logo
EDB Launches UAE's First AI Lab for People of Determination

EDB Launches UAE's First AI Lab for People of Determination

Hi Dubai26-03-2025
In a landmark move, Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has launched the UAE's first-ever AI lab dedicated to People of Determination at the Emirates Down Syndrome Association in Dubai.
As part of its 'UAE Develops with Kindness' campaign, this initiative underscores EDB's commitment to fostering national development through technology-driven solutions.
The opening ceremony was attended by Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of EDB, and Eng. Marwan bin Ghalita, Acting Director General of Dubai Municipality, along with senior dignitaries, highlighting the importance of this milestone.
The AI lab is designed to equip individuals with Down Syndrome with cutting-edge tools, enabling them to explore AI and robotics, build confidence, and engage in innovation-driven fields. By integrating technology with inclusivity, the initiative empowers participants to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. 'In the spirit of Ramadan, we are proud to launch this pioneering AI Lab, reflecting EDB's mission to support vital sectors while enhancing lives through innovation,'
said Al Naqbi.
Dr. Manal Jaroor, Chairperson of the Emirates Down Syndrome Association, hailed the initiative as a transformative step in unlocking potential and fostering skills development.
This initiative aligns with the UAE's 'Year of the Community', reinforcing EDB's focus on strengthening social impact through strategic partnerships. Throughout Ramadan, the 'UAE Develops with Kindness' campaign has introduced various community-focused projects, further solidifying EDB's role in driving progress and inclusion across the UAE.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Chinese retail apps driving 73 per cent of UAE e-commerce ad spend
Chinese retail apps driving 73 per cent of UAE e-commerce ad spend

Campaign ME

time05-08-2025

  • Campaign ME

Chinese retail apps driving 73 per cent of UAE e-commerce ad spend

In the first six months of 2025, Chinese e-commerce applications accounted for 73 per cent of all user acquisition (UA) ad spend in the UAE, according to the annual State of eCommerce Mobile Marketing report recently released by AppsFlyer. While further behind, France at 13 per cent and India at 8 per cent of UA spend in the UAE are also fast emerging as significant challengers, driven by targeted campaigns and expat-focused strategies. The report highlights the intensifying competition overseas brands pose to local e-commerce retailers, which saw their own UA ad spend shrink. According to experts, this likely reflects a mix of budget reallocations, mounting competitive pressure and market consolidation. AppsFlyer analysts note that home-grown players still have an opportunity to grow, provided they adopt clearer strategies and embrace performance-driven, localised campaigns. Sue Azari, Industry Lead – eCommerce, AppsFlyer, said, 'Chinese apps have long been seeking growth outside their home market, and with tariffs and global trade headwinds pushing them to diversify, the UAE has been a natural fit given its premium audience and digital maturity.' Azari added, 'At the same time, French brands are tapping into premium iOS users here, while Indian advertisers likely see the UAE's significant South Asian expat base as an affordable, yet highly engaged segment.' UA spend dips overall despite strong early-year performance Despite the UAE's advanced mobile ecosystem, with smartphone penetration at 97 per cent and average daily mobile internet use exceeding four hours, UA ad spending by e-commerce apps declined in H1 2025. Android UA spend fell 21 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, while iOS spending was down just 6 per cent, reflecting its relative resilience. Yet, H1 2025 still delivered the largest half-year remarketing spend to date, with Q1 alone tripling Q1 2024 levels — a clear sign of the impact of seasonal spikes during Ramadan and major retail events. Azari said, 'Marketers should take note of the pronounced peaks in Q1 tied to Ramadan and plan their upcoming campaigns accordingly, while building in remarketing strategies to sustain engagement beyond holiday periods.' She added, 'The decline in Android UA spend could also present opportunities for savvy brands to capture lower-cost inventory while still reaching a vast user base.' With Android remarketing campaigns tripling late last year and iOS installs accelerating, the UAE remains a dynamic and competitive market for mobile commerce. 'Advertisers who balance premium iOS strategies with cost-effective Android engagement, and adapt budgets around seasonal patterns, stand the best chance of standing out in a crowded field,' Azari added. iOS shows breakout growth and lower fraud rates The report underscores how iOS is entering a breakout phase in the UAE. By the end of this year, Android app installs are projected to grow by 713 per cent since 2017, while iOS is surging to over 1,383 per cent over the same period, with installs expected to more than double year-on-year in 2025. iOS has also seen a marked improvement in fraud prevention, with fraud rates dropping 63 per cent year-on-year in H1 2025. By contrast Android's fraud rate jumped 234 per cent in the same period. This suggests iOS is becoming an increasingly attractive and safer, channel for marketers, even as Android remains critical for scale.

E& reports 23.3% increase in consolidated revenue to $9.50bn in H1 2025
E& reports 23.3% increase in consolidated revenue to $9.50bn in H1 2025

Broadcast Pro

time01-08-2025

  • Broadcast Pro

E& reports 23.3% increase in consolidated revenue to $9.50bn in H1 2025

During H1 2025, Starz ON surpassed 10m installs, a nearly five-fold increase compared to the previous year, and added 2.4m new installs quarter-over quarter. E& has reported strong financial results for the first half of 2025. Consolidated revenues rose 23.3% year-on-year to AED 34.9bn ($9.50bn), while net profit surged by 60.7% to AED 8.8bn. EBITDA grew by 18.8% to AED 15.4bn, with a healthy EBITDA margin of 44.1%. The Group's subscriber base climbed to 198m, a 13.1% increase from the same period last year. In the UAE, e& UAE maintained momentum with 15.5m subscribers, reflecting growing demand for high-speed connectivity, AI-driven services, and digital experiences. The company credited its performance to strategic initiatives and investments across AI, cloud computing, digital finance, cybersecurity, and more. On the entertainment front, Starz ON recorded explosive growth, exceeding 10m installs—a fivefold increase year-on-year—with 2.4m added in the last quarter alone. Monthly active users more than doubled to 660,000. The platform strengthened its 'Home of Sports' positioning by securing exclusive rights to major tournaments including the IPL, Asia Cup, UFC, and PFL. Additionally, it introduced a shoppable TV feature in collaboration with Trendyol, enabling viewers to purchase products directly from streamed content. In a strategic move into original content, evision launched evision Studios during the first quarter, marking a major milestone in the Group's media ambitions. Among its inaugural Ramadan releases were 'Flavours from the Heart' and 'Coffee & Cartoons,' both designed to enhance cultural relevance and viewer engagement. The digital lifestyle ecosystem also saw continued expansion through Careem Technologies. The platform's total GTV surged by 117% year-on-year, with GTV per user growing by 74%. Careem+ members accounted for over half of the total GTV, indicating strong user loyalty. AI-powered enhancements enabled automation of more than 75% of customer chat interactions, while geographic expansion into cities such as Al Ain and Riyadh extended its footprint in the food and grocery delivery space. H.E. Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Alzaabi, Chairman, e&, said: 'In the first half of 2025, e& continued to strengthen its leadership position, driven by its strategic investments and robust business model. Our continued strong performance reflects our commitment to long-term value creation, with major milestones reflecting the Board's strategic foresight. 'In H1, e& continued its growth trajectory, delivering consolidated revenue of AED 34.9bn—a year-on-year increase of 23.3%—and achieving consolidated net profits of AED 8.8bn, up 60.7% compared to the same period last year. Alongside our outstanding financial performance, we maintained our focus on bringing the latest technologies to best serve our customers. We launched the UAE Sovereign Cloud Launchpad alongside AWS and the UAE Cybersecurity Council. This landmark initiative advances national priorities around digital sovereignty, secure AI, and cloud innovation, and is set to unlock enduring value for the nation's digital economy. 'Thanks to the UAE's visionary leadership that inspires us, e& will continue enabling the knowledge economy with responsibility and ambition. We remain committed to shaping resilient, inclusive, and innovation-led societies across the markets we serve.' Hatem Dowidar, Group Chief Executive Officer, e&, added: 'e& delivered strong performance in the first half of 2025, reflecting our agility, innovation, and ability to scale. We preserved the momentum witnessed across our different verticals. Our diverse revenue streams enabled the group to drive financial success and deliver robust operational growth. Revenues in Q2 and H1 increased by 28.1% year-over-year to AED 18bn and by 23.3% to AED 34.9bn, respectively. Our EBITDA grew by 18.8% to AED 15.4bn in the first half. These results demonstrate the strength of our transformation strategy and our continued focus on operational excellence and value creation. 'We achieved a series of strategic milestones, including the divestment of Khazna and partial divestment of Airalo during the first half of the year, which enhanced our financial flexibility. In parallel, we introduced the UAE Sovereign Cloud Launchpad, reinforcing our focus on secure, sovereign AI solutions. We also became one of the first companies to earn the 'Tier S' designation under the Dubai AI Seal, a top-level recognition of our leadership in responsible AI development and deployment. Additionally, we advanced our international footprint through the acquisition of Serbia Broadband, while our collaboration with Qualcomm is accelerating 5G evolution and edge AI integration across key industries. 'Our progress was further recognised internationally, with e& named the world's Fastest Growing Brand by Brand Finance. This recognition reflects our bold ambition, customer-centric innovation, and growing global presence. 'As we look ahead, we remain focused on enabling future technologies and delivering lasting impact across the communities we serve.' In the first half of 2025, e& life sustained strong growth momentum, setting new standards across fintech, entertainment, and digital lifestyle segments, propelled by innovation and AI-led transformation. The fintech arm, e& money, achieved significant milestones, with Gross Transaction Value (GTV) tripling year-over-year. The platform issued over 1.25m cards and surpassed 1.9m registered users, while remittance GTV rose more than threefold, reinforcing its leadership in UAE's digital payments space. Meanwhile, neobank Wio Bank continued its rapid expansion, gaining traction among individual and SME customers alike. It was named the Middle East's Best Digital Bank by Euromoney in 2025 and formed a strategic alliance with Network International to offer enhanced digital credit solutions for SMEs. In partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), e& money introduced IBAN accounts for all users, enabling seamless local transfers and wallet top-ups via the app. This development not only elevated the platform's integrated banking capabilities but also advanced financial inclusion, particularly among unbanked populations, by offering no-minimum-balance, fee-free digital banking services. Further diversifying its fintech offerings, e& money teamed up with SafeGold to launch the UAE's first digital gold investment product. Through the app, users can invest in 24-karat gold starting at just AED 10, with the flexibility to sell holdings anytime and instantly credit returns to their digital wallets—making gold investment more accessible and user-friendly. Key developments included the acquisition of Serbia Broadband to expand operations in Central and Eastern Europe, and the divestments of Khazna and Airalo to strengthen the balance sheet. The Group also secured global recognition from Brand Finance as the 'World's Fastest Growing Brand' and became one of the first companies to receive the Tier S rating under Dubai's AI Seal for responsible AI governance. e& enterprise expanded its digital transformation capabilities through partnerships with Microsoft, Emeritus, Exeed Industries, and others. It launched new AI-powered platforms in customer engagement, healthcare, and cybersecurity, with Help AG introducing advanced threat intelligence systems and winning multiple regional awards. e& international continued its global push with the Serbia Broadband acquisition and increased investment across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and European subsidiaries. Notable moves included Mobily's SAR 3.4 billion infrastructure spend and e& Egypt's launch of the country's first 5G and international digital remittance services. e& UAE spearheaded innovation in AI and 6G technologies, launched a region-first AI telecom tower drone inspection system, and introduced AI-powered customer service tools. Its fixed network remained the global leader in fibre coverage, and its mobile network achieved the world's fastest download speed per Ookla rankings. The Group also advanced digital inclusion and sustainability through initiatives such as free public Wi-Fi in Dubai, tech SME support, and AI training programmes. Customer satisfaction improved markedly, with a 20% increase in Net Promoter Score. Looking ahead, e& aims to scale its transformation by harnessing advanced technologies, forging new partnerships, and driving digital and societal impact across its global markets.

The Integrated Transport Centre showcases smart and sustainable transport projects at Liwa Date Festival 2025
The Integrated Transport Centre showcases smart and sustainable transport projects at Liwa Date Festival 2025

Zawya

time25-07-2025

  • Zawya

The Integrated Transport Centre showcases smart and sustainable transport projects at Liwa Date Festival 2025

Abu Dhabi – The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, is participating in the 21st Liwa Date Festival 2025. The event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, runs from 14 to 27 July in Liwa City, Al Dhafra region, and is organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. ITC is participating in support of national efforts to promote sustainability and harness modern technology to enhance the mobility sector. Its involvement also reinforces the festival's role as a platform that brings together heritage, innovation, and sustainable development, in line with the 2025 'Year of the Community'. ITC's presence at the event further underscores its dedication to community engagement and to delivering smart, sustainable mobility solutions that serve all segments of society. As part of its participation, the ITC showcased a selection of its leading initiatives in smart and sustainable mobility. Among them was the Autonomous Mobility project, which saw the expansion of autonomous taxi operations to include the roads leading to Zayed International Airport, building on the services already available on Saadiyat and Yas Islands. The Centre also highlighted its ongoing efforts to enhance and expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, in support of the emirate's shift towards sustainable mobility and its goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. As part of its efforts to develop and regulate the freight transport sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Integrated Transport Centre has worked to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of freight vehicle operations through the implementation of the freight transport regulations via the 'Asateel' digital platform. The platform is designed to empower operators and individual owners of freight vehicles, particularly those serving the agriculture and livestock sectors, to monitor and track their vehicles in real time through a fully integrated electronic system that uses advanced tracking devices. The Asateel platform provides users with real-time data on vehicle locations, driver behaviour, and operating schedules. This contributes to more efficient fleet management, reduced operational costs, and improved compliance with approved regulations and standards. The Centre noted that the project forms part of a broader strategy to upgrade the digital infrastructure of the transport sector and enhance both safety and efficiency, in line with Abu Dhabi's digital transformation vision and its commitment to sustainable development across various economic sectors. During its participation, the Integrated Transport Centre also highlighted key achievements in the maritime transport sector through a number of pioneering projects, including 'MARSDNA' – an advanced digital tool developed to support companies operating within the framework of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards. The platform, accessible via an online questionnaire on the Abu Dhabi Maritime website, generates tailored executive reports to assess sustainability readiness and provide a clear, actionable roadmap. The Centre also presented the updated 'Al Nalia' application, which has been transformed into a unified and integrated platform for all marine services for waterway users. The app now includes several features such as weather updates, safety maps, e-services, ticket booking, and maritime alerts, as well as enabling users to report violations. These enhancements improve the overall user experience and contribute to a well-organised and safe maritime environment. As part of its efforts to expand sustainable maritime transport, the Centre showcased 'Skoun', the largest boat made using 3D printing technology. This project represents an innovative step towards enhancing eco-friendly mobility options in Abu Dhabi's waters. Alongside its participation in the festival, the Centre presented the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Disclosure Report for the maritime sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The report outlines the ESG framework for the sector and aims to provide guidance on integrating sustainability principles into maritime operations, supporting the sector's journey towards sustainability and reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a regional leader in ESG practices. In the aviation sector, the Centre highlighted its work in developing regulations and legislation for unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). It has contributed to a significant transformation in Abu Dhabi's drone regulatory framework by issuing guidelines for civil use and related activities. This is achieved through the Federal Drone Traffic Management System (UTM), a comprehensive platform designed to regulate and manage drone activity in the airspace, ensuring safe operations, maintaining airspace integrity, improving system efficiency, and minimising the risk of incidents. It is worth noting that the Liwa Date Festival is one of the United Arab Emirates' leading cultural and agricultural events. The festival highlights the importance of the palm tree in the national identity, raises awareness about sustainable farming, and supports local farmers. It also contributes to economic and tourism activity in the Al Dhafra region and serves as an annual platform that bridges authentic heritage with modern development. About Integrated Transport Centre: The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), affiliated with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, is the legislative, regulatory, and supervisory authority responsible for managing and developing the transport sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It formulates policies and frameworks aimed at establishing a smart, safe, and integrated mobility system that supports the Emirate's aspiration to be among the most advanced cities in the world. ITC oversees all land, maritime, and aviation transport activities across the Emirate, ensuring the integration and advancement of the mobility system in line with urban expansion and population growth. It also strives to harness the latest technologies, innovation, and sustainability tools to meet future mobility demands, enhance quality of life, and redefine urban living standards by embedding advanced solutions and promoting sustainable mobility practices.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store