The programme for the first-ever Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit has been unveiled, bringing together international industry leaders on 10 November 2025 to explore the future of smart and autonomous mobility.
The summit, organised by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), will serve as the opening event of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week (ADAW). It aims to address key challenges in regulation, integration and scaling autonomous technologies, while showcasing advances in AI, robotics, smart mobility and industrial automation.
Held under the theme “Where the Future of Smart and Autonomous Mobility Takes Shape”, the one-day event will feature 13 sessions and more than 30 speakers, focusing on transforming innovation into real-world application and fostering collaboration between policymakers, investors, and technology developers.
Defining the next chapter of autonomy
The summit will open with a Leadership Dialogue examining how investment, integration and innovation can shape Abu Dhabi’s autonomous economy. The discussion will map commercialisation pathways to 2030 and 2040, exploring how public-private partnerships and supportive governance frameworks can help build resilient, connected cities.
A subsequent session titled “Regulating Autonomy: Safety First, Then Scale” will focus on cybersecurity, data governance, and strategies to build public trust in autonomous systems.
Other highlights include:
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“From Concept to Reality”, which will spotlight scalable models for robotaxis, public transport, and last-mile delivery.
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“Powering Autonomy”, focusing on the electrified infrastructure underpinning city-wide operations.
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“Human-AI Synergy”, which will explore explainable AI, human oversight and ethical system design.
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“AI-Driven Decision-Making”, delving into real-time AI applications for drones, smart roads and logistics.
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“Cross-Sector Collaboration”, showcasing partnerships across mobility, energy, and logistics.
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“Urban Air Mobility”, addressing certification, airspace integration and multimodal connectivity.
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“Financing and Insuring New Asset Classes”, discussing how capital and insurance models will evolve for next-generation technologies.
Leading figures to attend
Among the confirmed speakers are:
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Sherif Tawfik, Chief Partnership Officer, G42 at Microsoft
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Tony Xu Han, Founder, Chairman and CEO of WeRide
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Nikhil Goel and Dr Talib Alhinai, of Archer Aviation
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Matt Chasen, CEO of LIFT Aircraft
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Tobias Liebelt, CEO of BENTELER Mobility
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Mark Seeger, Co-CEO and Founder of Glydways
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Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports
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Hugo Fozzati, Chief Business Officer of Tensor
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Desmond Wheatley, CEO and Chairman of BEAM Global
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Sven Beiker, Managing Director of Silicon Valley Mobility and lecturer at Stanford University
High-level UAE officials including His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, and His Excellency Badr Salim Al Olama will also take part.
Abu Dhabi’s growing global role
The summit underscores Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a global testbed for autonomous innovation, where projects are evolving from pilot initiatives to public benefit across land, sea, air and industrial robotics.
His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council, said: “Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week reflects our commitment to shaping the era of intelligent autonomy – where machines think, adapt and act alongside us. It’s not just about technology; it’s about reimagining mobility, industry, and the human experience itself.”
The event is expected to set the tone for Abu Dhabi’s long-term ambitions to become a global leader in smart, sustainable and autonomous systems.
Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week event line-up:
10 November – Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit
The six-day programme begins with the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit, where industry pioneers, policymakers, and investors will convene to take part in high-level dialogues that will define the next chapter of intelligent mobility.
10-12 November – DRIFTx exhibition
Over three days, DRIFTx will showcase smart and autonomous mobility solutions across air, land, sea and robotics in a live, interactive exhibition.
10-15 November – RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025
Running throughout ADAW, from 10-15 November, RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025, hosted by Khalifa University and held for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region, will bring together top international teams to compete in AI-driven autonomous robotics challenges.
15 November – Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL)
ADAW will conclude with the second edition of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), a motorsport display demonstrating the cutting edge of autonomous racing technology.
Organised by ASPIRE and Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), the event will feature a US$2.25 million prize pool and be attended by elite research teams from 10 countries.