Sheikh Hamdan Invites 500 Experts to Shape Dubai’s Future

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, has issued a directive to bring 500 professionals into a specialized initiative during the upcoming Dubai Future Week. As Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), Sheikh Hamdan aims to engage these experts in a collaborative effort to outline future priorities and develop actionable commitments for the emirate. Sheikh Hamdan added, “Dubai has always looked ahead, anticipating change and identifying the opportunities it creates.

Scheduled from 18th to 21st November 2026, Dubai Future Week will be held at the Museum of the Future and Emirates Towers. This large-scale event expects over 10,000 attendees, operating under the theme “For the Human of the Future.” The gathering will serve as a platform for global innovators, policymakers, and leaders to debate the trends defining the coming decades.

The “500 Future Minds” initiative serves as a core component of this week-long event. The selected participants represent five key sectors: 100 teachers, 100 frontline responders, 100 homegrown entrepreneurs, 100 economy and finance professionals, and 100 urban planners and architects. Over a single day, these professionals will examine emerging technologies—such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics—to see how they can be leveraged to enhance human wellbeing and build future-ready societies. The 500 will work through future scenarios relevant to their sectors, examine how emerging technologies and wider transformations could reshape their work, and identi, across a one-day experience during Dubai Future Week. Expertise and new ideas to reshape vital sectors, improve quality of life and ensure our communities are ready for the future, we bring together talent. Foresight and proactive planning are part of how Dubai works.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that shaping the future is a collective responsibility, with people remaining the central focus of Dubai’s development. He stated that the emirate is committed to turning ambitious ideas into real-world policies and practical outcomes. By bridging the gap between innovation and legislation, the leadership intends to refine government agility and ensure that the city’s resources are optimized for global transformation. And our ultimate goal is to build a better future for humanity, it requires collective effort.

The “500 Future Minds” project rests on the premise that those working directly in critical sectors should play an active role in how their industries evolve. Rather than engaging in abstract discussions, these participants will walk through specific future scenarios, analyzing the implications of change for their respective professions. Their collaborative efforts will result in practical priorities meant to guide Dubai’s path forward.

This initiative aligns with the broader vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to keep individuals at the heart of all progress. The event is structured around five fundamental questions exploring how we will live, think, innovate, feel, and conduct business in the future.

Throughout the week, the Dubai Future District will host a variety of activities, including debates, keynote speeches, workshops, pitch platforms, and immersive experiences. These sessions are designed to connect diverse experts to explore the challenges and opportunities facing modern societies.

Interested professionals may visit https://www.dubaifutureweek.com/en/500-future-minds to access further information regarding registration and participation in the event.