Five things we learned at world’s biggest tech show GITEX
With the dust settled on another record-breaking GITEX GLOBAL event in Dubai – dubbed the world’s largest tech and startup event – it’s a chance to catch up on the key takeaways and talking points you may have missed.
With more than 6,000 exhibitors, 1,800 startups, and an estimated 170,000 visitors, it would have been impossible to see everything.
Business Chief Middle East & Africa was an official media partner for the show, and brings you the lowdown from the show floor.
1
AI really is in everything
The theme for GITEX 2023 was ‘The Year to Imagine AI in Everything’ and you literally could not move on the show floor or in one of the many stages without hearing that ubiquitous acronym. Interestingly, far from being overhyped, there was a refreshingly balanced view from global experts at the show, outlining not just the incredible opportunities that AI could bring, but also its limitations in certain contexts.
The human race, it seems, is safe (for now).
2
e& really are expanding
Without doubt the exhibition stand with the biggest ‘wow’ factor was e& – the former telco turned mega techco. While concept supercars and flying taxis drew the crowd, it was the constant stream of announcements and partnerships that really caught the eye across the various business divisions – including e& life, e& enterprise, e& capital.
New launches included an electric vehicle charging system (Charge&Go) and an autonomous store experience (EASE) that will use AI to allow customers to make seamless purchases.
If one company is going to win the race to create the region’s first genuine superapp, you’d back e&.
3
Du forge own path
Fellow UAE telco du often appears to be in the shadow of its competitor e&, yet it really is stepping out and carving its own path – typified by some of the technology and announcements we saw at GITEX.
From farming to manufacturing, education to healthcare, du showcased a series of advancements and new solutions.
The company also announced collaborations with major players including Dubai Municipality, Microsoft, and Emirates NBD.
Another highlight was the launch of an ICT marketplace in partnership with Cloud Blue, and hosted on Azure – sure to be a hit with businesses in the UAE.
4
G42 continues to evolve
Definitely one to watch, Abu Dhabi’s exciting technology group G42 made the smart move of making a key announcement ahead of the show starting. That was the forming of new entity Core42 – an amalgamation of G42 Cloud, Inception, and Injazat – that will focus on the delivery of national-scale AI solutions and services.
The new company is being led by G42’s Group CTO Kiril Evtimov, who also becomes CEO of Core42.
At the show, Core42 also signed two eye-catching deals with hyperscaler AWS and ChatGPT parent OpenAI.
Things always move quickly at G42, so expect more landmark announcements as the company delivers digital transformation at scale.
5
Ich bin ein GITEXer
Having been based in Dubai for more than 40 years, it was time for the show to broaden its horizons. After expanding into Africa in May 2023 with GITEX AFRICA in Morocco, one of the major announcements at this event was that the world’s largest tech event is heading to Europe, and will be held in Berlin from 21-23 May 2025.
"Berlin is a natural partner and twin to Dubai," said Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE minister of state for artificial intelligence, digital economy, and remote work applications and chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
"Going to Berlin proves that we are able to take the best and brightest minds from the region to Europe and also bring them back to Dubai.”
The only real question is, where will GITEX head next?
