Starlink-enabled maritime connectivity showcased at GITEX 2025/Image: Provided
At GITEX Global 2025, du positioned itself as a significant AI partner under the slogan “AI is not just the future. Together, we will define your next step.” The company highlighted how its growing range of AI, connectivity, and digital infrastructure offerings is helping both the public and private sectors accelerate their transitions to AI-integrated operations.
Situated in Digital Cities Hall 19, du’s exhibition provided an insightful perspective on how sovereign AI ecosystems and next-gen connectivity will influence the digital economy of the UAE. Among the notable displays were du Tech’s AI Park and du Business’ Maritime and Offshore Connectivity Services, both emphasizing du’s commitment to fostering innovation in both terrestrial and maritime domains.
du Tech: fueling AI innovation in the sovereign landscape
The centerpiece of du’s technological display was the AI Park, a 44-hectare establishment in Warsan, which aims to establish Dubai as a worldwide center for AI research, innovation, and implementation. The Park will feature liquid-cooled hyperscale data centers equipped to provide up to 1.5 GW of computing capabilities, tailored for the most resource-intensive AI tasks in a secure and sovereign setting.
In addition to its infrastructure, du’s AI Park is intended to accommodate AI research laboratories, startup incubators, and sovereign hybrid AI production clusters, creating a holistic environment conducive to prototyping, scaling, and deploying AI solutions safely within the UAE.
Furthering this initiative, du Tech unveiled its National Hybrid AI — a comprehensive platform that expands du’s National Hypercloud functionalities. This allows businesses and governmental organizations to develop AI applications across various cloud systems while deploying them securely on du’s sovereign infrastructure. By merging sovereign data compliance with cutting-edge 5G and fiber networks, alongside strategic partnerships with hyperscalers, du is providing an adaptable and cost-effective route for organizations to foster innovation.
du Business: enhancing maritime and offshore communications
Another key aspect of du’s presence at GITEX was the display of its Maritime and Offshore Connectivity Services through du Business. Partnering with Elcome, a Tier 1 Starlink Authorized Reseller, du is introducing next-generation maritime connectivity solutions that guarantee reliable communication from deep ocean waters to coastal areas.
Vessels outfitted with Elcome’s integrated technology can leverage Starlink’s high-speed satellite connectivity during offshore missions, then seamlessly switch to du’s 4G and 5G mobile networks as they approach UAE territorial waters. This intelligent network shifting, driven by AI and real-time data application, ensures continuous connectivity essential for critical operations, crew comfort, and vessel oversight.
The combination of satellite and land-based networks minimizes communication delays, empowers data-driven decision-making, and improves safety across maritime routes. For the UAE, this marks a substantial move towards reinforcing its position as a leading global maritime hub while advancing the digital transformation of the shipping industry.
Through its dual emphasis on AI and connectivity at GITEX 2025, du showcased how sovereign infrastructure and intelligent networks can serve as the foundation of innovation on a national scale, influencing not only the future of AI but also the next chapter of the UAE’s digital progression.