With exceptional future-oriented forecasts, practical outcomes, pioneering initiatives, and strategic agreements, the Dubai Future Forum 2025 — the world’s largest global gathering of futurists and future-design institutions — concluded today, Wednesday.
Organised by the Dubai Future Foundation, the forum was held on 18 and 19 November at the Museum of the Future, with the participation of more than 2,500 attendees and over 200 speakers including government officials, CEOs, academics, decision-makers, thought leaders, and future experts from the UAE and around the world. More than 100 international institutions specialising in various future sectors were also present.
The Dubai Future Foundation announced today that the next edition of the Dubai Future Forum will be held at the Museum of the Future on 17 and 18 November 2026.
Attendance of Dubai Leadership
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, attended part of the forum’s activities. He was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the awarding ceremony for the winners of the first edition of the “Dubai Future Foresight Awards” on the forum’s stage. Sheikh Hamdan also met with graduates of the “Dubai Future Experts Program” and the “Future Sensing Program.”
On the first day of the forum, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), honoured the winners of the “Dubai Future Solutions – Innovations for Humanity” initiative for 2025. This initiative was launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Proactive Vision for the Future
His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of the Dubai Future Foundation, affirmed that the future-design foresight model developed in Dubai, under the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is built on anticipating change, identifying opportunities, and shaping future trends.
He stated:
“Foresight is a foundational pillar in our work, initiatives, and projects to define future priorities and objectives that benefit individuals and societies globally.”
He added:
“We will continue supporting future pioneers across all sectors — those who believe in the future and contribute to designing and achieving it. Through the Dubai Future Forum, we aim to embed foresight culture as a strategic priority for governments, institutions, companies, economic sectors, and individuals.”
Major Announcements
Among the key announcements at Dubai Future Forum 2025 was the launch of the world’s first Agentic AI-based commercial payment transaction outside the United States. This was revealed by His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Deputy Managing Director of the Foundation. The transaction was implemented by Mastercard in partnership with Majid Al Futtaim and announced on the opening morning of the forum.
Exceptional Future Projections
The forum’s fourth edition was marked by bold and exceptional future predictions, including three announced by His Excellency Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, during his opening speech:
The growing importance of individual and collective ability to focus — viewed as a key strategic resource and competitive advantage for future societies.
An increase in the number and capability of experts to transform massive amounts of knowledge, data, and information into impactful projects shaping a better future for humanity.
The evolving role of AI assistants as companions enhancing — rather than replacing — human relationships.
Experts at the forum also predicted that genetic medicine will be able to treat blood and liver diseases within five years and eliminate around 4,000 genetic diseases within a decade. In ten years, development policies are expected to focus on people and ethical frameworks to fund projects that serve all. Wearable devices powered by AI are expected to become more widespread and sophisticated.
Other scenarios discussed included concerns about the rise of a fully informed, omnipresent AI representing a potential existential threat; projections that by 2060 there may be 52 job seekers for every 100 workers; and the growing need for academic institutions to coordinate with all sectors to foster innovation and AI-driven R&D.
Record-breaking Indicators
Forum participants reviewed global milestones expected to shape future generations, such as:
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A 50% reduction in child mortality over the past 25 years
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The UN’s adoption of new comprehensive national growth metrics in 2025, incorporating sustainability and wellbeing
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The global capacity of concentrated solar power exceeding 2,200 gigawatts by the end of 2024
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Solar energy surpassing nuclear energy for the first time in terms of output during the summer of 2025
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Nearly 2 billion people still lacking access to clean drinking water
Urgent Questions for Humanity
The forum addressed vital strategic questions requiring global and interdisciplinary cooperation:
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Are we ready for a world where AI agents work on our behalf?
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How can humanity rebuild its connection with nature while adopting transformative technologies?
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Can AI become a fair, safe, and trustworthy partner in education, governance, and daily life?
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How will societies redefine growth as GDP becomes outdated?
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Are we ready for discovering unknown forms of life?
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Will organ printing result in a new class of humanoid beings?
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How can biodiversity and forests — crucial for future medicine innovations — be preserved?
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What lies ahead for space exploration following the discovery of over 6,000 exoplanets?
Workshops, Forums, and Themes
The forum included specialised workshops led by top consulting firms, as well as topic-specific forums held in collaboration with global organisations. Dozens of sessions with experts across five central themes were held: Deep Future Insight, Exploring the Unknown, Future of Societies, Future of Health, and Future Systems.
Strategic Partnerships
Key partners included Dubai Municipality, Emirates Global Aluminium, Emirates Flight Catering, UNICEF, Expansio, The Explorers Club, Fikr Foundation, Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation, The Dream Collective, Cinema Akil, Aquafina, along with academic institutions such as Arizona State University, Higher Colleges of Technology, International Islamic University Malaysia, and Hanze University of Applied Sciences.
Future Stories Awards
The second day of the forum included the Future Stories Awards, which received 185 submissions from 47 countries. First place was awarded to Thomas Knuiver from the Netherlands for a story about a widower in a futuristic space resort who discovers that the AI designed to simulate his late wife might be more alive than expected.
Second place went to Pierluigi Vasano of Italy for a story exploring the first self-aware AI awakening inside a human-designed body. Third place was awarded to Maryam Al Shawab from the UAE for her story “Safe Space,” set in a world shared by humans and robots.
Global Foresight Network
Dubai Future Foundation also announced that 31 new international organisations joined the Global Network of Foresight Institutions, headquartered at the Museum of the Future, bringing total membership to 91 institutions across 33 countries.
Launch of Space Solar Power Report
The Foundation launched a report titled “Future of Space Solar Power”, spotlighting the potential of space-based solar energy collection and wireless transmission via microwaves as a promising, clean, and sustainable energy solution.
Enhancing Readiness
A new partnership was signed with Dubai Police General Command, covering training, capacity-building, foresight studies, and innovation initiatives aimed at enhancing quality of life and advancing Dubai’s vision of world-class, human-centered public services.
Explorers Club Agreement
Another agreement was signed with The Explorers Club to promote cooperation in exploration, science, innovation, and foresight, including joint events and initiatives.
First Future Book Corner
This edition of the forum introduced the first dedicated “Book Corner” for launching future-themed books, enabling visitors to engage directly with authors and publishers during exclusive book signings.
Immersive Future Experiences
Visitors also engaged in a variety of immersive experiences using virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies, designed to stimulate the senses and encourage active participation in imagining, designing, and building the future.
