Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit Unveils Inaugural Programme For Intelligent Mobility Discussions

The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit, scheduled for 10th November, will bring together global leaders to discuss key issues in the autonomous sector. Topics include regulation, integration, and scaling, as well as advancements in AI, robotics, and smart mobility. The event is organised by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) and marks the start of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week.

Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a global hub for testing autonomous technologies. The summit will highlight how autonomy is moving from pilot projects to public applications across land, sea, air, and industrial sectors. This event aims to foster collaboration among policymakers, operators, investors, and innovators.

The summit will feature 13 sessions with over 30 speakers. It will open with a Leadership Dialogue on investment and innovation shaping Abu Dhabi's autonomous economy. Discussions will map commercialisation pathways to 2030 and 2040, focusing on public-private partnerships and governance for integrated cities.

A panel on Regulating Autonomy will prioritise safety by exploring cybersecurity, data governance, public trust, and accountability. Another session titled From Concept to Reality will showcase scalable solutions like robotaxis and last-mile delivery models.

Human-AI Synergy will delve into explainable AI and human oversight in service design. AI-Driven Decision-Making will examine real-time AI systems used in drones, smart roads, and logistics operating on secure cloud platforms.

Cross-Sector Collaboration will highlight how leaders in mobility, energy, logistics, and technology can form partnerships to unlock practical use cases. Designing Smart Ports & Cities will focus on urban design ready for autonomy.

Insights from Industry Leaders

Prominent figures participating include Faisal Al Bannai from the Advanced Technology Research Council; Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa of the Department of Municipalities and Transport; Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi from the Department of Economic Development; Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi from the Tawazun Council; Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti from UAE Cyber Security; Badr Salim Al Olama of Abu Dhabi Investment Office; Rashid Matar Al Manai of LODD Autonomous; Dr. Talib Alhinai of Archer Aviation; Tariq Ahmed Al Wahedi of 7X; Mohamed Salah of Advanced Mobility Hub; Stéphane Timpano of ASPIRE; Tony Xu Han of WeRide; Sven Beiker of Silicon Valley Mobility; Fay Arjomandi of mimic; Nikhil Goel of Archer Aviation; Matt Chasen of LIFT Aircraft; Tobias Liebelt of BENTELER Mobility; Mark Seeger of Glydways; Michael Sønderby of SteerAI; George Prentzas of Versa Aerospace; Elena Sorlini of Abu Dhabi Airports; Hugo Fozzati of Tensor; Sherif Tawfik at Microsoft G42; Desmond Wheatley of BEAM Global.

Abu Dhabi's Vision for Future Mobility

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa stated that Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week reflects the emirate's vision to set new global benchmarks for mobility innovation. By advancing solutions across land, sea, and air, they aim to promote smart technologies that change how the world moves.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi emphasised that Abu Dhabi is building an innovation-driven economy where technology and investment drive progress. The launch of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster in 2023 supports this vision by future-proofing the economy.

Event Line-Up Highlights

The six-day event begins with the summit on 10th November featuring high-level discussions on intelligent mobility's future. From 10th to 12th November, DRIFTx exhibition will display smart mobility solutions across various domains interactively.

Khalifa University hosts RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 from 10th to 15th November as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week. This event brings international teams competing in AI-driven robotics challenges to the Middle East for the first time.

The week concludes with the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) on 15th November. This motorsport event showcases advancements in autonomous racing technology.

The summit underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to intelligent autonomy where machines adapt alongside humans. "It is not just about technology," said Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai. "It is about reimagining mobility." For more details on Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week 2025 visit: autonomous.abudhabi

With inputs from WAM