First event for 2024 sees 14k delegates turn out for Dubai expo

The SiGMA and AIBC Eurasia 2024 event was back in Dubai this week for another stellar event, welcoming a delegation of 14 thousand through its doors. From premium networking experiences, to incredible keynotes and top tier industry presence on the expo floor, the 3-day event outdid expectations.?Highlights included a win at th SiGMA Awards for social media superstar Negrete and a closing night party headlined by DJ duo Savage and SHe.

Impactful insight and riveting discussion?

The emirate always shines when it comes to thinking outside of the box, having secured a place on the world stage as a leading hub for tech innovation and forward thinking ideas. KOLs like Blockchain co-founder Scott Stornetta, Amin Siala, Senior Growth Consultant at Google Ads, founder of SingularityDAO, Marcello Mari, John Lee, and Dr Marwan Al Zarouni, were important voices on the two stages, delivering engaging keynotes on topics such as the rise of AI and the evolving regulatory landscape.

Panel discussions also tackled some of the meatier topics on the agenda, shedding light on the opportunities and challenges within the MENA region for verticals such as Esports and the huge potential for a regulated gaming sector in the UAE.?

AI certainly dominated the conversation. Alongside Sophia, a Hanson Robotics humanoid robot, the founder of SingularityDAO, Marcello Mari, delivered a keynote highlighting the transformative use of the tech.

Amin Siala, Senior Growth Consultant at Google Ads, emphasised the paramount importance of clarity in defining desired business outcomes. He urged attendees to set tangible benchmarks and goals, serving as guiding beacons for their endeavours.

“The best and most interesting integrations of AI and blockchain are those that foster transparency, security, and efficiency across various industries. From healthcare solutions that utilise AI to analyse blockchain-stored patient data, to financial systems that leverage predictive analytics for personalised services, the possibilities are as vast as the blockchain itself,” Sophia said.

In a fireside discussion, Alexendar Amartei, director at Amartei Entertainment and Antara Studios sat down with Zack Ritchie, Co-founder at NFT Club to discuss the vision behind the ground breaking film Antara, which was directed by Simon West. The discussion delved into the challenges faced, the role of Web3, and the innovative approach that made Antara one of the first movies funded by NFTs.

You can find all of these keynote addresses and panel discussions in full on our YouTube channel.

The SiGMA Eurasia Startup Pitch competition

The event also saw two winners crowned during the live startup pitch competitions, with Genesys – a healthtech initiative winning the AIBC pitch, and AI stats – a mobile app empowering? football fans with predictive analysis – taking the crown on the SiGMA stage.

Accolades and Auction

The gala awards highlighted the creative projects and ideas that have reshaped the landscape. Towards the end of the evening an art auction was held, with proceeds going towards a number of charitable projects and expeditions taking place under the SiGMA Foundation. 

Notable awards winners for the AIBC stage this year included football star Ronaldo, who won for Best Web3 & Sports project 2024 – with the Ronaldo by Binance project, DMCC the AIBC Digital Innovation award — leading hub for crypto businesses 2024, and Crypto Oasis, who won the AIBC Digital Innovation award — the strongest Web3 & Blockchain Ecosystem 2024.

Meanwhile, at the SiGMA Awards, social media superstar Negrete clinched Best Influencer, while Simon LIdzen took home best CEO 2024.