Dubai, the city with a skyline straight out of a science-fiction movie, launched plans Wednesday for a "Museum of the Future."
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the new museum, which will provide "a permanent home for the world's greatest innovations," according to Gulf News.
He said the museum is the "first step of many to come" to fulfill a mission to make the United Arab Emirates a global innovation engine.
Today we have launched Museum of the Future, featuring innovation labs and a permanent exhibit for future inventions pic.twitter.com/IfwTIWSRN0— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) March 4, 2015
Emirati Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed al-Gergawi told reporters on Wednesday that the Dubai museum will showcase innovations in design and technology from fields such as transportation, health and education.
Museum of the Future is integrated environment empowering creative minds to test, fund and market ideas for futuristic prototypes & services— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) March 4, 2015
Museum to offer advanced courses and specialized workshops, a destination for the best and brightest inventors and entrepreneurs— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) March 4, 2015
The $136 million project is expected to open in 2017. The curving, oblong -- and of course futuristic-looking -- building will feature poetry written by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and prime minister and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates.
Al-Gergawi said the museum aims to change its exhibits every six months to keep pace with changing technology, aiming "to always be 10 years ahead of today."
Additional reporting by The Associated Press