GITEX Global 2024 kicked off today with tens of thousands of investors, startup founders and geeks from around the world elbowing their way through the world’s biggest tech conference, Omnia Al Desoukie reports from the floor of the Dubai World Trade Centre.

While the event pulses all week with dealmaking, product launches and pounding hip-hop music inside the colossal exhibition halls, it has also snagged Dubai International Airport and virtually all major traffic arteries leading to the venue, with top hotels fully booked months ago. Some 1,200 investors and 1,800 startups from more than 100 countries are participating in GITEX, organizers said.

Opening the proceedings on the main stage this morning, UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri presented the small Gulf state’s ambitions to become a superpower in the development of AI technology and a magnet for the world’s top tech talent.

“The UAE wants to shape the global dialogue on AI, creating policies that promote responsible usage while pushing the boundaries of innovation,” Al Marri said. “The idea is to bring policymakers and tech experts together to create an environment where innovation thrives.”

Among other government and corporate leaders scheduled to appear were Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42; Michael Spranger, President SONY AI; Isabell Gradert, Airbus Vice President of Central Research & Technology; Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute; and Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council.

At the Expand North Star conference on Sunday, a GITEX spinoff focused on startups, Al Olama told the crowd of thousands at Dubai Harbour that putting money into the country’s early-stage companies will pay off for investors.

“We believe the future of the digital economy will be created in Dubai – in the UAE,” Al Olama said. “The UAE stands for building a business environment that is truly global.”