Sheikha Latifa’s itinerary included visits to the UAE Cybersecurity Council pavilion and the EDGE Group stand, along with sessions at booths of major security firms such as CrowdStrike and Recorded Future. She was joined by senior UAE officials including Maryam bint Ahmed Al Hammadi, the Secretary-General of the UAE Cabinet, and Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director-General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, during the tour.
Sheikha Latifa praised the organisers’ efforts and referred to GITEX GLOBAL as a reflection of UAE leadership’s commitment to harnessing technology for “sustainable growth and prosperity.” She asserted that integrating modern technologies into the cultural sector “reshapes the concept of creativity,” enabling new modes of expression and expanding reach for artists and institutions alike.
GITEX GLOBAL’s 45th edition brings together more than 6,800 technology companies and 2,000 startups from around the world. During her visit, Sheikha Latifa emphasised that platforms such as this strengthen Dubai’s role as a global tech-culture hub, facilitating partnerships among innovators and giving startups exposure to new markets.
At the UAE Cybersecurity Council pavilion, she received briefings on flagship initiatives aimed at enhancing the UAE’s digital resilience and its global cooperation in safeguarding cyberspace. At the EDGE Group booth, which operates in advanced technology and defence sectors, she was introduced to developments in cybersecurity and defence technology.
The exhibitions she visited included key players in digital security and asset protection. CrowdStrike and Recorded Future were among the international firms showcasing solutions for threat detection, risk management and digital infrastructure protection. Sheikha Latifa’s presence underscored the Emirate’s strategy of fusing creative and technological domains, signalling that culture is not merely a passive beneficiary but an active participant in digital transformation.
Observers note that this emphasis reflects a broader trend: Gulf states increasingly view culture and technology as complementary levers of soft power and economic diversification. Dubai’s positioning as a tech-culture bridge aligns with initiatives such as the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, which aims to scale creative industries through innovation and global ties.
Within GITEX 2025, parallel debates are underway around ethical frameworks for AI deployment, algorithmic fairness, and governance of emerging technologies. These topics resonate strongly in the cultural domain, where questions of authorship, access, and representation are deeply affected by digital tools. At the event, the UAE Public Prosecution also hosted a panel on “Ethical Governance Framework for Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Justice,” exploring how AI can be governed with transparency and accountability.
Technology firms at GITEX are showcasing innovations in edge computing, sovereign data infrastructure, immersive content and secure identity systems. According to executives here, the data surge demands regional on-premises deployments and robust border control for digital assets. Several Korean digital content companies are also present under the “K-Digital Contents Pavilion,” spotlighting how XR, generative AI and spatial computing drive cross-border cultural exports.
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