Want to experience life in the year 2071? Head to Dubai’s ‘Museum of The Future’

On International Museums Day, see what Dubai’s Museum of The Future is all about and why it has become a must-visit for most travellers

Ameca looks puzzled. Her eyes flutter as she looks sideways, and ponders at my question: ‘What do you like to eat?’

“I’m not alive, but I need a permanent power supply...” she says. I ask her if she knows Rajinikanth. Unfortunately, Ameca — the world’s most advanced humanoid robot representing the forefront of human-robotics technology — does not. But she is still chatty, humorous and importantly, can almost have a conversation.

A robot with a human-like face, Ameca is one of the many gasp-inducing aspects of Dubai’s Museum of the Future (MOTF). This 77-feet modern architectural marvel, which was opened in February 2022, is among Dubai’s top tourist attractions today, having welcomed over a million visitors from 163 countries.

The building itself is a sight to behold; it stands out among Dubai’s many skyscrapers. Spanning an area of 30,000 square metres, it represents an innovative global intellectual centre. One of the most striking elements lies in the Arabic calligraphy that the entire façade is wrapped in. It also represents quotes from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, and symbolises a journey to the future. One of them reads, “We may not live for hundreds of years, but the products of our creativity can leave a legacy long after we are gone.”

The pillarless structure, we are told, represents an innovative global intellectual centre. “It’s a laboratory designed to foster a spirit of collaborative innovation among the Arab world’s leading scientists to inspire new out-of-the-box solutions for tomorrow’s greatest challenges,” says Majed Al Mansoori – Deputy Executive Director, Museum of the Future.

Past forward

While museums in India and across the world celebrate the past, this unique museum delves into the future. The thought behind that, adds Mansoori, is to ‘act as a gateway to a future world.’ “It is an immersive portal for visitors to study the future. It provides an engaging experience through various technologies, exhibitions and talks designed to encourage visitors to form their own perceptions about future opportunities, whilst inspiring them to design the future they wish to experience,” he says.