Dubai: The latest developments in urban technology will be under the spotlight at the forthcoming Dubai Smart City Innovation Conference, being organised by the Smart Dubai Office (SDO) in Shanghai, China, on June 24-27.
The conference offers a platform to share international experiences and gain new insights into smart city development. The event will see SDO officials and representatives of a number of other Dubai government departments visit Shanghai, one of the world’s most populated cities, to learn more about the latest international developments in smart technology and to promote Dubai’s own experiences in the domain.
“Smart Dubai is constantly seeking to implement the latest technologies and innovative global solutions for its citizens, residents and visitors, and this commitment was behind the decision to host the Dubai Smart City Innovation Conference in Shanghai. The city is a rapidly growing metropolis experiencing technological advancement similar to the ones that Dubai is facing. Having hosted Expo 2010, Shanghai has vast expertise in running global mega-events and with Dubai’s Expo 2020 just around the corner, we hope to be able to learn from their in-depth experience of handling a World Expo,” said SDO director-general Dr Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr.
Organised by the Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Office and chaired by Shanghai’s deputy mayor, the Dubai Smart City Innovation Conference will feature the input of the China Arab International Cooperation Committee, the Zhang Jiang Development Strategy Research Institute and the China Sanya Institute of Republic Diplomacy. Among the topics to be discussed during the four-day event are smart city technology, Dubai Expo 2020 security, internet financial security, energy network security, blockchain technology, smart public security, privacy protection, joint laboratory research and development, and cyber security training.
Two particular issues that the SDO is focusing on at the conference are artificial intelligence (AI) and payment gateways. Included in the representatives’ agenda are meetings with Glotech, a research and development company specialising in security awareness management and video recognition. Glotech’s technology is used in Shanghai PuDong Airport and Port, the Ministry of Transportation, the Palace Museum and numerous Chinese government departments.
Also included is a meeting with UNPay, which is dedicated to aggregating new mainstream electronic payment modes around the world. UNPay is the world’s first integral one-stop fintech service solution and one of China and Asia’s leading technology companies.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to meet with some of the foremost organisations involved in AI and in payment solutions. Enhancing service provision through technology is one of Smart Dubai’s priorities, as we were established to empower, deliver and promote efficient, seamless, safe and impactful Dubai experiences for all its residents and visitors. AI and easy payment systems are at the core of this and we are looking forward to being able to find out more from companies that are leaders in the field,” added Dr Bint Butti.
Closing the conference itinerary, the SDO representatives will visit Shanghai Yang Shan Terminal, “the world’s largest Smart Port” to find out more about how advanced technology facilitates logistics. They will also take an excursion to the World Expo Museum and meet with Hong Hao, general director of the museum and former director of Shanghai Expo Bureau, where they will discuss more about the challenges and opportunities that were presented from hosting a global expo.
