Dubai: Dubai Festival City Mall, part of Al-Futtaim Malls, is proud to announce the upcoming opening of its latest entertainment attraction, a cutting-edge multiplex operated by VOX Cinemas, the dedicated cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim.Film enthusiasts can enjoy the latest blockbusters at VOX Cinemas at Dubai Festival City Mall, which boasts modern auditoriums with cutting-edge audio-visual technology. To complement the moviegoing experience, VOX Cinemas has a dedicated Candy Corner serving its delicious signature popcorn, which is available in seven unique flavours, a selection of candy bars, along with other mouth-watering treats like burgers, hot dogs, pizzas and nachos.VOX Cinemas at Dubai Festival City will introduce its signature concepts later in the year including GOLD, a luxury experience which seamlessly blends gourmet dining with film.Commenting on the announcement, Hayssam Hajjar, General Manager of Al-Futtaim Malls – UAE, said: “We are delighted to join forces with the Middle East's top cinema exhibitor, VOX Cinemas, in launching this state-of-the-art multiplex at Dubai Festival City Mall. This achievement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to our visitors while reinforcing our position as a leading shopping, dining and entertainment destination in the region." Mohamed Al Hashemi, Country Head – UAE and Oman, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment added, “The mall is no longer just a shopping destination. It is a social hub for family and friends, and today’s consumers expect a strong leisure and entertainment offering that they can’t get at home. VOX Cinemas is proud to partner with Al-Futtaim Malls to offer guests an innovative and customer-focused cinema experience, which features the latest cinematic technology and a range of signature concepts to appeal to our diverse audiences.” With over 600 cinema screens in the Middle East, VOX Cinemas is the largest cinema exhibitor in the region. The newest addition at Dubai Festival City Mall is the brand's 22nd cinema in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (ADCCI) Board of Directors has appointed Ahmed Khalifa Al Qubaisi as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), bolstering the chamber’s senior management team and its strategic mission of empowering businesses and enabling the business community to reach its full potential.By employing his long experience in driving business transformation, Al Qubaisi's primary focus will be to establish a resilient and interconnected business community to realise the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. He will play a pivotal role in supporting the Abu Dhabi Chamber in achieving its vision of strengthening the business community and positioning Abu Dhabi as the preferred choice for businesses and talent in the MENA region by 2025.With more than two decades of experience in business, investment, and strategy, Al Qubaisi brings a wealth of expertise, complemented by an extensive network of stakeholders and regulatory bodies. Prior to joining ADCCI, he held executive leadership positions in finance and investment at the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and was a fundamental member of the company’s leadership team. Additionally, Al Qubaisi has garnered international experience through his tenure with British Petroleum (BP) and Ernst & Young (EY).His Excellency Abdulla Mohamed Al Mazrui, Chairman of ADCCI, said: “We are delighted to announce Ahmed Khalifa Al Qubaisi as the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer. Al Qubaisi will play a key role in strengthening the business community and contributing to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s economy by forging partnerships and fostering engagement with the business community. His appointment is a testament to the chamber’s keenness to attract the highest levels of competencies, who are able to realise the visions of our wise leadership in promoting the emirate of Abu Dhabi as the go-to destination for businesses and a highly regarded business hub on the world competitiveness map.“This strategic decision comes in line with the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s new three-year strategy 2023-2025 in cementing the chamber’s position as the voice of the private sector and enhancing its role as a policy advocator, a networker, and a service provider.“On this occasion, we would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our former Director-General, Mohamed Helal Al Mheiri for his exceptional contribution over the years, which played a key role in driving our success. Al Mheiri was an exceptional leader and an inspirational figure to everyone who has worked with the chamber. With his steadfast dedication, Al Mheiri played a key role in shaping the chamber’s journey of success and realising several achievements and progress. Under his leadership, the Chamber launched successful projects and leading initiatives centred on excellence.”Ahmed Khalifa Al Qubaisi, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of ADCCI, said: “I am honoured to be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, this economic monument that enjoys a prestigious place within the business community locally and internationally, and look forward to building upon the chamber’s strong foundations to support and empower the business community. Through working hand-in-hand with the chamber’s highly qualified and skilled team, I am confident that together we can unlock the full potential of businesses, and drive sustainable economic development and growth in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.”Al Qubaisi is a Certified Corporate Director from Harvard Business School (HBS). He served as a board member for Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, ADNOC Distribution and ADNOC Refining, while also chairing multiple executive committees, audit committees and finance committees. Al Qubaisi holds a Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) degree from INSEAD Business School. Additionally, he has completed Senior Executive Leadership Program from Harvard Business School, and earned executive leadership and management certificates from University of Oxford and IMD Business School.

Dubai – Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, has participated in GITEX Africa to engage with startups, incubators, and accelerators seeking to collaborate with the emirate to access global markets.As part of its participation in the exhibition, the chamber held more than 50 meetings with digital startups, multinational companies, and other businesses interested in benefiting from the emirate's advanced digital economy ecosystem and establishing their presence in Dubai.Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, delivered a keynote speech during the event about the benefits of setting up a business in Dubai and the role of the chamber in enhancing the emirate’s digital economy. Al Gergawi also contributed to an insightful panel discussion on key strategies to build a robust and resilient startup ecosystem that supports sustainable economic growth.The chamber’s participation in GITEX Africa supported its goals of attracting high-potential tech companies, international businesses, and investments to the emirate and provided a platform to promote the upcoming Expand North Star event, which will be hosted in Dubai this October.   Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy aims to position the emirate as one of the world’s most agile and diversified technology-enabled digital hubs. The chamber plays an instrumental role in cementing Dubai’s digital leadership by attracting top global companies and talent within the sector and ensuring they can thrive in the emirate.Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy consistently works to amplify the success of Dubai’s digital ecosystem through various initiatives designed to attract startups and unicorns to the emirate. The launch of the Expand North Star Summit, an international event aimed at showcasing Dubai’s competitive advantages to digital companies while connecting venture capital investors with Dubai’s digital leaders, further builds on this success.The GITEX Africa exhibition was the first GITEX event to be held outside Dubai. Hosted in Morocco, the African continent’s largest all-inclusive tech event connected leading global tech companies, governments, SMEs, start-ups, coders, investors, and academia, to accelerate, collaborate, and explore new opportunities.Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, aims to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global leader in digital economy, attract specialised talent, leading companies and new investments and create a stimulating environment that supports the growth of digital companies. The Chamber was established by a decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Dubai: Emirates, the world’s largest airline and Etoile Sportive du Sahel, one of the most decorated football and basketball sports clubs in Tunisia, have signed a new sponsorship deal, which will see Emirates become the official airline sponsor of the Club, starting from the 2023-24 season.The agreement underscores Emirates’ ongoing commitment to growing the sport of football and connecting to a new base of fans in North Africa. In addition to football, Emirates will also be supporting the main indoor sporting teams which includes basketball, volleyball and handball. Emirates branding will be prominently placed on the Etoile Sportive du Sahel Club’s first team jerseys, training kits, as well as all indoor sports kits from the start of the 2023-2024 season.Emirates will also enjoy a wide-range of other benefits including: advertising and branding rights in the club’s stadium and indoor sports facilities, digital and social media activation rights, hospitality, meet and greet access to the athletes; and prominent visibility across the Sousse Olympic Stadium and training ground and indoor sports arena.Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Badr Abbas, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Africa, Emirates, said, “We are pleased to partner with Etoile Sportive du Sahel, a football powerhouse in Africa, and a formidable force in international basketball. Amplifying our brand message on jerseys across their different sports divisions will help to create more meaningful connections with sports fan bases in Tunis and across Africa. Our partnership with Etoile du Sahel is also a testament of our support and long-standing involvement with football and we’re also keen to connect with fans of indoor sports including basketball, volleyball and handball that are fast gaining popularity in Tunisia. Etoile du Sahel has great local and regional appeal, and as a brand, we’re proud to bring together ardent fans and teams, expand the reach of the club, while nurturing upcoming talent.”Mr. M Othman JENAYAH, Etoile du Sahel said, “As the president of Etoile Sportive du Sahel, I am happy to announce this great partnership with Emirates. This collaboration signifies our shared passion for the beautiful game and our mutual dedication to fostering the growth of football in Tunisia and beyond.We are proud to have the world’s largest airline, Emirates as the official sponsor of Etoile Sportive du Sahel. This partnership marks a momentous milestone in our club's history, as we proudly display the renowned Emirates brand on our jerseys. We are excited to join forces with a global company that shares our commitment to excellence, both on and off the field.Emirates' support and recognition of Etoile Sportive du Sahel is a testament to our club's remarkable legacy and this partnership not only strengthens our position as a prominent force in African football but also amplifies our visibility on an international scale.”Etoile du Sahel is one of the most glorious and multisport Tunisian club, known primarily by its football, basketball, handball and volleyball teams. L’Etoile stands for its worldwide performances and has won several championships, cups and super cups at the national, African and Arab level.Having won more CAF trophies than any other Tunisian team, the club has been crowned the top title of CAF Champions League, has earned 2 CAF Super Cup titles, 4 CAF Confederation Cup titles and 2 African Winners' Cup.It has been listed as one of the most valuable football clubs in Africa and one of the most widely supported teams in the continent.Emirates’ sponsorship portfolio is made of top sporting clubs, tournaments and high profile cultural events worldwide, and it remains committed to supporting sports, entertainment, music, culture and arts initiatives in the communities it serves. The airline supports an impressive roster of high profile football clubs and events including Arsenal FC, Olympique Lyonnais, Real Madrid FC, AC Milan, Olympiacos FC, S.L Benfica, The Emirates FA Cup, and the Asian Football Confederation.Emirates’ involvement in basketball began more than 32 years ago, when it partnered with the UAE Basketball Association as Sponsor and Official Airline, benefitting from multifaceted branding and marketing rights across its events. The airline has also sponsored the Dubai International Basketball Championship for 28 years, in addition to helping bring the FIBA World Championship to the UAE. Basketball teams sponsored by Emirates, both men’s and women’s divisions, have won the International Basketball Championship multiple times. Emirates has sponsored the Lebanese Basketball League and top division teams through its support of the Beirut Basketb

Dubai: PRCA MENA, the professional body for PR and communications practitioners in the Middle East and North Africa, organised a Leaders’ Breakfast which brought together industry leaders and top-level executives for a morning of insightful discussions and valuable networking opportunities.This occasion took place at Fouquet’s in Downtown, Dubai, gathering over 20 esteemed members representing various agencies and organisations within the PR industry. PRCA MENA Leaders’ Breakfast serves as a platform for influential leaders to connect, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends and developments shaping the PR landscape.Alnura Belyalova, Director of Public Relations, Luna PR, said, “The PRCA MENA Leaders Breakfast is a great place for networking. It helps to reconnect with industry peers and make new invaluable connections. I look forward to the great collaborations that lie ahead.”Petra B Spanko, Regional Director at Katch International, added, “Attending my first Leaders Breakfast with PRCA MENA was a remarkable experience. The event had a fantastic crowd, and I thoroughly enjoyed engaging in valuable discussions with industry peers. It was a great opportunity to exchange insights and perspectives, further strengthening my professional network. I look forward to future events and continued collaboration within the PRCA MENA community.”John Rynehart, Managing Director at Seven Media, commented "It was a pleasure to be part of this exclusive event. The opportunity to engage with industry peers and share experiences was invaluable.”Ahmad Itani, CEO at C&B and PRCA MENA Chair of the Board, shared his appreciation for the event, saying, "The PRCA MENA Leaders Breakfast was an excellent opportunity to engage with the industry’s thought leaders in an intimate setting. The discussions and networking opportunities provided valuable insights and opened doors to potential collaborations.”Monika Fourneaux, Head of PRCA EMEA, emphasised the importance of the event, stating, "The PRCA MENA Leaders Breakfast is a remarkable assembly of C-level executives in the PR industry. We take pride in providing a platform for industry leaders to connect, exchange insights, and establish valuable relationships. The event exemplifies PRCA MENA's dedication to advancing the PR profession in the region."PRCA MENA remains committed to organising events that facilitate networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among PR professionals across the region. By providing exclusive platforms for industry leaders, PRCA MENA continues to elevate the standards of the PR profession and drive its growth and success in the Middle East and North Africa.”

Riyadh: In a remarkable feat, Saudi Arabia has achieved its inaugural Grand Prix victory at the esteemed Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.Wunderman Thompson Riyadh emerged triumphant, securing the Grand Prix in Creative Commerce for their groundbreaking 'Subconscious Order' campaign executed for HungerStation.Rayyan Aoun, Executive Creative Director of Wunderman Thompson KSA, expressed his enthusiasm, describing this achievement as a pivotal milestone for Saudi Arabia.Aoun further emphasized the historic significance of this triumph, highlighting that it marks the first time a campaign from the Kingdom has ever clinched the prestigious Grand Prix, a globally recognized accolade for creative excellence.Through a collaborative effort with Wunderman Thompson's global creative data team, the campaign ingeniously combines consumer insights and cutting-edge technology to deliver an enhanced consumer experience.The 'Subconscious Order' app, designed to tap into users' subconscious minds by tracking their eye movements, assists them in deciding the type of food they desire most at any given moment.The underlying objective of the campaign, as described by Wunderman Thompson, is to alleviate the frustrations associated with decision fatigue that consumers often encounter when choosing their meals.Nancy Crimi-Lamanna, Jury President of the Creative Commerce Lions, commended the campaign's transformative approach, remarking how it transcends the transactional realm to evoke emotional connections. Furthermore, the campaign successfully addresses the challenge of choice overload, thereby facilitating the discovery of new food options and places to order from.Crimi-Lamanna further noted the importance for brands to provide substantial value in exchange for individuals sharing their facial data, and she commended 'Subconscious Order' for accomplishing this feat admirably. She lauded the campaign as a remarkable example of leveraging AI in commerce, demonstrating a bold and courageous endeavor to redefine the user experience.

Dubai: More than 170 government employees in Dubai have been trained to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their work, as part of a course held by the Dubai Future Academy, an initiative of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).The course was held following a recent announcement by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, launching the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI). The centre was launched with the aim of making Dubai’s government the best in the world in employing AI in its operations.The intensive course introduced participants to some of the best and most innovative generative AI tools currently available, as well as the areas in which advanced technology applications can enhance the performance of government agencies and the quality of their services.Abdulaziz AlJaziri, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer of DFF, said: “This course provided an opportunity for some of our brightest national talents working within government to learn about various global practices and success stories in AI. They also learnt about many recent trends and innovations in AI that will shape, advance and support government work in the future.”AlJaziri said: "This initiative supports the objectives of the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence by empowering government employees with the latest skills and expertise to develop effective uses of AI. This will help teams to enhance the performance of the government sector, making Dubai and its government the best in the world in this field."Harnessing AI for goodThe course focused on 7 main pillars covering the basics of generative AI, the most important current applications and successful use cases, as well as how to take advantage of AI tools such as ChatGPT in decision-making, establishing new companies, enhancing economic competitiveness, and developing creative sectors. The course also emphasised the need to expedite legislation and policies to match the rapid technological strides being made across multiple sectors.Dubai: a global centre for AIThe experts leading the course highlighted that Dubai possesses all the essential elements to emerge as a significant global hub for adopting and fostering AI applications within government. This potential is partially attributed to its visionary approach, which emphasizes preparedness for the swift global changes we are currently experiencing.Instant engineering and AI legislationVivek Pandey, Generative Artificial Intelligence Product Manager at Meta, presented a special session during the day-long course. He focused on defining the concept of real-time engineering and the need to develop regulatory legislation and policies for AI usage to ensure the highest levels of efficiency, privacy and data protection.Vivek Pandey, said: “Much like computer literacy was the key to productivity a few decades ago, I firmly believe that the workforce of the future will be differentiated by those who can work with AI and those who cannot. The Dubai Future Foundation’s class provided an excellent head-start towards this future and a solid foundation to build upon about the opportunities, development processes, and uses of Generative AI. It was an absolute pleasure to engage with a talented, curious, and enthusiastic audience, and I am grateful for the experience.”Dr. Ahmed Alali, Co-Founder of DeepOpinion AI, a tech startup pioneering intelligent automation, said: “Generative AI is a breakthrough in modern technology that makes AI more accessible than ever, boosting the productivity of individuals and organisations across all sectors. This is a moment that will lay the foundation for a new economic era where work will evolve to become a hybrid model between humans and AI co-workers. At DeepOpinion, we made it our mission to bring AI co-workers to every team on the planet.”He added: “The course is designed by AI leaders to be practical and interactive by focusing on success stories, high impact applications and use cases that participants can take back to their organizations.”João Ferrão dos Santos, Founder of AIsthetic Apparel, the first startup to appoint ChatGPT as its CEO, said: “Generative AI has revolutionized the business landscape. It's levelling the playing field and opening a world of cost-effective opportunities for entrepreneurs. To create quality work, companies will not use AI to replace human expertise, but augment it – AI is a powerful tool whose true potential can be harnessed in the hands of experienced professionals.“This masterclass, organized by the forward-focused Dubai Future Foundation, was an opportunity for participants to delve deep into the transformative world of generative AI. Attendees gained practical insight into how founders leverage AI to drive their businesses forward, and how companies will fight for growth in a new economy where every industry player will be using AI to compete globally."For his part, Boris Eldagsen, creator of the first AI generated image to win the World Photography Award, said: “AI is a knowledge amplifier. Especially in text-prompting, AI works with the knowledge and experience of the single user. Thus, this could be the first technological revolution where senior citizens have a clear advantage.”AI and the government sectorDCAI, headquartered at AREA 2071 in Emirates Towers, aims to assist government entities in deploying future technologies across key sectors. The Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Media Council and Dubai  Digital Authority will oversee the implementation of the goals and outcomes of DCAI. These entities will work in collaboration with the relevant authorities to ensure the successful realization of the centre’s objectives.Key areas of focus include developing legislation pertaining to AI applications, attracting leading global technological solutions, and nurturing local talent to bolster national capabilities in the field. The launch of the centre is in implementation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s directives to apply the latest AI technologies in varied sectors.

In a significant stride towards a tech-driven future, Dubai has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to technological advancement with the recent launch of the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI).Launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the ground breaking initiative further strengthens Dubai's status as one of the world's most technologically advanced cities. The DCAI is poised to revolutionise the deployment of future technologies across key sectors, empowering government entities to embrace the transformative power of AI and generative AI tools to enhance productivity and optimise government services. Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the emirate has consistently set its sights on becoming a global leader in preparing for emerging opportunities and challenges while actively shaping the future. With this launch, Dubai takes yet another leap forward in its rapid adoption of AI and future technologies, remaining in perfect sync with the ever-evolving landscape of global technology innovation.In another recent launch by HH Sheikh Hamdan, Dubai’s Digital Strategy is going to set the stage for a new era of digital transformation, in line with the leadership’s vision to position Dubai as a global role model in the sector.Dubai's trailblazing journey towards a tech-driven future is not only propelling it as one of the world's most technologically advanced cities but also aligning seamlessly with the transformative objectives outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. The launch of D33 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, set in motion a new phase of development with ambitious strategic goals aimed at strengthening Dubai's economic leadership and serving as a global model for progress in various sectors.A core objective of the D33 is to increase the added economic value derived from Dubai's long-standing digital transformation journey, which has already achieved remarkable advancements over the years. Recognising the critical importance of digital transformation, the directive within the economic agenda sets a target of reaching an annual added economic value of AED100 billion from digital transformation initiatives over the next decade. This ambitious endeavour aims to reinforce Dubai's status as a global hub of the digital economy while establishing its influential role as a significant contributor to the global digital ecosystem.The city's comprehensive digital infrastructure, forward-thinking leadership and thriving ecosystem of tech start-ups position it at the forefront of innovation. As Dubai embraces transformative technologies across sectors such as transportation, logistics, trade, sustainability, retail and finance, it not only elevates its own status but also showcases to the world the potential for creating a thriving, technologically advanced society.By nurturing a conducive ecosystem, leveraging legislative support, and implementing strategic plans, Dubai has created an environment where innovation flourishes, empowering the city's strategic sectors to seize the boundless opportunities presented by the digital age.Unified digital platformsSignificant efforts were made to bolster the emirate’s commercial sector by extending support to businesses and offering a comprehensive range of digital services. These services aim to simplify the process for business owners, investors, and companies in establishing and managing their commercial projects within the emirate. With the introduction of the 'Invest in Dubai' platform in 2021, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, has played a pivotal role in fostering strong growth within the trade sector. This platform serves as a unified digital platform for setting up businesses, reaffirming Dubai's status as a global investment destination and the preferred choice for both local and international investors and entrepreneurs.The 'Invest in Dubai' platform provides a seamless and efficient experience for conducting business, aligning with the Digital Dubai approach. As the largest unified platform, it grants investors the opportunity to obtain trade licenses and commence business operations within minutes. Dubai's concerted efforts to promote investment and trade have become compelling incentives for technology companies worldwide to capitalise on the facilities offered by the emirate. These initiatives have been unveiled by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy as part of its strategic plans for the upcoming phase. The Chamber aims to attract 300 digital start-ups to Dubai by the end of 2024, alongside over 100 international experts specialising in advanced technologies. Moreover, the Chamber is actively involved in enhancing laws and policies that foster the growth of the digital economy, promoting digital transformation within local companies, and creating an improved business environment to attract global digital enterprises. These endeavours significantly contribute to the realisation of Dubai's economic agenda outlined in D33.In its ongoing commitment to enhancing the efficiency of its government sectors and achieving optimal performance, the city has also introduced a ground breaking digital platform that facilitates immediate strategic communication among government leaders. This platform, known as “Hub Nub,” is a smart application developed by the Digital Dubai Authority. It serves as a global exemplar in adopting cutting-edge solutions that ensure swift decision-making and high-quality performance within government operations.In another initiative, DubaiNow has emerged as a crucial application in Dubai, offering a wide range of services with exceptional quality and reliability. Aligned with the digital vision of the Dubai Government, this app serves as a unified digital channel, streamlining numerous essential applications for users. With over 170 services provided by over 35 government and private entities, DubaiNow simplifies and enhances user experiences.The application has witnessed remarkable success, with more than 20 million transactions completed, amounting to a value exceeding AED10 billion since its launch. Last year alone, DubaiNow facilitated four million digital payment transactions, totalling AED2 billion.Dubai has been committed to fostering entrepreneurship in the technology sector and has outlined comprehensive plans to support start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) over the next decade. The objective is to facilitate their complete digital transformation and encourage the automation of their processes. To achieve this, Dubai has introduced a range of programmes and initiatives designed to train entrepreneurs, help them utilise innovative ideas that promote digital transformation and enhance their tools. One notable initiative is SANDBOX, established by Dubai Silicon Oasis, the integrated technology free zone.The initiative is the first of its kind in the MENA region, offering support to early-stage tech start-ups scale and raise funds. By providing a nurturing environment and essential resources, SANDBOX empowers start-ups to thrive and grow in the dynamic tech landscape.As part of efforts to foster Dubai’s digital transformation, Digital Dubai Authority established the region’s first-of-its-kind AI Lab that seeks to accelerate the city’s emergence as the smartest city in the world. Launched in collaboration with IBM, the pioneering initiative aims to leverage AI technology to create an efficient and effective government system, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors.The city’s relentless pursuit of digital transformation is reflected in its ongoing unveiling of new initiatives and projects. With a focus on optimising innovative solutions, accelerating development rates and enhancing the quality of life, the emirate strives to maintain its status as the world's top city to live, work and visit. Through these efforts, Dubai continually adapts to the evolving needs of its diverse community, providing exceptional services that meet the highest standards.

DUBAI, UAE — INFINITI today announces a comprehensive brand refresh to enhance customer connection and deliver ‘thoughtful hospitality’ across all touch points.Central to the update is a new global retail architecture design, in concert with an evolved brand logo and new multisensory signature.The new look and feel draws inspiration from the brand’s Japanese heritage and reflects INFINITI’s long held belief, that personal and rewarding experiences are more important than the car alone. “The evolved look and feel uplifts INFINITI’s signature total ownership experience and sets the scene for a bright new era for the brand” said Asako Hoshino, executive vice president, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. “We believe true luxury is simple, personal, and memorable. These updates are targeted at delivering a deeper connection with our valued customers.”New Retail ArchitectureINFINITI’s new retail architecture, led by the INFINITI global design team, based in Atsugi, Japan, blends a clean, minimalist exterior with an open, light-filled interior. A key to bringing to life INFINITI’s signature Total Ownership Experience, the company is committed to offering physical retail spaces that allow valued customers the opportunity to connect and interact with the brand.Drawing inspiration from Japanese design philosophies, the new architecture pays homage to the brand's rich heritage while providing a truly immersive experience for customers.The overarching design embodies the Japanese concept of “Ma,” a philosophy that considers the space between things. Unlike the Western construct of minimalism, Ma embraces empty space in an additive capacity — to ensure balance between all elements.The exterior façade features a distinctive deep eave along the roofline that purposefully creates shadow and controls direct sunlight into the showroom. Inside, the showroom has been reimagined to enhance the feeling of spaciousness and support a seamless journey for the customer.“We tasked our talented design team with creating a refreshed retail environment that reflects a new era for INFINITI,” said Sam Xin, global divisional general manager, INFINITI Brand. “The result is a bright, welcoming space where customers can experience thoughtful hospitality when engaging and interacting with our brand”Refreshed brand logoSince INFINITI’s inception in 1989, the brand’s logo has drawn inspiration from the infinite road to the horizon, reflecting the forward-facing direction of a brand born to challenge convention, as well as the drivers with the same attitude.   The evolved logo unveiled today, the fourth iteration in the brand’s history, places greater focus on the “infinite road” and horizon line, complimented by revised INFINITI wordmark spacing, that visually accentuates the horizon.“Our aim was to subtly evolve the INFINITI logo in support of the bright new chapter that lays ahead” said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president of global Design. “Adding greater emphasis to the point where the infinite road intersects with the horizon, we are showcasing our steadfast commitment to always look forward to the future and to new horizons.” A new three-dimensional INFINITI emblem will adorn production vehicles of the future - bringing added depth, while expressing dynamism, motion, and power. As the visual focal point on the front of future INFINITI vehicles, the logo boldly announces their arrival, with illumination that elevates the bright road to the horizon. An invigorating new multisensory signatureExperiences are always more memorable and stimulating when more than one sense is engaged. In addition to a refreshed visual identity, INFINITI today introduces a new multisensory signature, encompassing scent and sonic elements, to create another dimension of connection with customers.New signature scent evokes a Japanese forestScents can transport people to memories of places visited, as well as those they can only imagine. To deliver a subtle feeling of Japan – a source of inspiration for INFINITI - to guests around the world, the brand announced a new signature scent for use at brand events, as well as for optional diffusion within retail showrooms.INFINITI’s new signature scent is both invigorating and calming, reflecting opposites working in harmony to deliver something even more profound. The scent evokes a Japanese forest, with hints of Hinoki wood (Japanese cypress), sugi (Japanese cedar) and yuzu (Japanese citrus). The INFINITI signature scent is crafted by a master scent designer in Japan and is 100% sustainably sourced and organic. New signature sound leverages human voice and sounds from JapanTo capture the feeling of INFINITI through sound, the brand today released its own brand master track, titled “Moment of Tranquility”, serving as the foundation for a new sound logo (sonic), as well as for use at future brand activations and in-car experiences. The sound logo creates a sense of anticipation by marrying powerful Japanese musical elements with more serene sounds to deliver a harmonious balance. A taiko drum, the embodiment of human performance and power, contrasts with a soft furin (Japanese wind chime), an instrument played only by the wind, to add a layer of tranquility and refinement. True to INFINITI’s brand value of “Human”, the sound is anchored around a female voice humming as a signal to all senses that something exciting is about to happen.Experience the new look and feel from todayVisitors to INFINITI’s digital channels can see the brand’s evolved visual identity from today, and guests to selected retail locations within the U.S., Mexico and Middle East, can experience the new retail design from this month onwards.Customers in Doha, Qatar, Monterrey, Mexico, Downtown Los Angeles and Georgetown, Texas will be amongst the first to experience the new INFINITI showroom layout and aesthetic.Additional INFINITI sites within the America’s and Middle East are scheduled to be refreshed later this year, with locations across the globe to be updated over time.

Dubai: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) today announced it has entered the AI cloud market through the expansion of its HPE GreenLake portfolio to offer large language models for any enterprise, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, to access on-demand in a multi-tenant supercomputing cloud service.With the introduction of HPE GreenLake for Large Language Models (LLMs), enterprises can privately train, tune, and deploy large-scale AI using a sustainable supercomputing platform that combines HPE’s AI software and market-leading supercomputers. HPE GreenLake for LLMs will be delivered in partnership with HPE’s first partner Aleph Alpha, a German AI startup, to provide users with a field-proven and ready-to-use LLM to power use cases requiring text and image processing and analysis.HPE GreenLake for LLMs is the first in a series of industry and domain-specific AI applications that HPE plans to launch in the future. These applications will include support for climate modeling, healthcare and life sciences, financial services, manufacturing, and transportation.  “We have reached a generational market shift in AI that will be as transformational as the web, mobile, and cloud,” said Antonio Neri, president and CEO, at HPE. “HPE is making AI, once the domain of well-funded government labs and the global cloud giants, accessible to all by delivering a range of AI applications, starting with large language models, that run on HPE’s proven, sustainable supercomputers. Now, organizations can embrace AI to drive innovation, disrupt markets, and achieve breakthroughs with an on-demand cloud service that trains, tunes, and deploys models, at scale and responsibly.” HPE is the global leader and expert in supercomputing, which powers unprecedented levels of performance and scale for AI, including breaking the exascale speed barrier with the world’s fastest supercomputer, Frontier. Unlike general-purpose cloud offerings that run multiple workloads in parallel, HPE GreenLake for LLMs runs on an AI-native architecture uniquely designed to run a single large-scale AI training and simulation workload, and at full computing capacity. The offering will support AI and HPC jobs on hundreds or thousands of CPUs or GPUs at once. This capability is significantly more effective, reliable, and efficient to train AI and create more accurate models, allowing enterprises to speed up their journey from POC to production to solve problems faster. Introducing HPE GreenLake for LLMs, the first in a series of AI applications HPE GreenLake for LLMs will include access to Luminous, a pre-trained large language model from Aleph Alpha, which is offered in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. The LLM allows customers to leverage their own data, train and fine-tune a customized model, to gain real-time insights based on their proprietary knowledge. This service empowers enterprises to build and market various AI applications to integrate them into their workflows and unlock business and research-driven value. “By using HPE’s supercomputers and AI software, we efficiently and quickly trained Luminous, a large language model for critical businesses such as banks, hospitals, and law firms to use as a digital assistant to speed up decision-making and save time and resources,” said Jonas Andrulis, founder and CEO, Aleph Alpha. “We are proud to be a launch partner on HPE GreenLake for Large Language Models, and we look forward to expanding our collaboration with HPE to extend Luminous to the cloud and offer it as a-service to our end customers to fuel new applications for business and research initiatives.”HPE provides supercomputing scale for AI training, tuning and deployment HPE GreenLake for LLMs will be available on-demand, running on the world’s most powerful, sustainable supercomputers, HPE Cray XD supercomputers, removing the need for customers to purchase and manage a supercomputer of their own which is typically costly, complex and requires specific expertise. The offering leverages the HPE Cray Programming Environment, a fully integrated software suite to optimize HPC and AI applications, with a complete set of tools for developing, porting, debugging, and tuning code.In addition, the supercomputing platform provides support for HPE’s AI/ML software which includes the HPE Machine Learning Development Environment to rapidly train large-scale models, and HPE Machine Learning Data Management Software to integrate, track, and audit data with reproducible AI capabilities to generate trustworthy and accurate models. HPE GreenLake for LLMs runs on sustainable computing HPE is committed to delivering sustainable computing for its customers. HPE GreenLake for LLMs will run in colocation facilities, such as with QScale in North America as the first region to deliver purpose-built design to support the scale and capacity of supercomputing with nearly 100% renewable energy.1Availability HPE is accepting orders now for HPE GreenLake for LLMs and expects additional availability by the end of the calendar year 2023, starting in North America with availability in Europe expected to follow early next year. HPE also today announced an expansion to its AI inferencing compute solutions. The new HPE ProLiant Gen11 servers are optimized for AI workloads, using advanced GPUs. The HPE ProLiant DL380a and DL320 Gen11 servers boost AI inference performance by more than 5X over previous models.2 For more information, please visits HPE ProLiant Servers for AI. HPE Services provides a comprehensive portfolio of services spanning strategy and design, operations, and management for AI initiatives.For more information on HPE GreenLake for Large Language Models (LLMs), please visit: https://www.hpe.com/greenlake/llm 

Google has announced the pilot launch of an experimental AI tool aimed at generating draft replies to user comments on YouTube. This initiative is part of a larger social campaign designed to enhance user engagement and foster meaningful interactions within the YouTube community.The objective of this AI tool is not to replace human creativity but rather to empower and liberate it. By leveraging the capabilities of artificial intelligence, Google aims to enable users to draft thoughtful and engaging replies with greater ease and efficiency. The tool will serve as a valuable resource for creators and users alike, providing them with inspiration and suggestions while maintaining the human touch that makes each interaction unique.During the demonstration of the AI tool, one thing became abundantly clear: the most successful outcomes are achieved when AI is coupled with individuals who possess curiosity, creativity, and compassion. It is not AI alone but the collaboration between humans and AI that yields the most compelling results.Robert Wong, VP of Google Creative Lab, emphasized the role of creative individuals in times of change.“We see the same potential for AI to help us connect, be more productive and liberate our imaginations. And we’re excited about how it will interplay with human creativity. Throughout history, humans have always pushed the boundaries of what’s possible – driven by curiosity, creativity or necessity. All eras of discovery and innovation began with someone imagining possibilities,” said Robert Wong.

Dubai: Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company, in partnership with BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles and power batteries, is proud to announce the highly anticipated launch of the latest electric vehicle to hit the UAE market, the BYD ATTO 3. This revolutionary vehicle marks a significant milestone in the UAE's journey towards sustainable mobility and reinforces both Al-Futtaim Group and BYD's commitment to contributing towards the UAE’s Net-Zero 2050 strategic goals.Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company and BYD have set out to democratise the EV market in the UAE, by making electric vehicles more accessible to new customers and creating an EV ecosystem that will accelerate the adoption of EVs in the country. As part of this commitment, Al-Futtaim Group has made a pledge to ensure that at least 50% of all its vehicle sales comes from new energy vehicles by 2030, in addition to installing at least 3,000 charging stations across the UAE.The EV ecosystem that Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company aims to build covers a comprehensive range of products and services, including the latest electric vehicles, charging solutions, a full range of financing packages, and best-in-class after-sales service. This is an ambitious vision that only Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company can achieve in the UAE, providing customers with turnkey EV solutions for their convenience and peace of mind.“When it comes to democratising electric vehicles, it all begins with financing,” said Hasan Nergiz, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company. “We strive to give our customers the power of choice, which is why we have launched a full spectrum of innovative financing solutions available from day one, including Guaranteed Future Value Finance, leasing and subscription models, in addition to conventional auto loans. And each product has a fully digitised online user journey to ensure a seamless experience for our customers.”The price for the BYD ATTO 3 is a highly competitive AED 149,900, with financing options available starting from AED 1,499 per month, making this revolutionary electric vehicle more accessible to first-time buyers. The vehicle launches with only one fully loaded trim with all features and specifications, giving customers all the cutting-edge features in one purchase. Customers can choose from one of five captivating colours and drive away with confidence that they’ve made the right choice.The BYD ATTO 3 is a perfect choice for daily commutes and urban driving, offering a top speed of 160 km/h and an impressive range of up to 420 km on a single charge under WLTP conditions. It ensures peace of mind for drivers of all experience levels with advanced safety features like Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Front & Rear Collision Warning, and Front Side & Side Curtain Airbags. Whether you're a first-time driver or a young family, the BYD ATTO 3 provides the utmost safety and convenience. There is a reason why it was voted “Electric Family Car of the Year 2023” by VAB, the Flemish Automobile Club.Style, comfort, and technology are all neatly tied together in one package with the BYD ATTO 3. Its sleek exterior is enhanced by LED automatic headlights, keyless entry with a remote engine starter, a panoramic sunroof, and 18" alloy wheels that perfectly complement its modern design. Once customers step inside, they are immediately immersed in luxury with multi-coloured ambient lighting, the comfort of vinyl leather seats, a 6-way powered driver seat, and a wireless charger. One can also stay entertained and connected with the 12.8" electric rotary multimedia screen, an impressive Dirac audio system with 8 speakers, and seamless Apple Carplay integration. Refreshing every ride is the Insta Air Purification System, ensuring fresh and clean air throughout the journey.Designed with the needs and preferences of the UAE customers in mind, the BYD ATTO 3 has undergone extensive product localization and rigorous hot weather testing to ensure its seamless integration into the local market.“We understand the importance of product localization for the UAE market with its unique climate and hot weather,” said AD Huang, General Manager of BYD Middle East & Africa, Auto Sales Division. “Last year, we conducted extensive hot weather testing to ensure the BYD ATTO 3 performs optimally even in the region's challenging climate and hot summers. Over the course of several months, we drove more than 100,000 kilometres across the UAE in order to optimise the vehicle’s performance and ensure that our customers receive the best driving experience possible with the BYD ATTO 3.”With the launch of the BYD ATTO 3, BYD further displays its brand vision to"Cool the Earth by 1?" by delivering reliable and sustainable mobility solutions that significantly reduces carbon emission. The BYD ATTO 3 represents a significant step towards achieving a cleaner and more sustainable transportation sector in the UAE.Customers can now experience the BYD ATTO 3 first-hand at the very first BYD showroom in the UAE, The Zone by Al-Futtaim, situated on the City Walk Boulevard of Dubai. Furthermore, Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Company will be launching a mobile showroom for BYD that will be deployed across 14 high footfall areas across the UAE.

Dubai: In an initiative launched in early June, Procter & Gamble (P&G), in partnership with a key retail partner launched the ‘The Tree of Hope’ campaign, aimed at encouraging shoppers to pledge to change their behaviors for a more sustainable future. The campaign, an extension of P&G’s #ForestsforGood program, aimed to raise awareness of environmental issues and highlighted actions that can be taken towards leading a greener, more environmentally friendly lifestyle, while breaking a Guinness World Record and making pledges towards a sustainable environment.“At P&G, we are committed to help create a better world for future generations by driving sustainability initiatives across our brands and operations,” said ElMehdi Chad, Vice President, UAE and Levant, at P&G. “We realize that each action, no matter how small, will have an impact on the world around us, and we are therefore proud to have launched this in the UAE to encourage consumers to make simple, yet impactful changes, in their daily lives for the benefit of the environment.”‘The Tree of Hope’ campaign asked consumers to make a series of pledges to change their daily routine in order to mitigate their own environmental footprint. These include using reusable water bottles and bags over plastic alternatives, reducing energy consumption at home, favoring walking over driving, and promising to educate themselves further on sustainable practices. The campaign resulted in more than 1800 consumers taking the pledge across key retail partner outlets in the UAE, a new Guinness World Record for the ‘largest online video chain of people passing and using sticky notes’.Sustainability is a core ethos for P&G, with P&G’s commitment to sustainability underscored by its ‘Ambition 2030’ strategy; a strategy that supports its brands’ ability to provide irresistible superiority that is sustainable to improve lives now and for generations to come. At its foundation is improving the livelihoods of people across its operations, supply chain, and the communities that it serves. At the heart of Ambition 2030 is four science-based pillars—Climate, Waste, Water and Nature, with initiatives such as ‘The Tree of Hope’ engaging communities directly in order to make a positive difference to both the planet and its people.The #ForestsforGood program is one of P&G’s most ambitious sustainability initiatives in the region. In the UAE alone, an expansive partnership with key partners over the last several years, saw multiple community-driven forestation programs implemented in the country, with thousands of trees and saplings planted as a result.

Dubai: Barracuda Networks, Inc., a trusted partner and leading provider of cloud-first security solutions, today announced Siroui Mushegian as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO). Mushegian brings more than 20 years of executive and IT leadership experience to Barracuda and has successfully built strong operational environments that eliminate technology silos and deliver measurable business outcomes.“As Barracuda continues to navigate the always evolving threat landscape, Siroui’s strategic thinking and dedication to excellence will play a pivotal role,” said Hatem Naguib, CEO of Barracuda. “By leveraging Siroui’s expertise, we aim to expand upon and to implement cutting-edge measures that safeguard our business, and by extension, our customers’ assets.”“I’m thrilled to start this journey with Barracuda and eager to collaborate with the team to strengthen its systems and infrastructure,” said Siroui Mushegian, CIO of Barracuda. Cybersecurity is critical in today’s digital landscape, and I look forward to contributing my expertise and strategic vision to Barracuda.”Mushegian joins Barracuda most recently from BlackLine where she was responsible for all aspects of BlackLine's internal corporate IT. Before BlackLine, Mushegian held executive IT leadership roles at WNET New York Public Media, NBA, Ralph Lauren, and Time, Inc. 

Dubai: PEUGEOT has announced the arrival of its all-new 408 in the GCC. With the new 408, PEUGEOT demonstrates the creativity of its teams by offering a new fastback silhouette. The new model is the first of its kind, both in the history of the brand itself and in the car market as a whole.This new age PEUGEOT offers a feline stance and unique allure, with engineering excellence focused on efficiency and intelligent electrification, as well as the emotions provided by cutting-edge technologies dedicated to driving pleasure and instinctive use.  The Allure of InnovationThe PEUGEOT 408 captivates with its dynamic fastback profile and distinctive style that breaks with convention. Its feline stance is a trademark of PEUGEOT’s design language, while its sharp lines, body-coloured grille, and iconic lion emblem make a bold statement. The rear bumper features an inverted cut-out, adding a touch of strength and character. The 408 sits confidently on 720mm diameter wheels, with striking 20-inch rims boasting a disruptive geometric design. The innovative light signature, with fang-shaped LED lights at the front and three-claw LED lights at the rear, further exemplifies PEUGEOT’s unique allure.The All-new PEUGEOT 408 comes with six distinctive colours; Obsession Blue (new colour, selected to mark the launch of the model), Titanium Grey (new colour), Artense Grey (Allure trim only), Elixir Red, Pearl White and Black Perla Nera, giving its customers the opportunity to stand out from the crowd.A Spacious and Efficient InteriorInside the new PEUGEOT 408, you'll find exceptional comfort and ample space. With a length of 4.69m and a long wheelbase of 2.79m, the 408 offers remarkable legroom and a generously sized 536-litre boot, expandable to 1,611 litres with the rear seats folded. The sleek and slim silhouette enhances aerodynamic efficiency, contributing to an exceptional driving experience.Emotion and Technology CombinedThe PEUGEOT 408 delivers an emotional driving experience for both the driver and passengers. Featuring the latest generation of PEUGEOT’s renowned i-Cockpit®, it offers a compact steering wheel for unique agility and precision of movement. The cockpit is designed with a focus on quality and connectivity, incorporating state-of-the-art technologies to make every journey more intuitive and rewarding.Excellence in Safety and PerformanceSafety is paramount in the new PEUGEOT 408, with a range of advanced driver assistance systems to ensure peace of mind on the road. These include Adaptive Cruise Control, blind spot monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist, and Driver Attention Alert. The 408 is equipped with a 215 hp engine and an 8-speed automatic gearbox, delivering excellent performance and efficiency.The Future of PEUGEOT"At PEUGEOT, we believe that life is better with allure. With its unique look, innovative fastback silhouette and unbridled elegance, the new 408 is the perfect expression of the PEUGEOT Brand's philosophy and inventiveness," says Linda Jackson, CEO of the PEUGEOT Brand. "Unexpected from every angle, the new PEUGEOT 408 has been designed for lovers of cars and of life, who want to break free from the traditional while seeking responsible pleasure. It embodies PEUGEOT’s exacting technological standards - controlled efficiency and a very high-level digital experience - as well as the intense emotions of instinctive driving pleasure”.The new PEUGEOT 408 introduces a new era of modernity and elegance, transcending traditional sedan and SUV classifications. It pushes the boundaries of design, technology, and performance, providing an extraordinary driving experience that exceeds expectations.Earlier in May, 15 all-new PEUGEOT 408 “Alawel” first limited edition vehicles were sold in less than 90 minutes in the United Arab Emirates, as part of an exclusive online launch ahead of the arrival of the All-new 408 in the Middle East.Starting from AED124,900 the All-new PEUGEOT 408 is now available in all markets across the GCC.

upGrad Mumba Masters, owned by a leading sports business group U Mumba, has named Asia’s largest integrated learning skilling and workforce development company upGrad as its title partner for the inaugural Global Chess League (GCL), presented by Tech Mahindra and FIDE. Having established its prominence as a premier Pro Kabaddi and Ultimate Table Tennis team in India, U Mumba has further expanded its footprint in the sporting canvass on the global stage by fielding a world-class unit of chess Grandmasters in the first edition of the GCL. In a strategic move, the sports company has joined hands with the India-HQ skilling giant upGrad to further scale its expansion.“We are thrilled to have upGrad onboard as our title partner of our Mumba Masters. This partnership marks an important milestone for U Mumba as we venture into the international chess arena and upGrad’s vision of empowering individuals aligns perfectly with our vision of nurturing talent and promoting sport at the highest level. This association will allow us to engage with the youth and create opportunities for talented individuals to shine in the world of chess. The team is looking forward to a long, dynamic partnership and taking the GCL by storm,” said Suhail Chandhok, CEO – U Mumba.As part of the 1-year franchisee deal, the team logo will be carried on the tournament jersey and shall be worn by the six powerful players including Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli (Superstar Women), Alexander Grischuk and Vidit Gujrathi (Superstar Men), Javokhir Sindarov (Prodigy) and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Icon).Known for previously partnering with Star Sports for a high-impact cricketing tournament WTC 2021, the latest partnership strengthens upGrad’s foray into the sports segment to further expand and scale the brand’s presence across the global strata. Commenting on the development, Mayank Kumar, Co-Founder and MD, upGrad said, “Chess is more than just a game; it embodies discipline, resilience, and perseverance; something that upGrad continues to foster amongst its every single learner. It is because of our seriousness, that we have continued to outlast with an outcome-oriented pedagogy and robust business model. And as this partnership progresses, we will continue to inspire individuals to remain committed to their passion that drives them to do better every day. We have built a very strong brand name in upGrad that resonates with the learning needs of the global workforce, and therefore, took a conscious call to represent a sport that fosters critical thinking and problem-solving while also driving innovative mindsets amongst millions.Riding high on its YoY success and growth, upGrad, as a part of this association aims to further elevate India's stature as a responsible nation on the world stage. “We take this as our calling to transcend from a trusted Lifelong Learning partner to a trusted household name,” he added.GCL tournaments are scheduled to take place through the next 10 days starting today in Dubai (UAE) with upGrad Mumba Masters taking on as an opener against Triveni Continental Kings. 

Dubai: Nabd, a prominent Arabic content platform and app, has introduced an exciting addition to its repertoire: immersive word games accompanied by daily challenges. This expansion serves to enhance Nabd's extensive array of content verticals, providing users with an engaging and captivating experience. With a diverse range of offerings such as personalized news, live match scores, football schedules, real-time financial market data, weather forecasts, entertaining video streams, and even live TV streaming, Nabd continues to redefine the boundaries of an all-encompassing application.The inclusion of word games on the Nabd platform represents a noteworthy milestone in its commitment to delivering a comprehensive user experience that extends beyond news consumption. Users can now indulge in captivating word games and actively participate in daily challenges, putting their skills to the test with a fresh word puzzle provided each day. These personal challenges offer an enjoyable and intellectually stimulating way for users to interact with the word game feature while simultaneously staying informed about the latest headlines and exploring other content verticals.Abdur-Rahman El-Sayed, the Chief Executive Officer at Nabd, expresses enthusiasm about the introduction of word games to the platform, emphasizing how it enriches their content offerings and further enhances the user experience. El-Sayed highlights Nabd's unwavering commitment to providing a comprehensive and captivating platform for its users. By incorporating word games into their repertoire, Nabd expands their content verticals, enabling users to immerse themselves in diverse forms of entertainment while remaining connected to the latest personalized news and information.Nabd's latest word games feature adds an element of amusement and mental stimulation to the platform, allowing users to unwind while testing their vocabulary skills through thrilling daily challenges. By seamlessly integrating word games into their versatile app, Nabd aims to cater to the diverse preferences of its impressive user base of 30 million, offering them a unified solution that combines both information and entertainment in one place.

Dubai: Cisco (CSCO) announced it is reimagining the way people work with new, powerful generative AI technology. Cisco will harness large language models (LLMs) across its Collaboration and Security portfolios to help organizations drive productivity and simplicity for their workforce.Expectations are at an all-time high – organizations are grappling with how to deliver unrivaled experiences for hybrid workers, while safeguarding their businesses from sophisticated cyber threats.According to Cisco's 2023 State of Global Innovation Study, IT professionals rank generative AI as the technology most likely to have a significant impact on their business, with 85% of those saying they're prepared for its impact. Cisco recognizes the important role generative AI will play in advancing the future of work and is committed to providing hybrid workers with an efficient, safer, and more productive, work experience."Generative AI will quickly become pervasive as we see businesses and workers embrace the technology to become materially more productive," said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Security and Collaboration, Cisco. "At Cisco, we've been using AI for years. Now we're unveiling how we're incorporating generative AI into our existing products, helping customers drive real value to unlock the most secure, unrivaled work experiences possible."New Summarization Capabilities in Webex by CiscoWith every work interaction being hybrid, employees, and customers need collaboration experiences that empower them to do their best work. Within the Webex Suite, new summarization capabilities that help people get up to speed in seconds will include:"Catch Me Up" will allow users to quickly catch up on missed interactions, including meetings, calling, chats and more.Intelligent meeting summaries with key points and action items. Users can opt in to automatically generate the most important elements of a Webex meeting, extract the key points, and capture action items with owners. This will be a huge time-saver for attendees and people unable to join a meeting – eliminating the need to listen to a recording or read through transcripts.Summaries in Vidcast, the company's video messaging tool. This capability will produce highlights and chapters so viewers can navigate to the most important parts of the video quickly.New conversation summaries in Webex Contact Center will provide agents with a fast, automated way to consume long-form text from digital chats with customers as well as facilitating post-call wrap-up and resolution with customers. For example, if a customer is escalated to a call with a human agent, they expect that agent to be informed and not have to repeat their frustrations. Chat summaries provides the agent with a clear summarization of issues and resolutions already explored via self-service and a summary of the call to both the agent and customer once it ends. Moving Security from Complex to Conversational Cisco is investing in cutting-edge innovations in artificial intelligence and machine learning that will augment security staff by simplifying operations and increasing efficacy. Further delivering on its Security Cloud vision (link to Day 1 release), Cisco is previewing new generative AI capabilities to simplify policy management and improve threat response.Effective security policy creation and management is an oftentimes extremely complex but critical function of cybersecurity hygiene. There is little room for error and the process of making simple edits that won't interfere with or override previous rules is extremely time consuming and technically challenging. The volume, inconsistency, and complexity of maintaining all of these policies across all of these systems creates a significant risk that opens the door for attacks.The Cisco Security Cloud will leverage a generative AI Policy Assistant to address this problem by enabling security and IT administrators to describe granular security policies and evaluate how to best implement them across different aspects of their security infrastructure. This week's preview showed how the Cisco Policy Assistant can reason with the existing firewall policy set to implement and simplify rules within the Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center. It is the first of many examples of how generative AI can reimagine policy management across the Cisco Security Cloud.Augmenting Analysts with Machine Speed and ScaleThreat detection and response is another complex and high stakes responsibility of the security operations where time is of the essence and analysts must rapidly gain understanding of complex systems at machine scale.Cisco's security operations center (SOC) Assistant will augment security analysts with the context to make the right decisions at the right time. The SOC Assistant will provide a comprehensive situation analysis for analysts, correlating intel across the Cisco Security Cloud platform solutions, relaying potential impacts, and providing recommended actions. Significantly reducing the time needed for SOC teams to respond to potential threats.Cisco previewed its generative AI solution for Webex and Security Cloud onstage at Cisco LIVE 2023. Webex summarization, policy management and SOC Assistant Summaries will be available by the end of calendar year 2023. The additional SOC Assistant features will be available in the first half of calendar 2024.

Dubai: A new study of seven countries, including the UAE, US, UK, India, Nigeria, Singapore, and Brazil launched today by Boss Beauties highlights fast growing use of web3, and the need for more education resources to ensure girls are not left behind The first global study to measure Gen Z’s attitudes towards web3 found that 52% wanted their schools to teach them more about the virtual and digital environments in which many find themselves when not in class. The study, conducted by New York-based Boss Beauties and released today, is the most up-to-date comprehensive look at how 16-25-year-olds (and parents) in seven countries view the knowledge gaps, risks, and future of web3.  Topline global findings include: ?   41% of young women have encountered someone pretending to be someone else online. ?   While one in five (21%) Gen Z girls admit they are “highly uninformed” of the risks in this new digital space, 13% of Gen Z boys say the same. Similarly, more Gen Z girls (20%) consider web3 risky, compared to boys (14%).   The report looks at web3, the next generation internet, through the eyes of Gen Z. Web3, which is fast evolving, is built in the cloud and on blockchain technologies that enable users to interact with decentralised apps, including online gaming, virtual communities, cryptocurrency platforms, and NFT marketplaces. The study was commissioned by Boss Beauties, a media and entertainment brand founded in September 2021 with a collection of web3 digital collectibles. Boss Beauties continues to provide the tools, skills, and connections to safely bring the next 1 million women and girls into a web3 world. The report is based on in-depth polling by EPG in countries where web3 is established and rising in popularity.  Gen Z are hungry for more web3 knowledge, the global survey finds. More than half (52%) of Gen Z wish their school had taught them more about web3. Outside the classroom, an even larger proportion – 57% – would like more access to educational resources, such as explainer videos, on the topic. Parents agreed and are eager for their children to learn more about web3 at school, with 45% wishing for more educational resources outside the school walls.  This lack of educational resources is especially worrying as girls have a historical tendency of getting left behind when new technologies emerge.[1] Currently, women account for just 28% of engineering graduates, and only one in five AI professionals. If the gender imbalance in tech persists, this could have knock-on effects on the global economy, given that the World Economic Forum expects 77% of jobs to require digital skills by 2030. The new study, which encompasses seven countries – UAE, UK, US, Brazil, India, Nigeria, and Singapore – is based on in-depth polling of 3,869 people, of which 1,906 were aged 16-25, and 1,133 were parents or carers over 25.  Lisa Mayer, Founder and CEO of Boss Beauties, said:  “Policymakers, educators, and web3 companies all need to come together and ensure that young people and their parents have the tools and knowledge they need to stay safe and make informed decisions as they navigate this fast-changing digital space.  “If used properly, web3 can allow Gen Z to feel empowered, connect with people around the world, and become the change-makers they want to be. But we know from history that when new technologies emerge, girls get left behind. Web3 will only continue to grow in the years to come, so it is essential we act now to make sure girls are able to understand this technology, preparing them for the future of the workforce and for how the world is changing. “At Boss Beauties, we will continue to keep our focus on educating, connecting, and mentoring women and girls so they can be everything they want to be. We are reaffirming our mission to bring the next 1 million women and girls into a web3 world by providing new research that can help us, as well as others building in this industry, create the tools and education women and girls need.”  Lila Thomas, Vice-President of Brand and Strategic Partnerships at Boss Beauties, said:  “As our research shows, although Gen Z are embracing web3, many are still unaware of the risks that it entails – especially girls. It’s particularly alarming that more than 40% have come across someone pretending to be someone else online.  “Our goal at Boss Beauties is to elevate women and girls by giving them the tools they need to succeed. That starts with being safe online, and it’s why education is a part of everything we do.”  Faced with a lack of educational resources on web3, Gen Z mostly tend to turn to online search (24%) and their friends (19%) to learn more. Fewer look to social media (16%), online communities (16%) and mainstream media (13%). There were also differences in how Gen Z girls versus boys try to learn about web3: young men were 1.4 times more likely to do so via online communities and mainstream media. Outside of the classroom, few Gen-Zers are able to turn to their parents for guidance about web3. Just 17% of Gen Z say their parents were “somewhat” or “well” equipped to teach them about web3. Similarly, only 39% of parents feel able to teach their children about risks online. The study uncovered gender differences in knowledge of web3 among parents: 67% of women say they are unfamiliar with blockchain and web3, compared to 53% of men.  The need for more educational resources on web3 is particularly urgent as the survey uncovered alarming risks that young people have faced in this emerging digital space. A staggering 41% of Gen Z girls, and 42% of Gen Z boys, say they have come across someone pretending to be someone else online.  And although around 58% of Gen Z feel as or more confident identifying risks on web3 compared to real life, only around a third (29%) of Gen Z girls, and just over one-fifth (22%) of Gen Z boys say they are highly informed of the dangers on web3.  The survey results indicate that Gen Z girls tend to feel less confident in the web3 space than their male counterparts. While one in five (21%) Gen Z girls admit they are “highly uninformed” of the risks in this new digital space, just 13% of boys say the same. Similarly, more Gen Z girls (20%) consider web3 risky, compared to boys (14%).  Perhaps because parents are not digital natives – unlike the younger generation – they have more reservations as to how their children use web3, and how dangerous the digital space can be. More than a third of this cohort said they are unsure or do not know what their children do on web3, a similar percentage for mothers and fathers (37% vs 36%). Half of the parents surveyed perceived web3 to be risky. Just 8% of mothers, and 13% of fathers, view it as a completely safe space.  The findings highlight the need for policymakers, web3 companies, and the education community to come together and find ways to enhance understanding of the new digital space among young people and their parents – especially as it will only grow more popular in years to come. Tellingly, parents underestimate the rise of web3: while just 32% predict their children will spend more time on web3 in the coming years, 54% of Gen Z expect to spend “somewhat more” or “a lot more” time in the new digital space in the next three years. Already, nearly one in six (14%) Gen Z respondents spend at least 10 hours a week in web3 spaces.  There are differences between what Gen Z boys and girls do in web3 spaces. While online gaming is the most popular use of web3 among boys (31%, compared to 24% for girls), girls are more likely to use web3 to access virtual communities (30%, compared to 20% of boys). As to why Gen Z are drawn to web3, the most commonly cited motivation, was “financial purposes” (17% for young men and 16% for young women), followed by a desire to access a safe space that supports their individuality (12%).   The study also sheds light on Gen Z’s shopping habits on web3: half (50%) said cryptocurrency was their most recent purchase, followed by NFTs (20%), online gaming accessories (12%), digital real estate (10%) and virtual goods (8%). However, Gen Z girls were almost twice as likely than their male counterparts to feel entirely unfamiliar with crypto wallets, potentially locking them out of a vast range of web3 activities.  Many more boys (48%) say they have made a purchase on web3 in the past year, compared to just 29% of girls. Here, again, parents do not appear to be fully aware of what Gen Z do on web3: just 23% correctly assumed their children had purchased something over the same period. The gender imbalance looks unlikely to change for now, as 64% of Gen Z boys, compared to 54% of girls, plan to purchase something on web3 in the coming year.  Web3 is also set to play a bigger role in Gen Z’s social dynamics, with many seeing it as an extension of their real-life self. 58% of Gen Z girls, and 49% of Gen Z boys, apply the same ethics and values both online and off. They also find it easier to form relationships online, according to 41% of Gen Z girls and 46% of Gen Z boys.  The study also shows interesting gender differences in how Gen Z approaches real-life relationships. 38% of those young women surveyed in this age bracket think online relationships are easier to maintain compared to 42% among boys. A majority (53%) of Gen Z girls value their real-life relationships more than virtual ones, and 48% of boys agree.   OTHER KEY GLOBAL FINDINGS:  ?   Compared to Gen Z boys (15%), nearly twice as many Gen Z girls (27%) are unfamiliar with how to open and manage a crypto wallet. ?   When parents were asked the same question about opening and managing a crypto wallet, 68% of mothers and 60% of fathers globally said they either didn’t know how to or were unsure. ?   When parents are asked how much they thought their children spent on their last transaction, they tend to overestimate: 44% believe it was in the region of US$101-500 instead of US$20-100, which is what Gen Z say their most popular category of spending is. ?   58% of Gen Z respondents are concerned about their privacy and safety online. ?   26% of Gen Z girls say they have been “subjected to abuse or harassment, e.g. body shaming, misogyny” online, a figure only slightly lower for boys (24%).  

DUBAI - The Green Block, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to fostering Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) projects in Web3, was officially launched yesterday at BEEAH Group headquarters in the United Arab Emirates. This global initiative, spearheaded by Crypto Oasis Ventures in collaboration with the management consultancy Roland Berger, marks a significant step towards creating a sustainable future by leveraging the power of Blockchain and AI technologies.Highlights:- The Green Block is a global Think Tank and Launchpad that aims to accelerate and promote the use of Web3 and AI technology for the improvement of the environment, social and governance related initiatives that improve the quality of life.- It is initiated by Crypto Oasis Ventures in partnership with Roland Berger.- The initiative will bring together projects and thought leaders that utilize technology for advancing sustainability related projects.- BEEAH Group is the Think Tank's first Patron with Khaled al Huraimel, Group CEO also joining The Green Block Advisory Council.The primary objective of The Green Block is to establish an ecosystem that connects stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop and implement impactful Web3 solutions pertaining to corporate governance, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. By leveraging the potential of Web3 and AI, The Green Block aims to address global challenges in line with the UAE's COP28 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Faisal Zaidi, Co-founder of Crypto Oasis Ventures, stated, "The launch of The Green Block represents the first milestone in our journey to create a sustainable future through Web3 initiatives in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) field. By connecting projects, providing and enabling infrastructure, and empowering talent, The Green Block will facilitate the development and implementation of sustainable Web3 solutions on a global scale. Aligning ourselves with the objectives of COP28 and the UAE, we aim to take this initiative global."As the inaugural patron of The Green Block, BEEAH assumes a vital role in propelling the mission of the initiative. As an international holding group and pioneer for sustainable, smart solutions for future ready cities, BEEAH understands the importance of fostering sustainability and aligning with the UAE's agenda for COP28. Through their partnership with The Green Block, BEEAH underscores its dedication to environmental responsibility and social progress.Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group, emphasized the significance of The Green Block's launch, stating, "There is immense potential in Blockchain, AI and Web3 technologies and I am excited to see how the Green Block leverages these to revolutionize ESG projects. As one of the first adopters of blockchain technologies in Sharjah, BEEAH Group's vision is built on the twin pillars of sustainability and digitalisation. As a patron of The Green Block, BEEAH Group looks forward to fostering innovation and engaging with stakeholders to achieve sustainability objectives using technology while overcoming global challenges."On the steering committee of The Green Block initiative, the representation from Roland Berger contributes to determining the strategic direction of the initiative. The committee makes key decisions that shape the initiative's long-term plans and immediate goals, helping to ensure the continuity of its mission. Technology like Web3 and AI will contribute significantly to a path to sustainability - The Green Block Think Tank and Launchpad will accelerate this transition and connect the global thought leaders.Pierre Samaties, Partner at Roland Berger Middle East and leading the Global Digital Assets, Web3 and Metaverse practice, expressed his enthusiasm for The Green Block's potential impact, saying, "The launch of The Green Block initiative is the start of an important Think Tank and Launchpad for Web3 and AI technology that will support sustainability and quality of life. Many use cases of the technology are a perfect fit for advancing renewable power, boosting financial inclusion and incentivizing environmental improvements."

Riyadh: Internet of Things Technologies Company (iot squared), a joint venture between Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and stc Group (stc), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fogsphere®, the region’s leader in AIoT and Computer Vision. The collaboration aims to enhance cooperation in the field of Video Analysis and its integration with commercial and industrial IoT systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which will further strengthen the industry’s 4.0 ecosystem along with commercial and public administration adoption of advanced, privacy-friendly, computer vision applications, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.The MoU was signed by Othman Al Dahash, Chief Executive Officer of iot squared and Pasquale Giampa, Chief Executive Officer at Fogsphere, during the Saudi Smart Manufacturing event in Saudi Arabia on 13th June 2023.Through this partnership, Fogsphere® will provide its computer vision and AIoT platform and engineering services to iot squared and support the development of its portfolio of AIoT-based solutions. The two partners will also collaborate to identify target markets, verticals and applications that require AIoT services in the Kingdom and provide them with the necessary solutions and State-of-the-Art AI algorithms.Under the collaboration, iot squared will enable enterprises and industries across the Kingdom to innovate new services, optimise operations and provide safer work environments via Fogsphere’s AIoT solutions.Moreover, in line with the nation’s vision to fast-track digital transformation, Fogsphere® and iot squared will also cooperate in creating industray 4.0 use case in Saudi Arabia and leverage complex AI and computer vision implementations through its state-of-the-art, scalable and commercially flexible platform for AIoT use cases."Our collaboration with Fogsphere® aims to accelerate the digital transformation of Retail, Industrial and PA with the adoption of AIoT technologies provided by Fogsphere®, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives. This will be achieved by adopting Fogsphere’s AIoT solutions that enable the Kingdom to overcome the limitations of market AI-only applications”, said Othman Al Dahash, CEO of iot squared."The strategic cooperation between Fogsphere® and iot squared creates a solid beginning of a long-term relationship between the two parties. We are committed to supporting, with iot squared, all our customers and partners in Saudi Arabia to accelerate the digital transformation journey and the development of the industry’s 4.0 ecosystem, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030", said Pasquale Giampa, CEO of Fogsphere®.The agreement opened dialogues on various aspects of development, including new business opportunities and innovations within the public, commercial and industrial sectors. The cooperation would pave the way for the smart and fast adoption of the most advanced AIoT and computer vision technologies as a key enabler of the digital transformation initiatives in the Kingdom.

Riyadh: Telfaz11, a Saudi-based creative media studio, has announced the acquisition of SHIFT, a regional agency specialising in creative advertising and marketing. The consolidation of these two companies will enable them to leverage their combined talent and customer base to deliver innovative and impactful campaigns.Alaa Fadan, the CEO and co-founder of Telfaz11, highlighted the numerous advantages that this acquisition brings to their marketing clients. The merger of these entities will optimize operations and improve overall efficiencies, while also allowing them to cater to a larger group of local and international clients.This strategic move will integrate SHIFT's marketing expertise with Telfaz11's extensive capabilities in film, television, and storytelling. As a result, Telfaz11 will further establish itself as a prominent player in the rapidly expanding local marketing services industry.The newly formed company will maintain its headquarters in Riyadh, along with offices in Dubai. Additionally, they are planning to establish a presence in NEOM, the Kingdom's prominent media production hub.Earlier this month, Telfaz11 entered into a collaboration agreement with NEOM, aiming to collaborate on a minimum of nine television and film productions over the next three years. Moreover, they intend to establish an office in NEOM by the end of this year. This strategic move aligns with Telfaz11's vision for expansion within the Kingdom.SHIFT, founded in 2013, boasts an impressive client portfolio featuring over 100 local and international brands, including Alinma Bank, P&G, STC, etc.

Dubai: Dubai-based marketing and communications agency, SOCIATE Communications, is excited to announce the introduction of its newest initiative: the appointment of Nargis Meghji as the agency's first-ever Agency Project Manager. This strategic decision reflects the agency's dedication to enhancing its operations and providing exceptional services to its expanding client base.Nargis, who started as a junior copywriter with no prior agency or corporate experience, impressed the team with her talent, dedication, and strategic thinking. In her new role, Nargis has been working closely with SOCIATE's founder and CEO, Rosa Bullock, to oversee the agency's projects, streamline its processes, and ensure timely delivery and exceptional quality."I am thrilled to take on this new challenge and contribute to SOCIATE's growth and success," says Nargis. "As the agency’s first project manager, I will be able to use my skills and passion to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation. At the moment, I’m supervising four departments: content creation, social media, design and PR. I hope to continue to grow and learn under Rosa’s guidance and mentorship."Rosa Bullock, founder, and CEO of SOCIATE comments, "Nargis is a rising star in our team, and I am confident that she will excel in her new role. Her attention to detail, creativity, and positive attitude are exactly what we need to take SOCIATE to the next level. We are excited to have Nargis in her new capacity as she deserves this role and and i am confident that she will do a great job."SOCIATE Communications is committed to investing in its people, processes, and technologies to deliver exceptional PR, marketing, and events solutions to its clients across the UAE and beyond.

Ad-tech media company Adscholars has appointed Jad Abou Mitri as the Sales & Commercial Director for the GCC region.Abou Mitri's new role entails the crucial task of bolstering the company's presence in the media industry through the establishment of strategic alliances with prospective agencies.His key objective revolves around driving sales growth in the GCC region by implementing innovative strategies such as in-gaming advertisements and leveraging data analysis. These objectives closely align with the company's overarching vision of fortifying its position within the region.Abou Mitri will assume responsibility for overseeing operations across the Gulf Co-operation Council countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait.Possessing over a decade of experience in sales and marketing, Abou Mitri has occupied pivotal positions within advertising technology and digital sales representative firms, further augmenting his expertise.Throughout his illustrious career, Abou Mitri has successfully collaborated with a diverse array of automotive, real estate, network, and independent agencies within the region, thereby demonstrating his profound industry knowledge.Moreover, his extensive involvement within the thriving F&B sector, notably with UAE-based offers website Cobone, has cultivated a rich skill set and comprehensive understanding of the market.Expressing great enthusiasm, Srikanth Rayaprolu, the CEO of Adscholars, said: “Adscholars is excited to on-board our new sales and commercial director, Jad Abou Mitri, who will spearhead our expansion into the media city, forging strategic partnerships and propelling our company to new heights of success.”Echoing this sentiment, Jad Abou Mitri expressed his excitement about assuming this pivotal role, perceiving it as a remarkable opportunity to spearhead expansion efforts and forge robust partnerships that facilitate the implementation of cutting-edge and innovative solutions.Adscholars offers an extensive range of services encompassing advertising technologies, sales, digital data and analytics, research, strategy and planning, ad trafficking, campaign management, client-side communications, and web and mobile marketing, catering to the diverse needs of agencies and clients alike.

Dubai: Effiya by Sutra, a top-notch provider of AI-enabled solutions, showcased its next generation AI capabilities in combatting financial crimes in the recently concluded Techno Meet organized by Foreign Exchange & Remittance Group (FERG) in Shangri-La Dubai on 14th June 2023. Effiya showcased how customer risk assessment, transaction monitoring and case management can be more effective and efficient by adopting effective machine learning embedded smart solutions. The event was a platform for industry experts, professionals, and enthusiasts, where they pondered over the latest technology innovations and explore how it can be leveraged to drive innovation, better business decision-making, and improve operational efficiency and customer engagement.Jigar Shah, Director at Effiya Technologies presented during the event on the ways compliance departments can leverage artificial intelligence to enhance their capabilities and become more efficient. He highlighted the critical role that artificial intelligence will perform in uncovering and managing the rapidly evolving financial crime footprints in the financial world. It equips compliance department with advanced capabilities that can go beyond the traditional approaches. The experts suggest the compliance departments proactively start implementing the change rather than waiting for the regulators to push it. The endorsement of analytical and technology adoption and the belief to slowly move away from judgemental decision making to AI aided solutions must come from the leadership.Effiya’s compliance suite comes packed with features like automated adverse media, transaction behaviour and network analysis that can be of immense help for data backed decision making. This not only saves time and costs but also enhances overall regulatory compliance - Jigar added.Effiya’ s active involvement in the fight against financial crime has been reinforced by its participation in the FERG Techno Meet 23.

Known as Ericsson Reduced Capability (RedCap), the solution will be commercially ready in November 2023 as a software addition to 5G standalone (5G SA) networks powered by Ericsson, with no need for any new hardware. RedCap will strengthen the ecosystem for new types of devices that can be connected to 5G networks.An expanded New Radio (NR) device ecosystem with new capabilities will in turn spur the growth of even more 5G use cases. Ericsson RedCap will support leaner procedures for optimizing device energy consumption and enable wearables that are currently only available with LTE devices.David Hammarwall, Head of Product Area Networks, Ericsson, says: “Ericsson Reduced Capability will open up a new world of possibilities for new types of devices that do not require the full range of 5G’s capabilities. The RedCap software will enhance 5G connectivity for everything from consumer wearables to industrial sensors in a way that is both cost- and energy-efficient, unlocking a whole range of new use cases.”With the new 5G radio access network (RAN) software solution, communications service providers can offer more connectivity options for diverse consumer and enterprise use cases and in industrial settings on the FDD (frequency division duplex) and TDD (time division duplex) spectrums.Ericsson RedCap will support devices with reduced complexity such as low-end augmented reality (AR) wearables, video surveillance equipment, industrial sensors, and smart grids. The new solution is more energy-efficient than existing LTE low categories and it has already caught the attention of the wearable OEM (original equipment manufacturer) industry.Bill Stone, Vice President for Technology Planning at Verizon, says: "5G is designed fundamentally as a highly customizable service. The evolution of NR RedCap from Ericsson, coupled with the advanced technologies deployed throughout our 5G network, will serve to bring that customization to life for a variety of devices, allowing us to efficiently allocate network resources while giving customers the best possible experience on our network. We look forward to how this advancement will help evolve the 5G ecosystem."Ericsson is closely collaborating with leading chipset vendors to bring multiple types of 5G devices to the market. HC Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication Systems & Partnerships at MediaTek, says: “MediaTek's upcoming solutions supporting 5G RedCap will certainly benefit from Ericsson’s infrastructure readiness, ensuring that operators, consumers and businesses can immediately benefit from the next generation of innovative 5G products and services.”What is NR RedCap?New Radio (NR) RedCap is a device category that will help expand the 5G ecosystem, enabling significantly more connections to the 5G network. It does so by bridging the capability and complexity gap between Low-Power Wide-Area (LPWA) and ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) uses in existing 5G settings, with an optimized design for mid-tier use cases.RedCap can effectively scale down the complexity, size and capabilities of device platforms to offer cost-efficient integration into devices such as wearables and industrial sensors. Part of a concept that was originally introduced in 3GPP Release 17, RedCap brings a mix of capabilities in throughput, battery life, complexity, and device density needed to cost-effectively power diverse use cases that do not always need the high-performance capability of current 5G technology.

Dubai, UAE - Glisco Partners, a leading growth equity investment firm for disruptive and cross-border high-growth companies, and Heart Beat, an investment manager focused on the Americas, announced the closing of a $12.4 million investment in GGTech Entertainment. GGTech is a leader in the gaming and esports environment and one of the main organisers of esports events and competitions worldwide, which has experienced exponential growth in recent years. The objective of this investment is to help GGTech consolidate its presence in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), Europe, and Latin America, as well as to accelerate its entry into the US market, one of the largest gaming and esports markets in the world.GGTech Entertainment is an international company with a presence in MENA, Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and North Africa, dedicated to the development of innovative leisure, entertainment and education projects through gaming, esports and technology. The company offers a wide range of technological solutions to promote the development of society and provide the best leisure, competition and entertainment experiences. GGTech has an international team of highly qualified professionals focused on the creation and operation of products in the gaming and sports industry, and is making significant progress in the development of applied technology.In MENA, GGTech (through MENATech) develops Amazon UNIVERSITY Esports. It is a project present in 16 countries on 4 continents, which seeks to integrate the recreational and competitive aspects of video games with educational activities. Each of these countries offers workshops presented by professionals in the esports industry to university students interested in learning more about the industry.This program also gives students a chance to get their first paid work experience in areas such as broadcasting, event planning, marketing, and community management.Industry numbersThe video games industry reached more than 3 billion players worldwide and revenues of $192.7 billion in 2021, making it the second largest segment of global entertainment. Esports is the marriage of video games, competition and audiences through the live broadcasting of tournaments. It is the combination of three aspects, competitive gaming, the thrill of participation and the experience of being a spectator of your favourite games.According to the latest research from Statista, esports had a global audience of over 532 million viewers in 2022, including enthusiasts and casual viewers. This increase of more than 60 million on the previous year and makes esports the second most watched sport in the United States, after the NFL.José Parrilla, co-founder and CEO of GGTech Entertainment: "As the leading organiser of multi-language esports events and tournaments in MENA, Europe, and Latin America, we are very confident about our growth prospects in the US. Video games, and esports in particular, have been growing in popularity year after year, especially in the US, where more than half of the US population plays games on a regular basis. Moreover, according to various studies by international consulting firms, this trend is expected to consolidate and even increase over the next decade. Our goal is for GGTech to participate in this trend and strengthen its presence in these markets over the next few years. To this end, we also have the support of major brands and publishers, with whom we already have solid alliances, to contribute to growth in the US market. We will also be looking for investment opportunities in the sector.”Commenting on the investment, Alfredo Castellanos, Managing Partner at Glisco Partners, said: "Our investment in GGTech is part of our strategy to help highly disruptive companies grow their market share and enter the US market. GGTech is particularly attractive because of its proven business model and strategy to leverage its content production studios in Mexico and Spain to serve the growing esports market in the US.”

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development has announced the return of the prestigious Venturist Entrepreneurship Summer Camp for its fifth edition. The camp, certified by Stanford University is anticipated to once again provide a platform for aspiring young entrepreneurs to unleash their potential and ignite their entrepreneurial spirit.Building upon the resounding success of previous editions, the Venturist Entrepreneurship Summer Camp, hosted by the globally distinguished Abu Dhabi Youth Hub and funded by the Khalifa Fund, is set to exceed expectations and inspire the brightest minds of the UAE's youth. This exceptional business camp experience aims to ignite the imagination of participants while fostering teamwork, inspiring innovation, and cultivating the creation of solutions that cater to international demands, all within a fun-filled and engaging environment.HE Alia Al Mazrouei, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development stated: “We are excited to announce the return of the Venturist Entrepreneurship Summer Camp, providing students with the exciting opportunity to attend in-person and engage in entrepreneurship workshops and lessons. This summer camp is designed to provide young people with essential business skills, enabling them to thrive, grow, and become industry leaders of tomorrow, while contributing to the empowerment of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the UAE.”Her Excellency added: “Our primary objective to offer a high-quality camp that is accessible and tailored to young individuals who demonstrate an interest in enterprise. Through fostering idea generation, collaboration, and thinking outside-the-box, we aim to equip the younger generation with the necessary knowledge and tools to become successful entrepreneurs.”Registration is now open for the Venturist Entrepreneurship Summer Camp, providing a unique and immersive experience for young individuals with a passion for entrepreneurship. The camp spans three separate 2-week sessions, offering participants aged 13 to 18 the chance to fully immerse themselves in the world of business. Participation is being provided free of charge and transportation will be facilitated for all participants, ensuring a seamless and convenient experience.Dates for the Venturist Entrepreneurship Summer Camp are as follows:Session 1: 10th July – 19th JulySession 2: 24h July – 2nd AugustSession 3: 7th August – 16th AugustThe young entrepreneurs will begin their activities with a concise presentation introducing the day's theme, which they will incorporate into their business plans. After setting the theme, they will form designated teams to brainstorm and refine their unique projects. The culmination of their creativity and hard work will take place on the final day of the camp in the esteemed 'Platform Room’, they will have the opportunity to showcase their innovative business concepts to a panel of highly respected judges.

Dubai: Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has announced the highly anticipated gaming extravaganza, Play Beyond, as part of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF). Taking place on 24-25 June at the main stage in the Gaming Theatre in association with VOX Cinemas, Play Beyond promises to be an extraordinary tournament that brings together top influencers from around the world, showcasing the exhilarating and entertaining world of esports.Play Beyond is not your average gaming competition; it is a clash of titans where the best influencers will battle it out across multiple genres. Prepare to witness mind-blowing gameplay, awe-inspiring skills, and epic moments as these gaming legends go head-to-head for the coveted Play Beyond Trophy.The competition will feature a Regional Team, composed of four influential gamers from the Middle East, and an International Team, consisting of four renowned influencers from different corners of the world. These gaming superstars have been battling it out across the globe while playing games including Fall Guys, Fortnite, Rocket League, FIFA 23, Overcooked, Street Fighter 6, and Call of Duty. They will come together for the final to engage in intense matches that will keep visitors on the edge of their seats. This two-day tournament held on the main stage promises surprises, mid-game challenges, and stoppage time, ensuring a thrilling and unforgettable experience.The International Team includes the beloved influencer MiniMinter (Instagram: @miniminter), whose massive following adds an extra layer of excitement to the event. Fans can look forward to a special Meet & Greet opportunity with him. Grant (Instagram: @granthinds), known for his engaging content and expert analysis, will also be present. Joining them are gaming superstar Demisux (Instagram: @demisux) and gaming tournament expert Granthinds (Instagram: @granthinds).Among the influencers competing for the Regional Team is team captain AboFlah (Instagram: @aboflah), whose charismatic personality and gaming prowess have made him a fan favorite. Saeed Wolf (Instagram: @saeed.wolf) will showcase his strategic gameplay and captivating audience engagement. Alongside them will be Bashayer (Instagram: @_.gh/), an influential figure in the gaming community known for her impressive gaming skills, as well as Basharkk (Instagram: @basharkk), who will bring his unique style and talent to the Play Beyond tournament.Join us on 24 June and 25 June for GameExpo, set on the main stage in the Gaming Theatre in association with VOX Cinemas, where Play Beyond will redefine the boundaries of gaming and showcase the future of esports. Dubai Esports and Games Festival welcomes you to be part of this incredible journey! Secure your tickets today and arrive early to get front-row seats.

Dubai: CoffeeDesk, one of the leading solutions for coffee and tea accessories and equipment in GCC and Europe, are now the official distributors in the UAE for AeroPress. The brand is known for creating one-of-a-kind coffee press, that are loved around the world, and known for brewing a perfect cup of coffee within minutes.As we see more and more renowned brands make their way to the UAE, it is crucial that brands like CoffeeDesk exist and continue to curate these. A special report by World Coffee Portal’s strategic analysis of the Middle East and North Africa branded coffee shop market revealed the total market grew 10.5% over the last 12 months to reach 8,874 outlets, becoming a key geography for major international coffee chains and a new crop of domestic operators raising the bar for quality and service. World Coffee Portal forecasts the Middle East’s branded coffee shop market will reach 11,840 outlets in 2027, representing five-year growth of 5.9% CAGR.“We are always on the lookout to bring the most innovative coffee gadgets and products to the UAE. And AeroPress has been on our list! It is such a minimalist coffee maker, that combines affordability and simplicity with the ability to produce top quality coffee.” said Saud Al Nuaimi, Founder of CoffeeDesk GCC.CoffeeDesk is known for being the one-stop-shop for coffee and tea-related products. The brand is passionate about bringing the best to the region’s coffee lovers and have expanded services from distribution to personalizing coffee equipment, professional HoReCa coffee bar setups, sourcing special equipment for businesses and after sales support for cafes etc.“At CoffeeDesk GCC our mission is to curate any such product for our Emirates audience who are always stepping up to meet trends and want the best when it comes to coffee. And AeroPress is just three coffee gadgets in one – espresso maker, drip coffee maker and French press all rolled into one!Research and Markets recently stated that the Middle Eastcoffee market has drastically shift from traditional coffee shops to Advance or modern coffee shops with automatic coffee vending machine, exquisite ambiance and customized service techniques which accelerate the coffee market in the regions. And with the growing culture for cafe and coffee outlets in countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE the product ranges has to expand to cater to miscellany of tastes and preferences.” Added Saud Al Nuaimi.All AeroPress products are thoughtfully designed to deliver a unique and customizable coffee experience with each use. With a patented, portable design and unbelievably fast brewing process, AeroPress coffee makers allow users to create uniquely delicious coffee anytime, anywhere. AeroPress coffee makers are portable, convenient and easy to use. The coffee maker utilizes a breakthrough in the coffee brewing process to yield the smoothest, richest and fastest cup of coffee in a simple and easy to use manner.CoffeeDesk was named as Europe’s fastest growing companies, having built a strong business model with modern and innovative practices, packaging and shipping and the promise of a great quality final product. The launch of CoffeeDesk GCC targeted the companies’ vision of bringing world class coffee experience to the people in the GCC especially fast-paced cities like Dubai where consumers are always looking to purchase the newest, more high-quality products.

Dubai: Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure group across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, today announced a long-term strategic partnership with Tabby, the MENA region's leading shopping and financial services app.This partnership, which is the first of its kind, brings together a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider and an end-to-end shopping malls and retailer ecosystem to best serve customers. The partnership aims to replicate the successful BNPL model of seamless customer experience and affordable convenience into an omnichannel ecosystem, by offering interest-free credit over short-term instalment plans. This will be achieved while utilising cutting-edge payment product capabilities from both organisations. The collaboration will further enable customers to better manage their spending and make purchases more conveniently both in-store and online.Currently, Tabby can be used in 15% of Majid Al Futtaim’s UAE mall tenants, particularly, in Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdiff and City Centre Al Zahia. Tabby’s BNPL platform can also be used when shopping online with Carrefour and Majid Al Futtaim’s lifestyle brands such as Lululemon, Crate & Barrel, The Lego Store and THAT Concept Store. As phase two of the partnership, Majid Al Futtaim plans to expand the offering across the GCC and the company’s entire ecosystem. While using the facility in-store, customers will be given a Tabby Card, Tabby’s offline payment solution that will be further rolled out in the UAE across Majid Al Futtaim’s brands and mall tenants before being expanded internationally.Joe Abi Akl, Chief Corporate Development Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Holding, said: "According to Majid Al Futtaim’s point of sale data, Buy Now Pay Later sales more than doubled in 2022 compared to the previous year. This is a clear indication that customers prefer convenience and flexibility when it comes to their shopping experience. Our partnership with Tabby addresses this growing demand for omnichannel payment solutions and provides the 4 million Tabby shoppers access to Majid Al Futtaim’s retail and lifestyle brands.”Hosam Arab, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder at Tabby, said: "We are thrilled to partner with Majid Al Futtaim, a leading retail and leisure pioneer in the MENA region. This partnership will allow us to bring the power of flexible payments to millions of people across the region, online and in-store. With Tabby, customers shopping at Majid Al Futtaim’s malls and stores can make the most out of their money and work towards reaching their financial goals."

DUBAI: Sprinklr , the unified customer experience management (Unified-CXM) platform for modern enterprises, today announced the launch of its State of Customer Service in The Middle East report, in collaboration with Martechvibe. The report reveals that within Middle Eastern organisations (across the UAE, KSA and Qatar), there is a trend of building multiple service solutions to tackle specific challenges within the customer experience framework. The ambition of customer service is no more to simply find a resolution in the case of poor experiences. The new role of customer service within the enterprise needs new tools and a fresh approach. This report tracks this shift from being reactive to being proactive.Talking about the report, Haitham Elkhatib, Vice President of MEA at Sprinklr, said, “Delving into the way Middle Eastern organizations are servicing their customers online, as well as their approach towards modernizing these processes, is vital to organizational growth. Our study found that more than 65 per cent of ME businesses are ready for digitization and smooth implementation of different technologies and software to enhance their customer experience journeys. The focus on social media approaches when elevating CX through technology shows companies' adaptability to understand their customers.”To gather real-world data-led insights, a survey was conducted with 100 customer service representatives holding various customer service positions, such as Director, C-suite, Heads of departments, Senior Manager and Marketing Managers across industries like retail, BFSI and hospitality. Respondents have a customer base of over a million users combined. The report also incorporates viewpoints from several customer service specialists from the same industries and regions via in-depth interviews. Key Findings from the report: 43% of respondents want to re-evaluate their customer service tech stack 64% of respondents are developing social monitoring tools to provide real-time intelligence 65% of respondents are looking for seamless implementation from their technology partners 55% of respondents said they will introduce a ‘you said, we act’ communication strategy to increase trust and loyalty 

Dubai: Google has announced its partnership with Shahid, the MBC GROUP-owned Arabic streaming platform. This collaboration brings Shahid's content to the forefront of Google search, enriching the entertainment experience for users. With the integration of Shahid's vast content library into Google's 'What to watch' feature, individuals in the UAE can now seamlessly explore and access the latest shows and series from Shahid's extensive collection.By leveraging the 'What to watch' feature, Google users in the UAE can conveniently discover Shahid's diverse content lineup. Whether searching for a specific series, show, or simply typing "series on Shahid or MBC," users will be presented with an array of options directly within Google Search. This innovative feature, initially introduced during Ramadan earlier this year, currently supports both English and Arabic languages, catering to the preferences of UAE residents. Google aims to expand this feature to additional countries in the Middle East and North Africa region in the near future."We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Google, as the first regional streaming service on Watch Actions, to bring Shahid's vast content library directly to our audiences in Google search results," said Ahmed Qandil, Director of Growth and Brand Marketing at Shahid.The integration between Google and Shahid enables a seamless entertainment experience for users. By selecting the 'Watch Now' icon, individuals will be swiftly redirected to Shahid's site or mobile app, ensuring uninterrupted access to their favorite shows and series. This collaboration exemplifies Google's commitment to enhancing user experience and providing easy access to quality content across multiple platforms.Google and Shahid's partnership marks a significant milestone in the realm of Arabic streaming platforms, leveraging the power of Google's search capabilities to deliver premium content to a wider audience. Users in the UAE can now explore Shahid's extensive content library, making Google Search the go-to destination for discovering the latest and most captivating shows and series.

Dubai: GMG, a global well-being company operating leading brands across sport, everyday goods, health and beauty, properties, and logistics sectors, marked another milestone in its retail expansion strategy by opening Dubai’s first monop convenient store at Jumeirah Town Centre. The monop convenience store caters to Jumeirah residents with a uniquely fresh and daily essential shopping concept, building on GMG’s promise of community food retail expansion. The Jumeirah shop is the 26th store in the Groupe Casino portfolio and the 47th store among all retail food brands under the GMG Everyday Goods division. It is located on the mall’s ground floor, centrally located in the popular Jumeirah neighbourhood. The store will offer a fresh and diverse selection of fresh produce and an extensive range of private label products by MONOPRIX and MAISON delivering the brand promise of “The Art of Food”. Committed to creating an impact towards sustainable and local product sourcing, monop will offer consumers the options of local fresh produce and vertically grown greens.Mohammad A. Baker, Deputy Chairman and CEO of GMG, said, “At GMG, we are constantly evolving to exceed our consumers’ expectations and looking at ways to innovate and support locally sourced products. monop will feature an indoor vertical farm, brought to you through our partnership with Bustanica, as well as, state–of–the–art fresh food and private label range under the monop concept in Dubai. We will continue exploring opportunities to expand to more neighbourhoods in Dubai and beyond and introduce more UAE residents to the GMG way.” GMG acquired Groupe Casino operations in the UAE in 2022, with exclusive rights to expand the group’s operations in the Middle East. The acquisition included 18 Géant hypermarket and supermarket locations across the UAE, as well as Groupe Casino’s other brands, such as Franprix and Monoprix as well as monop, to which GMG also has exclusive rights to expand. The UAE edition of the French concept incorporates the best practices of the brand’s promise of quality food under the umbrella of “The Art of Living,” created and developed by the Monoprix mother brand.GMG’s constantly evolving retail strategy comes amid a rapid expansion of the UAE’s consumer retail market. The segment is anticipated to grow at nearly 6% in the next five years and touch US$37.70 billion by 2027 because of the rising per capita income, a booming tourism sector, a growing number of expatriates, and new commercial projects, including malls.  Measuring 450sqm, the monop store features an extensive range of high-quality products such as coffee, specialized imported cheese cuts from around the world, ready hot and cold meals, including a full range of signature Emirates Flight Catering meals, and an array of options in deli and bakery. The store also has the much-loved MONOPRIX brands and other grocery essentials, in addition to spices, nuts, and a variety of MAISON nonfood products.Marc Laurent, President, Retail - Everyday Goods commented: “monop is truly unique, a true representation of modern life convenience store, making quality food accessible for everyone. In line with our sustainability efforts to make a change, we are partnering with RECAPP by Veolia to facilitate a more sustainable way of living, by allowing consumers to recycle at our branch through in-store recycling stations for plastic, batteries and cans. In the coming months, we will expand our partnership across more of our retail stores, including Geant and aswaaq branches.”To date, GMG has introduced over 120 brands and announced plans to double its global workforce by 2025. Currently, GMG employs over 10,000 people across all its verticals in 12 countries.Furthermore, after the Aswaaq acquisition in February this year, GMG also added 11 community malls and 22 supermarkets to GMG’s rapidly expanding retail network, positioning the group as one of the largest operators of community malls in the UAE.

TECOM Group PJSC celebrated ten years of enabling Dubai’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through its start-up incubator, in5, by launching in5 Science. Announced in collaboration with Dubai Science Park, the Group’s science-focused ecosystem, the incubator will facilitate entrepreneurship and investment for science-based start-ups under the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ umbrella.The UAE’s emphasis on sustainability, in line with the Road to Net Zero by 2050, COP28, We the UAE 2031, and National Food Security Strategy agendas, has unveiled significant opportunities for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship across the science sectors. in5 Science’s launch is aligned with these government strategies and supports the UAE’s recognition of 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability’. It is also in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’, which promotes foreign direct investment and economic diversification, and raises Dubai’s attractiveness for homegrown and international founders to explore opportunities across health, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and energy.in5 operates three centres enabling businesses and innovation in Tech in Dubai Internet City, Media in Dubai Production City, and Design in Dubai Design District (d3). The science vertical will expand its offerings to provide start-ups with sector-specific support and facilitate access to investment for founders to set up and scale new businesses. in5 has curated an expert-led advisory board representing industry-leading C-Suite figures from Nexus Resilience Group, Dii Desert Energy, and GMEX Group.On behalf of in5, Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Media City, part of TECOM Group said: “Entrepreneurship powers economic growth. Dubai’s pro-business framework has made it a preferred choice for businesses big and small, established and new. As a leading business enabler in Dubai, TECOM Group has strived to enrich the support and opportunities available to entrepreneurs through in5. Ten years on, we’re proud to see our incubator’s impact on promoting Dubai’s start-up ecosystem and economic diversification efforts across media, tech, and design. The new science vertical will expand our offerings to meet the needs of emerging economic opportunities in the science sector while securing Dubai’s reputation as a global business hub.”Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Science Park, part of TECOM Group said: “Science is a fast-growing field in Dubai, underpinned by government strategies across sustainability, healthcare, and R&D. Dubai Science Park plays a pivotal role in nurturing an ecosystem that promotes these economic roadmaps by empowering leading and international science-focused businesses to set up and expand operations. in5 Science will enable entrepreneurs to engage a world-class community of researchers and industry leaders and inject innovation and competitiveness to take the UAE’s science ambitions to the next level.”in5 Science will also present a curated calendar of networking events, panel discussions and educational forums to cover pertinent topics by thought leaders in the science industry. Collaborating with Dubai Science Park allows in5 to tap into a global ecosystem of MNEs and regional SMEs across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy and environment, research, and development for partnership opportunities, and access to specialised facilities.A growing science hub in MENARising government investments, a multifaceted economic diversification plan, and the growing regional demand for specialised healthcare and sustainable consumerism have directed focus to the UAE on science and technology. The UAE’s comprehensive healthcare system, strengthened by private sector investments, has secured Dubai’s status as the region’s number one and the world’s number six medical tourism destination, according to the latest Medical Tourism Index.Similarly, a global call for sustainability reflects national agendas for advanced manufacturing, economic growth, and food security. For example, Operation 300bn and Make it in the Emirates, geared at promoting localised manufacturing, emphasise innovation in advanced technology to enable sustainable practices and competitiveness.In the past decade, in5 has seen a marked growth in science-focused tech start-ups. A dedicated science vertical aims to streamline and customise the supportive ecosystem for new businesses while connecting founders to a global community and purpose-built infrastructure at Dubai Science Park.in5 already supports several ambitious science-led start-ups, including:We4Recycle: A mobile app-based door-to-door valet trash service that simplifies waste segregation at home and strives to increase the awareness of sustainable and environmentally conscious lifestyles.Greener Crop: A start-up enabling vertical farming in the Middle East and Africa by offering a range of services, from farm set-up and maintenance to growth management, harvesting, and produce sales. The start-up has customers across the US, UAE, Oman and Qatar.Air to MC2: A deep-tech start-up that aims to revolutionise cooling and heating by creating affordable, patented tech products for air conditioning, water and energy industries and consumers.Sentient Labs: The start-up employs advanced technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to promote sea clean-up.RelphaCare Technologies: A social healthcare tracking platform that enables real-time communication and monitoring by doctors and family.A decade of entrepreneurial growthin5 provides start-ups in technology, media, and design a platform to scale up, and access to advisory, mentorship, and potential investment opportunities. Since its inception in 2013, in5 has supported over 750 start-ups and entrepreneurs, and attracted founders representing more than 50 nationalities, including India, Russia, France, the UK and more. Breakout stars include buy-now-pay-later platform Tabby; Munch:On, a food operations service acquired by Careem in 2022; and regional music streaming giant Anghami.in5 is a start-up incubator part of TECOM Group’s portfolio, which also offers value-added platforms such as co-working spaces (D/Quarters), freelance packages (GoFreelance), and an integrated smart services platform (axs).TECOM Group’s portfolio also comprises 10 business districts, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Science Park, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Design District (d3) and Dubai Industrial City.

Since the introduction of the Emirates app on HUAWEI AppGallery in early 2020, Emirates, a prominent player in the aviation sector, and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), cutting-edge technology services, have joined forces to enhance travel experiences for HMS users. This collaboration has evolved and flourished, enabling them to provide outstanding user experiences to a wider global audience.HUAWEI AppGallery, one of the top three app marketplaces worldwide, boasts an impressive user base of over 550 million monthly active users in 170 countries. The Emirates app's availability on this platform has brought unparalleled convenience to HMS users, empowering them to manage their travel plans seamlessly. Previously integrated on the HUAWEI Watch 3 Series, the Emirates app offered a Super Device Smart experience, enabling Huawei users to effortlessly check their bookings and flight details directly from their smartwatches.Now, with its seamless integration on the HUAWEI Watch 4, the Emirates app has reached new heights in enhancing the performance and user experience for travelers. In addition to providing easy access to booking and flight details, the app now enables users to utilize a QR code as their boarding pass. This innovative feature eliminates the need for passengers to use their phones while boarding, streamlining the travel process and ensuring a hassle-free experience.William Hu, Managing Director of Huawei Consumer Business Group, Middle East and Africa Eco Development and Operation, said: “This integration of Emirates app on the HUAWEI Watch 4 represents another milestone in HMS journey to deliver exceptional travel experiences to our users, who can now effortlessly access vital flight information, manage their bookings, and stay connected on the go, all from their wrist. We are excited to bring this convenience and innovation to our users, further enhancing their travel experiences and demonstrating our commitment to providing unparalleled solutions in the digital age.""Our collaboration with Huawei Mobile Services and integration with HUAWEI WATCH 4 Series showcases our shared commitment to delivering exceptional user experiences and simplifying travel processes for consumers," said Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand at Emirates. "We are dedicated to leveraging cutting-edge technology to provide the best possible services to our passengers. By integrating our app seamlessly on Huawei's latest smartwatch, we aim to exceed the expectations of our tech-savvy customers."   In the age of the Internet of Things (IoT), Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) believes that collaboration with partners and developers will thrive within HMS’ ecosystem, resulting in continuous innovation and improved convenience for users. This strategic partnership between Huawei and Emirates exemplifies this belief, as they continue to push boundaries and unlock new possibilities for the travel industry.

Dubai: As part of its continuous efforts to boost the entrepreneurship ecosystem, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) announces its partnership with Bahrain-based Hope Ventures to expand Hope’s entrepreneurship-themed reality television show ‘Beban’ to the United Arab Emirates in its highly anticipated third season.This follows the show’s established expansion to the UAE for season two and its success in facilitating investment and strategic opportunities for UAE-based businesses. Having aired for two seasons, Beban featured a total of 62 businesses of various sizes and resulted in successful co-investments by the private and public sectors exceeding USD 6 million in GCC-based startups.Beban is centered around entrepreneurs and business owners as they pitch their businesses before a panel of regional investors for equity investment and business opportunities. The show's expansion aligns with KFED’s mission of creating opportunities to boost the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and supporting SMEs by offering financing and service options, as Beban will contribute to the ease of access of UAE-based businesses to a diversified pool of investors and strategic partners who will fast-track their business’ growth into regional and international markets.Furthermore, Beban entrepreneurs will also benefit from the intensive training bootcamp they will undergo as part of the Beban journey to develop their businesses in various aspects like expansion planning, financial modeling, and pitching in front of a panel of regional investors on a televised show.Commenting on the partnership, Her Excellency Alia Al Mazrouei, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, shared: “Through our partnership with Bahrain's Hope Ventures, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is excited to bring the entrepreneurial spirit of Beban to the UAE in its highly anticipated third season. By expanding Beban, we are creating valuable opportunities for UAE-based businesses to access a diverse pool of investors and strategic partners, accelerating their growth in regional and international markets. With intensive training bootcamps and exposure on a televised platform, Beban will empower entrepreneurs, foster cross-border knowledge exchange, and fuel the UAE's entrepreneurial ecosystem. We look forward to seeing all of the applicants for Beban season 3 and seeing them seize the benefits of this remarkable journey towards success."On his part, His Excellency Aymen bin Tawfiq Almoayed, Chairman of Hope Fund, said: “Beban was established as a regional investment platform that connects regional entrepreneurs and investors of diverse sectors and facilitates equity investment and strategic business development opportunities that would have been rather challenging for these entrepreneurs to access.”He further added: "This partnership with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development will provide UAE-based entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they require to develop their businesses while giving them added regional exposure through the show, all while promoting cross-border knowledge exchange between entrepreneurs of the region. We encourage and invite entrepreneurs based in UAE to apply for Beban season 3 and reap the show’s benefits.”It is noteworthy to mention that entrepreneurs will be selected through an evaluation process comprising five stages, starting with screening businesses for viability based on certain criteria, followed by an evaluation stage led by experts and specialists in the business sector. Candidates will then be nominated to participate in an intensive training bootcamp stage. The final stage will announce the eligible finalists, who will then go on to film the production’s episodes. Beban invites UAE-based entrepreneurs to apply for season 3 online through the hopefund.bh/beban by July 6th.

Dubai: On the first day of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, Impact BBDO Dubai emerged as the victor, securing the region's fourth Grand Prix. The announcement was made during the festival's inaugural live Awards Show of the week.The prestigious Grand Prix was bestowed upon Impact BBDO in recognition of their exceptional work in the Print & Publishing category. Their entry, titled "Newspapers Inside a Newspaper" for Annahar Newspaper, garnered this accolade. This marks the second consecutive year that Impact BBDO has claimed the Grand Prix in the print & publishing category. In the previous year, they won for their submission "The Elections Edition," also for Annahar Newspaper.This triumph not only adds to Impact BBDO's Grand Prix count but also signifies their third overall victory in this category. They achieved their first, which was a historic first for the region, in 2019.The "Newspapers Inside a Newspaper" campaign serves as a testament to the preservation of free speech in Lebanon and addresses the crisis that impacted the publishing industry. It ingeniously revitalizes publications that were shuttered due to political failures and pressures by incorporating them into the newspaper's daily edition.The Print & Publishing Jury expressed their admiration for the winning entry, stating, The Grand Prix was awarded to a brave piece of work that put into action a publication-based idea to defend the sanctity of a free press,”They further expressed their hope that this campaign would inspire the industry by showcasing the everlasting innovation potential within the realm of publications.In total, the Print & Publishing Lions category received 814 entries, resulting in the allocation of 26 Lions: 4 Gold, 7 Silver, and 14 Bronze.Leading the jury for this category was Ali Rez, the Chief Creative Officer of Impact BBDO, who also holds the distinction of being the MENA region's first Jury President.Additionally, the first Awards Show also revealed the winners of the Pharma Lions, Health & Wellness Lions, Outdoor Lions, and Radio & Audio Lions.In the Outdoor category, FP7 McCann Dubai was honored with a Silver and Bronze Lion for their work on 'The Heinzjack'. The agency also secured another Bronze Lion for their project 'Frequencies of Peace' for Babyshop in the Radio category.VMLY&R Dubai, in collaboration with their US-based counterpart VMLY&R Commerce, achieved a Silver Lion in the Radio category for their creation 'I See Coke' for Coca-Cola.Under the Health & Wellness category, two agencies, And Us and Saatchi & Saatchi, were recognized with a Silver and Bronze Lion respectively. The Silver Lion was awarded to 'Sole Music' for Sole Music, while the Bronze Lion was presented to 'Empty Plates' for the UAE Government Media Office.LIONS CEO Simon Cook said: “We’re delighted to honour our first Lion winners who are raising the creative bar on the global stage. Thank you to all of our exceptional Jurors who have given their time, dedication and expertise to define the creative benchmark for the Festival’s 70th edition.”

Dubai: GCG (Gulf Commercial Group) Enterprise Solutions, a leading enabler of cutting-edge technology and digital transformation solutions recently announced the launch of “G-Sign” – The first-of-its-kind digital signature solution approved by the UAE Government.The launch follows-up on GCG Enterprise Solutions’ lengthy track-record of success in enabling its clients to simplify, streamline and optimize their enterprise management needs. The Company extends unmatched support by hosting one of the most comprehensive portfolios of leading global technology partners in the region.Rapid changes shaping today’s business world have given rise to an increased need for faster approval systems. Digital signatures authenticate digital documents, along with the signer’s identity and are increasingly being adopted for the increased safety, speed, and security which they deliver. With G-Sign, multiple corporate team members can sign documentation at any time, from anywhere. Extending easy integration with UAE Pass, G-Sign serves as a secure solution for regional enterprises.Elaborating on the development, Naser Darwazeh, General Manager at GCG Enterprise Solutions stated: “GCG Enterprise Solutions has always served to promote innovation, and those who are quick to harness technological advancements stand a better chance at winning the commercial race. G-Sign is the result of the fantastic vision of our pre-sales team, our hard-work, bondless ambition, and our valued collaboration with the UAE authorities”.The Solution is currently being offered through an Annual Subscription model, with the GCG Enterprise Solutions team extending standardized and development support.

Qatar has been named as one of the region’s top ‘technology hotspots’ in the ‘MENA Tech 2023: Mapping the Technology Landscape’ report released by Doha-headquartered strategic communications agency BLJ Worldwide.  This is the its first umbrella study into the current state of the technology industry across Arabic countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.The report shares the top five with the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Bahrain. Boasting one of the most connected populations on the planet (99% of residents have access to the internet) and Vodafone Qatar, the world’s fastest mobile network, In particular, Qatar has been recognised for its world-leading approach to fintech and cutting-edge research and development facilities, such as Qatar Science & Technology Park. The report features expertise and commentary from a range of spokespeople within the Qatari tech scene. Notable mentions include Nayef Al-Ibrahim, CEO of Ibtechar, founder of fintech startup CWallet Michael Javier, Investment Director of Qatar Science & Technology Park Dr. Danny Ramadan, and leading local esports player Ahmad Al Meghessib.The 50-plus page report, which examines eighteen countries, was commissioned to explore the strength of exciting recent technological advancements in many MENA markets and has been compiled through a combination of desk research, sentiment analysis and expert opinion.Justin Kerr-Stevens, CEO, BLJ Worldwide, commented: “MENA’s tech industry has come a long way in the last decade driven by significant investment and global moments like the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and Expo 2020. With visits from the founder of Chat GPT, and sovereign wealth fund investments in Twitter and other tech unicorns, our report paints a picture of a diverse and rapidly evolving region. Once a relatively disparate collection of markets that largely followed the lead of economies such as the US and China, today MENA is a region that is recognised not only for its potential investment in tech but as a market that has its own distinct technological identity.”Michael Javier, CEO, CWallet commented: “The MENA region is bursting at the seams with tech talent, funding and resources. The time is now to assert ourselves on the global stage as a technological force in our own right.”Photo credits: pixabay

Doha:  Ooredoo and Dell Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen existing collaboration, simplify digital transformation initiatives and explore new growth opportunities through Dell’s APEX multicloud portfolio.The memorandum was signed by Adrian McDonald, EMEA President, Dell Technologies and Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Al Thani, CEO, Ooredoo Qatar, during the annual Dell Technologies World 2023.Through the agreement, Ooredoo will explore the Dell APEX offerings to simplify its cloud experiences and gain more control over its applications and data. Dell APEX will allow Qatar’s leading communications service provider to seamlessly manage and orchestrate its workloads while optimizing performance, minimizing risk and ensuring high network availability.Ooredoo will be able to eliminate unnecessary complexity and inefficiency, thereby freeing up its teams to focus on innovation. The collaboration complements Ooredoo’s current IT environment and builds on the existing technology centered around Dell’s infrastructure, storage and cyber recovery services.

Dubai: Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, has extended its long-standing partnership with BBC Studios. Under the new agreement, Emirates passengers will enjoy an enhanced offering of BBC-branded content through ICE, the airline's inflight entertainment system. This includes a substantial addition of over 250 hours of new dramas, documentaries, factual entertainment, natural history productions, and pre-school programming.To access all BBC Studios content, passengers can navigate to the dedicated BBC-branded area within ICE. This specially designated space provides a platform for passengers to indulge in popular and highly acclaimed scripted series, such as timeless classics like Blackadder, Sally Wainwright's police drama Happy Valley, and Diplomat, a gripping crime series produced by the team behind Bodyguard and Line of Duty.Additionally, a new section called BBC Earth has been introduced, featuring captivating natural history productions, including Frozen Planet II and Blue Planet II, both narrated by the esteemed Sir David Attenborough. The upcoming release of Planet Earth III is also eagerly anticipated within this dedicated section.CBeebies, the BBC's brand for preschool children, will continue to entertain young travelers on Emirates flights. Moreover, the CBeebies section now includes presenter links, offering engaging ideas and games for children and their caregivers to enjoy during intervals between series episodes. Popular global hits like Bluey, Hey Duggee, and Go Jetters are also part of the CBeebies collection.“Emirates have been a key licensee of BBC Studios content for many years, and we are very proud that our cooperation continues to grow and benefit our global audiences. This renewal gives Emirates passengers access to more hours of BBC content than ever before, and the new interface features introduced from May will help them navigate easily to their favourite shows onboard,” said ,” Zina Neophytou, VP Out of Home at BBC Studios.Furthermore, Emirates passengers will have continued access to the BBC News channel, enabling them to stay informed with linear news updates while onboard.The agreement between BBC Studios and Emirates was successfully negotiated by Neophytou and Peter Williams, who serves as the Account Manager, Out of Home, at BBC Studios.

Riyadh: Seera Group Holding’s car rental and leasing unit, Lumi Rental Company (“Lumi” or the “Company”), today announced the launch of its second used car sales showroom, further expanding its used car sales footprint in the Kingdom to meet strong growth in demand. Located in Jeddah’s Al Jawhara district, the Company’s latest showroom covers 2,960 square metres with capacity to showcase 120 pre-owned vehicles.Lumi, a national champion and fast-growing market leader in the car rental, leasing and used car sales segments, with a unique full-service business model and a fleet of over 24,000 vehicles, inaugurated its first used car showroom in Riyadh in late 2022. Launched in response to very healthy retail customer demand for used vehicles, the Riyadh and Jeddah showrooms are set to drive the Company’s strategy to maximise purchase price recovery through the sale of vehicles released from its rental and lease segments after 2-4 years of operations. In addition, Lumi’s corporate and business buyers can purchase individual or multiple pre-owned vehicles through a digitised bidding process. The strategy ensures that Lumi is in a position to operate a young rental and leasing fleet, providing its customers with access to the latest and newest vehicles.Mr. Syed Azfar Shakeel, CEO of Lumi, said:“We recognized early on that our used car sales business would play an increasingly significant role in our ambitious growth strategy and our plans to cement Lumi’s position as one of the fastest growing car leasing and rental operators in the Kingdom. The launch of our Jeddah showroom expands our geographic footprint across the country, enabling Lumi to capture further value and market share in this buoyant segment, valued in 2021 at SAR 39 billion with significant upside potential.[1]“Looking ahead, we remain committed to growing our used car sales offering, which is performing strongly on the back of the major development programs of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s post-pandemic recovery. To fully tap into growing demand, we are planning to launch a third used car showroom in Dammam, providing even greater accessibility to our customers through an expanded on-the-ground presence and our diverse and integrated digital platforms.”As part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and ensuring a seamless customer experience, Lumi’s Jeddah facility will provide visitors with a 20-point computerized vehicle inspection report, which covers all major mechanical systems and safety functions, such as mileage, model year, engine, cooling and fuel system, drive axle, transmission, electronic systems, suspension, brake system, steering and air conditioning.Customers will be able to purchase vehicles from Lumi’s diverse fleet of hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, people carriers and pickup trucks. The Company aims to sell vehicles within 2-4 years of age, replacing them with new vehicles for rental and leasing customers. Lumi’s used car business segment sold over 3,600 vehicles in 2022

Riyadh: In a milestone step, the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC) announced a strategic partnership with Tanmiah Food Company, one of the leading Saudi companies in the food manufacturing sector. A PIF company, HPDC’s landmark partnership is a forward-thinking measure to strengthen and localize the halal products industry in the Kingdom whilst supporting its development within the region as well as globally.The strategic partnership seeks to activate HPDC’s consultancy services to provide value across a variety of fields, helping exporters and investors receive halal certification, halal standard qualification domestically and abroad and tailored support within the halal marketplace, amongst other key solutions.With the presence of His Excellency Mr. Amr Al-Dabbagh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tanmiah Food Company, the partnership agreement was signed by Mr. Fahad Al-Nuhait, Chief Executive Officer of HPDC and Mr. Ahmad Osilan, Executive Board Member and Managing Director of Tanmiah Food Company. Mr. Al-Nuhait explained that the partnership is an extension of the company's endeavors to develop the Saudi halal products ecosystem by connecting it to high-demand markets, which will be strengthened by multilateral cooperation with stakeholders in the private and public sectors.Mr. Al-Nuhait went on to note that HPDC is a dynamic support arm and national resource that provides Saudi companies with services, expertise and solutions that help them take advantage of the opportunities in the halal product market both locally and globally.Mr. Osilan emphasized the importance of HPDC’s partnership and expressed his aspiration for Tanmiah to benefit from the company’s consulting services, recognizing its role as a major enabler of the Saudi halal ecosystem’s competitiveness within the region and worldwide. He stated that the step contributes to Tanmiah’s operational goals and is also aligned with HPDC’s objective to support the Kingdom’s food security efforts under Saudi Vision 2030.Utilize best-in-service advisory and technical solutions, the monumental partnership is an extension of HPDC’s aim to cement the Kingdom's position as a leading hub within the Halal products sector worldwide.

Dubai: Global business transformation agency Valtech is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Cukrowski as its new Regional Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With this strategic move, Valtech aims to leverage Adam’s extensive regional and industry experience to propel its growth and solidify its position as the leading business transformation agency in MENA.Adam brings two decades of experience accelerating digital maturity for major companies, including Emirates, Du, Abu Dhabi Airport, King Abdullah Financial District, ROSHN, Riyad Bank, and Ooredoo.As the new Regional Managing Director, Adam will focus on driving innovation, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring Valtech MENA remains at the forefront of digital excellence. Under his leadership, the agency will continue to provide end-to-end digital solutions, leverage emerging technologies, and deliver creative thinking that enables clients to achieve their business transformation goals. His wealth of knowledge, digital expertise, and deep understanding of the unique business transformation challenges and opportunities in MENA will help lead Valtech MENA into the next phase of its evolution."Valtech's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and delivering transformative digital experiences aligns perfectly with my own professional values," says Adam Cukrowski, Regional Managing Director at Valtech MENA. “I am excited to lead the talented team at Valtech MENA and continue to drive growth and success for our clients.”"With Adam's strategic vision and leadership acumen, he will play a pivotal role in shaping our regional strategy, enabling Valtech MENA to provide disruptive transformative solutions that drive measurable business outcomes and lead to our clients business exponential growth," said Patrick de Moustier, Executive Vice President of Valtech APMENA. “His appointment marks an exciting and instrumental chapter in Valtech MENA's growth story.”

Dubai: Today, Lenovo announced it has reached record annual AI infrastructure revenue of over US$2 billion and unveiled the next phase of its growth strategy, with an additional US$1 billion investment over three years to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) deployment for businesses around the world. Fueled by increased global digitalization and demand for IT infrastructure upgrades, Lenovo is simplifying the often-complex implementation of new AI capabilities by delivering AI to the source of data and harnessing its vast network of best-in-class partners to build next-generation turnkey solutions that enable computing intelligence directly at the edge. The investment will further expand the company’s industry-leading AI-ready portfolio of smart devices, infrastructure solutions and services to help accelerate innovation, enabling the use of generative AI and delivering cognitive decisions at scale throughout remote locations across financial, manufacturing, healthcare, retail and smart city applications.As part of the additional investment, Lenovo is committing US$100 million to grow the Lenovo AI Innovators program, which has delivered a record 150+ cutting edge AI solutions created with 45 leading ISV partners in the program’s first year. Leveraging the AI Innovators end-to-end ecosystem, the new solutions are bringing AI from the lab to scale and enabling the dramatic technology shifts underway within high-growth sectors. With the new solutions, customers can more rapidly deploy and leverage cutting-edge AI capabilities, like generative AI, computer vision, voice AI and virtual assistants.“Building on our more than 150 AI solutions, this pivotal investment further expands the development of AI-ready infrastructure solutions that will help customers overcome deployment complexities and more easily implement AI to deliver transformative services and products to the market,” said Kirk Skaugen, President of Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group. “As we continue our path to become the world’s largest end-to-end infrastructure solutions provider, Lenovo is committed to being the most trusted partner and empowering our customers’ intelligent transformation by bringing AI to the source of their data, at the edge.”Enabling AI Discovery and Accelerating AdoptionAI is driving a new wave of opportunities for businesses, but many companies face implementation challenges due to resource limitations and infrastructure complexities, stalling its rollout. The Lenovo AI Innovators program includes an ecosystem of best-in-class software partners collaborating with Lenovo to provide customers with tailored, proven and ready-to-deploy AI solutions for their end-to-end operations, including computer vision, audio recognition, prediction, security, and virtual assistants for every industry.Lenovo is helping customers harness the value of their data, deploying purpose-built, AI solutions to transform their business with more predictable outcomes. These include NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platform to deliver the fastest time to solution across customer industry verticals at the lowest total cost of ownership. As the retail, food service and hospitality industries adapt to the post-pandemic era, businesses are reimagining front-end and back-end operations to enable improved customer service, mitigate waste and address shifts in the labor market. Lenovo is partnering with DeepBrain AI to offer an end-to-end solution for generative AI virtual assistants that can be paired with powerful large language models (LLMs) to deliver 24/7 automated concierge service in hospitality and retail settings. With Lenovo and Vistry, quick service restaurants around the globe use computer vision to automate cook times and help predict supply quantities to prevent food waste, ensuring quality standards while helping improve customer retention and profitability.As manufacturing operations around the globe seek digitalization to drive future growth and differentiation amidst economic disruptions, innovative AI solutions from Lenovo and Guise help industrial customers reduce unplanned downtime with up to 14 days of advanced prediction, as well as understand customer behavior and optimize processes with computer vision, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection on the production line.Lenovo is also delivering its AI solutions via TruScale Infrastructure as a Service for ultimate flexibility as the company continues its service-led transformation. AI Innovators partner, Al Hathboor Bikal.ai and Lenovo are pioneering the service-based rollout of an AI-enabled data center at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Leveraging Lenovo TruScale HPC and AI as a service, the collaboration is providing public and private organizations with the ability to access AI capabilities to support citizen safety and security through digital transformation projects across education, R&D, retail, oil & gas sectors. The AI-enabled data center’s computing resources will also help organizations bring the benefits of advanced AI features, like GPT-3 to their own operations. Designed to align with the UAE Net Zero 2050 policy, the data center is the first in the region to use industry-leading Lenovo Neptune™ direct water-cooling to deliver enhanced performance and efficiency while lowering power consumption.“Al Hathboor sees this collaboration as a way to give the UAE a technological advantage to the innovation ecosystem, create jobs and opportunities for our youth and develop tech for solving regional and global challenges. Lenovo, NVIDIA AI and Intel with SRTIP gives us a joint capability in tech transfer and we look forward to working with our universities, businesses, and government,” said Mohammed Al Hathboor, Management Committee Member of Al Hathboor Bikal.ai.The new Lenovo AI Discover Center of Excellence provides access to Lenovo data scientists, AI architects and engineers to help explore, deploy and scale AI solutions. The service also guides customers to the most appropriate software partners, AI-optimized infrastructure and responsible AI guidance through the Lenovo Responsible AI Committee. As companies learn to deploy AI, the committee helps customers with their approach to designing, deploying, and using AI ethically, helping organizations understand and address privacy, fair usage, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility considerations.Bringing AI to Your DataAs the amount of worldwide data grows exponentially, next-generation infrastructure technologies that deliver data center-like computing to the edge are critical to empowering AI for improved emergency response, public safety, accessibility, tourism and retail experiences. With more enterprise data being processed outside of the data center, Lenovo is committed to supporting AI workloads everywhere, ensuring purpose-built performance for remote settings.Today, Lenovo extends its comprehensive portfolio of AI-ready infrastructure to over 70 products, with new AI-optimized edge-to-cloud server platforms that help address any AI workload. With emerging innovations like LLM and the continuous expansion of computer vision deployments, more processing power is needed where the data is being generated to run real-time inferencing at the edge.The new Lenovo ThinkEdge SE360 V2 is the latest purpose-built edge server that delivers more power to enable AI solutions ranging from computer vision, voice AI and generative AI. Whether for a store, factory or office, the new server provides extended accelerated computing supportive of Intel Data Center GPU Flex Series, the NVIDIA AI platform, including NVIDIA L4 Tensor Core GPUs and NVIDIA AI Enterprise software, as well as Qualcomm® Cloud AI 100 platforms to enable intense workloads at the source of data creation. The ThinkEdge SE360 V2 delivers the highest GPU density in the smallest form factor available and is at least twice as quiet compared to competitive products, allowing edge AI to be deployed in the most remote and rugged sites.The new range of AI-ready edge solutions also includes the Lenovo ThinkEdge SE350 V2 for hybrid cloud and modern HCI deployments, offering twice the storage capacity and leveraging the Intel Xeon® D processor to help customers run AI while easily consolidating workloads, data backup, collaboration and content delivery in the smallest form factor on the market.In the data center, the new Lenovo ThinkSystem SR675 V3 is the most versatile, accelerated computing platform on the market and purpose-built for AI with three server configurations in one, including support for NVIDIA HGX 4-GPU systems, or 4-DW PCle GPU or 8-DW PCle GPU servers in a compact 3U footprint. As fully simulated digital replicas of entire buildings, factories, distribution centers, retail stores or cities, digital twins are combined with AI to generate improved business processes and design outcomes. Lenovo is collaborating with NVIDIA on its latest NVIDIA OVX system for building and operating virtual worlds, delivering powerful performance for NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise workloads in the data center. The ThinkSystem SR675 V3, based on the OVX architecture, features up to eight NVIDIA L40 GPUs to maximize performance and deliver the most advanced ray tracing with RTX-accelerated graphics and AI capabilities in a robust and scalable platform, allowing customers to explore and unlock the full potential of digital twins for businesses of all sizes.Beyond infrastructure, Lenovo is implementing AI from the pocket to the cloud, with cutting-edge smart devices and solutions, that ensure data science is accessible across all industries in the new hybrid and remote work era. For improved collaboration, new Lenovo ThinkPad commercial laptops include a new Lenovo View application, offering AI-enabled computer vision technology for enhanced video image quality and tools. Lenovo ThinkReality XR solutions help users access immersive simulations, while purpose-built Lenovo ThinkStation and ThinkPad P Series Data Science workstations deliver the high-performance necessary for mission-critical AI model development, data prep and training tasks.With its AI-ready servers, cutting-edge smart devices and ecosystem of leading ISVs, Lenovo will bring pre-validated, performance optimized AI solutions to the source of customer data, even in the most unique edge settings. Together, these advancements serve to simplify the rollout of AI, making it accessible to organizations of all sizes and enabling transformative intelligence across all industries.

DUBAI:  Amazon Payment Services, a regional leader in digital payments across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, shares research on the spending preferences of those born between 1997 and 2012, known as Generation Z (Gen Z). The white paper, “Understanding Generation Z,” compares the spending preferences of Gen Z with that of other generations, such as those born between 1981 and 1996, otherwise known as “millennials”, and discusses the influence of Gen Z as its spending power grows. Based on research conducted by Sixth Factor Consulting, and sponsored by Amazon Payment Services, insights from the research are provided in the second white paper published on the ‘re:Imagine Payments’ thought leadership forum, which aims to help merchants and those interested in digital payments gain knowledge about the space.Peter George, Managing Director for Amazon Payment Services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), said: “The Gen Z demographic has immense potential to drive future business growth for merchants, making it an important customer segment for businesses to secure. The analysis in this paper presents Gen Z’s attitudes toward digital payments covering also other relevant industry topics in MENA, can be used by merchants to connect effectively with this audience, in order to drive healthy, and sustainable growth.”The white paper presents research from surveying over 1,800 respondents across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Egypt.George also said: “Earlier this year, we launched the ‘re:Imagine Payments’ forum to create a space for collaboration among existing and potential partners to engage, explore, and establish new solutions together. This white paper comes in line with our goal to share insights on industry trends across different audiences, promoting knowledge-sharing to support growth and innovation in the regional payments sector.”Merchants in the region can utilize the findings of the “Understanding Generation Z” white paper to explore this demographic’s preferences and underlying motivations, in order to authentically connect with Gen Z and secure future success, by delivering to their emerging needs.More than half of research respondents prefer paying digitallyGen Z members are tech-savvy, which impacts their attitude toward payments. Research showed this demographic prefers digital payment methods, with payment cards and mobile wallets being the most popular.Those surveyed said they thought Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options are a convenient way to pay for big-ticket items. Zero interest, lack of paperwork, and lightening the pressure on the pocket are the reasons driving interest for this payment method among Generation Z.In all three countries, the vast majority of respondents were aware of peer-to-peer (P2P) transfer apps, with awareness as high as 92% in Egypt, driven by the early availability of the national Instant Payment Network. The majority of respondents across UAE, KSA and Egypt claim to have conducted a P2P transfer using an app or another method at least once.The research also found high awareness of in-app payments; however, respondents suggested that this method is competing with other commonly used payments methods, and that merchants should consider using discounts to steer more purchases toward mobile apps.One category of in-app payment that was welcomed by respondents was super apps. Respondents said that super apps, currently available in AE, were particularly convenient, leading to high awareness and take-up.Personalization over privacyGen Z members say they prioritize personalization over privacy. The study found that Gen Z is less concerned about data-sharing than previous generations, and they are willing to share their data if it provides them with a better shopping experience.One Gen Z survey respondent said: “I am aware cookies track down the websites I visit and target advertisement towards me as per my taste and choice. [But] I get relevant content on what would interest me, making my online experience more personalized.”Millennials who took the survey, however, expressed more concern about data-sharing. One millennial respondent said: “I am very careful and reluctant in sharing my data, I feel unsafe and prefer to only click on websites I know. Even on known websites, I do not share my information.”Underlying motivations driving behaviourTo successfully reach Gen Z, businesses must understand not only their quantifiable behaviors but more importantly their underlying motivations.As the first generation of digital natives, Gen Z have never known a world without smartphones and the internet, unlike the digital immigrants who preceded them.This has exposed Gen Z to various global issues very early in life due to their behavior as heavy users of social media, embedding a deep sense of social responsibility which shows up in their choice of brands and workplaces. To gain favor with Gen Z, businesses must understand their values and priorities and develop a matching corporate social responsibility strategy.Gen Z is also one of the most entrepreneurial generations, especially in the Middle East. This entrepreneurial mindset is motivated by the underlying desire for financial independence.As a result, offering loyalty programs and reward schemes that emphasize affordability, and showcasing financial planning as an attractor to newer payment methods will be beneficial for businesses targeting Gen Z.In order to effectively target Gen Z, businesses need to understand this demographic. “Understanding Generation Z” delivers insights into the way Gen Z thinks. This will help businesses build their businesses in a way that appeals to this unique, complex, and dynamic generation and seize future opportunities.

Riyadh: Nortal, the global digital transformation powerhouse, has appointed Hani Al Khiary as the Country Leader for Saudi Arabia. As a Saudi national with over fifteen years of experience in digital transformation and technology advisory, Al Khiary brings deep industry knowledge and expertise to further strengthen Nortal's presence and commitment to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.In his new role, Al Khiary will be responsible for overseeing and driving commercial relationships in Saudi Arabia, as well as managing Nortal’s operations in Riyadh, one of the firm's three offices in the GCC alongside Oman and the UAE. His appointment signifies Nortal's dedication to growth in Saudi Arabia and ongoing investment in expanding its team of experts, uniquely positioned to help clients make a meaningful contribution to the country's digital transformation journey.Nortal recognizes that fostering local tech talent is a crucial aspect of Vision 2030. The Kingdom is in high demand for skilled tech professionals, part of its aim to diversify away from an economy traditionally reliant on oil. Al Khiary will play a pivotal role in championing Nortal's ‘Saudi Changemakers Program,’ a new type of internship program for junior software developers looking to get hands-on experience with Java, React and SQL outside of the Middle East. The most recent program saw nine young Saudi professionals embark on a three-month knowledge sharing and mentorship journey, culminating with permanent job offers from Nortal."Al Khiary is a strong leader with extensive cross-industry experience and an impressive record of accomplishment in driving year-on-year growth," said Taavi Einaste, CEO of Nortal in the Middle East and Africa. "His leadership qualities and deep understanding of the region will strengthen Nortal’s presence and expertise in this ever-growing economy. We empower our clients to achieve their strategic goals, drive innovation, and create a positive impact within countries, and our ambition in Saudi Arabia is to achieve the same."Hani Al Khiary, Country Manager for Saudi Arabia at Nortal, added: "I am honored to join Nortal to expand and scale the company’s footprint in Saudi Arabia. Nortal’s capabilities across technology, data, cyber resilience, product and strategy allows us to execute the company’s vision and our commitment to the digital transformation of the Kingdom. I am excited to re-imagine the future by championing the next generation of Saudi tech talent through Nortal’s Changemakers Program.”Nortal is a renowned global leader in digital transformation, assisting government entities and companies in transforming their operations through the implementation of digital technologies and AI. With a proven track record and a strong commitment to delivering exceptional results for notable clients such as the General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia, Nortal is well-positioned to support the Kingdom's digitalization vision.