Pioneers 2017: Smart Dubai takes part in government technology summit in Vienna

DUBAI, 5th June, 2017 (WAM) -- Dr. Aisha bint Butti bin Bishr, Director-General of the Smart Dubai Office, recently attended the Pioneers 2017 Summit, entitled "GovTech - Technologies that Empower the Public Sector," at the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna, Austria. Dr. Aisha led a discussion on "Implementing Blockchain Technology Citywide," in which she discussed blockchain technology and explored ways to optimally implement it in cities. Citing Dubai as an example, she deliberated on the Dubai Smart Office’s mandate and efforts to execute the Dubai Blockchain Strategy, launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance. A collaboration between the Smart Dubai Office and the Dubai Future Foundation assists in the continual exploration and evaluation of the latest technological innovations, particularly in blockchain technology. This allows for more seamless, secure, efficient, and impactful city experiences. Dr. Aisha presided over groups of participants as they worked to resolve a blockchain-related challenge that was chosen for them. The workshop concluded with each group delivering a five-minute presentation on their work. "The Smart Dubai Office has been working tirelessly to transform Dubai into a full-fledged smart city. Events such as the Pioneers Conference offer an ideal opportunity for us to meet other smart-city officials from around the world, especially as this year’s installment has chosen GovTech as its overarching theme. "This gives us access and insight into how governments around the world are approaching their own smart transformation and, on the flipside, provides us a platform to share our own successes and best practices with our international counterparts," she added. Moreover, Dr. Aisha was invited to join a dinner gathering with Christian Kern, Federal Chancellor of Austria, one day before the summit. The dinner brought together 40 influential figures with interdisciplinary business backgrounds, including Behshad Behzadi, Principal Engineer at Google Zurich, Andrew Chen, Head of Rider Growth at Uber, Melissa O'Young, Head of Community New York at Airbnb, and Brianne Kimmel, Growth Marketing Strategist at Zendesk, among others. The evening began with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Wiener Staatsoper. It covered the digital initiatives taking place at the cultural institution and examined how they seamlessly integrate innovation and tradition. The event boasted an impressive guest list, featuring influential tech figures in governments around the world, including Andrus Ansip, Vice President of the EU Commission, Ulrike Huemer, CIO of the City of Vienna, Rosen Plevneliev, Former President of Bulgaria, Daniel Korski, Special Advisor to Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Anielle Guedes, Special Advisor to the President of Brazil, and Arno Kompatscher, Governor of South Tyrol. Europe’s largest technology incubator, the Pioneers Summit, gathers startups, investors, and executives from across the tech sector. This year, the summit turned its attention to GovTech, gauging and discussing the opinions of leading stakeholders in the public sector, in a bid to raise awareness and improve mutual understanding. http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302617488