ForsaTEK 2025 offers platform for high-impact, scalable innovation
The event was attended by Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, along with a number of senior executives from the Emirates Group.
The annual event is held at the Emirates Group Headquarters and showcases advanced technology partnerships, promising startups, thought-provoking discussions, and emerging talent developing innovative concepts that aim to drive transformative change.
This year's forum themes highlighted how artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things are reshaping the aviation sector, while also emphasising the crucial role of human engagement in embracing technology and maximising its effectiveness.
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed said, 'Building on the success of the first two editions, ForsaTEK 2025 underpins the Emirates Group's continued commitment to anchoring the next wave of innovations within our business, scaling up existing innovations, supporting startups, and creating a powerful testbed of partnerships that introduce fresh solutions and propel our digital future forward.
"The high impact showcases at every part of the innovation pipeline at ForsaTEK 2025 demonstrate how the Emirates Group is building an ecosystem to push new boundaries in AI, technology, research, and digital adoption. We hope all our teams and partners leave the event feeling inspired by tomorrow's possibilities and determined to weave innovation, both big and small, into their everyday work lives."
This year, ForsaTEK featured over 40 in-house and partner showcases, strategically organised across the innovation pipeline spectrum, from early-stage research and prototyping, to proof-of-concept trials, and fully launched initiatives being scaled up.
Fully launched initiatives included Transguard and Emirates Group Security's advanced autonomous robotics to enhance urban safety and security; dnata Cargo's autonomous drone system for inventory validation; dnata's 3D prototyping and custom manufacturing of spare parts; Emirates Airport Services' AI-enabled aircraft turnaround analysis and resource optimisation system, amongst other aviation and customer-centric innovations.
The Trial Zone included several accessibility initiatives including Glidance's groundbreaking self-guided mobility aid enabling safe, independent navigation for the visually impaired; the JeffCAN immersive media chair, blending sensory design and technology to support and engage neurodiverse passengers; the Airbus Accessible and Inclusive cabin featuring a Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) lavatory and personal wheelchair onboard. Maintenance and engineering trials featured an AI and computer vision platform for fast, accurate engine part detection and identification; Apple Vision Pro-based augmented reality maintenance for enhanced visualisation of brake, wheel, and APU assemblies, and drone-based aircraft inspections, for fast, safe, and accurate aircraft exterior inspections.
A pitch zone also featured 13 start-ups showcasing their ideas to a panel of VIPs, investors, and tech industry representatives. People and youth engagement areas within the Experience Zone were also activated to showcase innovation journeys and enhance visitor engagement.
Sarah Al Amiri delivered ForsaTEK 2025's opening keynote, focused around the 'disruption of technology on public education'. The UAE recently announced the integration of AI into all levels of school curricula to prepare the nation's youth for a world increasingly shaped by a rapidly evolving tech landscape, as well as positioning the UAE as a major global player in artificial intelligence.
The event's exciting programme also included world-renowned tech experts and academics like Dr. Mark Esposito, Geostrategist and Advisor at the World Economic Forum and Harvard University Innovation Researcher delving into topics like reinventing and remobilisation of technology strategies; 'Imagineering with Disney'; Younes Bensouda Mourri, Professor of AI at Stanford University who discussed rethinking human intelligence in an AI powered world; humanoid robots; and the future impact of AI on society and human advancement with Shekhar Kapur, Oscar-nominated filmmaker and AI philosopher.
At ForsaTEK 2025, the Emirates Group's Afkar app was also launched. Afkar, which means 'ideas' in Arabic, is a company-wide digital platform that allows employees – wherever they work and whatever they do – to play their part in generating new ideas for implementation. The winning concept unveiled at this year's event was the automation of visa validation for customers, removing yet another source of friction for passengers during their travel journeys.
WAM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Web Release
2 days ago
- Web Release
Moro Hub Welcomes High-Level Delegation from DIFC to Showcase its Cutting-Edge Digital Infrastructure and Smart Solutions
His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), welcomed a high-level delegation from Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, at Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, the digital arm of DEWA. The delegation was led by His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, and included Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, Ahmad Albastaki, Senior Vice President, Information Technology at DIFC Authority and Muath Al Kubaisy, Vice President, Information Technology Infrastructure at DIFC Authority. The visit focused on exploring the advanced digital facilities provided by Moro and in addition to diverse smart solutions in the areas of digital transformation, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, smart cities, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The meeting was attended by Eng. Marwan Bin Haidar, Vice Chairman – Digital & Group CEO of Digital DEWA; Eng. Waleed Bin Salman, Vice Chairman – Energy at Digital DEWA; Abdul Nasser Abbas, Board Member of Digital DEWA; and Mohammed Bin Sulaiman, CEO of Moro Hub. His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said: 'In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we continue our efforts to cement Dubai's position as a global hub for sustainable digital solutions. Through Digital DEWA, we contribute to accelerating the digital transformation journey and providing advanced digital infrastructure that fosters innovation in the government and private sectors. This supports the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategy, the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. We are pleased to welcome the DIFC delegation and showcase our efforts in supporting Dubai's drive to lead the digital economy, reaffirming the integration of our efforts to achieve local and global sustainability goals.' The visit began with a comprehensive presentation on Moro Hub's innovative service offerings across cloud and hosting, cybersecurity, smart cities, IoT, and advanced digital solutions. The presentation provided insights into how Moro Hub enables public and private sector entities to accelerate digital transformation in alignment with the UAE's vision for a sustainable and smart future. His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, said: 'Dubai's ascent as a global hub for the future economy is underpinned by visionary partnerships that integrate advanced digital infrastructure with world-leading policy and innovation ecosystems. Our collaboration with Digital DEWA and Moro Hub exemplifies this approach, reinforcing our collective commitment to delivering the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). As the region's leading global financial centre, DIFC plays a central role in shaping a sustainable, technology-driven economy — one that not only meets the needs of tomorrow, but positions Dubai at the forefront of global innovation.' Following the presentation, the delegation toured several of Moro Hub's flagship facilities, including its world-renowned Green Data Centre, the Network Operation Centre (NOC), the Security Operation Centre (SOC), and the Smart Cities and IoT Command Centre. Each stop demonstrated the depth of Moro Hub's technological capabilities and commitment to secure, reliable, and sustainable digital services. The visit underscored Moro Hub's role as a key enabler of digital advancement in the region, showcasing the robust infrastructure, intelligent command centres, and highly secure environments that position the company at the forefront of innovation.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Emirates uses AI-powered engine monitoring to cut costly flight diversions
Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates is tapping into the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to help the airline enhance flight safety, monitor engine health in real time, and reduce costly flight diversions, a senior official revealed. 'We're using AI to predict the turbulence en route from one destination to another. Using AI is not only for the benefit of the company but also for enhancing the safety of operations. "We are able to use AI to predict the health of the engine, and how it is performing, and that helped us a number of times to avoid diversions of an aircraft because we were able to continue operating that aircraft for the specific diagnosis and live monitoring it,' said Adel Al Redha, deputy president and chief operations officer of Emirates. He was speaking during the ForsaTek 2025 exhibition and conference last week. The event featured over 40 in-house and partner showcases, strategically organised across the innovation pipeline spectrum, from early-stage research and prototyping to proof-of-concept trials, and fully launched initiatives being scaled up. AI adoption is on the rise across all industries, and airlines are no exception. From improving operational efficiency to enhancing customer service, companies are exploring new ways to harness data and automation. Looking ahead, Al Redha stressed the importance of strengthening real-time data capabilities to further improve services. For example, he said accurate data can help airlines load the right quantity of food on board — preventing waste and saving millions of dirhams annually. On the use of passenger data, Al Redha reassured that Emirates is aligned with government regulations. He noted that the airline is already taking steps to regulate and govern the use of public data. 'The more we rely on technology, the higher the level of cybersecurity we need to invest in and ensure that we are safeguarding the operations,' he added. As the technology advances, Al Redha noted that the company will upscale its staff as the airline will increasingly adopt generative artificial intelligence (AI). 'We're going to rely on generative AI. That's going to make some of our jobs easier and information much more faster accessible. Some of the people may not be up to the same level of skill as others. We will have to examine certain staff level skills, and upskill them to be able to manage or deal with what the new norm is going to be,' he said.
Tourism Breaking News
26-06-2025
- Tourism Breaking News
Emirates Group and the Federal Youth Authority establish strategic partnership aimed at fostering youth empowerment
Post Views: 49 The Emirates Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Youth Authority to establish a strategic framework that further develops the Group's youth community, inspiring generations of aviation and travel professionals. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed emphasised the importance of empowering youth, recognising the need to forge partnerships with like-minded entities: 'The young minds at the Emirates Group are invaluable to our organisation. They provide fresh perspectives that inspire positive change, fuelled by passion and contagious energy. This strategic partnership with the Federal Youth Authority reflects our Emiratisation team's ongoing commitment to empowering youth, in line with the UAE's National Youth Agenda 2031. We hope it will motivate our entire community to keep innovating, dream big, and further build on the successes of the Group. Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders. We will continue to invest in them, ensuring they are future-ready to drive our nation's achievements across all fronts – including travel and aviation.' In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group and His Excellency Dr Sultan Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; the MoU was signed by Yousuf Bin Lahej Al Falasi, Vice President Emiratisation and Government Partnerships at the Emirates Group and Khalid Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director of the Federal Youth Authority. His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, stated: 'This partnership reflects the enduring vision of the UAE's leadership, which recognises youth as the driving force behind the nation's future growth and progress. Guided by this belief, our national youth strategies empower young people with the resources and opportunities to unlock their potential and shape a sustainable future reflecting the UAE's ambitions and global leadership. HE added: 'The MoU between the Federal Youth Authority and the Emirates Group will establish a practical framework encouraging young Emirati talent to pursue careers in the aviation sector. This partnership will unlock a host of opportunities for professional growth and drive youth's participation in pioneering national projects. We aim to nurture a generation of leaders and experts equipped with the skills and knowledge to steer the future of aviation with excellence, reinforcing the UAE's global leadership and elevating its international stature.' Under the MoU, the Emirates Group and the Federal Youth Authority will explore joint initiatives that empower, develop, and engage the Group's community of Emirati youth, with the common objective of creating a robust pipeline of aviation leaders. The two entities aim to organise bespoke training workshops, seminars and capacity-building programmes designed to attract and retain talented Emiratis, placing them in an array of roles within the Emirates Group's business units and brands. The Emirates Group's Emirati community of youth will also benefit from access to the Federal Youth Authority's nation-wide initiatives and projects to expand their connections, insights and expertise. The establishment of the strategic partnership between the Emirates Group and the Federal Youth Authority was led by The Emirates Group Youth Council's first cohort. Throughout their tenure, the eleven members of the Emirates Group Youth Council have been actively involved in working towards the objectives of the UAE's National Youth Strategy, from organising a Youth Summit to supporting Aviation Future Week 2024 and a host of other events and initiatives. Earlier this year, the cohort was recognised among the top three private sector youth councils in the UAE at the Youth Councils Forum 2025. Held at Expo City Dubai by the Federal Youth Authority, the forum is the UAE's largest youth gathering and celebrates the achievements and dedication of youth councils nation-wide.
