulation discussions

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 has provided a platform for crucial discussions on AI governance and regulation. H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President & Secretary General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), shared insights on AI leadership and its societal implications. The event has highlighted the need for balanced approaches to AI development, considering both its potential and the importance of human creativity.

Balancing AI potential with human creativity

Leaders at GITEX have stressed the importance of striking a balance between AI’s capabilities and human intuition. Discussions have focused on transformative AI case studies across government, enterprise, and startups, emphasizing the need to swiftly move from proofs-of-concept to practical applications. The event has also addressed the challenges of cybercrime in the AI era, with experts like Didier Jacobs, Head of ICT & Chief AI Officer at Europol, calling for increased collaboration and technology deployment to combat borderless digital threats.

Looking Ahead: GITEX GLOBAL 2024 Highlights

‘Super AI Tuesday’ focus

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 is set to feature a groundbreaking ‘Super AI Tuesday,’ highlighting the transformative power of artificial intelligence across industries. This dedicated day will showcase the most innovative AI applications, from generative AI to intelligent automation, demonstrating how these technologies are reshaping business strategies and creating new growth opportunities worldwide. Attendees can expect to witness live demonstrations of AI-powered solutions and gain insights into the future of digital transformation.

Expanded global tech event network

GITEX GLOBAL is expanding its reach beyond Dubai, seamlessly connecting with a network of international tech events. This expansion includes GITEX EUROPE in Berlin, GITEX ASIA in Singapore, GITEX AFRICA in Morocco, and GITEX NIGERIA. These events aim to foster collaboration and drive innovation, shaping the global tech landscape. The expanded network reflects GITEX’s commitment to accelerating the global tech ecosystem, building capacity, and enabling cross-regional investment.

Exploring emerging tech markets

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 will shine a spotlight on emerging tech markets, with a particular focus on Pakistan’s rapidly growing IT industry. Pakistan is positioning itself as a global tech powerhouse, offering a large pool of tech talent and strategic advantages for companies looking to penetrate the Asian market. The country’s IT sector has established itself as a leader in software solutions and outsourcing services, with significant investments in cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, and cloud computing. This focus on emerging markets aligns with GITEX’s mission to drive business growth and economic impact through cross-global engagement.

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 has solidified its position as a powerhouse in the tech world, bringing together innovators, investors, and industry leaders from across the globe. The event’s record-breaking international participation and groundbreaking AI showcases highlight Dubai’s growing influence as a hub for innovation and digital solutions. With its focus on emerging technologies and markets, GITEX is paving the way for a future where AI and advanced tech play a crucial role in shaping economies and societies.

The insights shared by UAE leadership and global experts during the event underscore the importance of balancing AI’s potential with human creativity and the need for responsible governance. As GITEX expands its reach through a network of international tech events, it continues to drive collaboration and innovation on a global scale. This year’s event has set the stage for exciting developments in AI, showcasing how these technologies are reshaping industries and opening up new opportunities for growth and advancement.