Madinat Jumeirah is set to host the Digitization, AI & Emerging Technology Summit (DATE) on 26–27 November 2025, an event poised to bring together the region’s most influential government leaders, global innovators, and investors. An initiative by Trescon, DATE serves as a critical platform where technology meets investment, and where the next chapter of the digital economy is written.
The summit will explore how emerging technologies—driven by cloud, hybrid, and hyper-converged infrastructure—are reshaping industries and translating innovation into tangible business outcomes. In a strategic move, DATE will be co-located with the Climate Action, Renewable Energy & Sustainability Forum (CARE), creating a powerful convergence of technology and sustainability. This dual focus highlights how digital innovation, particularly in AI and emerging tech, can accelerate climate goals and build future-ready, smart economies.
A convergence of purpose and innovation
Naveen Bharadwaj, chief executive officer of Trescon, emphasised the strategic alignment of the two events: “DATE embodies the spirit of what Trescon stands for — connecting technology with purpose. By co-locating DATE with CARE, we’re demonstrating how innovation and sustainability can move in the same direction to shape stronger, smarter economies for tomorrow.”
The event promises a powerhouse line-up of global technology leaders and policymakers who are actively shaping the digital economy. Among the notable speakers is Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of AI at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and CEO of the Dubai Blockchain Center. Known for pioneering the UAE’s blockchain and Web3 strategy, Dr. Al Zarouni’s insights will be central to discussions on the region’s technological trajectory.
Joining him is HE Paul Dawalibi, CEO of Innovation City, who brings deep expertise in building the world’s first free zone dedicated to digital assets. Dr. Ayesha Bin Lootah, assistant vice president at VARA, will also spotlight how home-grown innovation is transforming the region’s tech landscape, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for future-forward regulation and development.
Industry leaders driving transformation
The summit will also feature senior corporate leaders driving digital transformation across diverse sectors. Vladimir Arshinov, group chief technology officer at EMSTEEL, and Awad Ahmed Ali El-Sidiq, head of artificial intelligence & data science at ADNOC Distribution, will share insights on industrial digitisation. Healthcare innovation will be represented by leaders such as Craig Hughes, chief technology officer at Nas Neuron Health Services, and Eng. Nsaaim Alotaibi, AI director at the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia.
“Platforms like DATE are catalysing this momentum by bringing together innovators, investors, and policymakers to accelerate the region’s leadership in the global tech landscape,” said Maher Al Kaabi, UAE Circular Economy Council member & advisor to Group Chairman & independent board member at Al Serkal Group, who is also a speaker at the event.
Connecting the ecosystem
With over 2,000 senior decision-makers, investors, and founders expected to attend, DATE will facilitate critical discussions on AI, digital assets, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and future-ready enterprises. To ensure meaningful connections, the event will utilise AI-powered matchmaking on WhatsApp, connecting investors, start-ups, and decision-makers in real time.
The summit’s agenda includes several headline initiatives designed to foster growth and recognition. The FutureTech World Cup will offer a global stage for start-ups shaping the next wave of tech, providing winners with funding access, investor exposure, and fast-track market entry. The FutureTech Awards will celebrate visionary companies and individuals driving digital progress. Additionally, DATE Dialogues will host closed-door roundtables where C-suite executives, regulators, and investors can align on pilots and policy frameworks crucial to the MENA region’s digital transformation.
Engineered for results, DATE aims to turn conversations into contracts, positioning itself as a key accelerator for the region’s ambitious digital goals.
