May 29, 2024:Featuring a series of innovative sessions and workshops, Trend Hunter, a leading trend platform and innovation accelerator, will organize the renowned ‘Future Festival’ at the Expo City Dubai on June 5 and 6, 2024. The event will take place in collaboration with DXB Live, the integrated event management and experiential agency of Dubai World Trade Centre. This festival aims to bring together industry professionals and global tech enthusiasts to discuss the revolutionary implications of artificial intelligence and other trend predictions.
- Over 10 key sessions will address critical topics shaping the future on industries such as food and beverage, mobility, hospitality, Retail, fashion, and healthcare
- Yearly spending on AI in the Middle East and Africa is expected to increase by 32 per cent annually, according to International Data Corporation
Revolutionizing AI Discussions and Innovations at the Summit
The summit will assemble industry professionals and global tech enthusiasts for discussions on the revolutionary implications of artificial intelligence and other trend predictions. This aligns with the UAE’s National Strategy Artificial Intelligence 2031, reflecting the country’s ambition to emerge as a global leader in AI by 2031. The event also aims to highlight the importance of investing in relevant industries and individuals to drive innovation. Participants will explore critical topics shaping the future of AI and its implications on various industries. These include food and beverage, mobility, hospitality, and medicine. This will be accomplished through a series of engaging sessions and workshops.
More importantly, this year’s event features a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers who have made a significant impact in their respective industries, such as – Dr. Jassim Al Awadi, Digital Transformation Principle from DU, Dr. Haythem Riahi, Co-Founder and CEO of Circe Biotics, Mariam Hashem the Head Solutions and Partnerships of GE Healthcare, and Aram Petrosyan, Founder and CEO, Goodini Real Estate. Jonathon Brown, CSO of Trend Hunter, will explore the concept of ‘Imagined Orders‘ and their impact on shaping behaviour and fostering cooperation. Based on in-depth interviews with innovation leaders, he will present a thoughtfully curated set of innovation strategies and methods. These aim to encourage constructive methods for assisting teams in handling failure, including Adidas’ well-known ‘Project Funeral.’
Unlocking Innovation and Trends in Key Sessions
Jeremy Gutsche’s keynote addresses — ‘The Accelerated Pace of Change,’ ‘A.I. and the Inflection Point,’ and ‘Keys to Creating the Future’ — will focus on major sessions. These sessions will introduce actionable strategies for driving innovation, dealing with change, and overcoming obstacles in the age of AI. Attendees will gain insights into fostering high-performance cultures, optimizing performance amidst uncertainty, and overcoming obstacles to sustainable growth. During the conference, the ‘Megatrends’ session will feature Trend Hunter breaking down the world’s fast-moving trends based on relevant consumer choices. This session aims to provide valuable insights into emerging trends and their implications for various industries. Additionally, the ‘Innovation and Trend Hunting Panel’ session will shed light on the intersection of success, innovation, and the evolving influence of AI. Both sessions are scheduled to take place during the conference.
Additionally, participants will have access to the ‘Healthcare Technology’ session, which offers a nuanced evaluation of the industry. The ‘Innovation Tactics’ session aims to comprehend case studies, best practices, and ideas for accomplishing objectives. Furthermore, the ‘Food and Beverage Leisure’ session will explain the ongoing transformation in the industry. Lastly, the ‘Food Leisure’ session will discuss how AI impacts the CPG, restaurant, and culinary industries.
Embracing AI: Driving Innovation in Middle Eastern Markets
Khalid Al Hammadi, Senior Vice President of DXB LIVE, stated, “Artificial intelligence has the potential to fundamentally disrupt Middle Eastern markets with innovative services and business models. AI is becoming more and more prevalent in today’s world, which is why it is critical to comprehend both the various applications and benefits of AI. As a result, events like the Future Festival play a key role in uniting innovators and enthusiasts to interact, share knowledge, and initiate real change in the field. We therefore look forward to making the most of this opportunity, as well as driving innovation, maximising potential, and assessing trends and prospects for 2024 and beyond.”
Navigating the Future: Insights from Industry Experts
Other sessions include ‘Future Tech and the Next Frontier,’ led by Sean Scharf, CCO of Trend Hunter, highlighting the transformative influence of AI on creativity, efficiency, and consumer interaction. Sean will provide insights into a smarter, more innovative future and discuss the profound effects of AI on the workforce, consumer experience, and everyday life. Likewise, the ‘Reflection and Reprioritisation’ session will distil the most significant learnings and insights from the event for participants.
Jeremy Gutsche, CEO and Innovation Expert at Trend Hunter stated: “In an age of rapid change, it is critical to establish a culture of high performance and adaptability to ensure sustained growth. At this year’s Future Festival, participants will gain insights into empowering their teams to innovate and embrace change, especially about the evolving implications of AI. This is also in line with the UAE’s National Strategy Artificial Intelligence 2031. This strategy reflects the country’s vision of becoming a global leader in AI by 2031. Together, we hope to develop a shift in mindset that is crucial to achieving success and evaluate concrete strategies that can turn goals into quantifiable results.
Accelerating AI Growth: Implications for the UAE
International Data Corporation anticipates a 32 percent annual increase in AI spending in the Middle East and Africa. This growth presents significant benefits for the UAE, as the technology sector stands to contribute approximately USD 97 billion to the country’s GDP. This reflects the region’s growing investment in AI technologies and their potential to drive economic growth. As AI adoption continues to expand, the UAE stands poised to capitalize on these advancements and solidify its position as a leader in the global AI landscape.
The UAE also commits to achieving the goals outlined in the UAE Centennial 2071. It has begun integrating AI into government operations. This promises to improve efficiency and effectiveness, positioning the country as a global leader in AI applications. Assuming that automation extensively implements in each industry, the UAE could benefit from an increase in economic output of AED 335 billion. This underscores the significant potential AI holds for driving economic growth and innovation in the region. As the UAE continues to prioritize AI initiatives, it is poised to unlock new opportunities for advancement and prosperity across various sectors.
The Future Festival, has Expo City and the Dubai Future Foundation as Strategic Partners. The event not only showcases Dubai’s commitment to advancing AI, but further supports the UAE’s broader AI Strategy. This strategy aims to accelerate growth in the fields of community welfare, education, economy, and the government. With its valuable insights into the rapidly evolving world of technology, Trend Hunter – the largest community for trend spotting across industries – will also play a key role in supporting this influential forum. As expectations rise, the ‘Future Festival’ will serve as a point of inspiration. The event will allow participants to embark on a journey of knowledge and collaboration.