Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum met Elon Musk, CEO of X, SpaceX, Tesla and Starlink, for high-level discussions on technology, innovation and the future of humanity, and then surprised social media by sharing a very personal glimpse of the meeting.

The meeting took place at Sheikh Hamdan’s majlis in Nad Al Sheba, in the presence of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.

@faz3’s post steals the spotlight

Sheikh Hamdan set social media buzzing on Sunday after sharing photos of the meeting on his Instagram account @faz3, revealing that he personally drove Elon Musk around Dubai during the visit.

In the caption, the Crown Prince described the interaction as a “multifaceted discussion” covering space exploration, cutting-edge technology and the future of humanity.

“I very much enjoyed a multifaceted discussion with Elon Musk on space, technology and humanity. Excited to see what the future holds,” Sheikh Hamdan wrote.

The candid images offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the meeting, quickly drawing attention from followers across the UAE and beyond.

A conversation about the future

Beyond the viral moment, the meeting focused on the rapid technological transformations reshaping the world and how emerging solutions can be leveraged to support sustainable, inclusive development for humanity.

Discussions also explored how innovation can help address global challenges while shaping a future defined by shared progress and prosperity.

Dubai’s rise as a global tech hub

The talks highlighted Dubai and the UAE’s growing status as global technology and innovation destinations, driven by:

• Forward-looking legislation and regulations
• Early adoption of emerging technologies
• Incentives that attract global talent
• Strong partnerships with leading international tech companies

Dubai’s advanced digital infrastructure and fast-growing digital economy were also cited as key pillars of its success.

AI, future tech and quality of life

Sheikh Hamdan reaffirmed the UAE’s long-term strategy to advance artificial intelligence and future technologies, noting their role in:

• Enhancing quality of life
• Boosting economic competitiveness
• Setting new global benchmarks

He stressed that sustained investment in human capital, alongside global collaboration, continues to fuel the UAE’s thriving innovation ecosystem.

Musk praises UAE’s vision

Elon Musk praised the UAE’s forward-looking leadership and the strides it has made in technology, artificial intelligence and space exploration, wishing continued progress and prosperity for the nation and its people.

Vista Riders captain Sreesanth rolled back the years with a match-turning opening spell, guiding his side to a hard-fought six-run victory over the Aspin Stallions in the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 on Saturday night. Defending 84/9, the Riders struck early through the 43-year-old pacer, who removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Avishka Fernando in the very first over to seize control of the chase.

The win marked Vista’s second victory in three matches, pushing them level on points with the Northern Warriors, whom they face next on Sunday night, and with a game in hand.

Sreesanth, who finished with figures of 2 for 2 in his opening over, credited senior leaders Faf du Plessis and head coach Vijay Dahiya for tactical advice that inspired his spell.

“They told me to try my slow outswing again, and that gave me confidence,” Sreesanth said. 

“I want to improve my fitness, and next year I will be even better. As long as T10 is around, I am around.”

Taking up the captaincy mantle in the high-intensity T10 arena, Sreesanth spoke about his leadership approach, emphasising belief and intent.

“A captain is a leader who just pushes the team to believe in themselves. All formats are just about one ball at a time. I am doing nothing extra, just asking them to keep their josh high.”

He also praised tournament founder Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman of Mulk Holdings and T10 Global Sports, for sustaining cricket’s fastest format.

“T10 is the best and fastest format. To play even at this age, it is for both my kids and my family that they are pushing me.”

The former India star dedicated his Player of the Match performance to his son on his ninth birthday.

“I am 43 years old. If I can do it, anybody can do it. This one is for him.”

Vista Riders now turn their attention to Sunday’s showdown against the Northern Warriors, as the race for early momentum tightens.

The UAE is celebrating a landmark achievement after its national robotics team clinched the coveted Gold Medal at the 2025 First Global Challenge, an event often hailed as the Olympics of Robotics. The competition, held in Panama City from October 28 to November 1, brought together young innovators from 193 countries, making Team UAE’s victory even more remarkable.

In a special ceremony held in Dubai on Saturday, the team was honoured for their outstanding performance, showcasing the UAE’s growing strength in STEM education, youth innovation, and global scientific excellence.

The eight-member team –  Riya Mehra (Dubai College), Aarya Parekh (Delhi Private School Sharjah), Aarush Pancholi (GEMS Modern Academy), Aditya Anand (New Millennium School Al Khail), Krithin Satya (Dubai College), Simran Mehra (Dubai College), Sreya Binoy Nair (GEMS Modern Academy), and Aryan Goyal (DIA Emirates Hill) — spent more than 300 hours preparing for the global challenge.

Their training was powered by Unique World Robotics, Team UAE’s official training partner, which supported the students through mechanical design, programming, and strategic problem-solving to compete on the world stage.

“This victory is a testament to the extraordinary dedication and ingenuity of our young innovators,” said coach Muhammed Mukhtar. 

“They have made the nation proud and shown that UAE students can compete at the highest global level.”

A groundbreaking project with global potential

The winning project, STASH, is an innovative bio preservation system that protects endangered plant species, including the UAE’s iconic Ghaf tree, without the need for electricity or freezing. Instead, it uses sodium alginate hydrogels to encase living cells in small, portable beads that remain viable for up to five days.

The system is paired with a 3D-printed field kit and AI-powered viability analysis, creating a low-cost, eco-friendly solution that can be deployed anywhere in the world, especially in remote regions.

The project impressed a distinguished panel of judges that included experts from MIT and scientists from Lam Research, who commended the team for its creativity, sustainability, and global applicability.

Team Captain Aarush Pancholi reflected on the accomplishment: “Winning Gold was the result of countless hours of collaboration and experimentation. We’re proud not just of the medal, but of building something that can make a real difference for biodiversity and communities worldwide.”

A milestone for the UAE’s innovation journey

National Organiser Bansan Thomas George praised the team’s achievement, noting that Team UAE’s success reflects the country’s long-standing commitment to STEM education and youth empowerment.

“Their work on STASH demonstrates not only technical brilliance but also a vision for sustainable solutions that benefit the world,” he said.

With this victory, Team UAE continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers, reinforcing the nation’s strategy of investing in future-ready talent.