Emerging technology and air pollution on agenda for World Economic Forum's 'giant brainstorm' in Dubai

Some of the top thinkers in their fields will attend the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils this week

Hundreds of delegates will attend the World Economic Forum's annual meeting of the Global Future Councils at Madinat Jumeirah this week. Denis Balibouse / Reuters

Tackling air pollution in choked cities and regulating disruptive technology that will change our lives are among the burning issues to be discussed at a major World Economic Forum event in Dubai this week.

Hundreds of delegates will attend the annual meeting of the Global Future Councils as business leaders, academics and government ministers meet at the Madinat Jumeirah complex.

The event is a key milestone for the WEF ahead of the annual meeting in Davos in January.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Future, Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, and Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, are among the Emirati ministers attending.

Sessions include how the world can create a trusted global kryptocurrency, ensuring social mobility in all societies and how countries can pursue development in a sustainable way.

The councils are group of experts who come together to think about what future we are heading towards and what action we need to take action to put us on a better path.

Each has about 20 members, and they are drawn from academia, business, government and civil society. The Forum hosts 38 councils who focus on topics ranging from biodiversity, technology governance, cities and mental health.

Members advise on the initiatives that the Forum is involved in, for example how to close the gender gap or tackle climate change

The Global Future Councils event gets under way on Sunday with an opening address from Mr Al Gergawi and Borge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum.