This year’s GITEX Global in Dubai wasn’t just a technology showcase—it was a vision of what’s next. With record-breaking attendance, over 6,500 exhibitors, and participants from more than 180 countries, GITEX demonstrated how generative AI and data sovereignty are now critical forces reshaping the future of business. From finance to healthcare, industries are rapidly embracing generative AI as a transformative tool, and GITEX made one thing clear: Your unique data, your sovereign data, will be your strategic AI differentiator.
Amid this dynamic backdrop, EDB joined the conversation with a pivotal question: Will building sovereign data and AI platforms become the defining factor for industry leadership in the AI generation? Conversations with attendees affirmed a growing shift in the industry: businesses are ready to move beyond off-the-shelf solutions to platforms that offer true control, resilience, and the freedom to adapt.
The shift from “good for now” to “future-proof”
For too long, businesses have had to settle for one-size-fits-all solutions that lock them into someone else’s roadmap. But this year’s GITEX showcased a shift: leaders want more than what “good enough” solutions can offer. They’re investing in building their own data and AI platforms tailored to provide full control, with infrastructure flexibility and the freedom to adapt on their terms.
EDB sees this shift every day. Organizations aren’t just asking for flexible platforms; they’re seeking solutions that are secure, future-ready, and built on open source technology. This future-proof approach is becoming essential in generative AI, where companies are positioning themselves for long-term success by investing in frameworks that allow them to pivot and scale without constant rebuilds or costly overhauls.
Driving innovation across industries with generative AI
Generative AI was a major focal point at GITEX, with discussions spanning practical applications and future possibilities. Leaders across sectors recognize that generative AI is not only reshaping business processes but is also creating new ways to engage customers and streamline internal operations. In finance, for example, generative AI is transforming personalization and fraud detection, while healthcare is enhancing diagnostics and enabling customized treatments.
For businesses focused on scalability, security, and compliance, generative AI introduces unique opportunities and challenges. As companies integrate AI-driven tools into their processes, the ability to control data securely and manage AI workflows efficiently becomes essential. Many attendees emphasized the need for an adaptable foundation that allows them to incorporate AI tools without compromising on privacy or regulatory standards.
Data sovereignty as the core advantage of the AI age
As generative AI changes the way industries operate, data sovereignty is emerging as a core strategic advantage. GITEX highlighted the urgency of this shift, particularly for sectors like finance, healthcare, and government. Leaders increasingly recognize that maintaining control over their data enables them to remain agile, compliant, and innovative in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
The consistent message was that future industry leaders won’t only adopt AI—they’ll do so in ways that secure their data as a unique, protected asset. For many, controlling their data offers not only a way to meet regulatory requirements but also a foundation for differentiated, compliant AI applications that build long-term trust.
Delivering flexibility and sovereignty with EDB Postgres AI
EDB Postgres AI is our answer to all of these needs. Built with open source Postgres at its core, our platform provides the flexibility for organizations to choose their infrastructure—whether that’s on-premises, hybrid, or multi-cloud—and the power to scale on their terms. It’s a future-ready, sovereign foundation that provides organizations the freedom to control their AI and data strategies without vendor lock-in or limitations on scale.
EDB Postgres AI it creates a unified data management layer across any environment to give enterprises full visibility and control over their data assets. This centralized management isn’t just about meeting compliance; it’s about unlocking previously unseen potential for AI-driven insights, much like a currency exchange that turns isolated data "reserves" into valuable strategic assets.
The value of EDB Postgres AI lies in its ability to adapt to a company’s evolving requirements, providing flexibility and the reliability necessary for large-scale transactional, analytical, and AI workloads. Whether it’s deploying across Red Hat OpenShift, IBM Power, or any combination of cloud environments, EDB Postgres AI ensures data sovereignty across infrastructures, giving organizations autonomy over their data no matter where they operate.
On display at GITEX: Live demos and real-world applications
Our booth generated strong interest from leaders across sectors who wanted to see how adaptable, enterprise-grade solutions can address the demands of regulated, high-performance environments. Our demos focused on critical features, including:
- Scalability and compliance for regulated AI: Attendees saw firsthand how EDB Postgres AI manages large-scale, high-compliance workloads with advanced security capabilities like role-based access control (RBAC), row-level security, and transparent data encryption (TDE). This end-to-end security framework allows organizations to scale AI and analytics capabilities without compromising on compliance or accessibility.
- Flexible deployment across cloud and on-prem: EDB Postgres AI allows businesses to deploy seamlessly across private, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments, ensuring access to data while meeting specific infrastructure needs. For organizations that require deployment flexibility without vendor lock-in, this was a significant draw.
- Real-time insights across diverse data types: EDB Postgres AI’s omni-data capabilities were another highlight, allowing organizations to generate insights from structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data in real time. Enabled by Postgres Lakehouse and the Columnar Query Engine, this functionality streamlines analytical processing and reduces storage costs by up to 18x, making it ideal for organizations managing complex data environments.
Expanding open source and AI leadership in the Middle East
The Middle East is emerging as a global hub for AI-driven innovation, and GITEX provided the ideal venue to demonstrate our commitment to expanding EDB’s presence across the region. Our partnerships with Redington and other regional tech leaders are key to meeting the growing demand for secure, adaptable AI solutions tailored to the region’s unique requirements.
In Dubai, where open source technology and regulatory AI were top of mind, we highlighted how Postgres AI serves as a sovereign solution that adapts to local compliance needs without compromising on flexibility or innovation. We are committed to supporting regional growth by helping organizations build resilient, compliant AI infrastructures that allow them to fully own and control their data strategies.
The road ahead
GITEX was more than just a tech show; it was a platform for meaningful dialogue on the future of AI and data. Conversations focused on generative AI, ethical considerations, regulatory compliance, and the future of digital infrastructure. Our discussions centered on model-to-data approaches that bring AI capabilities directly to governed data within Postgres, empowering organizations to manage their AI workflows without compromising data control.
In industries like finance, healthcare, and the public sector, this approach is gaining momentum. Organizations are not only seeking advanced AI capabilities, but they’re also looking to maintain sovereignty over their data, ensuring compliance and adaptability in a fast-evolving digital landscape. As GITEX demonstrated, the future of AI requires platforms that offer the flexibility to innovate while keeping organizations in control of their data destiny.
Experience EDB Postgres AI firsthand
For those who couldn’t join us at GITEX, you still have the chance to see how EDB Postgres AI can transform data management and AI capabilities. Visit our demo page to explore the full potential of EDB Postgres AI and discover how we’re helping enterprises worldwide achieve sovereignty, scalability, and success with AI-driven data strategies.
GITEX may have wrapped up, but the momentum around data sovereignty and innovation continues. EDB stands ready to empower organizations on their journey into the future of AI and data.