The third edition of the Machines Can See (MCS) Summit recently wrapped up at Dubai’s Museum of the Future, marking a significant event in the tech ecosystem. More than 300 startups presented their innovations to a broad audience of investors from prominent firms such as EQT Ventures, Balderton, and Mubadala. The summit attracted over 3,500 delegates from 45 countries, while online engagement soared to around 4.7 million views, with real-time updates using the #MCS2025 hashtag expected to exceed 5 million views.
Hosted by the UAE-based Polynome Group and under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the summit garnered support from several strategic partners, including Digital Dubai, Dubai Police, and big names in technology like Amazon Web Services and NVIDIA. Alexander Khanin, founder and CEO of Polynome Group, highlighted the evolution of MCS as a platform that unites leading minds in science, business, and public policy, pushing towards a more transparent and human-centered approach to AI.
The event featured several landmark agreements, including a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding aimed at creating a soft-landing platform for high-growth startups across Central Asia and the MENA region. Additionally, Polynome Group launched its AI Academy, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi School of Management, offering specialized training in AI to bridge the gap between research and commercial application. Discussions on talent acquisition and retention opened the first day, with various ministers presenting strategies to combat brain drain through expedited visa processes and national infrastructure.
Significant breakthroughs in research were showcased by leading academics, some of whom displayed innovative applications in drug discovery and spatial mapping technology. Workshops and panels further explored the practical applications of AI in various sectors, emphasizing the necessity for ethical practices and transparent governance. The summit, concluded with prestigious awards presented by H.H.
Sheikh Hamdan, encapsulated critical strategies for advancing the field of AI, highlighting the urgent need for talent retention, the integration of spatial computing, and the importance of secure generative AI in industry.