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.

Automation is revolutionising the UAE’s labour market services. At the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), human effort has been reduced by 56 per cent, with 175,000 of 310,000 requests between February and October fully automated. Even more impressively, review and approval times for eligible quota requests have been slashed by up to 99 per cent,  from 10 days to just one second.

This dramatic efficiency gain comes from MoHRE’s AI-powered smart work permit system, which automatically verifies eligibility, allocates quotas, and uses predictive models to anticipate workforce needs, all while minimising delays, errors, and manual intervention.

The Ministry says this milestone reflects its technology-driven approach to service development, combining advanced AI solutions, a robust digital infrastructure, and continuous upskilling of employees to manage smart automation effectively. Seamless electronic integration with government partners further enhances speed and reliability.

A standout feature is the AI-powered quota allocation system, which supports business growth by proactively assigning workforce quotas based on an establishment’s operational status and real-time needs. The system ensures companies can meet staffing requirements quickly while streamlining approvals and reducing delays.

Since the start of the year until October, the platform has granted around 900,000 work permit quotas and processed over 11 million transactions through automation. For additional quotas, predictive models automatically approve requests when possible, while cases that exceed certain thresholds are referred to specialised committees.

With self-learning capabilities, the system continuously refines its decision-making by analysing new data and monitoring operational patterns. Over time, this leads to more accurate predictions, smarter approvals, and higher-quality outcomes.

Authorities in the UAE have urged drivers to exercise extreme caution during rain and unstable weather, warning motorists to avoid valleys and watercourses while they are flowing, regardless of how shallow they may appear.

The advisory comes as part of nationwide efforts to curb road accidents during adverse weather, when poor visibility, slippery roads and sudden water build-up significantly increase risks.

Abu Dhabi Police stressed that driving into flooded valleys is a serious traffic violation, carrying a Dh2,000 fine, 23 black points, and vehicle impoundment for 60 days.

Motorists have been advised to check weather updates before heading out, stay away from areas where water accumulates or flows, and strictly follow instructions issued by authorities.

Drivers are also urged to reduce speed, keep safe distances between vehicles and avoid all distractions. Abu Dhabi Police warned against using mobile phones while driving, including filming, and reminded motorists to follow speed limits, road signs and electronic message boards at all times.

Staying alert and following safety guidance, police said, is key to protecting lives during severe weather conditions.