Lifestyle Living like the Jetsons: Middle East homes go smart It has been six decades since the American animated sitcom The Jetsons offered a glimpse into a future filled with robots and smart kitchens. Now reality seems poised to beat this once-fanciful vision. Today, voice-activated assistants seamlessly control everything – from adjusting lights and thermostats to automating tasks such as unlocking doors or turning on […] December 17, 2023
Finance Mena startup funding bounces back in November Startup funding rose sharply in November, reflecting regional and global investors’ renewed confidence in the Middle East and North Africa. Investment totalled $764 million from 42 deals, according to Dubai-based venture capital company Wamda. It was the highest monthly figure in 2023, an increase of 390 percent from October’s figure and a year-on-year rise of […] December 14, 2023
Sustainability Turning trash into tokens: blockchain’s answer to waste Trash, garbage, detritus. Whatever you call it, the waste management industry around the world faces a huge challenge as it must handle a substantial and growing volume of rubbish. In 2020, according to the World Bank, the world generated 2.24 billion tonnes of solid waste, amounting to a footprint of 0.79 kg per person per […] December 11, 2023
Tech Binance pulls out of licence application in Abu Dhabi Global cryptocurrency exchange Binance has withdrawn its licence application from Abu Dhabi Global Market, the main regulator in the UAE capital, but still wants to join an international exchange in Dubai. The troubled crypto operator withdrew its application on November 7, according to the regulator’s website. “While assessing our global licensing needs, we decided this […] December 8, 2023
Tech UAE cybersecurity is failing, say IT executives Inadequate technology is one of the primary causes of data breaches suffered by UAE companies, despite huge investments made by IT departments in the Gulf state to combat cyberattacks, say experts. Companies in the Mena region spent $2.8 billion on cybersecurity last year, according to US technology research and consulting firm Gartner. Yet a report […] December 8, 2023
Opinion Employment Clocking off: the pros and cons of a four-day week A shorter working week can boost productivity but will companies take the plunge? December 7, 2023
Tech Tax-friendly UAE beckons blockchain businesses The UAE is becoming a preferred destination for blockchain technology companies, ranking third globally as a crypto centre, according to a survey. Immigration consultancy Henley & Partners used six criteria to arrive at a global ranking and placed Singapore first because of its government’s close cooperation with banks, businesses and the public in developing its […] December 2, 2023
Tech Abu Dhabi sets up business to leverage AI expertise Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council has set up a company that aims to capitalise on the emirate’s growing expertise in artificial intelligence. The business, AI71, will build on Falcon, the open-source AI developed in Abu Dhabi. The Falcon 7B, 40B and 180B large language models (LLMs) – tools capable of digesting large amounts of […] November 29, 2023
Logistics Last-mile delivery drives growth in logistics sector Last-mile delivery is recording strong growth in the Mena logistics sector, which itself is receiving substantial funding in the region. Logistics was the third highest-funded sector in the Mena region last year, amounting to $362 million, according to data from advisory service and investor Wamda. Wize, a logistics startup in Dubai which specialises in last-mile […] November 28, 2023
Tech Binance scandal won’t rock UAE but clarity is needed Industry experts have told AGBI that the UAE needs to address some of its own internal challenges if it is to realise its ambitions to become a global cyptocurrency player. Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao’s guilty plea as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with US anti-money laundering authorities is unlikely to lead to major […] November 24, 2023
AGBI AI EVENT Tech ‘Human-in-the-loop’ model remains essential for AI Artificial intelligence is poised to complement and augment human capabilities, not replace them, according to a tech expert speaking at an AGBI event last week. Noel Tock, the founder of digital agency Human Made, emphasised the importance of the “human-in-the-loop” model. “For critical tasks such as analysing medical reports, human oversight remains essential until AI […] November 23, 2023
AGBI AI EVENT Tech Businesses shouldn’t leap onto ChatGPT bandwagon Companies looking to use AI to enhance business should not rush to jump on the “tech bandwagon” behind successes such as ChatGPT, one of the UK’s leading experts in artificial intelligence has said. ChatGPT, launched in November 2022, uses large language modelling (LLM) which enables it to do things like answer questions and write articles. […] November 23, 2023
Video length: 0:57 AGBI AI EVENT Tech AI ‘not just a problem-solving tool’ for journalists Journalists must embrace artificial intelligence technologies in their day-to-day work, according to a panel of leading experts during a session hosted by AGBI at the Global Media Congress. “AI is not just a tool for problem-solving or generating the next stories but it also allows the development of new creative skill sets,” said Professor Neil […] November 23, 2023
AGBI AI EVENT Tech Bias a challenge for AI ethics, says Silicon Valley analyst The ethical considerations surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) should focus on the inherent biases introduced during the design phase by those crafting the technology, a Silicon Valley analyst and AI advocate, Jessica Groopman, told an event organised by AGBI last week. “When we create these tools, we inevitably embed biases in them, reflecting our human biases,” […] November 21, 2023
Tech Saudi Arabia sets up centre to research AI ethics Saudi Arabia has announced a centre aimed to propel competencies and legislative frameworks in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies. The International Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics was unveiled by the minister of culture Prince Badr Bin Farhan at the 42nd session of Unesco’s General Conference in Paris on November 11. The centre […] November 13, 2023
Tech Core42 unveils advanced Arabic language AI model A new version of a deep learning algorithm capable of translating or generating Arabic text was unveiled in the UAE this week. Jais30B, which features 30 billion parameters, was introduced by Core42, a G42 company based in Abu Dhabi. “With 160 percent longer answers in Arabic and a 233 percent increase in English, the platform […] November 10, 2023
Tourism Appeal of virtual travel is instant – but limited Virtual reality is making it possible for visitors to explore destinations before they travel and see places that would otherwise be inaccessible, but there is much debate over whether it is a replacement for real travel. “The metaverse can allow destinations to offer ‘try before you buy’ virtual experiences,” said Samuel Huber, CEO of UK […] November 8, 2023
Tech Arabic speakers targeted by malicious WhatsApp hackers Arabic-speaking WhatsApp users are being targeted by unidentified hackers who are distributing spying malware through a modified version of the messaging service. The Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reported that the hackers had launched more than 340,000 attacks in October alone. Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Egypt and Turkey experienced the highest attack rates. The malware has […] November 8, 2023
Tech AI education takes centre stage in the UAE Just over three-quarters of UAE students aged between 12 to 15 believe that artificial intelligence skills are critical in finding a job after finishing education. Some 77 percent of those surveyed by Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed Bin Zayed University (MBZUAI) of Artificial Intelligence said AI aptitude and literacy were critical for their generation. To harness the […] November 6, 2023
Tech Dubai to create 30,000 jobs in gaming Dubai has launched a plan to create 30,000 jobs in the gaming industry by 2033. Its Program for Gaming 2033 aims to increase gaming’s contribution to the digital economy to $1 billion within a decade. The emirate’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the strategy also aims to position it […] November 3, 2023
Video length: 03:47 Tech IT opportunities in UAE to leap 80% thanks to AI uptake Job opportunities in the UAE’s information technology sector will rise 80 percent as IT leaders plan to augment their teams in the next 12 months, according to a survey. The driving force behind this surge in demand for IT professionals is the advance of technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI and machine learning, […] November 2, 2023
Tech AI Safety Summit: Sunak’s push for UK’s global role British prime minister Rishi Sunak’s promise to plan the AI Safety Summit 2023 in less than six months was more than simply an effort to establish the UK as a pioneer in a rapidly developing area. Sunak envisions the UK as a global leader in AI safety, aiming to secure a significant role in the […] November 1, 2023
