Dubai World Trade Centre events in May: Cryptocurrency, hotels, babies, interior design, cybersecurity
The calendar kicks off with the Airport Show, Global Economic Leaders' Forum, Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East, and GISEC GLOBAL, a leading cybersecurity event—all running from May 6 to 8.
The Dubai Esports and Games Festival and Game Expo Summit will take place from May 7 to 11, while the World Police Summit and CABSAT—focused on digital media and satellite communications—will be held from May 13 to 15.
Dubai World Trade Centre events
These will run alongside Integrate Middle East, specialising in audiovisual and media technologies, and SATExpo Middle East, a platform dedicated to investment, innovation, and global collaboration in space and satellite technology.
The Baby Expo Dubai on May 16 and May 17, will bring together top brands and experts in maternal and childcare to offer a comprehensive guide to parenting.
Seamless Middle East returns from May 20 to May 22 under the theme 'The Future of Digital Commerce,' covering payments, fintech, banking, e-commerce, retail, and identity technologies.
Crypto Expo Dubai, the region's largest cryptocurrency summit, and the Amazon Web Services (AWS) will be held on May 21 and May 22.
Rounding out the month, INDEX Dubai, the region's flagship event for interior design and fit-out, will run from May 27 to May 29 alongside the 24th edition of The Hotel Show.
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The National
3 days ago
- The National
AI video tool that creates 'original series' in minutes sparks fear of replacing scriptwriters and creatives
Filmmakers, industry experts and students in the UAE are voicing concerns that artificial intelligence could strip cinema of its human touch and threaten creative careers. The warnings come after Fable, a company backed by Amazon, unveiled Showrunner, an AI platform described as the 'Netflix of AI' that allows users to generate fully animated series using simple text prompts. Users can create episodes by writing dialogue, prompting scenes and developing characters, with the AI handling everything from animation to voiceovers. In the UAE, filmmakers and students are divided, with some seeing AI as a valuable creative assistant, while others warn it risks producing generic, soulless content and undermining career paths for young storytellers. Currently on limited release, Showrunner is expected to become widely available in the coming months The launch has reignited debate over whether AI will democratise storytelling by removing production barriers or disrupt the collaborative craft that has defined filmmaking for more than a century. Prof Peter Bentley, computer scientist and AI creativity expert at University College London, said the latest platform makes it 'remarkably quick and easy' to create new works, provided they closely resemble existing ones. 'Creative and highly innovative outputs are not going to be so easy,' he told The National. How it works Showrunner works by letting users input short text prompts, from a few sentences describing characters and setting to more detailed scene-by-scene scripts. The AI then generates storyboards, animates characters, voices dialogue and stitches it all together into watchable episodes. Users can either create original series or customise templates of existing shows such as Exit Valley, a Silicon Valley satire, or South Park -style animations. Access is currently restricted to a select group of creators testing the platform, with only a small library of prebuilt series available to modify. While the AI can quickly generate plotlines and character arcs, it works best when those stories resemble familiar formats and genres, a limitation Professor Bentley says still keeps it far from replacing traditional filmmaking. Fable has said broader access is expected in the coming months, prompting debate over whether these tools are already capable of producing watchable, formula-driven seasons or if they remain in their early experimental phase. Filmmakers' fears Faisal Hashmi, a UAE-based director and co-writer of the upcoming City of Life 2, said platforms such as Showrunner risk removing human vision from the filmmaking process. 'These tools are designed to undermine traditional narrative craftsmanship,' he told The National. 'What is film if not the vision of a storyteller using their own experiences to make you feel something? If you remove that process, is it really a film any more?' Some experiments, such as the AI-generated short film The Ghost in My Machine, showcase the technology's potential for speed and visual novelty, though critics say such pieces often lack emotional subtlety. Mr Hashmi believes audiences will eventually reject AI-only content, though he sees potential for AI to support, rather than replace, filmmakers. He has used AI for storyboarding and visual effects. 'If AI aids the process rather than replaces you,' he said, 'it has a place in filmmaking.' Prof Bentley echoed this, saying AI cannot yet match the originality of a human storyteller. 'We need creative people to make the outputs truly watchable,' he said. Will we need filmmakers? Razan Takash, filmmaker and head of film at SAE University, Dubai, said AI shortcuts essential learning for aspiring filmmakers. ''Instead of learning filmmaking, they're learning film prompting,' she told The National. She compared it to weightlifting: 'You can't prompt somebody else to lift the weight for you and expect to become a bodybuilder.' Ms Takash said AI could offer opportunities to those who understand filmmaking but lack resources. However, she warned that as access becomes widespread, originality could be lost. 'Eventually, everybody's going to have the opportunity to make this kind of content,' she said. 'So no one is special, and it is going to be hard to stand out. We can compare this to the early days of streaming and YouTubers.' Prof Bentley also noted that most AI-generated content is derivative, trained on the work of human artists, which raises copyright concerns. 'Artists may need to license their work for use by AIs, or consider legal action against companies that use it without permission,' he said. No humanity Nada Majdalawieh, a UAE-based master's student in TV and screenwriting at Stephens College in Los Angeles, said students are already worried about how AI will affect their careers. 'Storytelling is inherently human and the idea of replacing that with something generated feels like a step backwards rather than forward,' she told The National. She added that if AI tools take over those creative roles, 'we're not just talking about streamlining a process, we're eliminating entire career paths for creatives who've been working years to find themselves in this industry'. Ms Majdalawieh said AI could eventually automate everything from scriptwriting to directing. 'These aren't distant hypotheticals,' she said. 'They're real concerns already looming over us as students. We can all feel it, and honestly, it's scary.' New access for creators Mohammed Mamdouh, filmmaker and assistant professor of film and new media design at the American University of Sharjah, offered a more optimistic view. He said AI can empower voices previously locked out of the industry. 'AI-generated shows and films empower storytellers who might otherwise be sidelined,' he told The National. 'That's a radical shift in access.' Mr Mamdouh described AI as transformative rather than destructive, calling it 'not the death of cinema' but rather 'the rebirth.' However, he cautioned that AI could compromise filmmaking's collaborative spirit. When the director 'becomes the sole engine prompting alone', he said, the rich dynamic of working alongside production designers, cinematographers and sound artists may start to erode. Industry outlook The AI market in the film industry is projected to grow from $1.28 billion in 2024 to $1.6 billion in 2025 and reach approximately $14 billion by 2033, according to The Business Research Company. The wider AI in the media and entertainment sector is expected to rise from $25.98 billion this year to nearly $99.48 billion by 2030. In the Middle East and North Africa, subscription video-on-demand revenue is forecast to hit $1.5 billion by the end of 2025, driven by platforms such as Shahid, Netflix, YouTube Premium and StarzPlay, according to Omdia, a consultancy firm specialising in technology and media. Analysts say AI could lower production costs and accelerate localisation, while Hollywood studios are already testing hybrid models that blend human creativity with AI-generated visuals. Future of storytelling While the technology gains momentum globally, UAE filmmakers and students remain cautious about fully adopting it. Mr Hashmi believes the pendulum will eventually swing back. 'People will crave original stories made by human beings,' he said. Ms Majdalawieh said students face an uncertain path ahead. 'Filmmaking opportunities will still exist for a while,' she said. 'But there's a growing uncertainty about how long that will last.' Mr Mamdouh said filmmakers must help shape AI's role in storytelling rather than resist it. 'We must shape the future,' he said, 'rather than let it shape us.' On whether AI can truly replicate human emotion, Prof Bentley was sceptical: 'If you don't mind unoriginal and rather drab content, then it will be fine for you. Sounds a bit like many Hollywood movies, so maybe there is a place for AI there.' His advice to creatives and educators: 'Reality is always better than imitation, and AI can only imitate us.'
Campaign ME
4 days ago
- Campaign ME
Alkimi brings billions in ad spend on-chain to fix broken ad ecosystem
Decentralised ad platform Alkimi has partnered with Sui, a blockchain built for mass adoption, to bring billions of dollars in digital advertising revenue on-chain. Intending to fix a broken ad ecosystem, Alkimi's platform removes opaque intermediaries from the advertising supply chain, redirecting value directly between advertisers and publishers. The ad platform – which is already seeing mainstream adoption of ad spend on blockchain through brands such as Amazon's AWS, TikTok, Polestar and Currys – exposes where spend was previously lost, bringing transparency, reduced fees and accelerated payments to the digital advertising landscape. The partnership sees Alkimi adopt the full stack of Mysten-created technologies – including the Sui blockchain, Walrus, Nautilus, and Seal – to bring digital advertising on-chain, advancing one of the largest and most commercially viable sectors and showcasing how these innovations work together to modernise a legacy industry. Powered by Sui's high-performance blockchain, Alkimi infrastructure will also be able to unlock future opportunities for data monetisation, from licensing models to AdFi innovations. 'Alkimi is fixing a broken digital and advertising ecosystem by bringing it on-chain, and we are proud to be the network chosen for such an important job,' said Christian Thompson, Managing Director at Sui Foundation. 'Sui and its stack ensure the experience for Alkimi and their partners is fast, secure, transparent, and able to function completely on-chain – the only way the benefits of decentralization can be fully realised,' Thompson added. Each Mysten-created product plays a critical role in bringing this modernised advertising experience to life: The Sui blockchain is the coordination layer for Alkimi's offering, powering verifiable, outcome-based transactions between advertisers and publishers. is the coordination layer for Alkimi's offering, powering verifiable, outcome-based transactions between advertisers and publishers. Walrus supercharges Alkimi's capabilities, enabling the platform to scale efficiently by putting data onchain. Currently delivering more than 25 million ad impressions per day, Alkimi is expanding its network of publishers and global brands. Walrus ensures the data infrastructure keeps pace, providing a reliable, cost-effective, and high-performance solution. With real-world advertisers requiring transparency and auditability, Walrus gives Alkimi the foundation to deliver trusted, accurate data at scale. supercharges Alkimi's capabilities, enabling the platform to scale efficiently by putting data onchain. Currently delivering more than 25 million ad impressions per day, Alkimi is expanding its network of publishers and global brands. Walrus ensures the data infrastructure keeps pace, providing a reliable, cost-effective, and high-performance solution. With real-world advertisers requiring transparency and auditability, Walrus gives Alkimi the foundation to deliver trusted, accurate data at scale. Nautilus allows Alkimi to independently validate ad impressions and run financial reconciliation logic in verifiable trusted execution environments (TEEs) — ensuring advertisers and publishers are paid based on provably accurate delivery data and help ensure agreements between advertisers and publishers are met. allows Alkimi to independently validate ad impressions and run financial reconciliation logic in verifiable trusted execution environments (TEEs) — ensuring advertisers and publishers are paid based on provably accurate delivery data and help ensure agreements between advertisers and publishers are met. Seal encrypts and manages access to the sensitive ad impression data and related metadata of Alkimi's Fortune 500 clients without relying on centralised services, making a fully on-chain advertising platform possible — protecting brand and publisher confidentiality while keeping the system fully decentralized. 'We had the tech, and we knew it needed to scale, that's when the team at Sui really leaned in,' said Ben Putley, CEO and Co-Founder of Alkimi. 'They understood our vision to rebuild digital advertising into something more transparent and equitable. Bringing it onchain isn't about replicating the legacy systems, it's about giving advertisers, publishers and users a fundamentally better experience, powered by faster, more secure, and decentralised infrastructure,' Putley concluded.
Hi Dubai
5 days ago
- Hi Dubai
Strategies to Enhance Customer Reviews on Amazon and Noon
The e-commerce market in the Middle East has grown rapidly over the last few years, with platforms like Amazon and Noon playing a major role in shaping online shopping habits. With more people now comfortable buying everything from electronics to daily essentials online, competition among sellers has intensified. In this crowded digital space, customer reviews have emerged as one of the most influential factors in driving sales. They don't just provide social proof—they build trust, influence decisions, and directly impact how often a product is viewed or purchased. When a shopper lands on a product page, their eyes almost instinctively scan the star rating and scroll to see what others have said. It's no longer just about having a good product; it's about having real people vouch for it. Reviews serve as modern-day word-of-mouth marketing, especially in regions like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where online consumer behavior is quickly evolving. A product with strong, consistent feedback not only stands out in search results but is far more likely to convert curious visitors into paying customers. While Amazon brings global familiarity and streamlined logistics to the table, Noon has built a strong regional presence by understanding local preferences and providing tailored experiences. Despite their differences, both platforms reveal a shared truth: customers behave similarly when it comes to reviews. They rely on them for validation, reassurance, and decision-making. Whether it's a first-time buyer on Noon or a loyal Amazon Prime customer, the expectation is the same—honest reviews that tell the real story. So, how do sellers stand out and consistently earn those valuable reviews? In this article, we'll break down actionable strategies designed specifically for Amazon and Noon to help you enhance customer feedback, build trust, and ultimately grow your business. Understanding How Reviews Work on Amazon & Noon Both Amazon and Noon give customers the option to share their experiences after making a purchase, but the way they collect, display, and value these reviews can differ. On Amazon, customers can leave feedback for both the product and the seller once their order has been delivered. These reviews appear directly on the product page and play a big role in determining where that product shows up in search results. A high rating not only boosts visibility but also makes shoppers more likely to click and buy. Noon follows a similar approach, allowing buyers to rate the product and comment on their overall experience with the seller. Product reviews are shown on the product's listing page, while seller feedback is displayed on the seller's profile. Behind the scenes, Noon offers sellers a Reputation Management dashboard where they can track average star ratings, see customer comments, and monitor performance trends over time. On Amazon, reviews marked with the 'Verified Purchase' badge hold more weight. This label means Amazon has confirmed the reviewer actually bought the item through their platform, giving potential buyers extra confidence in the authenticity of the feedback. Non-verified reviews are still allowed, but they carry less influence in Amazon's rating system. Noon doesn't show a verified badge, but only customers who have bought the item through Noon can post a review, ensuring that all feedback comes from genuine buyers. Both platforms use a five-star rating system, but they factor in more than just the average of all reviews. Amazon's algorithm gives more importance to recent reviews, verified purchases, and reviewers with a history of providing helpful feedback. Noon also weighs recent feedback more heavily, especially when calculating a seller's overall score, which can influence important factors like eligibility for the Buy Box. Each platform also has unique features that sellers should know about. Amazon's Vine program, for example, invites trusted reviewers—known as Vine Voices—to receive products for free in exchange for detailed, honest reviews. This can help new products gain credible feedback early on. Noon, on the other hand, uses a Seller Score to measure overall performance based on customer satisfaction, product quality, delivery speed, and service reliability. This score is displayed publicly, making it a key trust factor for shoppers. Understanding these differences is essential for sellers who want to get the most out of customer feedback. Knowing how reviews are collected, displayed, and weighted allows you to focus on the type of feedback that will make the biggest impact, both in building trust and driving sales. Strategy #1: Deliver an Excellent Product Experience Positive reviews start with a product that meets expectations. High quality reduces complaints and naturally encourages customers to share good feedback. Accurate titles, clear descriptions, and high-quality images ensure buyers know exactly what they're getting, lowering the risk of disappointment. Keeping listings truthful and consistent with the actual product helps minimize returns, which in turn protects your ratings and builds long-term trust on both Amazon and Noon. Strategy #2: Use Post-Purchase Review Requests On Amazon, the most effective and policy-compliant way to ask for reviews is by using the built-in 'Request a Review' button in Seller Central. This feature sends a standard email directly from Amazon, asking the buyer for both product and seller feedback. It can be used only once per order, between 5 and 30 days after delivery, and is proven to increase review rates without risking policy violations. Noon doesn't offer an automated review request tool, but sellers can send polite follow-up messages through official seller communication channels. These should be short, respectful, and focused solely on inviting honest feedback. The ideal time to send them is soon after delivery, once the buyer has had time to use the product, but while the purchase is still fresh in their mind. Whether on Amazon or Noon, the tone should be neutral, never incentivized, and aimed at encouraging genuine responses. This approach helps gather more feedback while maintaining trust and compliance on both platforms. Strategy #3: Add Review Reminders in Packaging Including a simple insert in your product's packaging can be a subtle and effective way to remind customers to leave feedback, when done carefully to stay within platform policies. On Amazon, it's permitted to thank buyers and neutrally request a review. However, inserts must avoid manipulative language, incentives, or requests for only positive feedback. For example, phrasing like 'If you're happy, please leave a 5‑star review' is a violation. Instead, a neutral message like 'We'd appreciate your honest review' is acceptable. QR codes are allowed too, provided they don't direct buyers off-platform or influence the review content. For Noon, while there's no detailed policy around review inserts, it's best to mirror Amazon-friendly practices. Focus on a simple 'thank you' note or brand story card—avoid incentives or phrases that pressure customers into reviews. Noon prioritizes authenticity and policy compliance, so inserts should reinforce trust without manipulating feedback. What's effective—and safe—is combining a touch of brand personality with a neutral review request (e.g., 'Thank you for choosing us. We'd love your feedback'). This not only aligns with platform rules but also strengthens your brand connection and keeps the request genuine. Strategy #4: Provide Excellent Customer Service Fast, helpful support plays a key role in earning positive customer reviews. When issues arise—whether a late delivery, a damaged product, or confusion about usage—quick empathetic responses not only reduce the chance of negative feedback but can actually deepen customer loyalty. Handling a complaint well can turn a potentially negative experience into something positive. Known as the service recovery paradox , this effect means customers can remember how well you treated them even more than the initial issue. A thoughtful apology, followed by a solution—like a replacement, a refund, or a direct fix—often prompts customers to update their original feedback or leave a supportive review. To encourage reviews after resolving a concern, make sure your tone stays sincere and appreciative. You might say: "Thank you for your patience. We're glad we could make things right. If you're now satisfied, we'd appreciate hearing about your experience." This subtle nudge, after genuine resolution, opens the door for customers to share their positive turnaround. Strategy #5: Leverage Early Review Programs On Amazon, brand-registered sellers using FBA can take advantage of the Amazon Vine Program to gather early, high-quality reviews. Through this program, Amazon sends product samples to trusted reviewers, who then provide honest feedback. Vine reviews are clearly marked and can help build credibility and visibility during a product's launch phase. Noon does not have a formal early review program, but sellers can still encourage reviews for new listings by ensuring the product offers strong value from day one. Clear descriptions, professional images, quick delivery, and attentive customer service create a positive first impression, increasing the likelihood that early buyers will leave feedback. Thanking customers who leave positive feedback is a simple yet powerful way to show appreciation and reinforce a positive impression. A brief, warm acknowledgment reassures buyers and other visitors that their opinions matter. How you respond to negative feedback matters even more. Aim to address issues calmly and professionally—start with empathy, offer a clear solution, and provide a way for the customer to reach out privately if needed. This approach not only helps resolve their concern but also shows potential buyers that you take customer satisfaction seriously. Finally, take a step back and use what you learn from reviews to improve your product or service. Feedback—especially recurring issues—can offer valuable insights into packaging, product quality, or customer confusion. Act on these, and you'll earn better reviews naturally over time. Strategy #7: Use Analytics to Track Review Performance On Amazon, Seller Central offers tools like Customer Reviews and Brand Analytics that help you monitor review trends, spot issues, and understand customer sentiment. You can filter reviews by rating or date and respond to low-rated feedback quickly. The Customer Review Insights feature even reveals which product aspects are praised or criticized, helping you prioritize improvements and spot common issues early. Noon offers a rich suite of analytics as well. Its Product Insights dashboard gives sellers a clear view of sales performance, Buy Box ownership, and inventory status. The Reputation Management section provides detailed breakdowns of product and seller ratings over time, showing exactly where reviews are improving or declining. It also lets you export raw review data, making it easy to spot patterns and address customer concerns quickly. Both platforms give sellers the ability to identify recurring negative feedback—whether it's about packaging, delivery, or product performance—so you can take action before your ratings drop. By tracking these trends and proactively improving areas that generate complaints, you protect your brand reputation and encourage more positive, authentic reviews going forward. Platform Policy Reminders: Stay Compliant Both Amazon and Noon have strict rules to protect the authenticity of reviews. On Amazon, posting fake reviews, using third-party services to inflate ratings, or offering incentives in exchange for feedback is strictly prohibited. Violations can lead to account suspension, permanent bans, and removal of all associated listings. Amazon actively monitors review activity and takes swift action against suspicious behavior. Noon follows the same approach. Sellers are not allowed to offer discounts, free products, or any form of incentive to influence reviews. Requests inside packaging that push for positive feedback can also be considered a violation. Consequences may include product delisting, account suspension, and monetary penalties. In short, the safest approach is to keep all review requests honest, neutral, and compliant with each platform's guidelines. Avoid anything that could be seen as manipulating feedback, and focus on delivering great products and services to earn reviews organically. In the fast-moving world of e-commerce, reviews are more than a reflection of a single purchase—they are a lasting record of how a brand treats its customers. Each review, whether glowing or critical, is an opportunity to demonstrate reliability, transparency, and a genuine commitment to improvement. Sellers who view reviews not as a checklist to complete, but as an ongoing dialogue with their customers, create a foundation that outlasts short-term sales boosts. When trust becomes part of your brand's identity, positive feedback stops being something you have to chase—it becomes a natural outcome of the relationships you build. Over time, this trust not only sustains your position on platforms like Amazon and Noon but also turns first-time buyers into loyal advocates who amplify your reputation far beyond a product page. Also read: How Gen Z Has Changed the Marketing Industry The marketing industry is always growing and changing over the years. Recently, Gen Z has helped shift the marketing world into something more. Here's how! A Guide to the UAE's Evolving Labor Laws for Employers and Employees Navigating UAE's labor law? Our comprehensive guide explains the new Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, its 2024 and 2025 updates, and how these evolving regulations benefit both employers and employees with flexible work models and enhanced protections. 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