ForsaTEK 2025 Offers Platform for High-Impact, Scalable Innovation

Priyal DuttaUpdated 3 weeks Ago2 Mins read169 Views

Dr. Mark Esposito, Geostrategist and Advisor, World Economic Forum, Researcher Innovation, Harvard University speaking on 'The innovation dilemma: designing the future or just digitising the past'.

ForsaTEK 2025: Emirates Group Unveils the Future of Aviation Tech and Innovation — Surveillance Robot: Transguard and Emirates Group Security’s advanced autonomous robotics to enhance urban safety and security.

The Emirates Group’s flagship innovation and technology event, ForsaTEK, returned this year with greater ambition, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies, dynamic start-ups, and emerging talent driving the future of aviation.

Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education delivered the opening keynote, focused around the ‘disruption of technology on public education’. — Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education, delivered the opening keynote, focused on the ‘disruption of technology on public education’.

Now in its third edition, ForsaTEK 2025 expands its reach across departments and businesses within the Group, focusing on scaling successful innovations and maximizing value from new technologies. This year’s key themes include the transformative role of AI, robotics, and IoT in aviation and the human element behind successful adoption.

Opening the Innovation Gateway

The event was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, joined by Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education, and senior Emirates executives.

“ForsaTEK 2025 reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation—from nurturing start-ups to scaling impactful solutions across our business. This forum shows how we’re building a robust ecosystem to advance AI, research, and digital adoption.” — HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Technology in Action: From Prototypes to Scaled Solutions

Mobile navigation aid – for blind and low vision: Accessible navigation system for visually impaired passengers in airports and aircraft.

This year’s event featured 40+ showcases, spanning the full innovation pipeline—from early research to live applications.

Fully launched innovations included:

Autonomous robots from Transguard and Emirates Group Security for urban safety
AI-powered aircraft turnaround analysis by Emirates Airport Services
Autonomous drones for cargo inventory checks by dnata
3D-printed spare parts to support fast, on-demand maintenance

Trial Zone highlights:

Glidance’s self-guided mobility aid for the visually impaired
JeffCAN’s sensory media chair for neurodiverse travellers
Airbus’s inclusive cabin design, with PRM-accessible lavatories and personal wheelchairs
Drone inspections and augmented reality maintenance tools for aircraft upkeep

Start-Up Power and Youth Innovation

Michael Guarniere Executive, Productization and Commercialization, Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) speaking on technology, storytelling and innovation — Michael Guarniere, Executive, Productization and Commercialization, Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), speaking on technology, storytelling and innovation

The Pitch Zone hosted 13 start-ups presenting to a panel of VIPs, tech leaders, and investors. At the same time, the Experience Zone engaged employees and youth, encouraging innovation, storytelling and real-time participation.

Inspiring Ideas and Big Thinkers

ForsaTEK 2025 featured global thought leaders and change-makers, including:

HE Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, on how AI is shaping the UAE’s future-ready school curriculum
Dr. Mark Esposito, World Economic Forum advisor, on revamping innovation strategies
Younes Mourri, Stanford AI professor, on human-AI intelligence
Shekhar Kapur, Oscar-nominated filmmaker, explores AI’s societal impact

New Employee Innovation App: Afkar

In frame: (centre) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group. (from left to right) Michael Doersam, the Emirates Group’s Chief Financial & Group Services Officer, Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education, Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Boutros Boutros, Emirates Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand and Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer.

The Emirates Group also launched Afkar (Arabic for ideas)—a new employee-driven digital platform to encourage idea generation across the company. This year’s winning innovation: automated visa validation for passengers, streamlining travel and reducing friction in the journey.

Written by

Priyal Dutta - Senior Correspondent/Content Writer

I create compelling stories that showcase the travel, hospitality, and lifestyle industries. At Safari India, I explore industry trends, write insightful articles, and produce content that informs and engages readers. With a talent for storytelling and a strategic approach, I strive to inform, inspire, and spark meaningful conversations through my work.