Ai Everything Global 2025 held in Abu Dhabi

Highlighting AI innovation

AI Everything GLOBAL is underway in the UAE. An electrifying opening day starts the world’s largest public-private AI gathering.

Organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Kaoun International in affiliation with GITEX GLOBAL, AI Everything Global is the premier AI event. Running from February 4 to 6, it brings together influential stakeholders from around the globe. The event will set the stage for in-depth discussions on AI’s global impact, foster cross-continental collaboration, and chart new paths for AI-driven innovation.

The event commenced live from the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, where the Ai Everything Summit headlined the Tuesday programme. The summit opened with a keynote address by Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President and Secretary General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), who highlighted the transformative power of AI on a global scale.

“Every generation has likely claimed to live during an interesting time, but I truly believe that we are witnessing an era where AI is reshaping what is possible like never before,” said Al Bannai. “The Age of Intelligence is only beginning. The potential is vast, and open-source collaboration is one of many aspects that is helping to empower all to unlock the capabilities of AI.”

Echoing this sentiment, Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy & Remote Work Applications, discussed AI’s role in the UAE’s future socio-economic landscape. “Our focus is on deploying technologies that improve people’s quality of life. If we want AI to become an integral part of daily life, we must ensure it is economically accessible and adds tangible value,” he stated.

The AI Everything Summit featured discussions involving government leaders, technology directors, Chief AI Officers, market-leading innovators, executives, and policymakers. The gathering addressed the most pressing industry challenges while exploring AI’s rapidly expanding influence across energy, education, healthcare, finance, government, Industry 4.0, and the creative economy.

A standout session featured Jonathan Bronfman, the visionary behind the Vanity AI technology used in Hollywood blockbusters like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Netflix’s Stranger Things and Squid Game. During his presentation, “The Death of Retakes: How AI is Rewriting Hollywood in Minutes,” Bronfman shared insights on how AI is revolutionising the film industry.

He explained that AI will dramatically reduce the cost and time required to produce significant films while attracting large audiences to the big screen. “Generative AI will make film production more affordable, which studios need,” said Bronfman. “However, human creativity will always be essential—AI can never replace the human touch in filmmaking.”

A critical panel discussion, How is AGI Accelerating? Navigating the Growing Pressure to Fast-Track AI Innovation sparked significant conversation. Professor Stuart Russell of UC Berkeley stressed the urgent need for stronger AI regulations, highlighting that unregulated digital technologies can have serious consequences. “The narrative that regulation stifles innovation is toxic,” he warned. “AI is still in its infancy, and we don’t fully understand how it works.”

Another highlight came from MIT Media Lab’s Kate Darling, a Research Scientist known for her groundbreaking work on human-robot interactions. Through an interactive robot demo, Darling shared her research on how AI and robotics could seamlessly integrate into daily life. “The fascinating part is not the technical advancements but the interactions between people and these technologies,” she explained. “As AI and robotics become more integrated, the public’s reactions to these technologies will be crucial in shaping their future.”

AI Everything Global is the perfect stage to examine AI’s evolving global power dynamics following significant announcements such as the $500 billion Stargate initiative and the emergence of DeepSeek. The summit strongly emphasised regional AI integration, with key insights shared by industry leaders. Stephen Burt, the Canadian government’s chief data officer, highlighted how AI models are becoming increasingly accessible, ensuring that AI-driven innovation is no longer confined to Silicon Valley alone.

Ott Velsberg, Estonia’s Chief Data Officer, discussed the significant economic benefits of AI and data analytics. He shared that data-intensive companies in Estonia saw revenue growth of 60% over the past two years. “A proactive government approach, combined with private sector collaboration, is essential to harness AI’s full potential,” he said.

Following a defining first day in Abu Dhabi, AI Everything Global shifted its focus to Dubai. From February 5 to 6, the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) will host the much-anticipated Exhibition Showcase at Expo City. The exhibition will feature over 500 leading AI companies and startups from more than 70 countries, many of which will debut regionally.

Image: The Ai Everything Summit showcased discussions involving government leaders, technology directors, Chief AI Officers, market-leading innovators, executives, and policymakers. Credit: DWTC