How to deal with the future
dubai — As Gitex Technology Week 2017 drew to a close on Thursday, experts across various sectors noted that it was imperative that companies set digital objectives for themselves in an increasingly technological world.
Smart Dubai, which has long held synergistic and cooperative relationships with a diverse spectrum of Dubai Government bodies and private companies, showcased a wide variety of new innovations and tech at its pavilion during the event.
As many as 50 public and private entities highlighted upwards of 200 innovative smart services that tap cutting-edge Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, virtual and augmented reality. The exhibits reflected the six key objectives of the Smart Dubai Plan 2021, including smart living, smart environment, smart mobility and smart governance.
The Dubai Land Department participated under the slogan ‘Simple, Secure, Fast’, and used its platform to introduce its latest technologies, including a 12-square-metre electromechanical flip dot screen.
Through the innovative screen, the DLD introduced a dynamic mechanical representation of Dubai’s real estate projects to inform the public about the scale of the emirate’s real estate transactions.
The same was true at the Sharjah pavilion, where 13 smart applications and six new websites were revealed by multiple Sharjah government bodies. Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director-General of the Sharjah Department of eGovernment (DeG), noted that the various innovative technologies showcased at the pavilion were not created overnight, but the fruit of a visionary strategy embraced by an array of local government departments.
“We will not be resting on our laurels but will continue to build on our strong foundations with the aim of positioning Sharjah as one of the world’s smartest cities,” he said.
“The UAE is undergoing a revolution when it comes to digitisation. This is not new — since we started on this path over 20 years ago — but the participation of various entities both public and private at Gitex proves how important the mission is,” Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, chief executive officer of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), told Khaleej Times.
He added: “Sharjah’s participation at the exhibition this year has proven how accessible we are, and how easy it is to do business with us in an increasingly technological world. Looking ahead, we will see every government entity in Sharjah create applications to further improve efficiency and improve our residents’ way of life.”
Meanwhile, ‘Technology for good’ was a major focus at the etisalat stand this year, with a focus on transformative technologies that will enhance the lives of the differently-abled, and specially designed to help them in their day to day activities.
The showcase of these technologies was also keeping in line with etisalat’s overall strategy of increasing the happiness quotient for all citizens in the country by introducing solutions and technologies that make a major impact and change lives of people.
From the world’s first, massproducible, micro-braille smart watch to a smart glass for the blind, these transformative technologies can make a major difference in the lives of the visually impaired.
Mind rockets, another assistive technology targets the hearingimpaired providing instant translation in different sign languages for multiple platforms such as websites, mobile apps, and YouTube videos.
— rohma@khaleejtimes.com