Sam Altman at GITEX 2025: Building AI-Native Societies

GITEX GLOBAL 2025 stands as the world’s premier technology and AI gathering, uniting thousands of exhibitors, startups, and global leaders to explore the structural foundations of AI-native societies. From October 13 to 17, the Dubai World Trade Center will host more than 6,800 exhibitors, 2,000 startups, and 1,200 investors alongside delegations from over 180 countries. This monumental event serves as a critical platform for high-level policy discussions, major technology launches, and cross-sector networking, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of intelligence-driven economies.

On the event’s second day, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, will make his first appearance at GITEX in a virtual conversation with Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42. Their dialogue will focus on building the essential frameworks for societies fully integrated with artificial intelligence. They will be joined by senior leaders from organizations including Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, Khazna Data Centers, Cerebras, and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, among others.

The opening day drew capacity crowds and featured the largest assembly of government leaders, tech enterprises, and investors in the event’s 45-year history. H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, addressed a packed main stage audience on the theme “The Race Beyond Innovation: AI, Geopolitics, and the Global Economic Reset.” He emphasized that the UAE, guided by forward-looking leadership, is not just participating in the global innovation race but actively shaping its direction. The nation is building an economic model grounded in resilience, knowledge, and advanced technology, strengthening its position at the forefront of the global economic landscape.

Global leaders also examined the impact of deep-tech ecosystems. Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation at the European Commission, joined Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute, to discuss shared visions for innovation. Zaharieva noted that the European Union and the UAE are aligned on the importance of startups and scaleups, with GITEX GLOBAL 2025 marking the starting point for this collaborative journey.

During the Intelligence Super-Cycle panel, Hon. Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister for AI and Digital Innovation, and Amandeep Gill, UN Envoy for Digital Technologies, explored how AI is becoming the defining economic infrastructure of this century. Solomon described GITEX as a core example of entrepreneurs launching at unprecedented speeds, emphasizing the need to maintain shared values and deepen international partnerships.

Andrew Feldman, CEO of Cerebras, provided insights into high-performance computing advancements. He explained how his company built the largest chip in computing history, roughly the size of a dinner plate. By keeping more information on the chip and reducing data movement, they achieved faster AI inferencing speeds with lower power consumption, redefining possibilities in AI training.

On the exhibition floor, visitors encountered breakthrough technologies from leading global enterprises. e& attracted large crowds with over 90 showcases spanning mobility, robotics, digital healthcare, and consumer tech. Highlights included eVTOL prototypes powered by six independent batteries, air taxis, autonomous solutions, and record-setting electric vehicles capable of traveling thousands of kilometers on a single charge.

Oracle presented a suite of enterprise AI solutions, including agentic AI tools for financial planning and smart supply-chain management. The popular Oracle Red Bull Racing demonstration illustrated how Oracle Cloud-powered real-time data helps drive performance and victory.

BlackBerry launched its mission-critical communications platform, noted by a senior representative as the only technology certified by multiple governments worldwide for data sovereign classified communications. The company serves as a trusted partner for several G20 governments and eight of the top ten global banks.

AWS showcased the power of its cloud platform, emphasizing built-in cybersecurity and operational capabilities. Its marketplace offers customers a clear advantage in integrating new cloud solutions seamlessly.

HCL Software unveiled innovations allowing real-time website and application customization through generative AI, alongside enhanced cybersecurity systems and its BigFix endpoint management platform. Their focus on AI education and practical implementation demonstrates how businesses can evolve securely and intelligently.

The first day also featured record international participation, with Brazil joining as Country Partner with its largest-ever delegation. National pavilions from Canada, Spain, Türkiye, Chile, and Ecuador were present, alongside expanded representation from Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Levant.

In a landmark announcement, GITEX Ai Serbia was revealed as a new event set to debut at the Belgrade Fair exhibition complex from May 26 to 27, 2027. Organized by Dubai World Trade Center and KAOUN International in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, this event will launch as the official tech event of EXPO 2027 Belgrade. It aims to position Southeast Europe as a dynamic nexus where emerging digital economies connect with global innovation, technology, and investment frontiers.

(Source: Economy Middle East)