GITEX Global 2024: Key Observations
The annual GITEX Global event puts the UAE on the global stage, and this year it was driven by AI and the importance of fostering big tech partnerships.
GITEX Global took place in Dubai from 14-18 October 2024, held in tandem with Expand North Star (previously known as GITEX Future Stars). The colossal gathering of more than 200,000 visitors is amazing to witness and experience from the vibrant show floor. The expansive show is spread across two venues, the Dubai World Trade Center and Dubai Harbour, and was made up of 6500 exhibitors, 1800 startups, and 1200 investors, as well as governments from more than 180 countries. Yes, it is without doubt focused on technology, but it is much more.
It represents a bold and clear vision of the future and continues to attract more and more of the big tech giants given the wealth of revenue opportunity that exists. This is underlined by the eye-watering $1bn+ deal signed between e& and AWS at the show. Furthermore, it highlights the huge commitment to accelerate cloud innovation and digital transformation in the region over the coming years. In fact, the value of strategic deals announced over the course of the show is predicted to accelerate the growth of the global AI market to $1.34tn by 2030, according to Markets and Markets.
The UAE is actively pursuing an aggressive transformation strategy with a focus on making all matters of everyday life as digital and seamless as possible. There was no shortage of robots and concept mobility solutions amongst the slew of news regarding AI, connectivity and partnerships. Still, a core theme based around demonstrating AI in action was evident throughout the week.
The cloud and AI powerhouse companies were present in force: AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, as well as Dell and Oracle from the US. Not to be undone there was strong representation from Asia, including Alibaba and Tencent.
Here are some of my observations from the event; ‘observations’ as this is one of the biggest shows I attend in any given year and covering the huge volume of floor space, as well as all the concurrent conference sessions across two venues, is an impossible task.
Some of the other brands/companies mentioned include: Abu Dhabi Airport, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, e&, Ericsson, G42, Living Homes, Meta, Nokia, OpenAI, Orange Business, Qualcomm, Rabbit, and S4 Capital.
Areas covered: AI, autonomous vehicles, cloud, connectivity (5G), data centres, digital transformation, enterprise, reality (augmented, mixed, and virtual), and robots.