Gulf Business tech panel: Dubai's key players pave next frontier in innovation
Image credit: Supplied photo
The second Gulf Business Breakfast Briefing of 2025, held on April 23, focused on innovation and emerging technologies.
The event brought together leading minds from telecoms, AI, cloud, and blockchain — fields rapidly becoming the foundation of the region's economic future.
The agenda of the event was as follows:
Panel Discussion: Telecoms & Cloud – The Next Frontier
The impact of 5G Advanced and the roadmap to 6G
The shift from telco to techco – how telecom companies are evolving into digital service providers
The rise of sovereign cloud and its role in data security and telecom innovation
Moderator: Neesha Salian, Editor, Gulf Business
Panellists:
Iwan Stella, Head of Strategy and Commercial Management for Ericsson Middle East and Africa;
Cherian Varghese, Senior Vice President, AI and Cloud Infrastructure, EMEA, Oracle;
Samar Mittal, Vice President and MEA Head of Cloud & Network Services, Nokia
Sameer Jameel, Chief Technology Architect, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia
Keynote –
Mazen Nahawi, Founder and Group CEO, Carma
Panel Discussion: Artificial Intelligence – A Regional Powerhouse
The UAE's growing role as an AI innovation hub
AI-driven transformation in finance, healthcare, logistics, and security
Moderator: Gareth van Zyl, Group Editor, Gulf Business
Panellists:
Vasudha Khandeparkar, AI, Analytics and Data Practice Lead, Business Consulting, Grant Thornton UAE
Andreas Hassellof, CEO and founder of Ombori
Mark Dymock Operating Partner at SC Ventures
Mazen Nahawi, Founder and Group CEO, Carma
Panel Discussion: Blockchain Evolution – From Pilots to Pioneers
The UAE's blockchain-friendly regulations and their role in attracting global innovation
Moderator: Kokila Alagh, founder and managing partner of Karm Legal
Panellists:
Rifad Mahasneh, CEO of OKX MENA
Alice Liu, Head of Research at CoinMarketCap
Faisal Zaidi, President, Exscape
Akos Erzse, Director of Public Policy at BitOasis
Srinu Chowhan, Chief Marketing Officer, MultiBank.io
Image credit: Supplied photo
The 5G legacy: Stepping stone towards experience monetisation
5G-Advanced (also known as 5.5G or 5G-A) is an evolutionary upgrade to 5G technology, defined under the 3GPP Release 18 standard. It serves as a transitional phase between 5G and future 6G networks, focusing on performance optimization, enhanced spectral and energy efficiency, and expanded functionality.
Read-
'5G-A will always be part of the 5G legacy. What's interesting is how 5G is shifting the paradigm — not just in terms of traffic monetisation, but now towards experience monetisation,' said Sameer Jameel, chief technology architect at
He added, 'For applications like live streaming — think concerts or large gatherings — individuals still face challenges sharing videos in real time. Operators in the Middle East and other regions are already working on experience monetisation, ensuring individual customers get the right bandwidth and a seamless data-sharing experience.'
He also highlighted the demand for high bandwidth in vertical industries like smart cities, manufacturing, and agriculture, all of which 5G can support.
Image credit: Supplied photo
How trust and reputation are changing in the age of AI
Technology companies today are harnessing speed, processing power, and big data applications to unlock new levels of insight. These tools now shape public opinion and reputation at an unprecedented scale.
'Take synthetic data, for example — it's built from millions of interview responses and used to create AI databases that predict opinion trends. But guess what? These are turning out to be some of the most inaccurate models in market research history,' said Mazen Nahawi, founder and group CEO of Carma. 'The key issue? The quality of your data and the security around it.'
Flaws in AI
One of AI's biggest flaws today is the lack of proper data verification. 'Anyone can feed data into an LLM (large language model), and most platforms aren't verifying the sources,' said Nahawi. 'For instance, The New York Times is suing OpenAI for scraping content from its digital editions without permission.'
AI: Data gaps in the emerging world
Most data used to train AI doesn't represent the emerging world. Languages, histories, and perspectives from countries without strong digital infrastructure are often excluded. This positions AI as a tool of the powerful, reflecting their biases rather than global diversity.
Data reinforcement wars
In today's AI-driven age, even Fortune 500 companies are reportedly using shadow marketing teams to influence data and discredit competitors. 'There's no digital police to take down false data,' Nahawi added. 'So these companies manipulate AI to reinforce biased or misleading results.'
Image credit: Supplied photo
Crypto: The next innovation wave
'Crypto is the next wave of innovation, and the UAE is leading the market in several areas,' said Alice Liu, head of research at CoinMarketCap. 'Three key areas include tokenized real estate, tokenized gold, and stablecoins.'
According to the Dubai Land Department, tokenized real estate markets in Dubai are expected to grow by around 7.8 per cent annually over the next three years. 'They are even issuing $1 billion worth of bonds tied to this trend,' Liu said. 'Dubai is becoming a global leader in these developments.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TECHx
16 hours ago
- TECHx
UAE Airports Set New Global Standards with AI Integration
Home » Latest news » UAE Airports Set New Global Standards with AI Integration Selim Bouri, President for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) at SITA, has announced that UAE airports, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have set new global standards in innovation, efficiency, and passenger experience. He reported the UAE's strong commitment to digitalisation and the use of advanced technologies. This comes as airports face the growing challenge of managing increasing passenger volumes. In a statement to Emirates News Agency (WAM), Bouri revealed that SITA is working closely with UAE airports. The goal is to understand their unique needs and deliver tailored technology solutions. One key initiative is the Smart Travel system at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. This integrated platform uses biometric identity processing to streamline passenger journeys. According to Bouri, the system reduces congestion and waiting times. It also improves the airport's ability to handle more international flights. Zayed International Airport saw significant growth in flight traffic in 2024. As a result, adopting digital solutions became essential. Since the launch of its new terminal in November 2023, over one million passengers have been processed using facial recognition. Each traveller now has a unique digital identity, enabling a seamless journey from check-in to departure. This includes border control in under 12 minutes. Bouri said the success of the Smart Travel system in Abu Dhabi could lead to its adoption at other airports across the UAE. He also revealed that UAE airports will soon expand biometric processing at checkpoints. This will support a fully contactless passenger experience. He highlighted that self-service technologies will become a key focus in the coming years: Self-check-in kiosks Automated baggage drop Smart boarding gates These innovations aim to reduce congestion and simplify travel processes. Bouri noted that cybersecurity remains a top priority in UAE's digital airport strategy. He stressed that smart solutions will enhance safety, reduce delays, and improve overall efficiency. He predicted that the next decade will see a rise in next-generation communication technologies in airports. This includes creating a highly integrated smart airport ecosystem. He also discussed the benefits of 5G, enabling seamless device-to-device communication. This enhances ground connectivity for passengers, systems, and operations. Looking ahead, Bouri mentioned support for future technologies such as sixth-generation networks and advanced wireless internet services. He reported that airports, airlines, and governments across the Middle East are investing heavily in technology. Their goal is to boost passenger experience and improve operational efficiency. Technologies like biometric systems and e-gates are now backed by strategic initiatives and major funding. Bouri emphasized the growing importance of artificial intelligence and big data in flight management. These tools help reduce delays and improve decision-making. He added that airports and partners generate large volumes of data. However, not all of it is fully used. He expects that over the next decade, future-ready airports will increasingly rely on: Predictive analytics Big data platforms Advanced operational tools He clarified that AI and robotics do not replace humans. Instead, they support smart collaboration between people and technology. Finally, Bouri announced that AI in aviation will expand to more sectors. It will enhance flight scheduling, automate baggage handling, support operations centres, and improve fuel efficiency. AI will also strengthen airport security by improving threat detection and providing multilingual assistance.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Seamless departure in 12 minutes: UAE airports set global benchmark in digital efficiency
ABU DHABI (WAM) Selim Bouri, President for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) at SITA, a global leader in air transport IT and communications, has confirmed that airports in the UAE, particularly those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have established new global benchmarks in innovation, efficiency and passenger experience. He noted the country's clear commitment to digitalisation and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, particularly in light of the increasing challenge of managing growing passenger volumes. In remarks to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Bouri explained that SITA works closely with UAE airports to understand their unique needs and opportunities, providing tailored technology solutions, pointing to the implementation of the Smart Travel system at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi—a fully integrated platform for biometric identity processing. This system, he noted, reduces congestion and waiting times while enhancing airport capacity to handle the rising number of international flights. Zayed International Airport experienced strong growth in flight traffic in 2024, making it essential to adopt digital solutions to meet this surge. Bouri described the airport's experience as a testament to the value of advanced biometric processing, highlighting that since the opening of its new terminal in November 2023, the airport has processed over one million passengers using facial recognition. This has created a unique digital identity for each traveller, enabling a seamless journey from check-in to departure—including border control—in under 12 minutes. The success of the Smart Travel system at Zayed International Airport, he added, paves the way for its adoption at other airports across the UAE. On future technologies passengers can expect at UAE airports, Bouri said that the country's travel experience is increasingly powered by smart solutions that provide efficiency and convenience. He revealed plans to expand biometric processing across airport checkpoints, delivering a fully contactless passenger experience. Self-service technologies, he said, will be a core focus area in the coming years. These include self-check-in kiosks, automated baggage drop services, and smart boarding gates, all aimed at reducing congestion and streamlining travel procedures. Cybersecurity also remains a top priority within the UAE's airport digital strategies. Bouri emphasised that smart innovations will play a key role in boosting efficiency, minimising waiting times, enhancing safety and reinforcing the UAE's status as a leader in smart, integrated airport systems. He added that the coming decade will witness a significant increase in the deployment of next-generation communication technologies within airports. This will create a highly integrated smart airport ecosystem and flight operation network. Bouri discussed the impact of 5G networks on enabling seamless device-to-device communication, benefitting passengers, systems and operations through improved ground connectivity. He also pointed to future support for sixth-generation network technologies and advanced wireless internet services. Airports, airlines and governments in the Middle East, known for their leadership in innovation, are investing heavily in the latest technologies to enhance passenger experience and streamline airport operations. These include biometric processing systems and e-gates backed by strategic initiatives and major investments. Addressing the role of artificial intelligence and big data in improving flight management and reducing delays, Bouri explained that although airports, airlines and partners generate vast amounts of data, it is not always fully understood or leveraged. Over the next decade, he said, future-ready airports will increasingly rely on big data, predictive analytics and advanced platforms to achieve peak operational efficiency. The growing role of AI and robotics, he clarified, does not eliminate the human factor but rather fosters smart collaboration between people and technology. Bouri concluded that the next decade will see AI extend to more sectors, enhancing flight scheduling, personalised communication with passengers, operations centre support, predictive maintenance, multilingual assistance, automated baggage handling and reduced fuel consumption for autonomous vehicles. AI will also be used by airports and governments to improve security screening and increase the accuracy of threat detection.
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Arabian Post
Web-Based Operating System Transforms Digital Access
A fully operational computer system that runs entirely within a web browser is reshaping the way users interact with technology, removing the need for traditional hardware or software installations. This breakthrough in cloud computing and browser technology delivers a complete operating system environment accessible from virtually any device with internet connectivity, opening new possibilities for both individual users and organisations. The web-based operating system offers a comprehensive suite of applications and utilities, replicating many of the functions found on conventional desktops. Users can manage files, browse the internet, run software, and even engage in development tasks without the constraints of physical hardware. The system operates through a sophisticated virtual environment embedded in modern browsers, utilising technologies such as WebAssembly and advanced JavaScript frameworks to deliver near-native performance. Experts highlight the implications for sectors ranging from education to enterprise. Schools can deploy such platforms on low-cost or outdated hardware, enabling students to access powerful computing resources remotely. Companies benefit from reduced IT overhead, as the need for maintaining individual devices diminishes, while centralised updates and security controls simplify management. Moreover, the portability inherent in browser-based systems enhances remote work capabilities, a priority in the evolving global workforce landscape. ADVERTISEMENT Behind this innovation is a convergence of cloud infrastructure improvements and enhanced web standards. The operating system stores data securely in the cloud, allowing users to retrieve their environment seamlessly across sessions and devices. Encryption protocols and authentication mechanisms protect sensitive information, addressing security concerns that traditionally hindered cloud adoption. Performance benchmarks show that these browser-run environments can handle complex tasks, including multimedia editing and coding, with minimal lag. This performance leap is attributed to optimisations in browser engines and the utilisation of just-in-time compilation techniques that translate code efficiently. Developers note that this paves the way for software distribution models that bypass traditional installation processes, streamlining user experiences. While the technology holds promise, some challenges remain. Dependence on stable and high-speed internet connections limits accessibility in regions with poor infrastructure. There are also ongoing debates about data sovereignty and control, as cloud storage involves third-party servers that may be subject to varying jurisdictional laws. Furthermore, compatibility with legacy software and hardware peripherals is still evolving, restricting use cases for specialised industries. Industry observers expect that browser-based operating systems will increasingly integrate with edge computing and 5G networks, further enhancing responsiveness and reducing latency. As web standards evolve, new APIs and capabilities are anticipated to enable richer user experiences that rival or exceed traditional desktop environments. This shift also encourages a reconsideration of digital ecosystems, where software vendors can deliver updates and features continuously, eliminating patch management headaches and version conflicts. Open-source projects in this domain are gaining traction, fostering collaborative development and innovation, while commercial providers explore subscription-based and freemium models to monetise these platforms. The accessibility and ease of deployment offered by this approach have spurred interest among emerging markets and sectors focused on digital inclusion. Governments and non-governmental organisations are exploring pilot programmes to deliver education and digital services via browser-based systems, aiming to bridge the digital divide. Security remains a focal point as these platforms mature. Developers are implementing sandboxing techniques to isolate user processes and prevent malicious code execution. Continuous monitoring and rapid incident response frameworks are being designed to mitigate threats, ensuring trust in environments that handle sensitive personal and business data.
