Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard Expands Global Network with First-Ever AI Conference Hosted by Harvard in Dubai

The Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard announced today its continued global network expansion with the first-ever AI conference hosted by Harvard in Dubai, UAE. The conference, AI Elevate: From Readiness to Exponential Growth, will be hosted in collaboration with the Harvard Business School Club of the GCC on Friday, 13 December 2024 at the iconic Museum of the Future. UAE leaders from business, academia, and government, will convene to explore effective AI strategies, its impact on industries, and how AI innovations can drive growth in global markets.

“AI Elevate embodies our commitment to fostering a global understanding of AI’s potential to transform industries and societies,” said Karim Lakhani, Faculty Chair of the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard (D^3) and Dorothy and Michael Hintze Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School (HBS). “This event will unite global industry leaders in the UAE, a nation at the forefront of shaping the future of AI, to inspire insights and collaborations that will drive innovation and promote ethical AI practices worldwide.”

D^3 is a global network of multidisciplinary faculty, researchers and scientists, business leaders, and entrepreneurs focused on using AI and digital technologies to advance business and society. D^3 conducts scientific research to solve business challenges, offering insights through corporate collaborations, workshops, and most recently a virtual AI-upskilling program, “Transform Your Work Day with AI,” set to be unveiled next week.

The AI Elevate Conference will feature key host H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, who will inaugurate the conference, as well as leading Harvard faculty including Lakhani, Feng Zhu, MBA Class of 1958 Professor of Business Administration, HBS, Tsedal Neeley, Naylor Fitzhugh Professor of Business Administration, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Development and Research, HBS, and others. Notable figures from organisations such as Microsoft, J.P. Morgan, and the Technology Innovation Institute will also share their insights.

The conference agenda will delve into critical topics surrounding the future of AI, including strategies for creating an AI-ready workforce, fostering ethical AI governance, and advancing AI-driven innovation across industries. Discussions will highlight practical applications of AI in scaling start-ups and revolutionising global commerce, while also examining its potential to transform public services with responsible and effective solutions. AI Elevate underscores the UAE’s dedication to advancing technology and economic growth, spotlighting the nation’s ambitious AI strategy and pioneering role in fostering international cooperation.

Saleh Lootah, President of the HBS Club of the GCC, comments, “AI Elevate is more than a conference—it is a catalyst for transformation. By bringing together global leaders, experts, and innovators, we are creating a platform to shape the future of artificial intelligence and its profound impact on industries and societies. Dubai’s status as a hub of innovation makes it the ideal venue for this critical dialogue.”

To register to attend AI Elevate, or to stream the conference live, please visit: d3.harvard.edu/events/ai-elevate-from-readiness-to-exponential-growth.