Plug And Play Middle East Summit Highlights AI's Role In Revolutionizing Global Trade

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi highlighted the importance of advanced technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), in creating a new era of smarter, faster, and more efficient global trade at the inaugural Plug and Play Middle East Summit.

The event, which brought together industry leaders, government officials, and investors to showcase innovations shaping the future economy, stressed the need for the global trading community to tap into the potential of startups and unlock value that is currently being held back by outdated systems and human-focused processes.

"The UAE recognises that trade is undergoing a complete transformation, driven by new technologies, automation, and digital innovation. It is vital we empower entrepreneurs and startups to develop cutting -edge solutions that enable smarter, faster, and more inclusive global trade — while establishing the regulatory frameworks and interoperable systems needed to deploy them," he was quoted as saying by WAM.

Al Zeyoudi emphasized the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and startups to create cutting-edge solutions that make global trade smarter, faster, and more inclusive. He also stressed the need for regulatory frameworks and systems that can support the deployment of these innovations.

Through the TradeTech Initiative, which the UAE launched with the World Economic Forum, these efforts are being accelerated, including the creation of the TradeTech Accelerator and a Regulatory Sandbox. The success of these initiatives could open up new opportunities for global commerce.

Al Zeyoudi added that the TradeTech Accelerator, developed in collaboration with Plug and Play, is already showing positive results. Out of 1,500 top startups from around the world, 14 have been selected for their innovative work in AI-driven logistics, blockchain trade finance, and digital supply-chain optimization.

These startups' creativity and flexibility will improve supply chains and highlight the strength of the UAE's innovation ecosystem.

The summit featured a series of fireside chats and panel discussions, where experts from technology, investment, and trade came together to talk about how AI is changing the world of entrepreneurship.

The discussions touched on various topics, including trends in fintech, blockchain, and the major impact AI is having on different industries. They also explored how AI can enhance human abilities.

Last month, Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) and Oracle announced the launch of sAIdaty 2025, the second edition of a training program aimed at empowering women professionals and entrepreneurs in Dubai and the UAE with artificial intelligence skills.