Dubai spearheads reopening of the global events sector with AI everything x Restart Dubai summer conference 2020

• Region’s first live, interactive networking business event of H2 2020 hosts an impressive congregation of UAE ministerial authorities, leading multinational CEOs, investors and tech entrepreneurs and AI visionaries
• Exemplary health and hygiene global standards implemented to ensure uncompromised wellbeing for participants 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is emphatically driving forward the resumption of the global events sector with the launch of  the H2 2020 MEASA MICE calendar in partnership with the National Artificial Intelligence Program, with the flagship Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference on Thursday 16^th July, accelerating the momentum Dubai has been building to reopen various economic sectors, as the world seeks to return to normalcy.

Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference is the MEASA region’s first live, in-person business networking forum to be hosted in H2 2020, signalling the opportune time for the international events industry to consider revival strategies. Set amidst a forum that brings together leaders across key sectors including government, healthcare, education and retail and centering on innovations rooted in artificial intelligence.

Recognised as the ultimate showcase for how artificial intelligence has already had a profound effect on the UAE’s pandemic recovery, Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference also exemplifies the ways in which the event and its participating entities, technologies and prototypes can revolutionise the country’s private sector and its growth prospects in the coming years. The Conference hosts esteemed government ministers that will show how the country’s policymakers have met the challenges presented by COVID-19 head-on, and what is yet to come in reaching the goals of the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031.

Omar bin Sultan Al Olama: The UAE is a global centre for artificial intelligence applications

His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Teleworking Applications who delivered a keynote speech at the event, stressed the fact that the UAE represents a global centre for employing AI technologies, adopting its tools, solutions and applications. H.E also indicated that the UAE government has succeeded in achieving the vision and directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, by achieving a qualitative shift in the field of accelerating the digital transformation to upgrade the level of services to support sectors and industries based on modern technology.

His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Teleworking Applications said: “The success of organising the first conference of its kind at a regional level, since the suspension of events in the UAE as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, represents a major achievement and reflects the success of the UAE in fighting the pandemic. The Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference provides an ideal platform for exchanging knowledge between the government authorities and private sector entities, as well as global and emerging companies and entrepreneurs, and represents an opportunity to launch innovative initiatives in the field of AI to support talent and creators of futuristic ideas and promising projects, in addition to the application of new technological solutions that contribute to the overall development of society.”

The Conference provides a precedent to reignite attendee confidence and amplifies the value of the global MICE industry, delivering unsurpassed ROI for accelerated business revival in such unprecedented times.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA) said: “Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the announcement from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, to reopen business activities and the economy, Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference is a milestone event which gathers artificial intelligence leaders and is a testament to the strong support and guidance we have received from government and private sector stakeholders as part of the accelerated impetus to safely restart Dubai’s world-leading MICE sector. Artificial intelligence will transform every industry in the UAE and will provide wide-reaching economic benefits, while the MICE sector remains essential to both the UAE’s economic diversification agenda and Dubai’s GDP, as well as being a crucial driver behind the development of a knowledge-based economy and a self-sustaining entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“Visitor safety and assuring a seamless experience for every participant remains our number one priority, and the Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference provides a platform for us to implement best-in-class protocols and standards for the resumption of MICE activity, reinforcing Dubai’s status a world-class MICE destination and serving as an international model for MICE resumption. DWTC is committed to international best-in-class health and safety standards for every event hosted at our Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) venue, which our teams diligently designed in adherence to the most stringent guidelines as issued by the Government of Dubai. Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference is a testbed for the restart of the global MICE sector, helping to build confidence across the international business community. Dubai expects to set a precedent for the fully-fledged revival of the events industry, further amplifying the GDP contribution of MICE to the Dubai economy.”

In line with UAE Government directives and the UAE’s efforts to successfully curb the spread of COVID-19, the Dubai World Trade Centre has worked extensively with international stakeholders including the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, and the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), to develop protocols for the events sector to reopen safely and to deliver a seamless experience for all visitors. Having carefully followed government guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all individuals and staff on its premises, DWTC has implemented comprehensive regulatory protective measures at the venue, including temperature screening, social distancing, contactless transactions and hygiene protocols. Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference, as well as all upcoming events, will be conducted in a highly controlled manner to ensure adherence to the strictest health and safety protocols for public wellbeing.

UAE takes steps towards Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031

Following the UAE’s recent announcement of a new cabinet structure  to deliver an agile and flexible government to seize on opportunities, the newly appointed Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Teleworking Applications, His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, in his new capacity,  delivered a keynote address explaining how the UAE can capitalise on new opportunities.

Entrepreneur will.I.am joins Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference

Joining the Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference via video link, tech entrepreneur will.i.am, who launched the culture tech platform i.am+ and invested in one of the world’s most advanced Ai platforms, Stradigi AI, has been at the forefront of recent AI developments.

Across the board: UAE Government puts AI to work

As it prepares to welcome the world in 2021, Expo 2020 is ramping up its technology infrastructure to cross major milestones in global adoption. From AI and 5G to advanced IoT, the greatest show on Earth will also become a proud celebration of Dubai’s fast-rising status as an industry-defining tech hub, with Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference hearing from H.E Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai in an on-stage interview.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE has taken a proactive, policy-driven approach that has helped save lives and has also built a foundation for post-pandemic recovery.

H.E Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General, Dubai Health Authority, discussing how positive healthcare measures, record-speed technological adoption and coordinated agile responses have added to the UAE’s resilience against the pandemic and set a platform for healthcare transformation in the future.

H.E Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General, Dubai Health Authority, said: “In line with the vision of our leaders, DHA has accelerated the use of AI in the health sector. We are proud that healthcare institutions in Dubai have significantly implemented this technology. AI is used for medical investigations, diagnosis and treatment. It is also used in major and minor surgical operations as a decision support tool and in handling daily administrative operations. During the pandemic, AI technology strongly helped support DHA’s capabilities, resources and services. It was used for various services such as telemedicine, 24/7 medical consultations as part of the ‘Doctor for Every Citizen’ initiative, home treatments for elderly people, smart pharmacy for the provision of medical prescriptions, Sheryan: the digital gateway for registering and licensing healthcare professionals and facilities in Dubai, and hospital sterilisation using robotics. We at the DHA are confident that the use of AI in healthcare services will enable us to better serve our people and fulfil our vision of achieving a healthier and happier community.”

H.E Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Director General, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) will explore how AI technologies can improve education’s resilience to enable a successful hybrid learning experience, and whether education can return to its pre-pandemic state with schools across the UAE having closed on 8th March.

H.E Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Director-General, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said: “More than ever before, we are living in a world in which anything is possible. In the last three months, we’ve seen how education can be transformed to create new learning opportunities for our children. Though we were distanced physically, technology enabled us to stay close to each other. As AI technology advances, it will have the power to reflect and magnify our humanity, even at great distances. We will be able to connect more deeply with ourselves, with each other and with the world around us. This will not only have a positive impact on education, but on our whole way of life.”

AI transforms the private sector

Ai is already playing a significant role in evolving the retail experience and expediting the rise of e-commerce, with audience members at Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference hearing from H.E Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties and Founder of US$1 billion e-commerce platform Noon.com, discussing how the pandemic has accelerated the demand for e-commerce and how Noon will fast-track its regional leadership.

The private sector at large, meanwhile, is applying AI in innovative ways to overcome unprecedented challenges associated with COVID-19, using it to adjust to rapidly changing market dynamics and consumer behaviour, with guests hearing from a panel of experts on the ways that AI can help to turn adversity into business advantage, including Patrick Chalhoub, CEO, Chalhoub Group; Mudassir Sheikha, Co-Founder and CEO, Careem; Sherif Beshara, CEO, American Hospital (Mohamed and Obaid Al Mulla Group); Dr Mohammad Al Redha, Director, Health Informatics and Smart Health, Dubai Health Authority; and Hani Weiss, CEO Majid Al Futtaim Retail.

Travel and tourism gear up for steadfast comeback

Having emerged from extensive and highly effective lockdown procedures, Dubai’s tourism sector has demonstrated its resilience and incredible track record at delivering sharp economic revivals despite the odds.

Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference offers a model for restarting events across the world, hosting a panel discussion that will explore in-depth the safety standards and protocols that will be needed to revive the global MICE sector. The discussion sets a precedent for ways to safely restart the MICE and events sector, which serves as a crucial driver of business tourism, with guests hearing from: H.E Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism (DTCM) and Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA); Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports; and Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand, Emirates Group.

Hospitality firms are going beyond merely reassuring travellers with safety protocols and are embracing the challenge of unearthing new opportunities for exceptional guest experiences,  with guests hearing from a panel featuring Jose Silva, CEO, Jumeirah Group; Chris Newman, COO, Emaar Hospitality; Mark Willis, CEO Middle East & Africa, Accor Group; and Pam Wilby, Complex General Manager, Royal Meridien Beach resort & Grosvenor House Dubai, Marriott. 

Dubai World Trade Centre enforces stringent regulations

In line with UAE Government and health authority guidelines, all DWTC venue entry points are equipped with thermal scanning, along with smart cameras using heat mapping technology that are installed throughout the venue for capacity management, ensuring social distancing protocols are followed. The venue, including seating and the event facility is regularly sanitised, while key onsite safety offerings at DWTC, including trained emergency medical teams and services are available onsite. DWTC has effectively executed a seamless contactless registration process which is being used at Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference, and will see visitors – who will be required to wear masks - provided with sanitisation packs.

Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “The support we have received from the government and private sector on our plans to launch the Ai Everything x Restart Dubai Summer Conference has been exceptional. We have worked very closely with various stakeholders to create a compelling conference agenda and deliver face-to-face connections in the setting of a safe, live event experience, and this will be a great opportunity to showcase our streamlined events safety protocol. This is a momentous event that marks the first leadership-focused business event to take place as Dubai resumes its economic and tourist activity. With businesses being forced to pivot amid the new normal, transformation is needed now more than ever.”

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About Dubai World Trade Centre

With a vision to make Dubai the world’s leading destination for all major exhibitions, conferences and events, DWTC has evolved from being the regional forerunner of the fast-growing MICE industry into a multi-dimensional business catalyst, focusing on Venues, Events and Real Estate Management. Complementary to the primary service offerings are a range of value-added services from media/advertising, engineering and technical consultation and wedding planning, security services and an award-winning hospitality portfolio.

For more information, please contact:
Josephine Dairi                                                                             
Edelman                                                                                         
josephine.dairi@edelman.com         

© Press Release 2020