Dubai:Experts and officials gathered at the Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders 2026, organized by the UAE Government and the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Dubai Future Foundation, to emphasize the importance of youth as key partners in policymaking and future leadership. The event called for more inclusive participation of young people and greater readiness for rapid technological changes and evolving labor markets.
According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting featured discussions such as 'Reading the Youth Pulse', where Khalid Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director of the Federal Youth Authority, Tiffany Lee from the Global Shapers Vancouver Hub, Sakshi Sharma from the Jaipur Hub, and Kacha (Shogun) Mahadumrongkul, Community Champion for Mainland Southeast Asia, addressed topics like the future of work, artificial intelligence, and youth involvement in decision-making processes.
Al Nuaimi highlighted the UAE's commitment to empowering future generations, engaging youth in policy design from the outset to ensure their active role in shaping the future. Tiffany Lee pointed out the interconnected nature of challenges like housing and education, advocating for comprehensive and sustainable solutions. She also emphasized the need for investing in skills and technology, especially in South Asia, to open up economic opportunities for young people.
Kacha (Shogun) Mahadumrongkul noted the significant impact of artificial intelligence on job markets and underscored the importance of flexible education models, entrepreneurial skills, and critical thinking to enable youth to leverage emerging technologies effectively.
Fadel Adib, Professor at MIT and a member of the Young Global Leaders Community, presented at 'Betazone Sensing the Invisible', exploring the transformative potential of wireless sensing technologies in sectors such as healthcare, robotics, and sustainability. He stressed the importance of evolving these technologies into infrastructure that aids decision-making while ensuring privacy and responsible use.
The concluding panel included insights from Dawn Rosen Hansen, Katy Knight, Benjamin Pfeifer, and Elisabeth Burda on the future of leadership, artificial intelligence, and strategic collaboration, aiming to create opportunities for upcoming generations.
The meeting, held from October 13 to 15, attracted over 700 leaders and experts globally, focusing on the role of youth and technology in future leadership.