Cointelegraph attended an electronic dance music concert and spoke with projects at the recent AIBC Dubai event to learn how non-fungible tokens are being used in the United Arab Emirates.

As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to provide a welcoming regulatory framework for blockchain-based technologies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) continue to flourish in the region and are used by projects in a variety of ways.

From concert tickets to research and philanthropy, Cointelegraph traveled to Dubai and Abu Dhabi to explore how NFTs are being used by various crypto projects operating in the UAE.

NFTs help medical researchers harvest data from gamers

A project at Jumeirah Village Circle in Dubai has found a way to use NFTs to obtain data and funding for researchers. At the recent AIBC Dubai conference at Festival City, Cointelegraph spoke with Dmitry Mikhailov, an AI scientist at Farcana Labs, to learn how the company is integrating NFTs into its research.

Mikhailov told Cointelegraph that Farcana collects data from gamers, whom he calls “donors,” in exchange for a small share of future intellectual property. Scientists can collect data and funding for their research projects through what they call “research NFTs,” which are made available to donors and investors. Mikhailov explained:

"For me, as a scientist, as a professor, this is a tremendous way to get funding without having to apply for grants. All you have to do is publish your research, get multiple donors, invest in The researchers showed it and said, look, I can find a new way to detect Alzheimer's disease based on the way you move your mouse."

According to the Farcana Labs team, some of the data collected from players is also sent to Rashid Hospital - a government hospital in the UAE. The data are used to study ways to diagnose Parkinson's disease, dementia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

NFT tickets invade Abu Dhabi rave concert

Ultra Abu Dhabi, an electronic dance music festival that features popular DJs like Calvin Harris and Skrillex, experienced Web3 through NFT tickets provided by Fellaz and BNB Chain. The event takes place on Yas Island, which is home to attractions such as Ferrari World and Yas Marina Circuit, which has hosted the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009.​

Cointelegraph visited the festival on March 5 to learn how NFT tickets work and if there are any differences between traditional tickets and those using blockchain technology. Aside from a few extra steps, like downloading a specific wallet, using NFT tickets is very similar to using regular tickets. However, while the difference may not be directly visible, there are benefits behind the scenes.​

According to Alvin Kan, Director of Growth at BNB Chain, one of the many advantages of NFT tickets compared to traditional ticketing systems is how tickets combat the issue of NFT fraud. He explained:

“NFTs provide a reliable and secure way to verify the authenticity of tickets, ensuring that only those with legitimate tickets can enter.”

Additionally, Kan told Cointelegraph that NFT tickets have other benefits, such as the flexibility to transfer tickets to friends or resell them without having to pay a reseller. For event organizers, Kan noted that they will have an on-chain record of ownership, allowing them to engage more with their audience even after the event is over. “For example, airdropping music-related NFTs to past Ultra attendees, or giving Ultra ticket holders early access to future Ultra events,” he said.

The executive also mentioned that the company plans to integrate NFT tickets into more events in the UAE and globally.​

NFT rewards play a role in philanthropy

Giving back to society and doing charity work is deeply rooted in Emirati culture. The country's leaders spearhead various initiatives, and the government leads social, charitable and humanitarian efforts within and outside the UAE. At the AIBC Dubai conference, Cointelegraph also spoke about a project focused on philanthropy to understand how NFTs can play an important role in their ecosystem.

Philcoin chief marketing officer Tatum April told Cointelegraph how the project works to provide charitable relief to people around the world. April explains that their team uses Web3 technology to provide a platform where users can "earn and give back." The platform offers NFT rewards, and to receive the rewards, people need to give back to a cause they are passionate about. She added:

"Charities and nonprofits have always been a very hidden process. So, a lot of times, your donation to a charity is not easily tracked and traced."

According to April, this is where blockchain technology comes into play. "Blockchain is obviously known for its transparency and efficiency. So bringing philanthropy into that. We see it as a bridge between philanthropy and technology," she added.

Philcoin chief marketing officer Tatum April told Cointelegraph how the project works to provide charitable relief to people around the world. April explains that their team uses Web3 technology to provide a platform where users can "earn and give back." The platform offers NFT rewards, and to receive the rewards, people need to give back to a cause they are passionate about. She added:

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