The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit has unveiled the full programme for its inaugural edition, set to take place on 10 November 2025. This landmark event will bring together global industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators to tackle the most pressing questions surrounding the autonomous technology sector from regulation and integration to scaling new advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, and smart mobility.
Organised by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, the summit opens Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, an exciting six-day event held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs and Chairman of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council. The summit aims to define the next chapter of smart and autonomous mobility, showcasing Abu Dhabi as a global testbed where autonomy is moving from pilot initiatives to real-world public benefits across land, sea, air, robotics, and industrial applications.
Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit Where the Future Takes Shape
Held under the theme Where the Future of Smart and Autonomous Mobility Takes Shape, the summit features thirteen carefully curated sessions and over thirty expert speakers. Its goal is to accelerate collaboration between policymakers, operators, investors, and innovators and importantly to translate autonomous technology regulations into scalable real-world implementations.
The summit’s broad and insightful agenda covers the entire autonomous ecosystem from investment and governance to deployment and innovation, with a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and human artificial intelligence collaboration.
Summit Opening Leadership Dialogue and Regulation Focus
The event kicks off with a high-level Leadership Dialogue focusing on how investment, integration, and innovation will shape Abu Dhabi’s autonomous economy. Discussions will map out commercialisation pathways through 2030 and 2040, the public-private partnerships that will enable these pathways, and the governance and infrastructure needed to support resilient integrated cities.
A critical panel on Regulating Autonomy will put safety first, then dive into how to scale autonomous systems responsibly. Topics include cybersecurity, data governance, and building public trust, all vital elements in gaining wide acceptance of autonomous technologies.
From Concept to Reality Technology and Deployment
The summit agenda then shifts towards deployment with sessions like From Concept to Reality, which spotlights scalable autonomous models such as robotaxis, public transport innovations, and last-mile delivery solutions.
The Powering Autonomy session will explore the electrified and resilient infrastructure needed to underpin city-wide autonomous operations.
Meanwhile, Human Artificial Intelligence Synergy will focus on explainable artificial intelligence, human oversight, and service design that clearly communicates risks to users.
The session Artificial Intelligence Driven Decision Making takes a deep dive into real-time artificial intelligence stacks, covering drones, smart roads, and logistics running on edge computing and secure cloud platforms.
Cross Sector Collaboration and Urban Innovation
Understanding that the autonomous future requires cooperation across industries, the summit includes a Cross Sector Collaboration session. This panel will showcase how leaders from mobility, energy, logistics, and technology sectors structure partnerships that unlock bankable use cases.
Designing Smart Ports and Cities will cover autonomy ready urban design and industrial applications, while Urban Air Mobility addresses certification, airspace integration, and connecting ports, airports, and districts for seamless transport.
The Smart Cities in Action session will share live case studies on urban transformation, demonstrating how autonomous systems are shaping the cities of tomorrow.
The summit will conclude with Financing and Insuring New Asset Classes, discussing how capital and insurance models adapt to support next generation autonomous platforms.
Voices Behind the Summit
The summit will feature many high-profile speakers and industry pioneers, including
His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the United Arab Emirates President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council
His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
His Excellency Dr Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement
His Excellency Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the United Arab Emirates Government
His Excellency Badr Salim Al Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office
Rashid Matar Al Manai, Chief Executive Officer of LODD Autonomous
Dr Talib Alhinai, United Arab Emirates General Manager of Archer Aviation
Tariq Ahmed Al Wahedi, Group Chief Executive Officer of 7X
Mohamed Salah, Group Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Mobility Hub
Stéphane Timpano, Chief Executive Officer of ASPIRE
Tony Xu Han, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of WeRide
Sven Beiker, Managing Director of Silicon Valley Mobility and Lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business
Fay Arjomandi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of mimic
Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer of Archer Aviation
Matt Chasen, Chief Executive Officer of LIFT Aircraft
Tobias Liebelt, Chief Executive Officer of BENTELER Mobility
Mark Seeger, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Glydways
Michael Sønderby, Acting Chief Executive Officer of SteerAI
George Prentzas, Chief Executive Officer of Versa Aerospace
Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports
Hugo Fozzati, Chief Business Officer of Tensor
Sherif Tawfik, Chief Partnership Officer, G42 at Microsoft
Desmond Wheatley, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Board of BEAM Global
These industry leaders will bring global expertise and local insights to create a comprehensive picture of the autonomous technology landscape.
Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week A Six Day Technology Celebration
The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit marks the opening event of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, a six-day celebration running from 10 to 15 November 2025.
Following the summit from 10 to 12 November is the DRIFTx Exhibition, showcasing smart and autonomous mobility solutions across land, air, sea, and robotics in a live, interactive environment. Attendees can explore the latest products, innovations, and technologies changing the future of transport and industry.
Simultaneously, from 10 to 15 November, RoboCup Asia Pacific 2025 will be hosted in Abu Dhabi for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region. Organised by Khalifa University, this international robotics competition brings top teams together to compete in artificial intelligence driven autonomous robotics challenges, a thrilling display of innovation and engineering.
The week concludes on 15 November with the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League A2RL. Organised by ASPIRE and Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, this cutting-edge motorsport event features autonomous racing technology competing for a 2.25 million US dollar prize pool. Elite research teams from 10 countries will participate, demonstrating the peak of autonomous vehicle performance and innovation.
What the Leaders Say
His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the United Arab Emirates President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council, commented:
“Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week reflects our commitment to shaping the era of intelligent autonomy where machines think, adapt and act alongside us. It is not just about technology; it is about reimagining mobility, industry and the human experience itself.”
His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, said:
“Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week reflects the emirate’s vision to redefine the future of mobility by setting new global benchmarks for innovation and progress. By advancing pioneering solutions across land, sea and air, we are not only promoting smart, safe and sustainable technologies, but changing how the world moves.”
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, added:
“Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week reflects our vision to build a dynamic, innovation driven economy where technology and investment work hand in hand to drive progress. In 2023, we launched the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry cluster as part of our efforts to future proof our economy. Empowered by a business enabling ecosystem, Abu Dhabi stands as a global hub where the future of intelligent mobility and the industries that power it take shape.”
Why This Summit is a Game Changer
The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit is more than just a conference, it is a statement of intent. It highlights Abu Dhabi’s strategic focus on autonomous technologies as a cornerstone of future economic growth, sustainability, and technological leadership.
By creating a platform that brings together the brightest minds in technology, policy, and investment, the summit accelerates the practical adoption of autonomous systems. It bridges the gap between pilot projects and scaled solutions that benefit the public across multiple sectors.
The summit’s comprehensive approach, covering everything from regulatory frameworks to real-time artificial intelligence applications and urban design, ensures it addresses the full autonomous ecosystem.
How to Participate and What to Expect
The summit invites professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and students interested in the autonomous technology landscape. Registration is available through the official Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week website, with ongoing updates on the agenda, speakers, and related events.
Attendees can expect immersive sessions, hands-on workshops, cutting edge technology demonstrations, and invaluable networking opportunities. The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit truly offers a glimpse into how smart and autonomous mobility will shape the future.
Conclusion
The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit inaugural edition programme sets the stage for an exciting future of innovation, collaboration, and leadership in autonomous technology. Supported by Abu Dhabi’s visionary leadership and global experts, the summit reflects the emirate’s commitment to becoming a world class hub for intelligent mobility and smart urban development.
As Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week unfolds, it will showcase how autonomous systems are no longer distant dreams but practical tools transforming transport, industry, and everyday life.
For anyone interested in the future of autonomous technology, this summit and the broader Autonomous Week offer an unmatched opportunity to learn, connect, and be part of a transformative journey.
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