GEC NEWS WIREGitex launched its Code Infinity initiative, the largest developer event in the region, which aims to empower young developers and enable the region’s transformation goals in line with the UAE’s National programme for Coders and launched with founding partners Microsoft, Oracle and Red Hat.
Code Infinity features free, certified sessions from Microsoft and Red Hat and hands-on labs by Oracle and will feature sessions from the founding partners throughout Gitex.
Disruption will help countries grow: Binance CEO
The UAE has been held up as a ‘symbol of embracing technology’ as countries adopt different approaches to our rapidly changing world, according to Binance CEO and founder Changpeng Zhao as he discussed the route to adoption as part of the Defi and Crypto Talks agenda on day two of the 4th Future Blockchain Summit.
Pakistan ICT Minister leads delegation
Gitex, the world’s largest technology showcase this year, which runs at Dubai World Trade Centre until Thursday 21 October, recorded yet another milestone on day two as it welcomed Pakistan’s Federal ICT Minister Syed Aminul Haque, the first time an ICT Minister from Pakistan has visited Gitex in its 41-year history.
Minister Haque, who is leading a delegation of Pakistan business leaders, inaugurated the Pakistan pavilion at Gitex.
Azimut and Gellify launch a $50-Million VC Fund for the Middle East and North Africa.
The new fund will focus on enhancing advanced technology-based innovation in the region, identifying and nurturing B2B tech startups.
It will target a range of startups—from seed-stage startups, market phase startups to those ready to scale up. These startups will have the potential to create disruptive innovation in multiple sectors, including Smart Cities, Healthcare, Digital Commerce, Fintech, Industry 4.0 and Tourism, using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, blockchain and cybersecurity.
The world is estimated by create 463 exabytes of data daily by 2025, according to His Excellency Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director General Digital Dubai and CEO, Dubai Data Establishment, told the Gitex Data Economy stage.
Al Nasser gave attendees an update on Dubai’s Digital Mandate, the overarching mandate for Digital Dubai that aims to ensure all aspects of the city are digitised, including government, economy, society, digital city infrastructure, city data and statistics, digital skills and digital security.
“With the direction from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we aim to double the size of our digital economy over the next two years from AED100 Billion to AED 200 Billion.
“We aim to replicate our experience in Europe and, in the process, enhance the innovation capacity of the region. We believe that our unique ability to connect vetted innovative technology startups and corporates is aligned to the Middle East’s goal of becoming a digital innovation engine of the MENA region and will create a robust and thriving innovation ecosystem,” said Massimo Cannizzo, CEO and co-founder, Gellify Middle East.
“Dubai’s Digital Economy to Double in Next Two Years” CEO Dubai Data Establishment tells Gitex Data Economy session.
“Every time our leadership meets, the first thing they look at is data, statistics of what is happening in the city to put in place the right policies. When we look at the economy, and specifically how to we create a data economy, we need to look at how it has been performing based on data. With the support of other government agencies in Dubai we have built a economic dashboard that is today feeding us an accurate snapshot of economic performance.”
Zhao said, “Things happen here very fast, it is one of the most pro-business environments in the world and things are built with real quality – I wish I had visited here earlier.”
When asked about the differing views taken by governments to crypto and CBDCs, he added, “I think there is a lack of understanding that causes fear, and this is not the right approach. We should embrace anything with the potential to disrupt.
“Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to embrace disruption, it will help countries to grow. It is new tech and you cannot ignore new technology. This country already understands that and is a symbol of embracing technology. This country gets it. Work with us, let us experiment together in a safe and compliant way to grow the industry.”
