Dubai
More than 14,000 technologists from IT security, internet of things, artificial intelligence and blockchain industries are descending into Dubai to take part in the ‘Future Technology Week’.
Taking place from May 1-3 at Dubai World Trade Centre, the event combines Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (Gisec), Internet of Things Expo (IoTx), Artificial Intelligence Talks and Future Blockchain Summit.
Gisec is expected to bring together over 7,350 top IT security and tech sector professionals to discover solutions, share insights with industry experts and equip themselves with the right tools to protect their businesses from rapidly evolving cyber-attackers.
According to market research and consultancy firm Mordor Intelligence, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) cybersecurity market is forecast to reach $34.6 billion (Dh127 billion) by 2023, at a compounded annual growth rate of 15.6 per cent.
More than 120 cybersecurity and technology exhibitors from 80-plus countries, will showcase the latest products and services to meet the growing demand for critical online security and blockchain solutions.
“As the world grows ever more connected, Internet of Things increasingly becomes a hot topic across many sectors. This is where events such as the IoTX become all the more necessary, offering a platform for experts to work together and complement one another to build robust networks,” Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director General of the Smart Dubai Office, said in a statement.
Corbett Hoxland, Business Manager, Enterprise Solutions, HP Middle East, said the mobility megatrend continues to shape the modern workforce with employees demanding access to data and working from multiple locations, leaving many open to threats.
As cybercrime has increased, more than doubling over the last six years, he said that problems with legacy solutions have been highlighted when dealing with sophisticated attacks that are more frequent than ever before.
Meanwhile, IoTX will stage a three-day smart cities conference extravaganza, addressing issues on how to make a city truly smart, efficient and effective.
“The issue of cybersecurity has witnessed rapid growth across the world — particularly in this region — in recent years as our planet becomes ever-more connected. The 2018 edition takes on extra significance given the rise in blockchain and the adoption of AI and we have some exciting, game-changing technology reveals to share,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice-President for Events and Exhibitions at DWTC.
The inaugural ‘Future Blockchain Summit’ is expected to attract more than 80 speakers in a bid to accelerate the adoption of the technology in various verticals.
Taking place from May 2-3, the summit is hosted by Smart Dubai Office.
The summit brings together over 7,000 chiefs of industry and technologists from around the world to accelerate blockchain application in Dubai and beyond.
Focused on moving beyond technical feasibility and theories, more than 70 sessions dives deep into real-world applications, creating opportunities and catalysing adoption across a range of sectors — retail and e-commerce, creative economy, health care, transportation, education, food, hospitality and tourism, energy, fintech and banking as well as safety and security.
According to research firm International Data Corporation, spending on Blockchain in the Middle East and Africa will double this year to $80.8 million, up from $38.9 million in 2017. By 2020, the global market for digital transactions will amount to $9.5 billion, and the global investment in blockchain technology is poised to reach $300 billion.
Through the Dubai Blockchain Strategy, the city aims to eliminate 100 million annual paper transactions, saving $1.5 billion annually in document processing alone.
More than 50 per cent of the speakers are making their regional debut, which includes Imogen Heap, Grammy Winner and Founder of Mycelia, an experimental music distribution platform using blockchain-based technology and Dr Larry Sanger, Co-Founder of Wikipedia and CIO, Everipedia, a Wikipedia 2.0 built on the blockchain.
