Post by : Badri Ariffin

Dubai is set to host its largest assembly of futurists as the Dubai Future Forum begins tomorrow at the Museum of the Future. This fourth edition is under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and takes place from 18 to 19 November, with over 2,500 participants from 100 top global organizations expected to attend.

Organized by the Dubai Future Foundation, the Forum features more than 200 speakers throughout 70 sessions centered on five key themes: Exploring the Unknown, Empowering Societies, Reimagining Health, Optimizing Systems, and Foresight Insights. The agenda aims to reveal how swift global transformations, emerging technologies, and societal challenges are reshaping our future.

A notable addition this year is the Learning Days on 17 and 20 November. These special sessions, created in collaboration with various regional and global institutions, delve into topics such as foresight, global security, strategic philanthropy, wearable technologies, urban resilience, and the future of media. The event features closed-door roundtables, symposiums, and discussions to foster deeper insights into new opportunities and risks.

Additionally, Arab News and Dubai Future Foundation hosted a media roundtable addressing how global media can adapt to rapid technological advancements and digital changes. Discussions emphasized the growing significance of trust, policy, and responsible tech use in the context of AI.

The Forum also includes focused sessions led by international partners. Panels on global security focus on how foresight tools can navigate complex geopolitical changes, while discussions on strategic philanthropy assess emerging impact-driven efforts. Sessions about wearable technology examine the path from research to real-world applications, and urban resilience panels reflect on how cities can adapt to climatic challenges.

Day 1 will feature an opening keynote by Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, proceeding with a headline session involving Mastercard's CEO Michael Miebach and UAE State Minister for AI Omar Sultan Al Olama. Topics throughout the day will range from building regenerative societies and decoding human consciousness to preparing industries for economic shifts and defining what it means to be a futurist today.

Meanwhile, the Prototypes for Humanity – Dubai Future Solutions Exhibition 2025 launched today at AREA 2071 in Emirates Towers. This exhibition displays 100 exceptional projects selected from over 3,000 submissions from 120 countries, with five innovators to receive awards to propel their ideas into reality.

During the Forum, winners of the inaugural Dubai Foresight Awards will be announced, honoring global innovators in three categories: Foresight Change Makers, Foresight for People, and Foresight for the Planet. There will also be a Future Stories Awards Ceremony to celebrate storytellers inspiring forward-looking mindsets.

Backed by prominent strategic partners including Dubai Municipality, Emirates Global Aluminium, UNICEF, XPANCEO, The Explorers Club, and various universities, Dubai Future Forum 2025 illustrates the city's expanding role as a vital hub for innovative and future-focused ideas.

#UAE News #Dubai News