Empowering Digital Societies: AI & Innovation for Inclusive Digital Futures

In celebration of the UAE’s Year of Community and World Creativity and Innovation Day, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) organized the Empowering Digital Societies Summit under the theme “AI & Innovation for Inclusive Digital Futures.” Held on April 21, 2025, at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, the summit served as a dynamic platform that brought together a select group of visionaries, policymakers, entrepreneurs, youth, and innovators to explore how emerging technologies and artificial intelligence are reshaping communities and driving sustainable digital progress.

The summit was designed to highlight the human-centric approach to digital transformation, focusing on how technology improves lives, enhances public services, and fosters inclusion. It reflected TDRA’s strategic role in enabling a connected, secure, and innovative digital society, while aligning with the UAE’s vision for building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready communities through innovation and collaboration across all sectors.

The day began with a welcome speech from H.E. Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of TDRA, who emphasized that digital transformation is no longer optional but essential for national development. He stated, “This summit marks a strategic milestone in our journey toward a sustainable future driven by knowledge and fueled by innovation. Investment in advanced technologies and human empowerment is the path to national excellence and global leadership.” He further stressed the importance of intelligent management, smart solutions, and integration between the public and private sectors to achieve the UAE’s 2031 national goals.

The summit featured a series of keynote sessions that energized attendees with forward-looking insights. Mr. Siim Sikkut, former Government CIO of Estonia, discussed how technology transforms communities and redefines the future of societies. In his keynote address, Siim Sikkut emphasized that true societal transformation comes not simply from innovation itself, but from how technology is designed and deployed to empower individuals and communities. Drawing lessons from Estonia’s pioneering digital journey, he highlighted that technology should always serve human needs, focusing on user empowerment, seamless digital experiences, and community-level engagement. Sikkut stressed that governments must shift from isolated tech projects to comprehensive transformation programs that are user-centric, constantly iterating, experimenting, and anticipating risks. The future lies in building digital platforms—not just transactions—that create shared virtual spaces and connections across society. He also pointed to AI as a powerful force multiplier, envisioning a future where all government services are accessible through proactive AI virtual assistants, ensuring inclusivity and minimizing the risk of a new digital divide. His central message was clear: technology is merely a tool—true impact comes from intentional transformation designed around people, trust, and empowerment.

In the second keynote speech, Dr. Hitendra Patel, GIMI Founder, delivered a compelling call to action, urging leaders and innovators to embrace bold thinking and transformative innovation to build future-ready societies. He emphasized that small, incremental improvements are no longer enough in a world defined by disruption and rapid technological change. Instead, organizations and governments must adopt moonshot thinking—targeting 10x improvements rather than settling for 10% gains. Central to this transformation is the shift from a mindset of efficiency to one of purpose-driven innovation, where societal impact becomes the core measure of success. Dr. Patel highlighted the importance of fostering a culture that encourages experimentation, accepts failure as part of growth, and builds collaborative ecosystems across sectors. He also noted the urgent need for inclusive innovation that ensures no segment of society is left behind. By combining visionary leadership with actionable strategy, he argued, nations can seize emerging opportunities and architect sustainable, inclusive digital futures.

The third keynote speech featured, Ms. Andrea Prazakova, Founder and CEO of BrainGym, who explored how AI and digital transformation are powering a new era of community innovation. Ms. Andrea emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation are not merely technological advancements but pivotal tools for fostering community innovation and inclusivity. She highlighted how AI can be harnessed to address societal challenges, enhance public services, and empower individuals by providing equitable access to information and resources. Prazakova ulladvocated for a human-centric approach to digital transformation, ensuring that technological progress translates into tangible benefits for all segments of society. She underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between governments, private sectors, and communities to create sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystems. By leveraging AI responsibly and ethically, societies can unlock new opportunities for growth, resilience, and social cohesion in the digital age.

Finally, a powerful youth keynote by Ali Humaid Alloghani, an Emirati innovator and social impact advocate, underscored the critical role of young minds in driving innovation and purposeful impact. The 13-year-old Emirati inventor offered a deeply inspiring glimpse into the mind of a young innovator whose journey proves that age is no barrier to dreaming big. From the moment his curiosity for technology was sparked, Ali showed a passion for learning and problem-solving that quickly evolved into real-world inventions—most notably, his "Doctor Robot" project, which won him a gold medal in the U.S., competing against global inventors. What stood out wasn’t just his intelligence or coding skills, but his unwavering belief that anyone, regardless of age, can pursue greatness. Throughout the interview, Ali shared emotional milestones, such as the support he received from his family, the challenges he overcame, and the moments of doubt he turned into strength. He offered heartfelt advice to aspiring inventors, encouraging them to start small, stay curious, and never stop dreaming. His closing message reflected his ambition and purpose: if given the freedom to invent anything, he would create something that genuinely serves people—proof of a future innovator with a heart set on impact.

The summit’s panel discussions further enriched the dialogue. The first panel, featuring leaders such as H.E. Eng. Mohammad Al Zarooni, H.E. Mohamed Bin Taliah, H.E. Khalid Al Nuaimi, and Ms. Abeer Tahlak, examined how innovation at the intersection of society and technology is shaping future communities. A unifying theme across the discussion was the importance of enabling young people not just as consumers of technology, but as ethical creators and changemakers. Panelists emphasized the need to cultivate a generation of youth who can lead innovation with purpose and inclusivity in mind. Whether through educational frameworks, community programs, or institutional support, the discussion reinforced that digital literacy must go hand-in-hand with ethical values and social responsibility.

The speakers collectively underscored the importance of creating inclusive ecosystems that empower youth to co-design solutions for the challenges facing their communities. From shaping social policy and strengthening cohesion, to building AI-driven public services, the panelists agreed that young innovators must be given the tools, trust, and platforms to contribute meaningfully to national development. This includes embedding youth voices in policymaking, providing access to AI and digital tools, and scaling their ideas into tangible solutions through mentorship and institutional support.

Another central outcome of the discussion was the critical role of collaboration between policymakers, digital leaders, and community stakeholders. To truly bridge the gap between technology and community needs, innovation must be guided by empathy, agility, and a people-first mindset. Public services should be designed with the citizen at the center—leveraging AI not just for efficiency, but to enhance the quality of life and social wellbeing.

The second panel brought together experts like Mr. Omar M. Almahmoud, Dr. Veselina Yankova, Mr. Jean-Luc Scherer, Mr. Renze Jongman, and Mr. Sid Ahmed Benraoune, who discussed strategies for building thriving digital societies powered by AI, with a focus on empowering youth and entrepreneurs.

A major highlight of the summit was the celebration of the UAE Hackathon 2025. A special showcase and video presentation highlighted the diversity and innovation of the participating projects. The summit recognized the strategic partners who supported this national initiative, reflecting TDRA’s commitment to strengthening public-private partnerships as a catalyst for innovation.

The summit also hosted the UAE Hackathon 2025 Awards Ceremony, honoring outstanding achievements across four tracks:

•In the Rising Stars Track, first place went to RH Team, second to Fire Fighter Drone Team, and third to SDW Team.

•In the Pioneers Track, Nadha.AI secured first place, followed by Lexy in second, and Tyredo in third.

•In the Entrepreneurs Track, Munther claimed first place, with ZenTimetable and Eco-Smart AI taking second and third place respectively.

•In the Gov Innovators Track, the winners were Justice for All, Address Intelligence Team and 9 Stars.

Following the awards, the event concluded with the opening of the Hackathon Innovation Exhibition and Networking Area, where participants had the chance to showcase their solutions, connect with stakeholders, and explore future collaboration opportunities.

Click on the below links to view the summit recordings:

•https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R1myYTk0bO2rezgQJVT9yoSZQcmKmOXB/view?usp=sharing

•https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wHqW8G1KbDCtLagqvWbtarxglgJbTgBU/view?usp=sharing

•https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DGwaZbJXOkFBXCeHhspnn5yDzUqYKf_J/view?usp=sharing

•https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HtdqNgXWsxrbtkSpDR4yQQai_ycAreAo/view?usp=sharing