The rise of tech and creative sector in Dubai
Dubai is a dynamic city known for its spectacular architecture and luxurious lifestyle that never fails to astonish both residents and tourists. From the tallest building in the world to a selection of stunning hotels, this city has taken impressive strides when it comes to architectural innovation. Realising that disruptive innovation is one of the key factors towards long-term success, the city is now paving its way to becoming an innovation hub. Not only is the government investing billions of dollars to facilitate this, but they are also setting up various startup incubators to enable the growth of innovative technologies in Dubai. If you want to know more about the progress in the tech and creative sector in Dubai, read on.
The progress of the tech and creative sector in Dubai
As we all know, Dubai has experienced success in most of its undertakings. Whether it’s constructing the world’s tallest building or the world’s largest mall or developing an artificial archipelago 2 km north of its shoreline Dubai has proved time and again that nothing is impossible. Now, it’s aiming towards becoming a leader in the tech industry. So far the results have been promising. Dubai has already invested $20B to catalyse the growth of its tech industry. Based on the emerging startup landscape in the region, we can expect exponential growth in the tech and creative sector in Dubai in the upcoming years.
Becoming the most developed city in the world through the use of technology
According to His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, smart technology is a catalyst for happiness. Through the widespread adoption of technologies such as internet of thing (IoT), the blockchain, data analytics, Hyperloop technology, commercial 3D printing, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), the government of Dubai is aiming to make the lives of its residents convenient and less stressful.
Say goodbye to 4G and hello to 5G in 2020
Imagine a 4K video chat with virtually no latency. Or watching a live 4K, 360-degree video of migratory birds nesting on the Galapagos Islands while you’re in your Dubai apartment, in real-time through a virtual-reality headset. With 5G technology, surgeons in America can even conduct high-risk surgery (using robotics) all the way in Sub-Saharan Africa!
5G technology will be introduced during Expo 2020
To ensure the free flow of ideas and innovation, Dubai will launch 5G wireless internet technology during the Expo 2020. It will be a golden opportunity to demonstrate how 5G technology will foster innovation and creativity and remove the hurdles that are preventing companies from launching self-driving cars, self-flying passenger drones and Internet of things (IoT).
Get ready for self-driving cars, drones and internet of things (IoT)
According to Etisalat, 5G technology is 20 times faster than the currently available 4G technology. Certainly, 5G will be the foundation for future technical innovation and growth.
The use of cutting-edge technology by first responders and law enforcement agencies
In order to further improve and perfect its first responder and law enforcement agencies, the government of Dubai is paving its way towards adopting the latest technology. They are focusing on the usage of the most advanced surveillance methods, combined with hoverbikes, jetpacks and police robots.
Prepare to see firefighters with jetpacks flying overhead
A deal between Martin Aircraft and the Dubai Civil Defence authority will involve the use of jetpacks to fight fire along the coastline of Dubai. Not only will this enable them to combat fires more efficiently, but will also let the first responders bypass traffic jams. The use of this technology is also expected to prevent fire-related damages and injuries.
There’s no outrunning a hoverbike
While the rest of the world can hardly imagine being transported in flying vehicles, Dubai Police has already signed a deal with a California based organisation ‘Hoversurf’ which manufactures flying hoverbikes. Dubai Police have already begun their training on how to operate these flying vehicles, and you can expect to see these vehicles buzzing overhead in the near future.
Technical innovations and integration within the Dubai property market.
As the Dubai property market picks up, competition between developers and builders has even become more intense. To gain a competitive edge over other developers, some have begun integrating smart technology within the villas and apartment buildings.
Dubai’s green building initiative and the use of technology to achieve carbon neutrality.
Another initiative taken to increase the developments in the tech and creative sector in Dubai is the usage of Artificial Intelligence. AI manages the resources used by the buildings, such as water and electricity to reduce the effect of greenhouse gases on the atmosphere.
According to Dubai’s Green Building Regulations & Specification authority, it is mandatory for buildings to integrate some type of technology to diminish the effect of greenhouse gases. The corporate giant Honeywell elucidated that nearly 75% of LEED-certified buildings in the GCC are located in Dubai.
Apart from the buildings themselves, the community is also extremely proactive when it comes to the use of smart gadgets in your home to increase efficiency and become more technology savvy.
Interconnected city means better infrastructure management
The government of Dubai is planning to integrate technology and manage the city’s infrastructure. In the near future, you will notice that everything will be controlled through technology. Not only will this initiative improve the overall standards of living for residents, but the government will be able to cut down on infrastructure management cost in the long-run.
What is Smart Dubai 2020 and how will it impact Dubai residents
By 2021, the government of Dubai hopes to achieve its goal of using disruptive technology in every aspect – this ambitious initiative has been designated ‘Smart Dubai 2021’. Let’s look at the objectives that Dubai wants to achieve to boost its standing in the tech industry.
Smart Dubai 2021 objectives in a nutshell:
- Using disruptive technology to become a global economic leader
- Fully automated government services for expats and citizens
- Accelerating the delivery of social services to become a fully interconnected city
- Hassle-free, smooth transportation services through the widespread adaptation of autonomous vehicles
- Becoming a cleaner, greener city through the use of technology
The noticeable emergence of Dubai in the creative and art industry
Acknowledging the need to integrate art and technology, the creative arts industry of Dubai has also seen some level of growth in recent years. The new generation of artists in Dubai is working ceaselessly to help the city become a hallmark of development in the global art and creative sector. Innovative installations, immersive technologies and virtual reality are being used extensively by artists in the city, creating a paradigm shift in the perception of art within the community.
Role of the Dubai Government in promoting its art and creative industry
The government has taken steps which shows its willingness to prioritise the development of creative and artistic ideas. It wouldn’t be wrong to assume that tech and creative sector in Dubai want to take the lead. It is already competing with the likes of France and Italy in terms of developing the best fashion labels. In fact, Dubai has developed a dedicated ministry called Dubai Design and Fashion Council to oversee creative industries. With the creation of this dedicated government body, it is evident that there is an effort to propel Dubai into the domain of art and creativity. Bayut’s home, Dubai Design District is also an exclusive facility designed to nurture local talent and create an ecosystem encouraging innovation in fine arts, fashion and design.
All of these initiatives have gone a long way fostering an environment of creative and technological growth in Dubai. The Smart Dubai initiatives, sustainability goals and investments in art and design have created a positive sentiment about the city’s openness to innovation. To know more about the city’s efforts to become a disrupter in the creative and tech domain, take a look at some of the unique projects for innovation in Dubai.
