Dubai: The Dubai Future Forum 2025, organised by Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) at the Museum of the Future, concluded today. Over the course of two days, the Forum welcomed more than 2,500 participants, over 200 speakers, and representatives from more than 100 global institutions, solidifying its status as the world's largest gathering of futurists. The DFF also announced that the next edition of the Forum will take place on 17-18 November 2026.
According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, was present at the Forum's activities. He was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and honoured the winners of the first edition of the Dubai Foresight Awards. The Crown Prince also met with the fifth cohort of the Dubai Future Experts Program and the second cohort of the 'FEEL: A Disruptive Futures Program'.
During the Forum, H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), honoured the winners of the Dubai Future Solutions - Prototypes for Humanity programme, which was held under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.
His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, emphasized Dubai's globally recognised model for anticipating and designing the future. He noted that this model, developed under the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, focuses on proactive future readiness, anticipating change, identifying opportunities, and understanding future trends. He stated, "Foresight is a central pillar of our work, our projects, and our initiatives. It enables us to define future priorities and objectives in ways that positively impact individuals and societies around the world."
Several major announcements were made at the Forum. His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, confirmed that Dubai recorded the first-ever commercial agentic AI payment transaction outside the United States, launched by Mastercard in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim during the Forum's opening.
Forum speakers made several predictions regarding the future. They foresaw gene therapy treating blood and liver diseases within five years and the elimination of all 4,000 known genetic diseases within a decade. They predicted that future development policies would prioritize human well-being and ethical governance, and that human bodies equipped with advanced wearables would integrate AI into daily life. They also anticipated that by 2028, 30% of Fortune 500 CEOs would have a digital twin. Other discussions included potential scenarios such as a fully omniscient AI posing an existential threat to humanity.
Throughout its sessions, the Forum raised strategic questions requiring collective international action, such as the value of increased efficiency if human well-being does not improve, society's readiness for a world where agentic AI systems act on our behalf, and how societies will redefine growth beyond GDP.
The Forum's discussions spanned five central themes: Foresight Insights, Exploring the Unknown, Empowering Societies, Reimagining Health, and Optimising Systems. The event also featured the Future Stories Awards, celebrating leading authors and storytellers shaping the future imagination. This year's edition of the award recognised three standout voices from 185 submissions from 47 countries.
The 2025 edition of the Forum involved a network of partners, including Dubai Municipality, Emirates Global Aluminium, Emirates Flight Catering, UNICEF, and various academic institutions. A new report, The Future of Space Solar Power, was launched, exploring the potential of harvesting solar energy outside Earth's atmosphere.
DFF announced a new partnership with Dubai Police to support future-focused research and digital innovation initiatives. Additionally, a partnership agreement with The Explorers Club was signed to foster collaboration across exploration, science, innovation, foresight, and joint global initiatives.