Locked indoors due to social distancing, residents of the UAE moved ahead with a mass migration towards the digital realm in a connected ecosystem, via smartphone apps for daily tasks, digital transactions, telemedicine and online education. The availability of a tech infrastructure, paired with the accessibility to sophisticated hardware, has enabled people to conduct meetings, interact with family, host art exhibitions and even participate in concerts, via video conferencing and virtual reality.

Netizens across the globe are able to visit historic sites in the Middle East, which have been recreated digitally via high-tech imaging, while people were able to roam the corridors of virtual art galleries by creating avatars of themselves. After emerging as a formidable solution for remote work as well as online events, 3D digital twins are being pitched as a game changer for the Emirati construction sector, by an American firm, in collaboration with Dubai-based ShaikhTech.

Showcased at the GITEX tech week last month, the 3D replica technology is backed by AI and has the capability to create virtual ecosystems which are made realistic via 4K image quality. The solution which can be used for any major industry, is being touted as a revolutionary addition to the booming real estate sector, since it can facilitate remote site visits.

Not only does it allow buyers to get a closer and clearer look at a property from tne comfort of their home, the tool also boosts inspection as well as maintenance of sites. The immersive experience is crafted effortlessly and with high precision, since artificial intelligence is the architect behind these digital structures.

The solution is also an efficient option for reducing the carbon footprint of UAE's construction sector, while facilitating collaborations via swift communication. ShaikhTech, which unveiled the technology in Dubai, has also been providing digital tools for hospitality, tourism and media among other sectors.

The introduction of Matterport's AI 3D digital twin creator coincides with a French startup pitching teleportation made possible via high quality imaging tech.