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Dubai and Abu Dhabi aren’t just building skyscrapers – they’re building AI-driven, “thinking” cities. In this Mindblowers episode, I sit down with Samir Patek to explore how the UAE is using AI, IoT, data analytics and blockchain to redesign urban life from the ground up.

We talk about what a smart city really is in 2025 – beyond sensors and buzzwords – and how Dubai’s vision of digital government, open data and AI-powered services is already changing everyday life. From frictionless licensing and healthcare, to integrated hospital records, to driverless taxis being piloted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Samir explains how the UAE is turning data into better citizen experiences.

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• Dubai & Abu Dhabi’s long-term “thinking cities” vision and the Dubai 2040 master plan
• How AI manages traffic, energy, water and emergency response in real time
• The roadmap to 25% of trips by autonomous transport in Dubai by 2030
• How projects like Masdar City and Palm Jebel Ali blend smart mobility, renewables and sustainability
• The UAE’s approach to data privacy, digital governance and regulatory sandboxes
• Why Samir thinks UAE cities will feel safer, cleaner and more human-centric by 2040