The Gulf Business Real Estate Summit took place in Dubai on November 25, 2025, bringing together top experts from finance, regulation, development, and brokerage to examine the future of the UAE real estate sector. The half-day event offered a platform to discuss pressing industry issues, including sustainability, regulatory changes, emerging technologies, and market opportunities amid record-high transactions and sales.

The summit addressed critical questions: How is tokenisation reshaping real estate investment? Will Dubai face a market correction in 2026? Where does value lie in off-plan properties, and how are evolving trends transforming the role of brokers in a rapidly changing market?

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Tokenising UAE Real Estate: From concept to mainstream

The first panel, “Tokenising UAE Real Estate – From Pilot to Mainstream,” examined how the industry is moving from concept-stage initiatives to scalable investment solutions. Moderated by Neesha Salian, editor at Gulf Business, the discussion featured industry leaders including Cherif Sleiman (CRO, Property Finder), Scott Thiel (CEO and founder, Tokinvest), Riz Ahmed (CEO, SmartCrowd), Fouad Bekkar (CEO, Coraly.ai), and Felix Vartanov (director, Black River Capital).

Cherif Sleiman emphasised the importance of trust and transparency. “The regulatory environment still requires maturation, and investors need confidence not only in the assets themselves but also in the entities responsible for custody and settlement,” he said. Sleiman added that although tokenisation technology has existed for over a decade, mainstream adoption requires seamless operation so consumers can transact without navigating complex protocols.

Scott Thiel, CEO of Tokinvest, echoed these sentiments: “Mass adoption will depend on removing barriers, raising awareness, and ensuring investors can participate in an intuitive, accessible manner. The goal is to make investing in tokenised real estate as user-friendly as possible, even for those with limited technological familiarity.”

The panel underscored that achieving widespread adoption requires collaboration among developers, investors, and regulators, alongside technological solutions prioritising simplicity, security, and transparency.

Dubai market correction: Myth or reality?

The second panel, “Is a Dubai Real Estate Correction Imminent?”, moderated by Gareth van Zyl, Group Editor at Gulf Business, examined potential risks in a market experiencing rapid growth.

Lewis Allsopp, chairman of Allsopp & Allsopp, rejected predictions of an imminent downturn, citing strong underlying fundamentals such as population growth, infrastructure expansion, and $700bn in investment commitments. “Dubai remains highly attractive to high-net-worth individuals, including Premier League footballers. Real-world demand contrasts sharply with short-term reports suggesting weakness,” he said.

“It all depends on the location. Take fully developed areas, for example, The Palm, we’ve seen prices absolutely skyrocket over the years.

However, rental transactions are currently dropping in double digits. We are even seeing the launch of The Jebel Ali Palm now. So yes, Palm Jumeirah will, of course, hold its value to a degree and remains one of the go-to areas in Dubai, but there’s always something new on the horizon that can affect prices in the future,” said Gregory Lewis, founder & CEO of AirDXB.

Saurabh Bhatia, Director at Klay Capital, added insights by segment:

• Residential: Prime and luxury segments remain in high demand; mid-segment properties may experience mild corrections.
• Retail: Experiential and premium retail continue to thrive, while legacy retail may need reinvention.
• Office and commercial: Grade A and luxury offices attract new businesses and international headquarters, with potential growth in manufacturing expected to boost demand.

Bhatia outlined four factors influencing market corrections: global economic shocks, external geopolitical events, oversupply (mainly in mid-segment units), and government policy changes. He noted most upcoming handovers are pre-sold, cushioning potential price adjustments. “Even a 10–15 per cent correction would be healthy and create opportunities for new entrants,” he said.

Off-plan UAE: Where value still lies

The final panel, “Off-Plan in the UAE – Where the Value Still Lies”, moderated by Rajiv Pillai, deputy editor at Gulf Business, focused on the growing off-plan market.

Mohammad Khader, head of Project Development at Almal Real Estate Developments, emphasised the need for developers to differentiate through strategic choices and high-quality products. “Investors seek control and clarity. At the end of the day, the key answer is simple: it all comes down to the product,” he said. Khader highlighted that buyers increasingly compare multiple options and that developers must equip them with the right tools and information for confident decision-making.

Ben Crompton, managing partner at Crompton Partners Estate Agents, highlighted strong foreign interest, particularly from India, Tanzania, Russia, and Singapore, in luxury and waterfront properties. “Developers are offering premium units at record prices, and buyers are accepting these levels because they see strong long-term potential,” he said. Certain premium areas, such as Massa, have reached $6,000 per square foot, demonstrating confidence in UAE infrastructure and growth prospects.

Crompton stressed that the market has matured, with buyers increasingly willing to invest in high-end properties, recognising long-term appreciation and value.

A transforming landscape with resilient growth drivers

Insights from the summit underscore a UAE real estate sector that is evolving yet resilient. Strong economic fundamentals, robust investor confidence, and sustained demand across multiple segments continue to underpin growth.

Emerging trends such as tokenisation and innovative investment models signal a market preparing for its next chapter. With record-breaking sales milestones, rising occupancy rates, and a sophisticated investor base, the UAE property market appears poised to maintain momentum while navigating a dynamic, rapidly changing environment.

Al Khayyat Investments (AKI) has signed two Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and promote sustainable trade and investment between the UAE and the People’s Republic of China.

The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, and Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade. The agreements were signed by Zaid S Al Khayyat, MD of Al Khayyat Investments (AKI), with Cainiao, an Alibaba company, to advance collaboration in logistics and technology, and BioBAY, focusing on cooperation within the life sciences sector.

The MoUs were formalised during Al Khayyat Investments’ participation at the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, at the China, UAE Economic & Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference, where the UAE was the Guest of Honour Country.

These partnerships mark a significant milestone in AKI’s expansion and reflect the shared commitment of the UAE and China to foster innovation, trade, and economic growth.

Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said the partnerships clearly demonstrate the growing economic bonds between the UAE and China:

“The UAE and China are two nations that believe in the importance of trade to economic growth and development, and we continue to pursue opportunities in each other’s markets. Our partnership is already forward-looking, and we both want to explore where the new opportunities lie. These MoUs between Al Khayyat Investments and Cainiao and BioBAY represent the latest steps towards cementing the trade and investment ties between our two private sectors in vital, high-growth industries.”

Zaid S Al Khayyat, MD of Al Khayyat Investments (AKI), said:

“Our partnerships with Cainiao and BioBAY reflect AKI’s continued expansion and our deepening engagement with China. The UAE and China share a common vision for innovation-driven, sustainable development, and through these agreements, we look forward to unlocking new opportunities in logistics, technology, and life sciences and more that benefit both economies and the region.”

noon Minutes, the on-demand quick-commerce service by noon, successfully carried out multiple fully autonomous drone deliveries during DriftX, an international exhibition for smart and autonomous technologies held as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week. The demonstration, which required no human control, showcased the future of last-mile logistics and marked a major step toward making autonomous delivery a standard in the UAE.

Visitors to the noon stand at DriftX were able to order products directly from a touchscreen and receive their deliveries by autonomous drone in under 15 minutes. Over the two-day event, noon completed more than 50 autonomous deliveries, ranging from food to toys and personal care items, underscoring its commitment to innovation and ongoing investment in next-generation technology aimed at making deliveries faster, smarter, and more sustainable.

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The activation was powered by key technology partners: the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), which provided the autonomy system; SteerAI, which supplied the fleet-management software coordinating each flight; and LODD, which provided and monitored the drone hardware.

This showcase followed successful testing in late October, when a drone delivered a two-kilogram parcel from a noon Minutes mini-fulfillment center to another mini-fulfillment center in Bani Yas in under four minutes. The project was carried out under the oversight of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), which is collaborating with the Advanced Technology Research Council to define airspace regulations and develop advanced airspace-management systems for the UAE.

Strategic shift towards autonomous last-mile logistics

Ali Kafil-Hussain, noon’s CBO, said, “We’re working hard to completely rethink delivery, making it faster and better for the planet. With the support of TII, SteerAI, and LODD, we’re bringing this vision to life. Our aim is: to set a new standard for delivery, ensuring everyone gets their order quickly and reliably, whether they live in the city center or in a remote area.”

Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute, added, “TII’s AI-driven autonomy stack integrates advanced perception, decision-making, communication, localisation, and navigation to enable unmanned vehicles to operate quickly, precisely, and safely, changing the way we define mobility.”

Michael Sonderby, Acting CEO of SteerAI, emphasised the importance of systems integration. “Autonomous technology requires careful oversight and management to deliver impact. CoreConnect, our fleet management system, enables real-time mission planning, deployment, and tracking of any vehicle or drone, ensuring fast, safe delivery. This milestone shows how integrated autonomous systems can drive real, scalable results.”

Rashid Al Manai, CEO of LODD, noted, “We are reimagining last-mile delivery to be faster and more sustainable for every customer. This partnership sets a new standard for sustainable, reliable delivery in the UAE. AI-powered coordination and autonomous systems will redefine how we move goods across cities.”

Scaling towards industry adoption

Following the successful activation at DriftX, noon and its partners are now focused on transitioning autonomous last-mile delivery from demonstration to day-to-day operational reality. The next planned milestone will allow customers to choose drone delivery directly in the noon app, complete with real-time tracking and visibility as parcels travel from noon’s warehouses to customers’ doorsteps, within a 15-minute delivery standard.

The technology will also expand delivery access to areas difficult to reach by traditional methods, including islands, farms, and emerging residential zones. The initiative is expected to help noon Minutes deliver faster and more reliably to communities across the UAE, supporting the broader national agenda of enabling intelligent mobility and advanced logistics.

talabat and K2 Sign MoU to pilot commercial drone deliveries

In a parallel development further accelerating the UAE’s autonomous-delivery landscape, talabat UAE, the on-demand delivery platform in MENA, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with K2 on November 19 to pilot a commercial drone-delivery service for food and groceries. The agreement reflects both organisations’ commitment to innovation, community impact, and sustainable growth.

The collaboration brings together two market leaders with a shared vision for enhancing service ecosystems and creating long-term value across several customer touch points. The pilot will explore a drone-to-station delivery model designed to improve delivery efficiency, reduce operational emissions, and streamline logistics in high-demand areas, a WAM report said.

Mayank Khaitan, director of Logistics at talabat, said, “At talabat, innovation is at the core of how we evolve the last-mile experience for our customers and riders. Our partnership with K2 marks an important step in exploring autonomous delivery capabilities that make our operations smarter, safer, and more efficient. By integrating cutting-edge technology with scalable delivery solutions, we’re supporting the UAE’s vision for a future where intelligent mobility drives real impact.”

Waleed AlBlooshi, VP of Strategy at K2, added, “Our collaboration with talabat marks another important step in shaping Abu Dhabi’s autonomous future. By integrating drone delivery into K2’s smart-city ecosystem, we are proving that autonomy is no longer a concept, it is a real service that improves everyday life. Together with talabat, we’re building scalable, practical solutions that will redefine last-mile delivery across the UAE.”

Through this pilot, talabat and K2 will explore how drone delivery can be integrated into urban environments, testing models that enhance delivery efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve operational workflows. The initiative reinforces both companies’ commitment to innovation and learning, while supporting the UAE’s vision for smarter, future-ready logistics.

Ninety-four per cent of data leaders in the UAE admit they do not have full visibility into how their AI systems make decisions, according to a new report from tech company Dataiku, highlighting rising governance risks as the country accelerates its AI ambitions.

The Global AI Confessions Report: Data Leaders Edition, conducted by The Harris Poll for Dataiku and based on a survey of more than 800 senior data executives across eight countries, shows the UAE’s rapid AI adoption is being undermined by traceability and explainability gaps.

Only 17 per cent of UAE respondents said they always require AI systems to “show their work”, one of the lowest levels globally, while nearly two-thirds, or 62 per cent, said they were not confident their organisation’s AI systems could pass a basic audit of their decisions.

Despite these concerns, 72 per cent said they would trust an AI agent to make autonomous decisions in critical business workflows even if it could not explain its outputs, suggesting that implementation is outpacing oversight.

Just half of UAE respondents said they had ever delayed or blocked an AI deployment due to explainability concerns.

The findings come as the UAE pushes ahead with its National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and seeks to position itself as a global hub for AI innovation.

Report finds leaders face pressure when it comes to AI adoption

The report, however, shows data leaders feel mounting pressure from the top.

Nearly six in 10 respondents, or 59 per cent, said their C-suite overestimates the accuracy of AI systems, while 64 per cent believe leadership underestimates the time and complexity needed to make AI production-ready.

A third of UAE data leaders, 32 per cent, reported being asked to approve an AI initiative that made them uncomfortable, and 75 per cent said their company’s AI strategy is driven more by technological ambition than by business outcomes.

Global expectations around accountability also appear weaker in the UAE.

While 56 per cent of data leaders worldwide believe a CEO will be forced out by 2026 over an AI-related failure, only 35 per cent of UAE respondents share that view, the lowest among surveyed markets.

More than half, or 53 per cent, said they do not feel their own roles are at risk if their organisation fails to achieve measurable business gains from AI in the next one to two years, marking the highest perceived job security in the study.

“An alarming revelation of the report is that enterprises in the UAE, much like those globally, are betting on AI they don’t fully trust, and doing so with a sense of confidence that they won’t bear much consequence if things go wrong,” said Florian Douetteau, co-founder and CEO of Dataiku. “The encouraging news is that governance challenges, such as explainability and traceability, can be overcome.”

Despite the risks, the study also found UAE data leaders are prioritising accuracy above financial considerations, with 57 per cent naming performance reliability as their top priority compared with only 10 per cent who cited cost.

Local executives remain cautious about applying AI to sensitive functions: 55 per cent said they would never allow AI agents to make hiring or firing decisions, 48 per cent would exclude AI from legal or compliance work, and 39 per cent would avoid using AI for mental health or employee wellness support.

“UAE organisations are leading the charge in adopting AI at scale, but the findings show that work must still be done to ensure responsible growth remains the priority,” said Sid Bhatia, Area VP and GM – Middle East, Turkey & Africa at Dataiku.

The Harris Poll conducted the research online from August, surveying 812 data leaders across the US, UK, France, Germany, the UAE, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

Respondents work for companies with annual revenue of at least one billion dollars or regional equivalents and hold titles ranging from vice-president to C-suite level.

Dataiku, backed by investors including Wellington Management, Battery, CapitalG, ICONIQ, and FirstMark, positions itself as The Universal AI Platform, designed to deliver explainable and scalable AI across enterprises.

Gold prices dropped for a third consecutive session on Monday, as the dollar firmed near six-month highs, while investors awaited more clarity on the US interest rate trajectory.

Spot gold was down 0.3 per cent at $4,055.73 per ounce, as of 0636 GMT. US gold futures for December delivery fell 0.7 per cent to $4,052.40 per ounce.

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“The dollar index is up near six-month highs, it’s above 100 and if it continues to trade above 100, then there will be further pressure on gold prices,” said Jigar Trivedi, senior research analyst at brokerage Reliance Securities.

The dollar held near the six-month highs hit on Friday, making greenback-priced gold more expensive for holders of other currencies.

The probability of a Fed rate cut next month inched down to 69 per cent on Monday, after jumping to 74 per cent in the previous session, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

Bets of rate cuts had surged to 74 per cent from 40 per cent on Friday following dovish comments from New York Fed President John Williams.

Other Fed members maintained a hawkish stance, with Dallas Federal Reserve President Lorie Logan calling for leaving the policy rate on hold “for a time” while Fed presidents for Chicago and Cleveland both warned that cutting rates further right now carries a wide range of risks for the economy.

Gold, a non-yielding asset, tends to do well in low-interest-rate environments.

Fedwatch

“Next three to five weeks will see a flattish to negative undertone in gold as there is no major significant support coming for the bulls in the absence of geopolitical tensions,” Trivedi added.

The US and Ukraine were set to continue work on Monday on a plan to end the war with Russia after agreeing to modify an earlier proposal that was widely seen as too favorable to Moscow.

Elsewhere, spot silver was flat at $49.99 per ounce, platinum rose 1.6 per cent to $1,535.85, and palladium added 1.1 per cent to $1,390.13.