The UAE continues to lead the region in innovation and attracting technological investments, thanks to a supportive business environment, advanced infrastructure, and proactive government initiatives, according to technology experts participating in GITEX Global 2025.
Experts at GITEX Global 2025 emphasized that the UAE has established itself as a hub for innovation and tech ventures through its visionary approach and strategic investments, along with a favorable business landscape.
They noted that the country’s modern infrastructure significantly supports tech projects. With advanced communication networks, high-speed 5G internet, and smart city initiatives, the UAE is well-equipped to accelerate innovation and bolster the digital economy.
The announcement of increased investments from various global companies in the UAE is seen as a strong indicator of the nation’s attractiveness for tech investment. This year’s exhibition conveys a message of optimism for supporting business operations and stimulating economic growth.
Nader Baslar, General Manager at Code81, stated that their participation in GITEX Global this year is based on two important strategic partnerships: one with Creatio, highlighting AI-driven intelligent CRM solutions tailored for rapid deployment across various sectors, and another with Dataiku, an advanced platform for data science and machine learning that enables developers to collaborate with data scientists to create robust data pipelines and implement AI use cases in business.
Through these partnerships, they assist clients in managing AI governance within data workflows and applications, ensuring the adoption of AI is safe, responsible, and effective.
Baslar added that Code81 plays a pivotal role in this trend by delivering technical expertise and services as a key vendor within the Dataiku booth at the exhibition.
Cybersecurity Strategy
Kamel Al Tamimi, Senior Solutions Consultant at Zscaler, mentioned that their participation in GITEX Global comes at a time when the region is experiencing significant digital transformation, particularly as economies pivot toward adopting AI and digital solutions. Today, massive data centers and AI hubs are being established in the region, necessitating advanced and comprehensive protective measures for both enterprises and users. They are showcasing their latest solutions designed to secure digital infrastructures.
Al Tamimi added that their active collaborations with various entities, including cybersecurity boards in Gulf countries, particularly in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, demonstrate their commitment to providing solutions aligned with local policies and regulatory standards, strengthening organizational cybersecurity amid rising cyber threats.
One of their key solutions focuses on “attack surface protection,” preventing attackers from identifying or accessing vulnerabilities within network systems. They also offer services to protect organizations against zero-day attacks and advanced solutions for securing connections between systems and cloud services, adhering to a zero-trust model.
When asked about his vision for the future of cybersecurity in the region, Al Tamimi stated that cybersecurity has become a strategic necessity for any organization, with the region evolving rapidly and an increased responsibility to safeguard data and infrastructure. Zscaler is dedicated to being a trusted partner in this journey by providing the latest and most effective technologies.
Cyber Attacks
Maher Yamout, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky, noted that they are showcasing numerous products at GITEX Global to support businesses against cyber threats, particularly emphasizing the Think Client device—a small, operating system-free device designed with security as a foundational element.
Yamout mentioned that this device is primarily aimed at organizations, requiring a specific network to operate. It boasts high-security levels, making it difficult for most viruses to infiltrate, positioning it as a crucial product in this field.
They also offer various other products, including Kaspersky’s antivirus solutions, advanced protection tools such as Kaspersky EDR, and the latest innovations like Kaspersky Extended Detection and Response (XDR) and Kaspersky Premium Protection, among others.
Yamout expressed that their message to the community is the importance of recognizing that AI is currently being utilized in deceptive attempts to mislead users visually and audibly. For instance, when receiving a phishing email or even viewing a certain video, it is essential to verify the source of the message or audio.
If an email or message comes from a certain entity via email or messaging apps like WhatsApp, one should ensure that the sender is legitimate and that the content is not fabricated. Today, criminals leverage AI to generate realistic voices of any person from short recordings.
Thus, verifying the identity of the caller or sender, whether through an official email address or verified phone number, becomes crucial.
Yamout noted that modern security software is evolving to keep pace with emerging cyber threats, and Kaspersky plays a significant role in proactive protection. This protection begins with awareness, analyzing how attacks evolve, and preparing users to recognize them even before encountering them.
He mentioned that if one has not experienced an attack today, they might face one tomorrow. However, through awareness and preparedness, they can effectively counter threats. Kaspersky endeavors to achieve this through electronic awareness workshops and online training sessions.
Artificial Intelligence
Ahmed Al Saadi, Vice President at Splunk for the Middle East and Africa, stated that their company began investing in the UAE over a decade ago with a representative office encompassing all key functions from pre-sales to technical support, project execution teams, and business communication.
Currently, they play a significant role in supporting national digital transformation initiatives, especially in projects like Vision 2030. They collaborate closely with government entities to enhance digital infrastructure and achieve the nation’s strategic goals.
Al Saadi emphasized that GITEX serves as a key meeting point for companies operating within the digital and tech sectors, both regionally and globally. Their participation this year holds special significance as they focus on one of the biggest challenges facing organizations today—the vast amounts of data that are difficult to analyze or utilize.
Al Saadi noted that the region is witnessing rapid growth in the adoption of modern technologies, particularly AI and cloud services. With this expansion comes an increasing demand for robust data management and security solutions. Cybersecurity is no longer just an option; it has become an integral part of growth and innovation strategy. Splunk is committed to being a key partner in this realm by providing powerful tools that keep pace with evolving threats and support digital system readiness.
He also highlighted their close collaboration with the UAE Cybersecurity Council, stating that they participate in the council’s initiatives by providing their technologies and supporting training programs, with specialized teams focused on swiftly addressing electronic threats.
Al Saadi added that they focus on managing cyber attacks, as protection is part of a larger system. Management encompasses early detection, analysis, rapid response, and addressing vulnerabilities, along with managing the infrastructure itself to ensure it is designed for security and can respond and recover quickly after any breach.
He pointed out that one of the key solutions they are showcasing this year is Agentic AI SOC, an intelligent security operations center built on AI. It can be regarded as the new “digital assistant,” capable of performing tasks that previously required direct human intervention, conducting advanced analytical functions, and assisting in managing not only the protection against cyber threats but also responding to them. Additionally, it can provide recommendations to enhance an organization’s digital infrastructure and suggest proactive measures to bolster security and mitigate risks.