As geopolitical shifts, changing trade relationships and evolving financial conditions reshape the global economic landscape, RISE Summit 2026 brought together leading investors, policymakers, developers and industry decision-makers at Dubai World Trade Centre today to examine where capital is moving and where the next phase of global growth could emerge.

Held under the theme ‘Recharging Momentum in Global Economies,’ the Summit explored how changing investment priorities are influencing global markets, infrastructure, cities and real estate, alongside the future experience economy spanning hospitality, tourism and new models of urban growth.

The UAE’s broader economic transformation was also a central theme of the Summit. Speaking during ‘From Resilience to Opportunity in a Realigning World,’ H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, highlighted the country’s focus on building a more productive economy.

His Excellency said: “When you ask about 2027, we’re not going to come back to the same economy. We’re going to have a different economy in 2027, a more productive economy.”

Global Leaders Series examines international forces sharping investment landscape

The Summit opened with its Global Leaders Series, examining the changing dynamics of international capital and the forces reshaping long-term investment decisions. In ‘The Great Capital Shift,’ José Manuel Barroso, Chairman of International Advisors at Goldman Sachs and former President of the European Commission, examined how geopolitical and economic realignment is changing perceptions of where capital can be deployed safely and productively, and which markets are emerging as beneficiaries of this shift.

This was followed by Ludovic Subran, Group Chief Investment Officer and Chief Economist at Allianz, who addressed the implications of the changing interest-rate environment for institutional investors in ‘Long-Term Capital in a Higher-Rate World’, including the evolving balance between fixed income, real estate, infrastructure and private markets.

Highlighting the need for investors to adapt to a rapidly evolving global landscape, Barroso said: “We are witnessing a fundamental change. This is not only geopolitical; it is also a scientific and technological revolution, and the way we allocate capital is going to change phenomenally. Long-term investors need to think strategically about what will change markets in the years ahead – energy, infrastructure, technology and defence. Don’t pay any price for growth, keep some liquidity and, above all, diversify – geographically and across sectors. For me, that is the key.”

On the Gulf’s position within shifting global capital flows, Barroso added: “Global competition is going to continue. The US will remain the central part of the world economy because of the pre-eminence of the dollar, its advances in innovation and science and its geopolitical power. At the same time, global investors will not want to be so heavily exposed to the US, so there will be diversification. The Gulf has been wise in keeping its options open, using its centrality to play an articulation role between new destinations for investment.”

Looking beyond the AI investment boom

Turning to the global growth outlook, Subran highlighted the increasing influence of AI investment on economic momentum, while warning of growing caution across the wider economy. With data-centre investment and AI-related capital expenditure continuing to underpin growth, he questioned what could emerge as the next major economic driver as the current cycle eventually begins to shift.

Subran said: “My main concern is whether the US can sustain the momentum we have seen so far with what is coming in 2027. Global trade is in recession this year if you take out AI, which shows how much the AI economy and data-centre capex are driving global and US growth. At some point that will inflect, and we need to understand what comes next. Outside AI, firms are already very cautious about the future and about making their next investment.”

Against this higher-rate backdrop, Subran also pointed to a changing role for real assets within institutional portfolios, as the boundaries between real estate, infrastructure and technology become increasingly blurred.

He added: “Real estate is really morphing into something much more complicated. The lines between real estate and infrastructure are getting blurred, particularly across logistics and warehousing, creating interesting opportunities for portfolio construction.”

Deepening global appeal through local strength

Dubai’s own development trajectory formed another major strand of discussion. Mohamed Alabbar, Founder and Managing Director of Emaar Properties, examined the role of long-term conviction in city-building and why major development can continue through changing market cycles, while H.E. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) explored the economic architecture underpinning Dubai’s resilience and the next phase of growth under the D33 Economic Agenda.

Pointing to Dubai’s established strengths across multiple sectors, Kazim highlighted how the D33 agenda is building on existing foundations to deepen the city’s appeal to international businesses and investors, supported by its connectivity to global markets.

Kazim said: “When we started our D33 strategy, we focused on industries including logistics, manufacturing, financial services and tourism. None of these were new industries for us; we were already strong in them, but perhaps we were not as vocal about them. Today, we are doubling down on those strengths. Companies establish their regional headquarters in Dubai not simply for the four million residents here, but because of the global population and markets they can reach from Dubai.”

Tourism remains central to this proposition, with Kazim emphasising the value of attracting visitors who develop a lasting relationship with the city and become advocates for Dubai beyond their initial stay.

He added: “For me, the biggest value is quality rather than quantity. The quality visitors who come to Dubai become genuine advocates of the city because they understand the value Dubai adds. Around 25% of our visitors are repeat visitors within 12 months. That is a significant number, and it demonstrates the kind of relationship people develop with Dubai after experiencing the city.”

Beyond the macroeconomic outlook, RISE Summit examined how changing investment priorities are translating into opportunities across the built environment and the infrastructure needed to support future economic growth.

Across the programme, RISE Summit 2026 highlighted a changing investment environment in which capital remains available, but investors are becoming increasingly selective about markets, assets and partnerships. Discussions heard by over 500 delegates pointed to economic resilience, infrastructure capacity, regulatory clarity and access to long-term growth as increasingly important factors shaping global investment decisions.

By connecting institutional investors, sovereign capital, private equity, family offices, policymakers, developers and project owners, RISE Summit provides a platform for senior decision-makers to examine how global economic change is translating into new opportunities across markets, infrastructure, cities and real estate.

Dubai Media Academy, part of Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), in partnership with the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), organised the Cybersecurity Media Forum, as part of the two entities’ strategic collaboration and in support of the ‘Don’t Get Played’ campaign, held in conjunction with Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

The forum, held at DMI’s headquarters, seeks to strengthen awareness among media professionals by examining emerging digital threats, highlighting vulnerabilities in an increasingly connected environment, and exploring practical measures to prevent cyberattacks, safeguard information and promote responsible online behaviour.

Muna Busamra, Director of Dubai Media Academy, inaugurated the forum with a welcome address, followed by a speech from Dr Bushra Al Blooshi, Director of Cybersecurity Governance Risk Management Department at DESC. Both speakers emphasised the importance of enhancing cybersecurity awareness and fostering institutional collaboration to address the evolving challenges of the digital landscape.

The forum brought together prominent cybersecurity and media specialists, alongside representatives from various government entities and leading international companies. Its agenda featured three key sessions exploring major cybersecurity challenges and examining how awareness initiatives and the media can help tackle them.

The opening session, ‘The Shifting Battlefield,’ moderated by media professional Osama Khamayseh, explored the topic ‘The Evolving Cyber Threat Landscape: Global and Regional Risks.’ Discussions examined the changing nature of cyber threats, the evolution of attack techniques and targeting strategies, and the increasingly complex cybersecurity challenges faced by countries worldwide.

The second session, ‘Weakest Link or Strongest Shield?,’ moderated by media professional Maitha Ebrahim, focused on the theme ‘The Human Factor: People as the First Line of Defence.’ Experts discussed the role of cybersecurity awareness and responsible human behaviour in mitigating risks, the importance of individual vigilance in safeguarding institutions and data, and the techniques commonly used by cyber attackers to exploit human vulnerabilities.

The final session, ‘Cyber-Smart at Every Age,’ moderated by Asem Galal, Advisor at Dubai Media Academy, witnessed discussions on the topic ‘Towards a Collaborative Strategy for Cybersecurity Awareness: Reaching Every Generation Through Government, Academia and Media.’ The session highlighted the need for a comprehensive cybersecurity awareness framework tailored to different age groups and emphasised stronger collaboration among government entities, academic institutions and media organisations.

The forum covered practical cybersecurity issues, including online fraud, social engineering, digital risk protection, cybersecurity incident response and the secure handling of information and data. Discussions also examined the media’s role in raising public awareness, encouraging safer online practices and addressing misinformation and the spread of unreliable content.

The forum featured the participation of leading global and specialised cybersecurity and technology companies, including Proofpoint, Kaspersky, Dell Technologies, CyberKnight, Cisco and Techfirm, alongside other industry experts and organisations. Participants exchanged practical expertise and insights into major cybersecurity challenges, latest methods for identifying digital threats and effective approaches to incident response and risk mitigation.

Muna Busamra, Director of Dubai Media Academy, stated that the organisation of the Cybersecurity Media Forum underscores the Academy’s commitment to responding to the rapid transformations in the media landscape and addressing the challenges posed by the complex digital environment. She emphasised that cybersecurity awareness among media professionals has become a necessity amid the escalating digital threats and the growing sophistication of online fraud and cyberattacks.

Busamra further noted that the strategic partnership with the Dubai Electronic Security Center and the joint efforts under the ‘Don’t Get Played’ campaign showcase the importance of closer coordination between media and cybersecurity institutions. She said such collaborations equip media professionals with the knowledge and tools to recognise digital threats and respond to them responsibly and professionally, while strengthening their role in promoting public awareness and encouraging safer digital practices across society.

Busamra added that the Academy remains committed to identifying emerging challenges shaping the future of the media industry and addressing them through specialised programs and forums that keep pace with the sector’s ongoing transformation. She highlighted that equipping media professionals with the necessary skills goes beyond editorial and production expertise to include an understanding of technological advancements and related risks, thus enhancing their professional preparedness and ability to adapt to the evolving digital media landscape.

Dr Bushra Al Blooshi, Executive Director of Cybersecurity Governance Risk Management Department at DESC, said: “The media plays a pivotal role in building public awareness, particularly as online fraud, social engineering and misinformation continue to evolve. Through the “Don’t Get Played” campaign, we are encouraging people to pause and verify before engaging with suspicious content or requests. Media professionals are important partners in carrying this message forward in a credible and impactful way, and in helping foster safer digital behaviour across society.”

She added: “The Dubai Electronic Security Center continues to support Dubai’s secure digital transformation by developing frameworks, policies and initiatives that strengthen cyber readiness, build capabilities and raise awareness of digital risks. We believe that building a secure cyberspace requires collective efforts across government, the private sector, media institutions and individuals, supporting Dubai’s position as a secure, resilient and future-ready digital city.”

The forum reflects Dubai Media Academy’s steadfast commitment to tackling emerging digital challenges and providing media professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate an evolving technological environment. It also supports efforts to promote safer online practices and reinforce Dubai’s position as a premier global centre for media, technology and innovation. This underscores the emirate’s focus on accelerating digital transformation and preparing its institutions and workforce for future demands.

UAE organisations have moved quickly to establish policies governing AI access, but new research from Delinea shows that those rules are not consistently translating into effective control over what AI tools and agents do in practice.

The global research surveyed IT and security leaders at organisations that are actively using or piloting AI, including 251 respondents in the UAE. Every UAE respondent said their organisation has a formal policy governing what data AI tools and agents may access. Yet 98% have experienced confirmed or suspected instances in which an AI tool accessed sensitive data beyond what its task required, compared with 87% across the global survey sample.

The data points to inconsistent enforcement as a central weakness. Only 59% of UAE respondents say their organisation’s AI data-access policy is actively enforced, compared with 71% overall. “Written policy is only as good as an organisation’s ability to enforce it at the moment an AI agent acts,” said Art Gilliland, CEO of Delinea. “The UAE has clearly recognised the need to govern AI access, but the findings reveal what I call the fallacy of policy: assuming that defining what an agent should be allowed to do is the same as controlling what it actually does. That distinction becomes critical when agents operate across systems and make decisions at machine speed.”

The enforcement gap is particularly apparent when organisations attempt to identify excessive access. Seven in ten UAE organisations did not detect the latest instance in real time or within 24 hours, compared with six in ten across the overall sample.

Delinea’s findings arrive as governments, technology companies and business leaders confront the risks created by increasingly autonomous AI systems operating without effective controls. The OpenAI and Hugging Face incident in July demonstrated how quickly an agent can move beyond its intended boundaries and across connected environments before defenders contain it. The comparatively lower levels of enforcement and detection recorded in the UAE suggest that organisations could be particularly exposed to the consequences of similar loss-of-control events.

Business pressure may be one reason policies are circumvented. When commercial demands or deadlines require AI tools to move faster than governance processes allow, 41% of UAE respondents say their organisation either allows employees and teams to find workarounds without formal approval or grants temporary access and reviews it later.

Limited accountability may also reduce the pressure to turn written policies into consistently enforced guardrails. Although 98% of UAE respondents say approval from a named individual is required at least sometimes before an AI tool receives access to a new sensitive data source, only 35% can always trace a sensitive access event back to a named human authoriser. Without a clear and persistent line of responsibility, ownership of the controls needed to prevent another incident can become unclear.

That lack of accountability becomes particularly consequential when an organisation needs to intervene. Even after problematic access is identified, only 16% of UAE respondents say their organisation has real-time controls that can both revoke an AI tool’s credentials and terminate its session immediately, less than half the 35% recorded across the overall sample.

“UAE organisations have already taken the first step by establishing policies and approval requirements, but policy alone cannot contain an agent operating at machine speed,” said Mortada Ayad, VP of Sales – META, Delinea. “The next priority is to enforce authorisation at the instant of action by limiting access to what the task requires, maintaining a defensible link to the person who approved it, and terminating credentials and sessions immediately when the task ends or risk changes. This is how organisations can turn AI governance from a document into a working control.”