How Startups at GITEX Are Using AI — And Why It’s Becoming the Core of Innovation

Every year, GITEX Global brings together thousands of startups from around the world to showcase groundbreaking innovations. From the document of 2,850 participating startups, one trend stands out above all others: the rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The Numbers

Out of 2,850 startups in the GITEX participant list, 675 explicitly describe themselves as AI-powered or AI-enabled. That’s almost 24% of all participants. This figure is significant, considering that many others also integrate AI indirectly without labeling themselves as such — meaning the real influence of AI is likely even higher.

So why are nearly a quarter of startups putting AI at the core of their business? Let’s break it down.

1. AI in E-Commerce and Marketplaces

Startups are using AI to transform how people search, buy, and sell online.

• Athena AI (Serbia): Offers semantic, visual, and voice search for online retailers, replacing outdated keyword search.

• Piyes.com (Morocco): Uses AI to streamline a B2B marketplace for recycled auto parts.

Why it matters:
E-commerce is about efficiency and personalization. AI directly boosts conversion rates, product discovery, and operational efficiency, which translates to instant revenue growth.

2. AI for SMEs and Business Automation

SMEs are the backbone of the UAE and global economy, and startups are giving them enterprise-grade AI tools.

• FastTony (Poland): Provides AI-powered marketing automation for small businesses.

• Plugthink (Brazil): Uses AI to unify fragmented data (ERP, CRM, WhatsApp, e-commerce).

Why it matters:
SMEs can’t afford large teams or complex systems. AI makes them faster, leaner, and more competitive, lowering operational costs while increasing customer reach.

3. AI in HealthTech & Med-IoT

AI is revolutionizing how healthcare is delivered and monitored.

• AISTHESIS (Qatar): Combines AI with IoT wearables to support children with autism.

• Orby (Brazil): Uses AI and smart sensors for rehabilitation and pain relief.

• Nanowear (USA): Leverages AI and wearables for remote diagnostics.

Why it matters:
Health startups choose AI because it can analyze complex data quickly, provide predictive insights, and enable remote care at scale — solving both cost and accessibility challenges.

4. AI for Smart Cities and ESG

Governments and corporates are adopting AI for climate action, risk management, and sustainability.

• Latitudo 40 (Italy): Uses AI on satellite data for flood risk and climate resilience.

• LeafIoT (Hong Kong): Combines AI with IoT and blockchain to manage carbon and sustainability.

Why it matters:
AI turns raw geospatial and IoT data into actionable insights. Startups in this field thrive because sustainability is now a top priority for policy, funding, and corporate responsibility.

5. AI in Fintech & Chat Commerce

Startups are embedding AI directly into financial transactions.

• AskAlem (Singapore): Enables secure, escrow-based payments inside WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord using AI-driven verification and fraud detection.

Why it matters:
AI ensures trust in chat-native transactions by providing fraud detection, compliance checks, and automated verification — critical for fintech adoption.

6. AI for LegalTech & Document Automation

Legal workflows are being automated with AI’s help.

• Avocapp (Morocco): Uses AI for case management, billing, and multilingual document processing.

• Altilia AI (Italy): Employs AI for intelligent document classification and automation.

Why it matters:
Legal operations are repetitive and text-heavy. AI reduces time, lowers costs, and improves compliance. For a market like the UAE, where business is multilingual and cross-border, this category has strong potential.

Why So Many Startups Are Choosing AI

• Speed to Market: AI tools (like ChatGPT, TensorFlow, or cloud AI services) allow startups to build MVPs fast and cheap.

• Clear ROI: In commerce, health, or operations, AI has measurable impact (higher conversions, lower costs, faster insights).

• Scalability: Once trained or deployed, AI systems scale easily across geographies and industries.

• Investor Attraction: Investors favor AI-first startups because they signal innovation and growth potential.

• Alignment with Global Trends: AI directly addresses the top global priorities — digital commerce, sustainability, health, and automation.

Independent Analysis: The UAE Opportunity

For UAE entrepreneurs, the message is clear:

• AI-powered commerce and SME solutions are the fastest path to profitability — thanks to the UAE’s retail dominance and SME-heavy economy.

• Healthtech AI is attractive for both private clinics and public health programs.

• Sustainability AI aligns with national Net Zero 2050 goals, making funding and adoption likely.

• Fintech AI in chat apps could thrive in a WhatsApp-first market like the UAE.

In short: AI is not just a feature anymore. It is the business model backbone that drives adoption, efficiency, and scalability.

How Royex Technologies Can Help

At Royex Technologies, we’ve been early adopters of AI in building e-commerce, fintech, and AI-first platforms for startups. With over 500 projects delivered in the UAE since 2013, we help entrepreneurs:

• Build AI-enabled e-commerce platforms with advanced search and personalization.

• Deploy AI assistants and chatbots to scale SME operations.

• Create custom AI solutions for healthtech, fintech, and smart city projects.

• Ensure compliance, security, and scalability for AI-first platforms.

Whether you are inspired by GITEX or want to build your own AI-first venture, Royex can turn that idea into a profitable reality.

From the 2,850 GITEX participants, nearly a quarter are AI-powered startups — showing that the future belongs to those who embrace AI at the core of their business.

For UAE entrepreneurs, this is an opportunity to localize global AI ideas, execute them faster, and scale them into impactful businesses.

Royex at GITEX 2025 – Witness the Future of AI and Technology

GITEX 2025, one of the world’s largest and most influential tech events, is just around the corner, and Royex is excited to be part of this grand stage. As a leading technology solutions provider, we will be showcasing our latest innovations in AI, digital transformation, and cutting-edge software solutions designed to empower businesses across industries.

Attending GITEX gives you a unique opportunity to interact with our expert team, experience live demonstrations, and gain insights into how our solutions can solve real-world business challenges. Whether you’re interested in AI-driven applications, advanced web and mobile platforms, or enterprise-level digital strategies, Royex will have something tailored for you.

Don’t miss the chance to explore the future of technology with us at GITEX 2025. Join us, learn from our experts, and see how Royex continues to drive innovation and shape the digital landscape in the Middle East and beyond.