Dancing robots turn heads on the streets of Davos

The event unfolds as global leaders, tech chiefs and policymakers meet in Davos

Last updated: January 23, 2026 | 11:18

Devadasan K P, Chief Visual Editor

1 MIN READ

Dubai: Humanoid robots paraded and danced through the streets of Davos this week, drawing crowds and cameras during the annual World Economic Forum meeting and ahead of the upcoming Davos Tech Summit, scheduled for early July.

The eye-catching display turned the alpine resort of Davos into a live showcase of emerging technologies, with robots performing coordinated moves, waving to onlookers and interacting with delegates. Organisers said the street performances were designed to spark public conversation about artificial intelligence, automation and the growing role of robotics in daily life.

The demonstration comes as global leaders, tech executives and policymakers gather in Davos to debate how rapid advances in AI and robotics will reshape economies, jobs and governance. The July tech summit, being held for the first time, is expected to focus on practical applications of AI, ethical safeguards and human–machine collaboration.

For many spectators, the dancing robots offered a playful preview of a future that is arriving faster than expected.

Video from AFP

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Devadasan K PChief Visual Editor

Devadasan K P is the Chief Visual Editor at Gulf News, bringing more than 26 years of experience in photojournalism to the role. He leads the Visual desk with precision, speed, and a strong editorial instinct. Whether he’s selecting images of royalty, chasing the biggest celebrity moments in Dubai, or covering live events himself, Devadasan is always a few steps ahead of the action. Over the years, he has covered a wide range of major assignments — including the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, feature reportage from Afghanistan, the IMF World Bank meetings, and wildlife series from Kenya. His work has been widely recognised with industry accolades, including the Minolta Photojournalist of the Year award in 2005, the Best Picture Award at the Dubai Shopping Festival in 2008, and a Silver Award from the Society for News Design in 2011. He handles the newsroom pressure with a calm attitude, a quick response time, and his signature brand of good-natured Malayali humour. There's no fuss — just someone who gets the job done very well, every single time.

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