SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Three thousand internationally renowned thinkers will gather in Abu Dhabi on November 20-22 for the inaugural hosting of XPANSE, an exclusive forum exploring the role of exponential technologies and deep science in shaping the future.
Hosted by ADQ, the Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, the event at ADNEC Center will feature discussions on synthetic bio-intelligence, exotic and neuromorphic computing, carbon capture, quantum AI and cryptography, fusion energy, 2D and next-gen materials, xenobots, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), Future G, brain-machine interfaces and genomics, according to organisers.
Created by the team behind PUZZLE X Barcelona in partnership with Capital Events, ADNEC Group, XPANSE unveils an innovative convening model, integrating three key elements: a world-class thought leadership forum, an immersive experiential agenda, and a 365-day ecosystem-building engine.
The event is brought to the region by MATTER, the global technology think tank of 30 country chapters and creators of PUZZLE X.
In conversation with Aletihad, Dr. Zina Jarrahi Cinker, Director General of MATTER, shared the journey of XPANSE.
“We have had PUZZLE X running for the past three years. It became a very successful and world-renowned event. Then, we were invited by Abu Dhabi and ADQ to come here and create the next chapter of PuzzleX, which has now become XPANSE. Interestingly, I didn’t even know about the landscape of Abu Dhabi until about a year ago. The first time I came to Abu Dhabi was June 11, exactly a year ago.”
Dr. Cinker recounted that during a visit to Khalifa University, she was acquainted with Abu Dhabi’s advanced technology, genome projects, and AI integration.
She added that cooperation is vital in strengthening the future industry competitiveness. Dr. Cinker highlighted the significance of partnerships with Khalifa University, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, ADQ, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, and New York University Abu Dhabi in attracting top scientists and decision-makers.
By bringing the world’s best minds, the goal of the event is to propel the shift towards a knowledge-based economy, she added.
“You are going to be very pleasantly surprised. It does not look like any other event you have seen before,” Dr. Cinker said.
Darren Johnson, CEO of Capital Events, expressed pride in being part of the global forum.
“It’s designed to make complicated subject matter very digestible.”