Blockchain, AI, virtual reality, augmented reality, quantum computing and robotics are some of the emerging technologies that are predicted to be disruptive in the near future. Read about some of the most prominent initiatives of the UAE that include and adopt emerging technologies.

1. The announcement made by the UAE Government and Davos to launch the Global Collaboration Village in partnership with key international organisations, governments, private sector companies and social institutions from around the world. Global Collaboration Village is a village on the metaverse that provides a shared space for work and collaboration to find solutions for pressing challenges that the world is facing. It offers an opportunity to collectively shape new sectors and visualise new agenda for the region and the world.
2. The inauguration of the Investopia platform in partnership with World Government Summit Organization making it the first financial summit to be hosted on the metaverse.
3. The launch of the world’s first virtual customer happiness centre by Ministry of Health and Prevention. The first edition of the centre was launched at the Arab Health Conference and the full version of the Meta Health platform is expected to be launched soon.
4. The creation of Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority making it the world’s first regulatory authority to enter the metaverse and establishing its headquarters in the virtual world, The Sand Box.
5. The launch of the Dubai Metaverse Strategy. This strategy aims to increase the number of blockchain and metaverse companies by five times in the next five years (by 2028) and support the creation of over 40,000 virtual jobs following the successful attraction of 1,000 companies; thus, adding a value of USD 4 billion to the emirate’s economy in five years to become a globally leading city in the metaverse.
6. The establishment of the headquarters of many private, global companies in the UAE and their investment in the metaverse. An example of this is the setting up of Meta’s regional office in the UAE, to facilitate research and development in this sector regionally.