Global Companies From 74 Countries Take Part in 5th Dubai Future Accelerators

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) announced closing the registration for the 5^th cohort of Dubai Future Accelerators program, and receiving applications from start-ups and global companies from 74 countries around the world.

The program received over 600 applicants in which they will undergo a rigorous evaluation and selection process. Ultimately, selected companies will have the opportunity to take part in Dubai Future Accelerator program and tackle challenges launched by government entities and create innovative and smart solutions through the use of advanced technologies such as; Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced technologies, Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain. The Program’s 5^th cohort is expected to start in mid-September

The program has 12 government entities: the Department of Economic Development, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, Smart Dubai, Dubai Municipality, Emirates Airlines, Dubai Police, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Etisalat Digital, and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (Du).

Saeed Al Falasi, Executive Director of Future Platforms at DFF stressed that the Dubai Future Accelerators program, was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, in 2016, upon the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The Program is an important platform that brings together government entities in Dubai, as well as start-ups and well established global companies to find innovative solutions for current and future challenges, and make use of the latest technological developments around the world.

“The Dubai Future Accelerators program has achieved remarkable levels of success in finding effective solutions to challenges facing Dubai's government entities and its strategic sectors, in collaboration with start-ups and innovative global companies. This supports the process of building the future, in Dubai and the UAE,” added Al Falasi.

Strong efforts and constructive partnerships

The 5^th cohort of Dubai Future Accelerators consists of 9 weeks of joint work between the government entities and companies. The 9-week Program includes a series of specialized workshops and meetings with mentors and experts, as well as professional programs and events.

Dubai Economy: Support retailers to anticipate the future

Through its participation in the 5^th cohort of the Dubai Future Accelerators program, the Department of Economic Development in Dubai aims to help retailers explore trends of the future through studies, data collection and research. This works to leverage their physical and digital presence, attract consumers and enhance Dubai's retail market on the use of modern technologies and the empowerment of sustainable business practices.

Dubai Residence: Automate all visa issuance processes

Through its participation in the 5^th cohort of the Dubai Future Accelerators program, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai aims to find effective solutions to develop the process of issuing residence visas to become fully digital to ease the process for customers.

Smart Dubai: Development of the mechanism for the exchange of economic and social data

Smart Dubai aims to develop a mechanism for exchanging data on the economic and social aspects of Dubai, and promote the concept of decentralized data exchange. It also aims to ensure the quality of data and standards through innovation and practical use of modern technology to identify existing gaps and enhance data quality levels sustainably.

Emirates Airlines: Linking data, standards and travelers' feelings to create the Airport of the Future

Emirates Airlines is also participating in the 5th cohort of the Dubai Future Accelerators Program to enhance customer experience in various stages of travel from the airport through the use of automated processes, Artificial Intelligence (AI), biometrics, data analysis, analysis of emotions and linking these systems, to contribute to the establishment of the Airport of the Future.

Dubai Police: Utilizing social media to promote public safety

Dubai Police aims to employ social media to enhance public safety by predicting the occurrence of accidents or recommendations necessary for officers on shifts. It also aims to reduce the manual operations required when identifying and allocating resources to speed up emergency response, and improving emergency response by collecting and using data to forecast demand based on surveillance devices, such as sensors, heat detectors, among others.

Dubai Roads: Solutions to increase efficiency and reduce expenditure

Through its participation, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) aims to find innovative ways to increase maintenance efficiency and reduce maintenance expenses. These include 49 metro stations, 17 bus stations and a fleet of 1,500 buses.

Knowledge Authority: Creating an ecosystem to shape the future of students

Part of the program,  the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) aims to create an ecosystem where parents can participate in the early years of their children’s lives to enable students to shape their future.

Dubai Health Authority: Employing robots to enhance quality of life and patient safety

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) seeks to enhance quality of life through early intervention and healthcare using advanced healthcare techniques, reducing waiting time for patients in emergencies, and increasing accuracy and patient safety in operations, such as Vertebral Column Resection using robots.

Dubai Electricity and Water: Innovate smart solutions to improve performance and quality of services

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) aims to innovate solutions based on AI, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), digital transactions, and IoT, to improve the performance, productivity and quality of services and enhance the quality of customer service according to the highest international standards.

Du: Innovate competitive features to reduce costs and increase profitability

Through its participation in the Dubai Future Accelerators program, Du aims to make use of data connectivity to provide companies with a competitive advantage that allows them to reduce costs, increase profitability, and become an active player in transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world.

Etisalat Digital: Employing AI to reduce crime and traffic congestion

Etisalat Digital will focus on finding smart innovative solutions to the key challenges that any modern city may face. First, it focuses on reducing crime rates and reducing traffic congestion using AI technology in smart surveillance systems. The second challenge is to use Block Chain technology to reduce transaction costs and simplify procedures between different organisations such as banks, government entities, and the private sector by 40% in the next five years. The third challenge will use blockchain to allow exchange between various loyalty ‘currencies; and the development of a cryptocurrency for loyalty programs that can be used in online and physical transactions.

Dubai Future Accelerators offers an ideal opportunity to find solutions to challenges and provide innovative models to enhance services. The Program brings together companies and government entities in Dubai to explore, develop and employ future technologies to address the challenges facing cities.