Sustainability isn’t just something I believe in; it is something I see coming to life in the most exciting ways, thanks to technology. 

Reading about Dr. Samiullah Khan (Dr. Sam) in Gulf Today really hit home. He’s turning belief into action using AI, IoT, and other emerging technologies. This isn’t about theory or one-off green gestures. He’s literally helping reshape how we live and build in a world that urgently needs smarter systems.

What I appreciate most about Dr. Sam’s story is that it’s grounded in values. He grew up in a home where wasting food wasn’t allowed, and even cow dung was part of the family’s composting system. That early exposure to a circular mindset has shaped everything he’s gone on to do. And he’s done a lot, from leading Tata Motors into new markets at a young age to spearheading major green tech initiatives in Dubai. The man doesn’t just talk about sustainability, he builds it.

One of the most impressive things he’s doing right now is bringing smart air handling systems to life using an AI-powered, designed to monitor air quality in real time and cut energy consumption by up to 40%. In a region where indoor cooling is a necessity, that kind of innovation is a game-changer. He’s also behind efforts to generate clean drinking water from desert air using solar-powered air-to-water systems. That blend of renewable energy and environmental engineering. It’s the kind of thinking we need more of.

He’s even looking at how we grow and consume food, with hydroponic greenhouse cafés that can help strengthen food security in climates where traditional farming isn’t always an option. And behind it all are data-sensors, automation, and AI making decisions in real time to make everything more efficient, more sustainable, and more human-centric.

Dr. Sam’s not doing this in a vacuum either. He’s working hand-in-hand with the government, the private sector, and communities. From supporting the “Dubai Can” initiative to eliminate single-use plastic bottles to rethinking waste through advanced recycling and composting systems, he’s showing what it looks like to scale green impact with purpose and precision.

For me, stories like his are a reminder that sustainability and technology aren’t two separate paths; they’re becoming one. And when we harness tools like AI and blockchain with intention, we don’t just improve processes, we create a future that’s actually liveable. Not someday. Now.