As governments and businesses prepare their technology priorities for 2027, questions around AI sovereignty, computing infrastructure, investment and the commercial deployment of emerging technologies are becoming increasingly important.
These topics will take center stage at GITEX Global 2026, taking place in Dubai from December 7–11. Under the theme “The Global Reset 2027, Through a New Lens,” the event will bring together global technology leaders, policymakers, investors and startups to explore the forces reshaping the digital economy.
According to the organizers, the gathering will feature more than 6,000 exhibiting technology companies, government entities and startups, over 400 government organizations and more than 750 investors representing nearly $2 trillion in assets under management.
The infrastructure and investment behind the AI race
The opening GITEX Summit on December 7 will explore three interconnected themes: The Compute Economy, The New Map of Capital and Future Frontiers.
Discussions will examine who controls the computing power, energy infrastructure and capital needed to develop and deploy increasingly sophisticated AI systems. With countries competing to build sovereign capabilities, access to data centres, advanced chips and reliable energy is becoming a question of economic competitiveness.
The programme will bring perspectives from global technology and investment leaders, including Peng Xiao, CEO of G42, and Marc Ganzi, CEO of DigitalBridge.
Beyond infrastructure, the summit will examine how sovereign investment, geopolitical shifts and emerging technologies are influencing the next generation of technology partnerships.
From AI agents to autonomous machines
A major focus of the wider conference will be the transition from AI experimentation to practical applications across enterprises, governments and industries.
The AI Stage will explore agentic AI, enterprise adoption and AI-powered research, while dedicated programmes on robotics and autonomous mobility will examine how intelligent machines are moving into real-world operations.
GITEX World Robotix and GITEX MobX will address the opportunities and challenges surrounding humanoid robots, autonomous transportation and physical AI, with particular attention to commercial deployment, safety and the economics of automation.
Cybersecurity will be another central topic, as increasingly autonomous systems create new questions around accountability, data protection and critical infrastructure security.
Meanwhile, the inaugural LIVX by GITEX will explore how AI is transforming longevity research, drug discovery, genomics and precision medicine. Quantum computing will also feature among the technologies expected to influence the next phase of scientific and industrial innovation.
Connecting global innovation ecosystems
Beyond the conference discussions, GITEX Global will bring together technology buyers, investors, startups and public-sector decision-makers from across international markets.
For Central and Eastern European technology companies, the gathering presents opportunities to engage with the GCC's expanding AI and digital transformation markets, while Gulf enterprises and investors can explore European technology expertise, innovation and market opportunities.
The co-located Expand North Star, running from December 8–11, will provide an additional meeting point for startups, venture capital investors and potential commercial partners.
As the technology industry looks toward 2027, the broader question is which emerging innovations will translate into commercially viable solutions, and which international partnerships will help bring them to market.
GITEX Global 2026 will take place December 7–11 in Dubai, opening with the GITEX Summit at Dubai World Trade Centre, followed by the exhibition and conferences at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai, from December 8–11.
Explore the official GITEX Global agenda.
The Recursive is a media partner of GITEX Global 2026.
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