Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, inaugurated XPANSE 2024 at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, marking the launch of the world’s first global forum dedicated to envisioning exponential technologies. Addressing the event’s opening ceremony, he stated that XPANSE 2024 embodies the convergence of global leaders, thinkers, and innovators to explore the transformative potential of exponential technologies across industries.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Nahyan emphasized the UAE’s commitment to innovation under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He highlighted the nation’s focus on creating an environment where bold ideas thrive and technological boundaries are pushed. He noted that gathering in Abu Dhabi, a hub for groundbreaking advancements, serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility to ensure that rapid technological evolution benefits humanity. The meeting is a celebration of progress and a call to
align innovation with ethical, inclusive, and sustainable values.
Alia Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, in her keynote address, underscored Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a key hub for finance and technology. She highlighted the city’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration around cutting-edge ideas and technologies. She acknowledged the rapid changes shaping industries and stressed the importance of harnessing these transformations to evolve sectors. She also spoke about the nation’s focus on knowledge transfer and ecosystem nurturing, benefiting both citizens and communities while encouraging disruption and innovation.
Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, along with Dr. Zina Jarrahi Cinker, Chief Creator of XPANSE and Director General of MATTER, discussed the role of ATRC and TII in transforming Abu Dhabi into a technology hub. Al B
annai emphasized ATRC’s efforts in fostering deep tech startups and contributing to a knowledge economy, noting that ATRC serves as a global connection hub for research collaboration.
Hosted by ADQ and organized by ADNEC Group and the global think tank MATTER, XPANSE 2024 takes place from November 20-22. The event is a prestigious gathering of over 2,500 trailblazers, Nobel Laureates, industry leaders, CEOs, ministers, scientists, and renowned thinkers. Participants will explore new horizons in exponential technology fields, including quantum, AI and AGI, genomics, exotic computing, and more.