If it is possible to highlight just one lesson learned during GITEX Global 2025 — one of the largest technology and artificial intelligence events in the world, which took place in Dubai last week — it would certainly be that the AI revolution is already happening, increasingly accelerating, and that it is necessary to participate in it proactively or miss a historic opportunity.
In addition to rich debates about how opportunities are on display for nations and companies, at the stands it was possible to observe the various applications of these new technologies in the most different products and services.
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This invitation for everyone to participate in building a future that increasingly approaches the present was made directly during an online debate between Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI (creator of ChatGPT) and Peng Xiao, the main executive of G42 Group.
Xiao explicitly called on societies to embrace adaptability and experimentation “instead of succumbing to fear.”
Citing the inspiration behind OpenAI for Countries, he cited the possibilities of using the enormous intellectual capacity of a frontier model, “which is already at Einstein’s IQ level, in fact, a collection of Einsteins” and making the necessary adaptations to serve the different layers of society as a whole.
“We are mapping how this frontier model can fulfill the different functions needed to serve an entire society, from the most basic healthcare needs to cybersecurity. This is no longer a technology initiative where you buy software and deploy it for a specific need. It is a powerful new super-utility whose potential can only be unlocked when you imagine big, think big, on a societal scale,” he detailed.
In Altman’s opinion, every country will need an AI strategy and it should be a priority for national leaders. He cited the leadership exercised by the United Arab Emirates in the OpenAI for Countries initiative. “It’s been incredible to see. I hope this serves as an example to the rest of the world (…) that a country really embraces AI and says that this will be an important part of our future,” he said.
A clear example of how a nation can be proactive in these times of accelerated artificial intelligence was given by Xiao, citing that an AI educational program initially aimed only at undergraduate and doctoral degrees was expanded to the age group from 7 to 70 years old, at the request of the president of the UAE.
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At one point in the debate, Peng Xiao acknowledged that as systems advance toward potential artificial superintelligence, new risks may emerge. But, instead of imposing limits on innovation, he once again asked global political leaders to gain practical experience in using AI, instead of focusing on theoretical discussions.
“Instead of just addressing this in think tanks, try AI now, in your home, your office and across society – before we reach superintelligence. Learn, adapt and manage these risks proactively”, he recommended.
In another debate, Amr Kamel, general manager of Microsoft UAE, also expressed concern about what he called responsible AI. “We need to ensure that AI is not a technology for one, but a technology that is driven by inclusion and that we democratize access to AI across industries, something everyone can benefit from.”
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While the debates took place on the main stages of the fair, companies showed their advances on the topic, with creations that looked like something out of fiction films.
Mangobot, a robotics company based in Dubai, demonstrated its line of advanced humanoids, industrial canine robots and even the military “Wolf Pack”, a type of mechanical wolf developed for border security and even to help combat troops in difficult-to-access areas. The new A2 humanoid, which was at the fair, can learn more complex skills, such as surgical procedures.
Among the various innovations in mobility, Micropolis presented an autonomous vehicle designed for public security operations, for use in danger zones. According to demonstrators, it is equipped with advanced sensors and AI-driven monitoring. It can detect abnormal behavior, collect evidence and report incidents in real time.
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But in urban mobility, what really caught our attention was the Etisalat pavilion, where eVTOLs, the famous flying cars, with a strong Chinese predominance, were on display. Among the highlights were the latest “Land Aircraft Carrier” from Arige (formerly Xpeng Aerohot) and two models from Govy, a subsidiary of Guangzhou Automobile Group: the AirCab and the AirCar. There was also a strong demand for information and photos for the Midnight model, from Archer.
