Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid unveils GITEX Global 2025 — Here’s why global tech leaders are in Dubai

Op-ed by Hisham Al Gurg, CEO of Seed Group and The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum

The McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2025 shows that AI global investment has surpassed $124 billion (AED455 billion), with adoption accelerating across various industries. During this global shift, the UAE stands out as a leading adopter of AI, supported by forward-looking policies and digital transformation. Having witnessed this evolution, I’ve seen how quickly the UAE translates emerging technologies into real-world applications — from public services to private enterprise.

Dubai exemplifies this growth, where technology now drives much of the emirate’s economic progress. The Dubai World Trade Centre alone generated AED22.35 billion ($6 billion) in economic output in 2024, with IT-related conferences accounting for AED1.55 billion ($421 million). It’s within this thriving technology landscape that GITEX Global takes centre stage.

GITEX Global 2025 was inaugurated earlier this week by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. It is the city’s flagship technology expo and runs from 13–17 October.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, 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 of the UAE; and H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, are also in attendance.

Who attends GITEX Global?

The 45th GITEX Global welcomes over 6,800 exhibitors, 2,000 companies, policymakers, family offices, venture capital firms, and sovereign wealth funds. Among the participants are representatives from Seed Group and The Private Office, contributing to discussions on emerging trends and investment prospects.

Influential speakers include H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri – UAE’s Minister of Economy and  Tourism; H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama – UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; along with high-profile figures like Ekaterina Zaharieva – Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation at the European Commission.

A highlight of this year’s program is the dialogue between Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42. They discussed AI-native societies and equitable access to intelligence resources. In May 2025, the White House announced a partnership with the UAE to build a 5-gigawatt AI data centre campus in Abu Dhabi called Stargate UAE.

Led by G42 and with OpenAI as one of the key partners, this project highlights the UAE’s mission to advance data infrastructure and energy efficiency, while promoting AI sovereignty. G42 Group Chief AI Officer Dr. Andrew Jackson said the project’s first 300 megawatts will be operational by 2026.

The GITEX halls pulse with new product launches and major policy announcements. Global technology leaders, including Microsoft, Google, Oracle, Huawei, and IBM, highlighted transformative AI, cloud, and data solutions. Meanwhile, Dubai’s DET launched the Invest in Dubai platform, which features an AI-enabled ‘360 Services’ interface to simplify business licensing and government services.

This year’s event has expanded to include new areas such as Super Data Centres, GITEX Quantum Expo, and Physical AI. The Expand North Star at Dubai Harbour, the largest startup and investor event, is witnessing remarkable growth. International representation has grown from 39 to 100 countries, and participating firms have jumped from 350 to 2,000 since 2016. Simultaneously, investor attendance has risen from 150 to 1,200, as noted by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.

Is it worth it to open a business in Dubai?

From a leadership perspective, Dubai’s appeal lies in its balance of business readiness, innovation capacity, and regulatory clarity. Entrepreneurs entering the market gain unique access to a business-friendly ecosystem that actively supports and invests in innovative solutions. I have seen how the UAE enables both startups and multinational companies to connect with key decision-makers and stakeholders. These strengths make the country a strategic launchpad for SMEs and emerging enterprises seeking long-term value and global reach.

New location and dates announced for GITEX 2026

GITEX Global’s 46th edition will take place at Expo City Dubai from 7–11 December 2026. This new location indicates the emirate’s goal of merging technology with lifestyle, while the shift to December places the event during the peak tourism season. It will also introduce TechCation, a fresh concept that integrates technology, business, and lifestyle, further making Dubai a year-round hub for innovation and enterprise.