Dubai, UAE When Technology Learns to Care

Inside the buzzing halls of the Dubai World Trade Centre, visitors at GITEX Global 2025 pause in awe.
Machines aren’t just moving they’re communicating, teaching, even understanding. It feels less like a technology showcase and more like a glimpse into a new kind of humanity  one where robots don’t replace people, they connect with them.

Among the hundreds of futuristic innovations, one creation stood out — a small, intelligent robot named Sanad.

A Teacher with a Digital Soul

Sanad isn’t your typical piece of technology.

It’s the UAE’s first homegrown AI teaching robot, built not just to educate, but to empathize.

Behind Sanad’s warm personality and sharp intelligence is Latifa Alhammadi, Academic Vice Principal at Al Ethaar School (Emirates Schools Establishment) in Abu Dhabi.

Her dream was born from a simple observation every child learns differently, and teachers need support to give each student the attention they deserve. “That’s where Sanad comes in,” she says with a smile. “In Arabic, Sanad means support  and that’s exactly what this robot offers.”

Built with Purpose, Guided by Passion

Developed entirely in the UAE, Sanad is more than a scientific project  it’s a symbol of the country’s vision for the future of education.

During her PhD research in Artificial Intelligence, Alhammadi designed and built the prototype in just five to six months. Today, Sanad is capable of teaching English lessons tailored to each student’s ability.

If a student excels, Sanad challenges them further; if they struggle, it patiently slows down and encourages step-by-step progress. The result is an adaptive learning experience that keeps every child engaged and confident.

Beyond the classroom, Sanad chats with students during breaks, helping them practice conversation and build social confidence  because learning, after all, doesn’t stop at textbooks.

Innovation with a Local Heart

Sanad’s framework can easily expand into new languages like French or Chinese, making it versatile for future classrooms.
The next iterations already in progress will feature enhanced sensors, cameras, and facial recognition, allowing the robot to automatically identify students and personalize interactions instantly.

Alhammadi envisions Sanad being rolled out across government schools from grades 1 to 5, pending approval from the Ministry of Education.

The Stage of the Future

But Sanad isn’t the only star of GITEX 2025.
On the exhibition floor, innovation takes many forms  like Booster T1, a 1.2-meter-tall humanoid robot capable of walking, balancing, and recovering from falls with human-like grace.

Or the X30 Quadruped Robot, a four-legged powerhouse that can climb steep stairs, map industrial environments, and perform inspections in complete darkness. These machines may not smile or teach, but they push the boundaries of endurance and engineering.

Together, they showcase the UAE’s bold journey into a future where technology doesn’t just work — it understands.

Tomorrow, Already Here

As the lights of GITEX glow across Dubai’s skyline, one message resonates: the future isn’t waiting at the horizon — it’s already among us, walking, talking, and even teaching.

Through visionaries like Latifa Alhammadi and innovations like Sanad, Dubai is proving that the next generation of technology will not only think smarter it will care deeper.