The Dubai Future Forum 2025 opened with a clear message from global leaders who said that data driven foresight supported by human expertise and smart technologies is now essential for policies that support long term growth and innovation.
Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, set the tone in his keynote by describing the arrival of what he called an era of super foresight that blends human intelligence with advanced AI. He said Dubai is strongly placed for this shift thanks to its global partnerships and commitment to long range planning.
Belhoul pointed to trends predicted in last year’s Forum that have since taken shape. These include a global move away from GDP driven policymaking, the rapid rise of solar capacity, renewed interest in lunar exploration, the expansion of genome banks, the growth of off campus learning, advances in wearable technology and the appearance of AI personas in advisory roles. He added that new foresight priorities are emerging, including the value of focus as a strategic resource and the rising role of AI assistants that complement human interaction.
A session on rebuilding balanced and sustainable societies featured Brandon Duharty of Inside Out and Dr Alaa Murabit of 500 Global. Both said future ready communities will depend on strategic investment, equitable systems and technology that expands access to opportunities. They predicted that sustainable solutions across education, food, agriculture and fashion will shape the coming decade.
Another panel including Lucie Berger of the EU, Dr Cécile Aptel of UNICEF and Virginia Dawson of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat stressed intergenerational justice, foresight skills for youth and stronger cooperation between generations.
Abdulla Al Mandous of the World Meteorological Organization outlined the progress of the Emirates Polar Programme, including plans for expanded research missions, new international agreements and a future UAE base in Antarctica.
National Geographic’s Anand Varma closed the day by urging renewed scientific curiosity to restore humanity’s relationship with nature.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
