Future Opportunities: Insights and Innovations Shaping the Next Era
7 May 2025
The expert panel explored transformative insights from the Global 50 – Future Opportunities Report 2025, produced by Dubai Future Foundation.
Industry leaders discussed emerging technologies and strategic trends, focusing on Health Reimagined, Nature Restored, Societies Empowered, Systems Optimized, Borderless World Fluid Economies, Multidimensional Data and Transformational Innovations.
They talked about the 10 global megatrends and how the UAE’s innovation landscape, including advancements in AI, 6G networks, and quantum materials, shaping future opportunities and industries for businesses and governments.
Expert Speakers:
▪️ Dr Heba Chehade, Head of Foresight Research, Dubai Future Foundation
▪️ Michael Clark, Data Scholar, Founder of The Next Things LLC
▪️ Marc Donnadieu, Vice President/Strategy & Performance – e& life
▪️ Keenan Hamza, Vice President Technology Futures & Innovation at Emirates Group
▪️ Moderator: Karl Tlais, Founder & CEO, iAdvisory, Dubai Future Fellow
Dr Heba Chehade: The report frames its findings around essential human needs and higher aspirations like growth and well-being, while acknowledging uncertainties such as technological advancements and environmental challenges. Key themes include global interdependencies and the evolution of ecosystems, alongside a recognition of the importance of cybersecurity and innovative solutions inspired by nature. The report aims to explore future scenarios that encourage prosperity and improved quality of life, despite existing global challenges.
Moderator Karl Tlais: Can you elaborate on how data functions as an asset? Specifically, where does it fit into the bigger picture, and why is it such a crucial component? Additionally, how can we effectively utilize data as an asset? It would be enlightening to explore the various multidimensional data elements highlighted in the report and understand their significance.
Michael Clark: Data has the potential to become a foundational infrastructure as reliance on technology grows. Key points include the necessity of inclusivity in data generation and sharing, the importance of data literacy for consumers and businesses, and the establishment of standards for valuing and pricing data.
Recognizing data as an economic asset requires transparency and accountability, which is crucial for rebuilding trust in data sharing. Additionally, ethical considerations and regulations are evolving to treat data as a digital asset, underscoring the importance of interoperability.
A re-evaluation is needed of how we perceive value and exchange in the data-driven economy, drawing parallels to non-monetary value systems and emphasizing collaboration for advancements in areas like health management.
Dr Heba Chehade: This year’s report highlights the potential of sports application data, which provides valuable insights into public health beyond traditional biomarkers, particularly from major events like the Olympics and World Cup. It emphasizes the need for trust in human-robot interactions as robots and AI become more prevalent, underscoring the importance of empowering robots and expanding research on trust frameworks.
Marc Donnadieu: The three key megatrends are:
- Artificial Intelligence: Long-standing interest with current excitement.
- Blockchain Technology: A recent yet impactful rise, affecting finance, industries, consumer use, and healthcare.
- Metaverse: Facing challenges but poised for recovery and growth in various sectors.
Telecommunications is a backbone for AI and streaming services, and there is a stagnation of telecom valuations with the rapid growth of tech companies. Telecom companies should adapt, capture value from digital innovations, and collaborate with startups to transition into tech entities.
Recently, there’s been a new dimension in telco-to-telco enablement. On the consumer side, this encompasses fintech, digital experiences, super app services, and various other offerings, including gaming and Insurtech. We’ve already highlighted several examples of our involvement in this space. This illustrates our approach to effective enablement.
Moderator Karl Tlais: You’re spearheading the adoption of emerging technology in aviation, and I believe Emirates serves as a leading example for the global aviation industry. What are your thoughts on this?
Keenan Hamza: The Emirates Group emphasises the importance of discipline and thought leadership in futurism and foresight. The organisation’s diverse operations, including airline services, airport transport, flight catering, and travel services, create ongoing opportunities for innovation. The upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport (AMI), which will be the largest in the world, requires significant strategic planning and advancements in automation and robotics. There is the need for interconnectedness of the entire travel experience and the necessity of collaboration among stakeholders to foster seamless travel. There are questions about trust and validation in international travel, and more to explore in enhancing passenger experiences.
Moderator Karl Tlais: What are your thoughts on the importance of identity and the value exchange?
Michael Clark: To create a borderless world, developing a borderless digital identity is essential, as many individuals face financial exclusion without recognized identities. This lack of acknowledgment creates friction that needs to be eliminated. As identities become more adaptable globally, sharing data across jurisdictions poses challenges due to varying regulations. The interconnectedness of global supply chains and the rise of micropayments and machine-to-machine transactions in payment systems must be addressed, especially with the anticipated transition to advanced technologies like 6G. Furthermore, effective digital identity implementation, as demonstrated by nations like the UAE, can significantly improve customer experiences and operational efficiency in banking and other sectors, highlighting the importance of this discussion in achieving a borderless society.
Moderator Karl Tlais: As business leaders, how can we, alongside government representatives, promote the adoption and implementation of the ideas we’ve been discussing? What are the pathways we can explore to capitalize on these opportunities, and what challenges might we face in putting these concepts into practice?
Dr Heba Chehade: There is no one-size-fits-all approach for organizations, as each has unique guiding principles. We cannot simply follow trends, as this can lead to unproductive outcomes. Organizations should define a clear guiding principle, assess opportunities and risks, and determine their long-term goals. Small initiatives can also lead to success, such as the importance of agility and comfort with calculated risks. Creative and reflective thinking is crucial for navigating changes. Interoperability is a key area for investment, as demonstrated by Estonia’s Crossroads Initiative, and organizations must consider how to address the digital and real-world identities of individuals.
Marc Donnadieu: The powerful capabilities of artificial intelligence are undeniable, and as artificial general intelligence (AGI) approaches, the need for human involvement in its development becomes increasingly important. There are concerns about our reliance on intelligent robots, which might diminish our own intelligence and lead to manipulative behaviours by AI. The importance of understanding and controlling AI, particularly in sensitive areas like medicine and politics, is vital, as current AI systems lack clear reasoning abilities.
Keenan Hamza: There are challenges of scaling AI in safety-critical industries like aviation, where a 93% reliability rate can still pose significant risks (a 7% failure chance). Trust is crucial for AI implementation, especially in high-stakes areas compared to lower-risk cases like customer service. The importance of maintaining a human touch in interactions is highlighted, particularly in airline check-in processes where automation should alleviate repetitive tasks, enabling staff to provide personalized assistance to passengers. There is a need to evaluate the consequences and risks associated with AI advancements in customer-facing technology.
Michael Clark: Organizations often overlook the valuable knowledge and skills of their employees, focusing instead on financial liabilities during evaluations. As we shift towards an AI-driven landscape, there is a critical need to value capabilities over job titles, especially during industry contractions. This approach is vital in sectors like consulting, where metrics alone do not reflect the human contributions to customer interactions. Replacing knowledgeable staff with machines may increase efficiency but can degrade the personal connections that foster customer loyalty. Recovering lost expertise may take years, highlighting the importance of a balanced assessment of the workforce that recognizes both financial and human factors to maintain service quality amidst rising AI integration.
Audience Question 1: How do we navigate the vast amounts of information and misinformation?
Dr Heba Chehade: As digital realities expand, disinformation poses a significant threat, amplified by generative AI’s ability to produce extensive content. Amid this challenge, the concept of “future humanity” emphasizes the importance of understanding our collective identity and purpose. This inquiry is vital for all ages, as individuals from children to retirees, grapple with existential questions. Engaging in this exploration may help us navigate disinformation challenges. Additionally, uncertainties about shared values and cultural definitions of quality of life raise questions about whether a universal understanding will emerge or if beliefs will diversify. This highlights the urgency of addressing this crucial megatrend.
Audience Question 2: Will Dubai’s new airport incorporate future adaptability, given the rapid advancement of technology? Is there flexibility in the design to meet both current and future needs?
Keenan Hamza: Agile software development has not been successfully applied to infrastructure building, presenting a key challenge. The upcoming year will focus on finalizing an automation blueprint, limiting future changes and raising concerns about accommodating technological advancements in the long term. While modern airports like Changi and Abu Dhabi’s Fahd International illustrate adaptability issues, the pressing concern in passenger experience is baggage handling. The prospect of an underfloor baggage system is intriguing, but a radical idea suggests that travellers could have their clothing waiting for them at their destination, eliminating the need for luggage altogether. This innovation could enhance the passenger experience and reduce lost baggage issues, highlighting the importance of disruption in the industry.
Audience Question 3: Isn’t there a growing wealth gap between nations, with some countries who will thrive through technological advancements, others, particularly in Africa, may be left behind due to poor education systems?
Michael Clark: It is important to view data as an asset and to be inclusive, particularly in emerging economies like Africa. Public-private partnerships, flexible policy frameworks, and cross-border cooperation are essential to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies. There is a need for collaborative ecosystems that involve various stakeholders, rather than relying solely on regulators, and the significance of understanding the convergence of technologies to address issues and mitigate risks effectively, can’t be underestimated.
Dr Heba Chehade: Global sandboxes are vital for fostering cross-border and cross-sector learning in regulation and law, especially concerning technology convergence. Notably, the Dubai government pioneered a Future Readiness Index for the public sector, managed by their excellence program, which conducts annual assessments with government entities. This initiative could serve as a model for other regions.
Keenan Hamza: There are differences in government functionality between the UK and Germany, in how political transitions can hinder progress. Dubai’s effective collaboration between government and the private sector is a model for societal advancement. There is a global trend toward reimagining government structures, which does spark critical conversations about their true purpose.
Marc Donnadieu: There is a need for Europe to establish a sovereign data cloud to control its own data infrastructure, which is currently lacking. It is important for more regulatory engagement in AI development but unfortunately a shift towards secrecy among creators regarding new technologies could delay crucial innovations. The regulators must be involved early in the process to mitigate potential risks associated with advanced AI.
Michael Clark: Three to four years ago, daily image creation reached 20 million, consuming energy equivalent to driving a million miles. Early regulatory involvement was lacking, preventing the establishment of energy guidelines and ethical standards for innovation. Regulators often lag behind in understanding new technologies, which now go from development to launch in just days, making it difficult for them to respond effectively before innovations are widely used.
Audience Question 4: What keeps you up at night and what are you most excited about the future?
Michael Clark: The unfulfilled potential of humanity, whether we truly understand our health, finances, and mental capabilities. Despite advancements, such as space exploration, many haven’t fully tapped into their potential. However, there’s optimism for the future, with the possibility of leveraging technology for better education, healthcare, and financial management for upcoming generations. But will we prioritise the human element in our pursuits or will we be overly focused on efficiency, which could lead to negative outcomes.
Dr Heba Chehade: I often find myself reflecting on our sense of purpose, what it means for us, our children, and our parents. With all the advancements in technology surrounding us, it’s an exciting time for the future. I’m particularly enthusiastic about how technology can enhance our lives, especially in areas like materials and reducing stress.