Global leaders convene in Abu Dhabi for inaugural Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit
GETS 2025 in Abu Dhabi brings together 500+ global leaders to shape agile, principled governance frameworks for emerging technologies.
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[Image source: Krishna Prasad/MITSMR Middle East]
The rapid rise of emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and Web3 has highlighted the need for robust, inclusive, and ethical governance frameworks to guide innovation responsibly. The real challenge, however, isn’t just unlocking their potential—it’s ensuring that society is protected from their unintended consequences. Striking this balance between technological advancement and ethical responsibility is a key issue in the ongoing global conversation about the future of innovation.
That dialogue takes center stage today in Abu Dhabi with the launch of the inaugural Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit (GETS 2025), hosted at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. Organized by the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) in strategic partnership with the UAE Public Prosecution, the summit convenes more than 500 global leaders from government, multilateral institutions, the private sector, academia, and civil society.
GETS 2025 seeks to establish a shared understanding of how emerging technologies should be governed to support a secure, just, and sustainable digital future. With a focus on cross-sector impact—in industries such as finance, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and the creative economy—the summit is also elevating discussions around justice, law, and youth leadership.
Across two days, the summit will host plenary sessions, panel discussions, and working groups addressing topics such as AI regulation, digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, quantum policy, Web3 ecosystems, and tech-enabled crime prevention. Sessions are intentionally cross-sectoral, engaging experts from finance, healthcare, manufacturing, education, youth policy, and the creative economy.
Faisal Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary-General of ATRC, emphasised the summit’s significance: “Innovation without ambitious governance lacks sustainability. Through GETS 2025, the UAE reaffirms its belief that technological leadership must be coupled with ethical and inclusive policies that build trust and advance global human progress.”
The UAE’s legal and policy leadership is reflected in the summit’s focus on regulatory design, ethics, and enforcement.
Chancellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, UAE Attorney General, stated, “Amidst the global technological surge, we bear the responsibility of constructing a smart judicial system capable of safeguarding rights and ensuring justice. GETS 2025 presents an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to developing responsive legislation and innovative governance that support societal advancement and uphold human dignity in the digital age.”
With young people increasingly driving technological change, GETS 2025 also gives a central role to youth voices in shaping governance systems for the digital age.
Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, highlighted the role of youth in shaping technological governance: “The future of technology governance should be crafted by minds attuned to its evolution. Our youth possess the creativity, confidence, and responsibility required for leadership. At GETS 2025, we aim to empower young individuals to lead discussions and make decisions that will lay the ethical foundations of our digital future.”
The summit will feature over 50 prominent experts, including Salem Ali Jumaa Al Zaabi, Head of Public Prosecution at the UAE Attorney General’s Office; Dr. Najwa Al Araj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Ali; CEO of Trends Research & Advisory, Hamad Saif Al Kaabi; Director of Hazardous Materials Incidents and Official Spokesperson for the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority; Ambassador Mamuka Jgenti, Senior Expert in Justice and Civil Society at the EU Global Facility on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism; Changpeng Zhao, Founder of Binance; Christophe Legrand, Executive Vice President of PASQAL; Marc Rotenberg, Founder of the Center for AI and Digital Policy; Gabriele Mazzini, Principal Architect of the EU AI Act; Naima Hizir Al Falasi, Senior Vice President of Portfolio Strategy at Mubadala; Ali Haidar, Head of Legal and Government Affairs at Microsoft UAE; Nabil Cheqroun, Chief Commercial Officer at Honeywell; Prof. Rabii Madi, Director of Robotic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic.
As technological innovation accelerates faster than regulatory adaptation, GETS 2025 signals the UAE’s commitment to lead globally in building agile, principled governance models—models capable of enabling progress while protecting people.
