At GITEX Global 2024 in Dubai, artificial intelligence (AI) was the most talked-about topic, with companies from across industries showcased how AI and machine learning are reshaping business operations and consumer experiences.
With over 6,500 exhibitors, 1,800 startups, and 1,200 investors from 180 countries, GITEX Global 2024 smashed previous records, attracting more than 200,000 visitors. For the first time, GITEX welcomed countries like South Africa, Vietnam, and Puerto Rico, while Europe had its largest representation to date. The event's theme, Global collaboration to forge a future AI economy, underscored the central role AI plays in transforming industries across sectors.
AI in telecommunications: Ericsson and e& take the lead
At the heart of GITEX Global’s AI focus, Ericsson and e& (formerly Etisalat) stood out with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore AI-driven autonomous networks. This three-year agreement aims to transform e&’s mobile networks through AI, fostering innovation, network autonomy, and sustainability.
Ekow Nelson, Vice President and Head of Global Customer Unit at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, highlighted the importance of AI in shaping future networks, “Artificial intelligence and automation will play pivotal roles in shaping the networks of the future.
“By combining Ericsson’s global expertise with e&’s forward-thinking strategy, we aim to pioneer the development of autonomous networks to enhance operational efficiency and contribute to environmental sustainability.”
For e&, this MoU represents a significant step toward responsible AI deployment. Sabri Yehya, Chief Technology Officer at e& international, emphasised that this collaboration goes beyond technology: “Our MoU with Ericsson marks a critical step toward autonomous networks, which will not only transform the way we operate but also help meet our ambitious net-zero targets.”
The partnership aligns with e&'s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions in its UAE operations by 2030.
By focusing on AI-driven autonomous networks, this collaboration is expected to enhance customer experiences while reducing carbon emissions and contributing to environmental sustainability.
Huawei: vision for digital and intelligent transformation
Huawei underscored its commitment to leading the next wave of industrial digitalisation with its innovative approach to ICT infrastructure. In his keynote at the Industrial Digital and Intelligent Transformation Summit, David Shi, Huawei's Vice President of ICT Marketing and Solution Sales, outlined the company's vision of building an intelligent world, one in which industrial digitalisation and AI play a crucial role in productivity and societal transformation.
Shi stressed the importance of collaboration with partners to accelerate the adoption of next-generation technologies: “We believe new technologies are emerging even faster, and the only way to bring intelligence to all industries is through collaboration with our customers and partners.” Huawei’s approach focuses on making ICT infrastructure more accessible, user-friendly, and scalable by adhering to four guiding principles: easy to integrate, easy to access, easy to use, and easy to evolve.
Key to Huawei's vision are its flagship products such as Huawei eKit, designed for SMEs. These products simplify ICT infrastructure, making it more accessible to smaller businesses, and help reduce installation and operational costs. Huawei also emphasised the growing importance of WANs as the “highways in the digital world” and how its IP and optical technologies have reduced total cost of ownership by 30% in key projects, such as its collaboration with BoFiNet.
Huawei’s presence at GITEX 2024 showcased its innovative solutions for digital transformation, focusing on data centres, campus management, and WAN technologies.
Fortinet: AI-Powered solutions and strategic alliances
At GITEX Global 2024, Fortinet demonstrated its leadership in AI-powered cybersecurity by presenting a range of advanced solutions aimed at mitigating the ever-growing complexity of cyber threats. Shane Grennan, Senior Channel Director for MEA, highlighted Fortinet's AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, designed to navigate the modern hypercomplex threat landscape. He explained: “Our solutions use AI to address labour shortages in cybersecurity and enable organisations to manage risks more effectively.”
Fortinet also emphasised the importance of managed security services in bolstering business resilience. According to Grennan, the expansion of cloud computing presents opportunities for companies to shift their focus towards comprehensive cloud-based security strategies. Fortinet’s participation at GITEX 2024 also featured a second stand dedicated to operational technology (OT) security, highlighting the importance of protecting industrial control systems.
One of the key emerging technologies on display was Fortinet’s Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), combining SD-WAN and security services into a unified solution for modern enterprises. Fortinet’s leadership in SD-WAN gives it a unique edge in providing customers with hybrid solutions that enhance both security and operational efficiency.
Green Circle and SearchInform: strengthening data protection in Saudi Arabia
During GITEX 2024, Green Circle, a leading Saudi cybersecurity firm, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with SearchInform to offer advanced Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions to customers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This partnership enables Green Circle to deliver comprehensive data protection solutions that ensure compliance with KSA's regulatory frameworks, including the National Cybersecurity Authority’s guidelines.
Mohammad Alkhudari, CEO of Green Circle, highlighted the importance of DLP in safeguarding businesses from internal threats, fraud, and data leaks. “Our clients have long sought such comprehensive solutions, and this partnership marks a significant step in enhancing data protection standards across the Kingdom,” he said.
Sergey Ozhegov, CEO of SearchInform, added that the fast-growing Saudi market presents an opportunity for significant business growth in the cybersecurity domain. The partnership between Green Circle and SearchInform is set to strengthen the defence capabilities of KSA’s organisations, especially in the face of rising internal threats.
YangoGPT: AI at your service
Yango Group introduced its latest generative AI model, YangoGPT, with its first implementation in the AI assistant ‘Yasmina’. Designed to assist users in decision-making, generating ideas, and simplifying complex concepts, Yasmina represents the future of human-like AI interaction.
Yasmina’s enhanced capabilities were on full display at GITEX Global 2024, demonstrating its ability to assist users with everyday tasks, generate content ideas, and explain complex concepts in simple terms. From helping with vacation planning to breaking down scientific principles for children, Yasmina showcased the power of AI to simplify and enrich lives.
“Yasmina can spark users' creativity, whether they need help brainstorming birthday gift ideas or crafting poems in Arabic,” stated a spokesperson from Yango Group. With its ability to maintain conversation context and provide real-time responses, Yasmina exemplifies the next evolution in AI assistants.
The road ahead for AI
GITEX Global 2024 underscored the vast potential AI holds for industries across the globe. From telecommunications to customer engagement, and from enterprise solutions to home automation, AI is no longer a distant future—it’s transforming how we live and work today.
As GITEX continues to grow, expanding its global footprint with upcoming events in Africa, Asia, and Europe, the future of AI looks even more promising. With initiatives like Ericsson and e&'s MoU for autonomous networks, companies across the world are poised to lead the way in developing responsible, sustainable AI solutions that drive progress for generations to come.
GITEX Global 2024 has set the stage for a future driven by AI—one that promises to be smarter, more connected, and more sustainable.
