Surveillance Robot: Transguard and Emirates Group Security’s advanced autonomous robotics to enhance urban safety and security.
(IN SHORT) ForsaTEK 2025, the Emirates Group’s flagship innovation forum, broadened its reach to foster cross-divisional collaboration and scale high-impact pilots in AI, robotics, and IoT. Officially opened by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and UAE Education Minister Sarah Al Amiri, the event featured over 40 showcases ranging from autonomous security robots and drone-based cargo solutions to AR-enhanced maintenance tools and inclusive cabin prototypes. Start-ups pitched to leading investors, while interactive zones engaged visitors with emerging technologies. Keynotes spotlighted AI’s role in education, strategic tech deployment, and the future of humanoid robotics. The forum also launched Afkar, a company-wide innovation platform, with its first winning idea automating visa checks to improve passenger experience.
(PRESS RELEASE) DUBAI, UAE, 2025-Jun-23 — /Travel PR News/ — The Emirates Group’s premier innovation and technology gathering, ForsaTEK, returns this year with an expanded scope, uniting trailblazing partnerships, agile start-ups, thought leaders, and emerging talent presenting transformative ideas. Designed to deepen innovation engagement across all Emirates divisions, the 2025 forum emphasizes scaling pilot projects to unlock the full potential of promising solutions. Central themes explore how artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing aviation, alongside the critical human factors that drive successful tech adoption.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, officially inaugurated ForsaTEK 2025. He was joined by Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education, and senior Emirates Group leaders on a tour of the exhibition’s innovation showcases. Sheikh Ahmed commented, “Building on the momentum of our first two editions, ForsaTEK 2025 reaffirms our dedication to embedding the next wave of breakthroughs within our operations, supporting start-ups, and forging powerful partnerships to accelerate our digital transformation. We aim for every team and partner to leave inspired to weave innovation into their everyday work.”
Over 40 exhibits spanned the full innovation pipeline—from early research and prototyping to proof-of-concept trials and fully launched solutions. Among the mature initiatives showcased were Transguard and Emirates Group Security’s autonomous urban safety robots; dnata Cargo’s drone-based inventory validation; dnata’s in-house 3D spare-part manufacturing; and Emirates Airport Services’ AI-driven aircraft turnaround and resource-optimization system.
The Trial Zone highlighted cutting-edge accessibility projects, such as Glidance’s self-navigating mobility aid for the visually impaired; JeffCAN’s immersive media chair for neurodiverse passengers; and Airbus’s inclusive cabin mock-up with a PRM lavatory and onboard wheelchair. Maintenance innovations on display included an AI-powered engine part identification platform; Apple Vision Pro AR maintenance for brake, wheel, and APU inspections; and drone-assisted exterior aircraft checks.
Thirteen start-ups pitched their ventures to investors and industry experts in the Pitch Zone, while the Experience Zone offered interactive showcases to engage visitors and inspire fresh ideas.
In her opening keynote, Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri discussed how AI integration into UAE school curricula is preparing students for a tech-driven future and reinforcing the country’s global leadership in artificial intelligence. Additional keynotes featured Dr. Mark Esposito (WEF geostrategist and Harvard researcher) on reinventing tech strategies; a session on “Imagineering with Disney”; Stanford AI Professor Younes Bensouda Mourri on rethinking human intelligence; and Oscar-nominated filmmaker and AI philosopher Shekhar Kapur on the societal impact of AI and humanoid robotics.
A highlight of ForsaTEK 2025 was the unveiling of Afkar—a group-wide digital platform that empowers every Emirates employee to submit and develop innovative ideas. The winning proposal automated visa validation for customers, streamlining a key step in the travel journey and exemplifying the forum’s spirit of continuous improvement.
Media contact:
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SOURCE: The Emirates Group
