The world is on the cusp of a series of firsts that will redefine the future across several domains, from measuring economic progress to the rise of AI-driven leadership, Khalfan Belhoul, chief executive of the Dubai Future Foundation, has said.
Addressing more than 2,500 futurists, thought leaders and experts from about 100 countries at the 2024 Dubai Future Forum, Mr Belhoul outlined the rapid technological and societal shifts poised to transform industries worldwide.
In his speech at Dubai's Museum of the Future on Tuesday, Mr Belhoul emphasised that the coming year will not bring mere incremental change but will usher in ground-breaking developments that will alter the course of history.
"We live in extraordinary times," he told the packed auditorium. "What we're about to see in the next 12 months isn't just change, it's a series of era-defining moments."
During his speech, Mr Belhoul outlined seven potential achievements that the world could witness in the months ahead, highlighting transformative developments across a number of sectors.
One of the major changes he spoke about was future of measurement in terms of economic prosperity.
Traditionally, GDP has been the standard for assessing a country's success but Mr Belhoul pointed out that this measurement is becoming increasingly obsolete.
He highlighted the UN move to incorporate environmental and well-being indicators into GDP calculations, signalling a shift towards a more holistic view of national progress. "What will the world look like if GDP is no longer the main indicator of growth?" he asked.
Space exploration was another topic, with the Dubai Future Foundation chief executive sharing his excitement about humanity's potential return to the Moon.
He discussed Nasa's 2025 lunar mission, which the space agency says will have astronauts orbit the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.
"The Moon is a constant reminder for us here in the UAE – and for our own ambitious space programme – to dream bigger and reach higher," he said.
Mr Belhoul also discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in leadership, suggesting the next major shift could be the appointment of an AI-generated board member of a Fortune 500 company. "Can AI possess vision and purpose, or will it simply optimise for efficiency?" he said.
He also touched upon potential medical breakthroughs, mentioning Elon Musk's Neuralink, which has already made waves with its brain-computer interface technology that has been tested on a 29-year-old quadriplegic, allowing the man to play chess on a computer using his mind.
Mr Belhoul's speech also mentioned the growing promise of personalised health care, driven by the expansion of genome banks. He said one of the world's largest genome banks would soon surpass one million samples, potentially revolutionising health care by enabling earlier disease prevention and personalised treatment plans.
"This milestone would not just be a scientific achievement, it would be a gateway to reshaping our approach to health, identity and human potential," he said.
The chief executive stressed that the technological revolution – driven by AI, renewable energy and healthcare advances – will challenge industries to evolve or face obsolescence.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The Saga Continues
Wu-Tang Clan
(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)
Mobile phone packages comparison
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MEFCC information
Tickets range from Dh110 for an advance single-day pass to Dh300 for a weekend pass at the door. VIP tickets have sold out. Visit www.mefcc.com to purchase tickets in advance.
The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
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Super Bowl LIII schedule
What Super Bowl LIII
Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)
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The%20specs
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
RACECARD%20
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Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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