Technology Showcase: What To Expect At Gitex This Year

The annual Gitex Technology Week, being held in Dubai this month, reflects the region’s mounting emphasis on digital transformation.

- Aarti Nagraj

Technology has become the buzzword in the Middle East in recent years, and with governments taking the lead in adopting new technologies, the sector is seeing unprecedented growth.

One of the biggest events highlighting the sector’s growth in the region is the annual Gitex Technology Week, which will take place this year from October 8-12 at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme ‘re-imagining realities: discover, transform and innovate’.

Organisers expect more than 4,000 exhibitors and 100,000 visitors to attend the event this year from across the retail, finance, healthcare and public sectors.

“The 37th Gitex Technology Week will be the most global edition of the event to date and feature new and expanded show features – with a key focus on how converging technology innovations, from artificial intelligence, AI, robotics, blockchain and AR/VR, can solve problems in our daily lives and transform businesses around the world,” says Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, Dubai World Trade Centre.

Some of the features this year include Gitex Global Sourcing – a platform that will connect solution providers and vendors to buyers with sourcing needs and a new Global Smart Cities Hall that will feature 150 public sector organisations from around the world.

Overall, the event will showcase 17 specialist technologies driving digital transformation, including blockchain, artificial intelligence, drones, robotics, 3D printing and the Internet of Things.

These technologies will be featured in solution demos by exhibitors and start-ups, and will also be a major focus of conference speakers during Gitex Power Conferences.

Smart Cities, public sector innovation, and connected manufacturing and transportation will also be key highlights during the conferences.

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