EmTech MENA 2019 Highlights UAE’s Technological Advancements, Importance Of Future Co-Creation
The second edition of EmTech MENA kicked off today during Dubai Future Week with a packed schedule of insightful sessions, panel discussions with high-level government officials and private sector leaders, as well as a showcase by the winners of the ‘Innovators Under 35’ award.
Organized by Dubai Future Foundation, MIT Technology Review and Haykal Media, the conference showcases emerging technologies with the greatest potential to impact lives, inspire a bright future and drive the new global economy.
In her keynote speech at the session ‘Technology & Creativity Shaping the Future’, Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, addressed the intertwined relationship of art and technology as a driver of creativity and culture.
She noted that technology plays an integral role in changing cultural practices today, and offers a myriad opportunities to expand our horizons, trigger reflection, awaken empathy and connect with our fellow humans.
Her Excellency said: “In the UAE, the construction of the world’s first 3D-printed office space, as well as the launch of the National Innovation Strategy, the UAE Vision 2021, the Dubai 10X initiative, Dubai Future Accelerators and United for Smart Sustainable Cities are all part of our leadership’s efforts to develop a knowledge-based economy. The future of culture depends heavily on new technologies. Through digital landscaping, we are creating a cultural archive for the next generations, safeguarding our history and heritage for years to come.”
His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), said: “Modern technologies are driving change in the electricity and water sector, and redefining the concept of utilities. These technologies are helping achieve the vision and directives of the UAE’s wise leadership to keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
He added: “In an ambitious move to leverage AI to enhance sustainability and energy efficiency, DEWA launched Digital DEWA in September 2019 to disrupt the public utilities domain and to become the first digital utility in the world to use autonomous systems for renewable energy and its storage.”
Abdulaziz Al Jaziri, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operations Officer at Dubai Future Foundation, said: “Just like our forefathers transformed the desert into a world-class city through designing the future, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is transforming Dubai into a global innovation hub and a leading city of the future.
“Through hosting global events such as EmTech, attracting the right talent and startups to the region, and creating an enabling ecosystem for innovation, Dubai Future Foundation aims to position the city as an open lab that co-creates the future.”
Day two of EmTech MENA will feature panel discussions ‘Rewriting Life’, ‘Future Cities’ and ‘The Future of Energy & Sustainability’. The agenda will also include sessions by Dr Mariam Ali Alghawi, Director of the Gifted Welfare Department at the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance, and Dr Madhu Sasidhar, Chief Medical Officer of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
EmTech MENA has garnered the support of DEWA as the Event Partner, Microsoft as a Platinum Sponsor, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi as Gold Sponsors, Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance as the Exclusive Partner of the ‘Innovators Under 35’ award, PwC as the Knowledge Partner and Parsons as a Silver Sponsor.
