UAE's FANR to Launch Transformational Projects for Nuclear Safety and Regulation
These initiatives aim to enhance nuclear safety and security while expanding the UAE's international cooperation in the field.
Christer Viktorsson, FANR's Director-General, highlighted at a press briefing in Abu Dhabi that the authority will continue sharing its expertise with nuclear newcomer countries. The UAE will host the 8th International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection in October 2025, welcoming around 600 experts to discuss radiation protection and advancements.
In response to global nuclear energy trends, including COP28's pledge to triple nuclear energy by 2050, FANR is strengthening its regulatory framework to support the UAE's economy and ensure public safety. Key efforts include oversight of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, where the recent commercial operation of Unit 4 marked a historic milestone.
FANR is also integrating AI into nuclear regulation, launching its AI Strategy and collaborating internationally to advance its deployment in the sector. The UAE will participate in a high-level roundtable on AI's role in Small Modular Reactors at the upcoming World Government Summit.
Throughout 2024, FANR conducted extensive inspections, certifying 267 reactor operators, overseeing 47 safety inspections at Barakah, and carrying out 50 safeguards-related inspections. Additionally, 1,090 licenses and over 1,600 import and export permits were issued for radiation facilities.
The authority also strengthened emergency preparedness through international collaboration, including joint exercises with Saudi Arabia. The UAE has joined 43 countries in the IAEA's Response and Assistance Network, reinforcing its role as a global leader in nuclear safety and regulatory excellence.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Campaign ME
2 hours ago
- Campaign ME
Virtual influencers are rewriting the rules of social media
The influencer marketing landscape is experiencing a seismic shift as virtual influencers emerge from the digital realm to capture millions of followers and lucrative brand partnerships. With 58 per cent of people in the US following at least one virtual influencer, these computer-generated characters are no longer a futuristic concept – they're reshaping how brands connect with audiences. The new digital stars Virtual influencers are entirely computer-generated characters created using artificial intelligence, CGI, and advanced animation technologies. Unlike their human counterparts, these digital personalities exist solely in the virtual space, yet they maintain active social media presences, engage with followers, and collaborate with major brands. Lu do Magalu leads with 7.1 million Instagram followers, making her the most successful digital personality globally. Originally designed in 2003 as a virtual assistant for Brazilian retail company Magazine Luiza, Lu has evolved into a full-fledged influencer phenomenon. Meanwhile, newcomers like Spain's Aitana López and the world's first digital supermodel Shudu are gaining significant traction, demonstrating the global appetite for virtual personalities. The brand safety advantage Virtual influencers offer brands unprecedented reliability. They are immune to scandals, controversies, and personal downtime that can derail traditional influencer campaigns. Unlike human influencers who may face personal challenges or voice controversial opinions, virtual influencers provide consistent brand messaging and are always 'camera-ready'. They are ageless, endlessly productive, and free from scandals, making them a dependable choice for brands. This level of control allows companies to maintain their brand image while scaling content production without the unpredictability that sometimes comes with human partnerships. The uncanny valley challenge Despite their growing popularity, virtual influencers face a unique psychological challenge. A recent Australian study demonstrated that audiences may prefer less human-like AI influencers. The research revealed that virtual influencers with moderate and high levels of human likeness left audiences feeling unsettled and were deemed as 'creepy' and less trustworthy. This 'uncanny valley' effect suggests that the most successful virtual influencers may be those that embrace their digital nature rather than attempting to perfectly mimic human appearance. Participants were more likely to accept messages from 2D digital personas that didn't attempt to visually mimic human appearance. Market impact The financial impact is substantial. According to IMH's AI Influencer Marketing Benchmark Report, nearly half of respondents who collaborated with AI influencers reported a 'very positive' experience. Additionally, 52.8 per cent believe that virtual influencer versatility will have a major effect on the future of marketing and entertainment. Virtual influencers also offer cost advantages. While creation requires specialised talent, they eliminate ongoing expenses like travel, logistics, and the risk of human error or unavailability. By Khaldoun Zaghir, General Manager, 5th Element.
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Meet Mindvalley's EVE: The AI companion built for emotional intelligence
In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) has started to write our emails, plan our schedules, and act as our personal coach or cheerleader, we must ask the question: Is AI also going to show us real emotion some day? A friend recently shared her frustration after receiving a generic AI-generated email from her boss congratulating her on 20 years with the company. 'It didn't feel sincere,' she said. 'I could tell that it was outsourced.' And so, we find ourselves at a crossroads, where AI is no longer going to remain just a tool of efficiency, it is going to participate in our emotional and relational lives. In the thick of this quandary comes the announcement of EVE, by Mindvalley, a breakthrough in AI. For Vishen Lakhiani, founder of the global personal growth platform, this is 'the most emotionally meaningful project' he has ever worked on. Named after his daughter, Eve, the announcement makes a bold statement that technology, when built with empathy, can become an extension of our humanity. The 'how', we're yet to see. EVE is also an acronym for Everyone Elevates, encapsulating its mission to guide users towards their highest selves. 'Most AI today is built to help you do more. EVE is built to help you become more,' Vishen explains. 'She's designed to form memories about you, to understand your goals, motivations, psychology, and who you're becoming. And then, in the most brilliant, empathetic, and understanding way, guide you towards your greatest potential.' Unlike productivity bots or transactional assistants, EVE is designed to be rooted in wisdom. Leveraging the collective teachings of over a hundred Mindvalley experts — from biohacker Dave Asprey to hypnotherapist Marisa Peer and transformational speaker Lisa Nichols — EVE is designed to reflect this wisdom judiciously. 'It's a distillation of the world's leading minds in health, mindset, and human potential, brought to life through an interface that serves not your schedule, but your soul.' How emotion sensing works One of EVE's most intriguing promises is Emotional Intelligence. While current iterations focus on content recommendations and practice reminders, Mindvalley envisions a future where EVE integrates seamlessly with wearable technology such as Apple Watch, WHOOP, Ultrahuman and the like, to sense your physiological state in real time. But how does this work and what data is collected, that is the burning question. With your explicit permission, EVE will pull biometric data from your connected wearables: heart rate variability (HRV), galvanic skin response, body temperature, sleep cycles, and stress markers. Each of these data points acts as a window into your emotional and physical state. HRV, for example, is a powerful measure of nervous system health and stress resilience. Skin conductivity can indicate anxiety spikes. And put together, these signals help EVE build an understanding of your moment-to-moment reality. 'Your body tells a story,' Vishen says. 'And with the right intelligence, we can respond before burnout hits, before your nervous system crashes.' That said, the long-term vision is even more holistic. EVE will be able to interpret data not only from wearables but also your medical history, supplement stack, dietary inputs, and bloodwork, all aggregated to give personalised, real-time recommendations. It's a move from generic wellness advice to an intuitive feedback loop that understands what you need, when you need it, with emotional precision. The ethics of emotional data Yet, as some would say: 'With great potential comes great responsibility'. Vishen is clear on the ethical guardrails. Mindvalley builds to European General Data Protection Regulation standards, prioritising user data sovereignty over ambition. 'We once explored building emotion-detection features into EVE. But as we looked deeper, we realised that the European Union may move to ban AI systems that interpret emotions in real time. Even though our intention was to use this for good, we abandoned that path. We chose to prioritise ethics over ambition.' For now, EVE will not manipulate, but only reflect, and her nudges are based entirely on the goals you've set yourself, reminding you of who you already said you wanted to become. And crucially, your data always remains yours. AI for more soul time, not screen time Looking ahead, Vishen envisions AI becoming ambient, integrated into homes, cars, headphones, even daily surroundings in invisible ways. But his vision will always remain human-first. 'Imagine your AI notices your gait is slightly off and suggests balance training before it becomes a fall risk. For the elderly, that's lifesaving. But this isn't about replacing human connection. It's about deepening it.' At Mindvalley, EVE is still in beta mode, with emotion-sensing features and integrations rolling out over the next six months. Early testers report greater adherence to practices, deeper course immersion, and a feeling of being truly supported. But Vishen is quick to note that the breakthroughs come from human wisdom itself; EVE simply ensures you find the right guidance at the right time. Perhaps that is the true promise of EVE. Not an AI to make you do more tasks, but an emotionally sound companion that helps you live more consciously, connect more deeply, and rise into the human being you were always meant to be. As Vishen says: 'The ultimate goal is not more screen time, but more soul time.'
Al Etihad
5 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority records Dh1.47bn+ in sales through Fodder Market platform in 2024
14 Aug 2025 16:17 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has recorded sales exceeding Dh1.47 billion in 2024 through its digital Fodder Market its launch in collaboration with the TAMM platform, the platform has attracted a growing number of livestock breeders seeking high-quality fodder at competitive prices. The total number of purchase requests registered via the platform in 2024 reached 455,650, benefiting 17,400 livestock owners across the Fodder Market has marked a significant shift in the infrastructure of the fodder trade. The sector has witnessed a notable expansion, with the number of registered fodder supply companies increasing from two to 17 and the number of sales outlets rising to 112. The variety of available fodder products has grown from two types to seven, ensuring greater choice for livestock breeders. In line with efforts to enhance customer experience, the purchasing process has been simplified by 57 per cent, now requiring only three steps, with transaction completion time reduced to under 3.5 minutes. These improvements have led to a customer satisfaction rate of 87 per cent, reflecting the efficiency and accessibility of the commemorate the first anniversary of the platform's launch—recognised as the largest and first-of-its-kind initiative in the Middle East—ADAFSA introduced an enhanced version of the Fodder Market mobile application. The app aims to streamline access to high-quality fodder at competitive prices for approximately 40,000 livestock breeders across the UAE, serving the needs of over 5 million heads of comprehensive digital platform enables users to browse and compare fodder products, select optimal deals, place orders with scheduled deliveries, and complete transactions through secure and diversified payment Excellency Rashed Mohammed Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Animal Wealth Sector at ADAFSA, highlighted that smart solutions adopted within the Fodder Market have enhanced competition among suppliers, leading to price reductions of up to 30 per cent on select products. Improvements in fodder quality and protein concentration variations have also helped meet livestock nutrition requirements more effectively. Al Manssori further emphasised that these advancements represent a transformative leap in animal wealth development policies, aligning with the We the UAE 2031 vision objectives of strengthening food security and accelerating digital transformation. The Fodder Market, valued at approximately Dh4.5 billion and handling 3 million tonnes of fodder annually, stands as a model of digital transformation in essential economic sectors. The platform has organised market operations, ensured fair competition among suppliers, and strengthened sustainable food production in the UAE. ADAFSA is committed to expanding the market's geographical reach, introducing additional agricultural products, and enhancing integration with smart agricultural initiatives. The Fodder Market platform connects fodder buyers with approved suppliers, ensuring safe and sustainable trading solutions, while also enabling local fodder companies to access wider markets. Located near livestock farms (Ezbah), the Fodder Market is linked to approved sales centres and an online platform accessible to registered suppliers across the UAE. Accessible via the TAMM platform, the Fodder Market app allows users to search for and purchase fodder based on price, type, and manufacturer. It also enables reordering previous purchases, provides comprehensive product details and illustrative images, and offers secure payment options, an order summary, supplier contact details, and downloadable purchase invoices.
