The fourth edition of the Dubai Future Forum, regarded as the world’s largest gathering of futurists, opens tomorrow at the Museum of the Future. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), the event will run from 18 to 19 November.

Organised by the Dubai Future Foundation, the Forum will convene more than 2,500 experts, decision-makers, and futurists, along with representatives from 100 global organisations. Over 200 speakers will participate across more than 70 sessions focused on five themes: Exploring the Unknown, Empowering Societies, Reimagining Health, Optimising Systems, and Foresight Insights.

This year introduces dedicated Learning Days on 17 and 20 November, developed with regional and international partners. These sessions cover foresight and global security, strategic philanthropy, wearable technologies, urban resilience, and the future of media. A closed-door roundtable hosted by Arab News and the Dubai Future Foundation examined how the media sector can adapt amid rapid technological change, with emphasis on governance, policy, and trust in the age of artificial intelligence.

Additional Learning Day programmes explored global security through foresight tools, the future of philanthropic impact, advances in wearable technologies, and the resilience of cities facing climate challenges.

The Forum’s opening day will feature remarks by Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation. A headline session, “Navigating Change: Leadership in the Age of AI and Global Transformation,” will include Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard, and Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications. Panel discussions will address long-term governance, regenerative societies, economic resilience, proactive medicine, changing consumer behaviour, and developments in global research.

In parallel, the Prototypes for Humanity – Dubai Future Solutions Exhibition 2025 opened today at AREA 2071 in Emirates Towers. The exhibition showcases 100 projects selected from more than 3,000 submissions representing participants from over 1,200 universities in 120 countries. Five innovators will be recognised at the conclusion of the exhibition.

The Forum will also announce the inaugural Dubai Foresight Awards, which honour contributions across three categories: Foresight Change Makers, Foresight for People, and Foresight for the Planet. The opening day will host the Future Stories Awards Ceremony, recognising writers whose work encourages future-oriented thinking.

Dubai Future Forum 2025 is supported by strategic partners including Dubai Municipality and Emirates Global Aluminium, alongside international organisations, creative institutions, and universities.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.