As mobility undergoes rapid transformation, industry leaders, experts, and policymakers convened at Innovation4Mobility at Automechanika Dubai to explore the technologies shaping a smarter, cleaner and more connected transport future for the Middle East and global markets.
On the opening day, Lucas Loustau, Principal at Kearney, shared insights from the newly released report Envisioning the future of mobility powered by AI – a joint study by The Advanced Mobility Institute, part of Kearney’s Foresight Network, and the MIT Mobility Initiative.
Drawing on insights from more than 50 leading mobility organisations worldwide, the research highlights the most promising AI applications across the mobility sector and identifies opportunities for ecosystem players to optimise performance, strengthen operations and deliver broader societal value.
Loustau outlined four key categories of ‘supply actors’ shaping the mobility ecosystem – policymakers; infrastructure developers; mobility operators; and OEMs, suppliers, financial and technology players – emphasising that robust governance frameworks are essential to unify these stakeholders around shared outcomes.
Speaking during the session, Loustau said: “There is enthusiasm across the globe for AI and achieving regulations for it. That being said, not everyone is on the same page when it comes to which AI policies should be prioritised, whether it’s to do with data privacy, retraining employees or antitrust.”
He also presented several future scenarios for the coming decade, ranging from a “sceptical consumer” environment – where AI technology matures but adoption remains supply-driven – to a “Golden AI Age” where consumer trust is high and the ecosystem operates with common standards and governance frameworks.
Loustau stressed that elevating AI’s role in mobility requires collective action, including alignment on adoption goals, strong governance mechanisms, data-sharing protocols, investment in smart infrastructure and sustained efforts to strengthen consumer confidence.
Beyond AI, Innovation4Mobility – which concludes today – addressed critical themes such as cybersecurity, circular mobility models and the rise of platform-driven, data-centric business strategies. These discussions reinforce Dubai’s position as an influential hub for advancing the future of intelligent mobility.
Commenting on the conference, Tommy Le, Show Manager of Automechanika Dubai at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Innovation4Mobility is an important industry platform which brings together regional and international leaders that are shaping the road ahead. Over the past two days, the conference has spotlighted what these advances mean for the Middle East region, and how businesses can prepare for the next wave of mobility transformation.”
