Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

Conference

19 JANUARY
2026

Exhibition

20-22
JANUARY
2026

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ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - UAE

About

The UMEX and SimTEX Conference 2024 will take place on 22nd of January 2024 in-person at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The conference has grown tremendously and highlighted the advanced engagement of unmanned systems technologies and how it will achieve its highest potential in the next decade.

The congregation of industry experts, academia thinkers and governmental entities provided the audience with unique opportunities to hear first-hand the challenges facing humanities, societies and industries as well as potential solutions to these challenges.

The UMEX Conference under the theme of Soaring to new heights: Impact of new technologies in evolving unmanned systems era.

 
Registration
8:00 am
Opening Ceremony
8:45 am
Keynote Opening Address
H.E. Omran Sharaf

H.E. Omran Sharaf

Assistant Minister

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Advanced Science and Technology, UAE

9:00 am
Keynote Speech

Artificial Intelligence: An overview of the current landscape and Al impact on the future of intelligent autonomous systems.

Prof Fakhreddine (Fakhri) Karray

Prof Fakhreddine (Fakhri) Karray

Professor of Machine Learning

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)

9:10 am
Panel Discussion

Harnessing Disruptive Technologies: The true potential of technological advancements of unmanned systems

Dr. Fan Zhu

Dr. Fan Zhu

Chief Technology Officer

Bayanat

Stanislas Gourlez de La Motte

Stanislas Gourlez de La Motte

Navy Advisor to the Chairman and C.E.O.

Naval Group

Dr. Ray O. Johnson

Dr. Ray O. Johnson

CEO

Technology Innovation Institute (TII)

Naoufer Ramoul

Naoufer Ramoul

Senior TV Presenter/Producer

Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI)

9:30 am
Keynote Speech

Future Focus: The impact of autonomous systems in society and industry beyond defense

Dr Yehya Al Marzooqi

Dr Yehya Al Marzooqi

Executive Advisor, Group CEO

Emirates Steel Arkan

10:10 am
Refreshment Break
10:30 am
Fireside Chat

Techniques and Technologies: Understanding and mitigating the evolving threat posed by unmanned systems

Robert  Harward VADM, USN (Ret.) SEAL

Robert Harward VADM, USN (Ret.) SEAL

Executive Vice President, International Business & Strategy

Shield AI

Col. Dr. Rashed Aldhaheri

Col. Dr. Rashed Aldhaheri

Assistant Professor of International Relations

UAE National Defence College

10:50 am
Panel Discussion

The future of military operations: Integrating legacy systems with intelligent unmanned systems through manned/unmanned teaming

Vice Admiral Brad Cooper

Vice Admiral Brad Cooper

Commander

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command

H.E. James Morse CB

H.E. James Morse CB

President & CEO

Rabdan Academy

Maj. Gen. Lee Bo-hyung

Maj. Gen. Lee Bo-hyung

Inaugural Commander

Drone Operations Command - South Korea

Dr. Robert Sadowski

Dr. Robert Sadowski

Army Chief Roboticist, Ground Vehicle Systems Center

AFC Combat Capabilities Development Center

Prof Daniel Baltrusaitis

Prof Daniel Baltrusaitis

Consultant

Defence Sector

11:20 am
Presentation

Investing in countermeasures and cybersecurity in a rapidly changing threat landscape and all-to-all connectivity

Dr. Sherif Hashem

Dr. Sherif Hashem

Information Sciences and Technology

George Mason University (GMU)

12:00 pm
Panel Discussion

Investment opportunities in the market and segments of accelerated growth

Brigadier (rtd.) Tim Allen

Brigadier (rtd.) Tim Allen

CEO

Houbara Defence & Security

Gen John W. Nicholson Jr.

Gen John W. Nicholson Jr.

Retired U.S. Army General, Chief Executive

Lockheed Martin Middle East

Gary W. Rosholt RADM, USN(Ret)

Gary W. Rosholt RADM, USN(Ret)

Corporate Vice President, Middle East Operations

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

Ashfaq Ladha

Ashfaq Ladha

Senior Vice President Corporate Finance

EDGE Group

Eszter Kovács

Eszter Kovács

CEO

DroneTalks Group

12:20 pm
Presentation

Laws on LAWS: The status of regulation on Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems

H.E Dr Saeed AlDhaheri

H.E Dr Saeed AlDhaheri

Director

Center for Futures Studies, University of Dubai

1:00 pm
Closing Speech
H.E Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti

H.E Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti

Head Of Cybersecurity

Government of UAE

1:20 pm
Awards
1:30 pm
End of Conference
1:50 pm