With support from partners including Mastercard and Emirates NBD, more than half of the world’s top 50 futurists are expected to attend, alongside figures such as Professor Brian Cox, Commander Scott Kelly, Dr Abir Haddad, Kevin J. Anderson, Ross Dawson, Zoltan Istvan and Professor Henrik von Scheel.
Organisers emphasise that the summit seeks to bridge the widening divide between exponential technological advances and the slower pace of policy adaptation. Plenary sessions, breakout workshops, book signings and a closing VVIP gala aboard a superyacht at Dubai Marina aim to generate actionable frameworks for leaders in government, industry and civil society.
Occurring amid parallel efforts by the UAE to expand its role in space diplomacy and sustainable space economy, the summit aligns with a broader national vision. The UAE Space Agency, during its participation at Expo 2025 Osaka, outlined strategies for international cooperation in deep space initiatives and industrial partnerships. It spotlighted the Artemis Accords, barriers to space economy growth and proposals for a global expert group on space situational awareness. Astronauts Hazza Al Mansouri and Nora Al Matrooshi appeared in panels, underscoring national ambitions in exploration.
At Expo 2025 Osaka, the Space Agency also emphasised the role of youth and scientific research in sustaining momentum in its space sector. It reaffirmed commitment to the National Space Strategy 2030 and UAE Vision 2031, framing these policies as guiding roadmaps to foster innovation, economic integration and global partnerships.
Speakers at the summit are expected to address pressing challenges at the intersection of technology and society. Professor Cox may examine the role of scientific literacy in public decision-making, while Commander Scott Kelly is likely to draw on his spaceflight experience in discussions of human resilience in long-duration missions. Dr Haddad’s contributions may explore legal and ethical dimensions in the age of AI.
A central theme raised by organisers is that policy must evolve not by prediction, but by preparedness: equipping leaders to respond decisively to exponential change rather than waiting for it to outpace regulation. Dr Mohamed Al Khatib, CEO of The Futurists Network – GCC, has said the aim isn’t forecasting but readiness.
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