The AI summit Machines Can See 2025, held in Dubai, was a resounding success — uniting global AI stakeholders and fostering powerful collaborations aimed at turning bold ideas into reality

These are the times to foster cross-border AI collaboration. Bringing together talent and capital from North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East — and aligning standards, sharing knowledge, and avoiding the silos that often slow progress — is absolutely essential. Such ecosystems are essential for creating truly global, interoperable AI.

Each region has something unique to offer. The Middle East drives large-scale, Government-backed AI transformation. Europe leads in ethical frameworks. Asia dominates in applied R&D, and North America remains a powerhouse for fundamental research and venture capital.

The young entrepreneurs must be curious, stay adaptable, and don’t try to go it alone. Collaborate. AI’s most pressing challenges won’t be solved in isolation. It is a teamwork and should be taken in that spirit. This philosophy also shaped the Machines Can See summit, which I co-founded. It began as a small gathering for computer vision researchers and quickly grew into a major platform for aligning science, policy, and industry. What started as a “meet-up” is now a launchpad: pilot projects are unveiled on stage, investment deals happen in real time, and regulatory ideas are stress-tested in live panels.

The 2025 edition of Machines Can See was our most ambitious initiative — over 3,500 attendees from 45 countries convened at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, and over 4.7 million people engaged online. That tells me one thing: the world is paying attention to what’s happening in the Middle East. It’s not just a regional summit anymore — it’s a global benchmark.

The launch of The AI Academy, a Polynome initiative in partnership with the Abu Dhabi School of Management and NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Institute, was a defining moment. The Academy’s flagship Chief AI Officer track will prepare the next generation of AI leaders, blending deep research with hands-on application. It’s another step towards making sure innovation turns into long-term impact.

Machines Can See is cutting edge by constantly scouting breakthroughs from labs and integrating ethical discourse alongside technical updates. Our sessions are designed to be relevant not only to researchers, but also to policymakers and industry leaders. The result is a summit that moves the field forward — responsibly.

Before Machines Can See happened, I often wondered — what would it take to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and the industries that desperately needed it? For there were too many brilliant AI ideas being left behind in academic papers, never making their way into the real world. Initially, we focused on computer vision and connected researchers with business leaders. That foundation has since evolved into something much broader: a global ecosystem spanning Dubai, Singapore, and beyond. What hasn’t changed is the core vision — using AI not just to impress, but to truly improve lives.

To be rational, one has to start with the problem. If the AI isn’t solving something that matters, it’s unlikely to survive beyond a proof of concept. In advanced domains like generative AI or robotics, technical depth is non-negotiable. And then scalability is a big factor — the ability to grow from a clever demo into a solution that can operate at national or global scale. Our leadership and culture are shaped mainly by three key principles: impact over hype, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and ethical responsibility — don’t chase trends, but work to align academic research, corporate know — how, and Government vision. And one has to ask hard questions about fairness, trust, and long-term accountability.

Right now is the time of convergence of computer vision and large language models. We’re entering a world where AI can both “see” and “comprehend” — a shift that has massive implications for autonomous systems, immersive experiences, and next-gen robotics. Polynome is also actively exploring these intersections.

Another area where AI’s potential is unfolding rapidly is in smart cities. Over the next decade, urban life will be transformed by predictive infrastructure, adaptive traffic systems, and AI-driven public services. We’re already working with Governments on some of these initiatives. The goal isn’t just efficiency — it’s quality of life. Cleaner environments, shorter commutes, and more responsive services will become part of daily life. That said, generative models — for all their promise — also carry risks. The line between innovation and misuse is thin.

Tools that can simulate complex data or generate hyper-realistic content can just as easily be used for deception. That’s why we advocate for robust guardrails — both technical and social — and invest in public education alongside product development.

Ethical leadership in AI means never being caught off guard. Any AI project must go through rigorous ethical and security reviews. We follow global frameworks — fairness, transparency, accountability — and translate them into real-world practice. Explainability, data security, traceability — these aren’t afterthoughts. They’re built in from the ground up, and constantly re-evaluated after deployment.

Balancing innovation with regulation is one of the biggest challenges in AI. One has to maintain agility in R&D, while applying increasing levels of oversight as products near deployment. Working with policymakers is absolutely essential to help craft regulations that are forward-looking and pragmatic.

Innovation thrives when the path is clear but responsible. Ultimately, our mission is unwavering and must never be lost sight of: to build a future where AI innovation is practical, ethical, and accessible. We don’t need more hype. We need impact. And we need it now.

AI is no longer a niche field — it is the backbone of global progress. From reshaping healthcare and transportation to powering smart cities and transforming education, AI has become indispensable to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. Its ability to analyse, predict, and optimise at unprecedented speed makes it essential for tackling today’s complex challenges.

As the Machines Can See summit has shown, global collaboration is the only way forward — no single region or sector can do this alone.

To remain relevant in this rapidly evolving landscape, individuals, businesses, and Governments must embrace AI — not just as a tool, but as a mindset.

Learning, adapting, and integrating AI into strategy and operations is not optional anymore; it’s foundational. Those who fail to harness its power risk being left behind. The future belongs to those who engage with AI responsibly, ethically, and boldly — because in this new era, intelligence isn’t just artificial, it’s essential.

(The writer is Founder & CEO, Polynome Group and organiser of Machines Can See Summit. Views are personal)