Future Technology Week to shine spotlight on rise of Artificial Intelligence with global AI market to hit USD15.7 trillion by 2030

AI to contribute USD96 billion to UAE economy by 2030

Dubai, UAE – There’s nothing artificial about the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The global AI market is expected to reach USD15.7 trillion by 2030 - according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report Sizing the Prize - as society-shaping computer science and machine learning continue to play an increasingly important role in global governance, business and daily life.

Constant innovations and new economic opportunities emanating from increasing AI adoption are set to contribute USD96 billion to the UAE’s economy by 2030, according to the report, and the latest innovations and AI trends will take centre stage at the Future Tech Week Expo (FTW) 2018, which runs from 1-3 May at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Highlighting its position at the forefront of the emerging tech revolution, the agenda-setting expo will witness a world-first when the first-ever AI composed song dedicated to a city is released.

Pierre Barreau, CEO of AIVA Technologies, is the man and mind behind the world’s first AI-composed song for a city, which will be unveiled on day one of FTW. As a computer scientist, award nominated director and composer, Pierre leads the company towards its vision, establishing AIVA as one of the greatest composers of all time, and fueling the world with personalised music. Barreau will make a keynote speech at the event following the launch of ‘Ode to Dubai’ on May 1, to discuss whether AIVA is “the greatest composer of all time.”

He said: “Dubai is an innovative, fast-paced city, known for its ambitious and record-breaking projects. Considering the pedigree of Dubai when it comes to adopting new technology, it was quite natural for it to become the world’s first city to have an anthem composed by Artificial Intelligence. At Future Tech Week, we will unveil the only AI-generated city anthem that our algorithm AIVA has composed specifically for the city of Dubai.”

Highlighting the latest trends, next generation AI technology, robotics, and augmented reality, FTW is backed by dedicated strategies and AI initiatives as part of the UAE’s mission to be at the forefront of the global technological revolution. This includes, the Smart Dubai strategy, which aims to transform the city through innovation and digital transformation; the UAE Artificial Intelligence strategy, which will create a highly productive innovative environment by investing in advanced technologies and AI tools that will be implemented in all fields of work; the Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021 that aims to get 50% of government transactions to adopt the blockchain platform over the next three years; the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy, targeted at construction, medical and consumer products sectors, with a goal of having 25 per cent of buildings in Dubai constructed using 3D printing technology by 2030; and the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy, which aims to cut transportation costs, carbon emissions and accidents and by transforming the future of all transportation in the city to autonomous modes by 2030.

FTW is the destination for all who thrive on the impacts and future of digitisation and transformation through technological evolution.

“Now is the time for today’s leaders to anticipate and embrace change due to the advent of AI - it’s no longer something to be thinking about in the future. It’s the role of the business and governments alike to deliver the right context for AI in their management to ensure profitability progress and public trust,” says Lord Tim Clement Jones, Chair of the UK House of Lords Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence and co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AI. “While the technological advances in AI promise to be beneficial to society there are risks that need to be mitigated and accordingly my address at IoTX will highlight findings of the UK AI committee and discuss the ethical framework and the policy and economic opportunities that surround AI.”

Also speaking at FTW is Chris Ballinger, CEO and Founder of Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI) - a nonprofit foundation likened to some of the world’s largest and most forward-looking mobility companies.

“Connected vehicles, their sensors, and the smart infrastructure they communicate with will soon be nodes on the Internet of Things. This will create opportunities for companies and cities to rethink 21st century mobility, and to create new models which are far safer, greener, more affordable and more convenient than those that exist today,” said Ballinger.

Drawing more than 7,350 visitors, 100-plus talks and more than 120 brands exhibiting from approximately 80 countries, the world’s most influential industry experts will join the main stage, including Smart Dubai, Dubai Police, Emirates NBD, Toyota Research Institute, IBM, Microsoft, Apple and City of Amsterdam among others.

“The rapid penetration of IoT (Internet of Things) in this time and age is having increasing impacts on our day-to-day lives – from virtual shopping experiences, to driving cars and operating business’, the influence is enormous,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Events and Exhibitions, DWTC. “As businesses and governments look to invest heavily in large-scale initiatives incorporating the use of IoT and artificial intelligence, the IoTX stage at Future Tech Week is the perfect platform to learn, explore and share views on the benefits, opportunities and outcomes of IoT and artificial intelligence in the height of the digital transformation.”

Organised by DWTC, GISEC, AI Talks and IoTX unite under the umbrella of Future Tech Week 2018. Future Technology Week, is supported by Dubai Electronic Security Center, Dubai Police and Smart Dubai. GISEC will highlight the importance of robust information security frameworks by addressing challenges on global cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats against governments, industries and organisations across the region. This year FTW is also co-located with the inaugural Future Blockchain Summit - the largest blockchain event in the world.

Among the key sponsors of the exhibition are Dubai Electronic Security Center, Spire Solutions, HP, IBM, Etisalat Digital, Recorded Future, Cisco and GBM.

Powered by GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, the region’s leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) event, FTW 2018 is strictly open to the IT, information security and intelligence community, including government departments, business and enterprise. Tech entrepreneurs and innovators descend to stay ahead of the tech curve. Visitor attendance to the exhibition halls must purchase tickets to attend the events’ conferences. For more information, please visit www.gisec.ae and www.iotx.ae

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© Press Release 2018