Latest news with #DubaiFutureFoundation
Gulf Business
3 days ago
- Health
- Gulf Business
Dubai Fitness Challenge unveils refreshed brand identity; see details
Images: Supplied Dubai is gearing up for the ninth edition of the The initiative, launched in 2017 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, aims to transform Dubai into one of the world's most active cities by encouraging residents and visitors to engage in 30 minutes of daily physical activity for 30 days. At a recent gathering, DFC introduced a refreshed brand identity, featuring vibrant colours and dynamic lines that reflect the city's energetic and inclusive spirit. The event also served to thank government entities, schools, corporate partners, fitness establishments, and local communities for their contributions to the challenge's success. Image courtesy: Dubai Media Office 'The success of the Dubai Fitness Challenge would not have been possible without the passion, energy, and commitment of our community,' said Khalfan Belhoul, vice chairman of the Dubai Sports Council and CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation. 'Since its launch in 2017, DFC has grown into a citywide movement embraced by the people of Dubai — transforming the city into a world-class sporting hub.' The Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) has unveiled a bold, refreshed brand identity, which celebrates its transformative impact on the city's health and wellbeing. The announcement was made at a special gathering held to thank the government entities, schools, corporate entities,… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) Motivating residents to prioritise their wellbeing Over the past eight editions, more than 13 million people have participated in DFC, with a 200 per cent increase in participation since its inception. The 2025 edition, coinciding with the UAE's Year of Community, aims to further unite individuals in the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, highlighted DFC's alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. 'By fostering a healthier, more connected community, DFC advances the D33 Agenda's goal of making our city the best place to visit, live, and work in,' he said. Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025 The 2025 DFC will feature a comprehensive calendar of free and inclusive fitness events, including the new flagship event, Dubai Yoga, a sunset session on November 30 promoting holistic well-being. Returning events include Dubai Ride on November 2, Dubai Stand-Up Paddle on November 8-9, and Dubai Run on November 23. In being, and 14 per cent experiencing greater self-esteem and reduced anxiety.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Sky's the limit when it comes to AI in the Arab world, Dubai Future Foundation chief says
DUBAI: When it comes to ambition to cultivate artificial intelligence in the Arab world, the sky is the only limit, the head of Dubai Future Foundation said on Monday night. 'I think there's an abundance of talent around the Arab world. It's just a matter of enabling the talent and creating the right ecosystem for talent to thrive,' said Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the DFF. On the sidelines of the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, a high-profile Arab News-Google event brought together executives, editors, policymakers and more to discuss the future of media in the region. 'The digital economy requires specific skill sets. And I think we're seeing so many success stories that are happening, whether it's on the entrepreneurial side or whether it's on the coding front. 'The sky's the limit on where the Arab world can reach. The numbers are rising on the digital economy point of view and we are very optimistic.' Belhoul outlined several key predictions for media over the next year, from the shift in how people consume media, to its duration. During the event, which was part of a series of celebrations for the newspaper's 50th anniversary, Arab News unveiled a new podcast series exploring five decades of pivotal events that have shaped the Middle East. The project, powered by Google's AI research tool NotebookLM, features artificial hosts and AI-generated voices, show how emerging technologies can enhance storytelling, research, and historical reflection in journalism. Each episode highlights a different decade, tracing key moments from 1975 to the present day.
Mid East Info
7 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Majid Al Futtaim & DFF Launch People-First Retail Robotics Pilot - Middle East Business News and Information
First-of-its-kind robotics pilot launches at City Centre Mirdif to reimagine how shoppers navigate malls. • Collaboration focuses on real-world feedback to ensure robots adapt to people – not the other way around. Dubai, May 2025: Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has partnered with Majid Al Futtaim, the leading retail, leisure, and lifestyle group in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, in a first-of-its-kind collaboration to explore the future of robotics in retail—starting not in labs, but in shopping malls with real shoppers. The partnership showcases a live pilot at City Centre Mirdif , featuring two avatar-style robots are assisting visitors in navigating the mall. This trial is part of a broader initiative aimed at understanding how robotics can enhance everyday experiences in shopping centres, hotels, and entertainment destinations – making them more intuitive, connected, and human. Khalifa Al Qama, Executive Director of Dubai Future Labs, said: 'This partnership with Majid Al Futtaim falls under the Dubai Robotics and Automation Programme, which was launched to drive the development, testing, and adoption of advanced technologies across Dubai's key sectors. By deploying robotics in high-traffic public spaces, we're reinforcing Dubai's position as a regional and global leader in building a future-ready city.' This pilot reflects Majid Al Futtaim's broader vision to reimagine the future of customer experience through responsible AI and emerging technology. Rather than showcasing innovation for its own sake, the focus is on using real-time feedback and live interactions to inform practical applications of robotics in retail. From wayfinding and accessibility to enhanced service response and operational efficiency, the City Centre Mirdif initiative marks the first phase of a multi-stage journey to scale people-first, AI-enabled solutions across Majid Al Futtaim's portfolio. It's one of several technology initiatives being implemented under the group's wider digital transformation strategy, all designed to deliver seamless, useful and memorable experiences. Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director of Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls in the UAE, added: 'We are proud to see City Centre Mirdif at the forefront of innovation with this unique robotics pilot in collaboration with Dubai Future Foundation. This is a natural next step in our journey to deliver smarter, more responsive retail environments that prioritise people. From wayfinding assistance to creating memorable experiences, we believe emerging technology – when used responsibly – can meaningfully elevate how customers engage with our destinations. This is only the beginning for us in this line of innovation.' The pilot is part of a large research collaboration between Dubai Future Labs (DFL) and Osaka University, under Japan's Moonshot Research and Development Programme – supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. The programme aims to establish an 'Avatar-Symbiotic Society' by 2050, enabling people to transcend physical and spatial limitations through advanced robotics. In parallel, Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) DFF and Majid Al Futtaim are also addressing the legal, ethical, and societal implications from the outset, ensuring that the integration of technology is both responsible reflective of community needs and values. By bringing robotics into public life in a measured, human-centric way, this partnership represents a significant step toward making advanced technologies more accessible, meaningful, and trusted.
Gulf Business
7 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Hi-tech shopping: AI robots are here to help you shop in Dubai
Image credit: Getty Images (Picture used for illustrative purposes) Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has partnered with Majid Al Futtaim—the leading retail, leisure, and lifestyle group in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia—in a first-of-its-kind collaboration to explore the future of robotics in retail, starting not in labs but in shopping malls with real shoppers. Read- The partnership features a live pilot at City Centre Mirdif, where two avatar-style robots are assisting visitors in navigating the mall. This trial is part of a broader initiative aimed at understanding how robotics can enhance everyday experiences in shopping centres, hotels, and entertainment destinations—making them more intuitive, connected, and human, Dubai Robotics and Automation Programme 'This partnership with Majid Al Futtaim falls under the Dubai Robotics and Automation Programme, which was launched to drive the development, testing, and adoption of advanced technologies across Dubai's key sectors. By deploying robotics in high-traffic public spaces, we're reinforcing Dubai's position as a regional and global leader in building a future-ready city,' said Khalifa Al Qama, Executive Director of Dubai Future Labs. This pilot reflects Majid Al Futtaim's broader vision to reimagine the future of customer experience through responsible AI and emerging technology. Rather than showcasing innovation for its own sake, the focus is on using real-time feedback and live interactions to inform practical applications of robotics in retail. AI-enabled solutions across Majid Al Futtaim's portfolio From wayfinding and accessibility to enhanced service response and operational efficiency, the City Centre Mirdif initiative marks the first phase of a multi-stage journey to scale people-first, AI-enabled solutions across Majid Al Futtaim's portfolio. It is one of several technology initiatives under the group's wider digital transformation strategy, all designed to deliver seamless, useful, and memorable experiences. Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director of Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls in the UAE, stated: 'We are proud to see City Centre Mirdif at the forefront of innovation with this unique robotics pilot in collaboration with Dubai Future Foundation. This is a natural next step in our journey to deliver smarter, more responsive retail environments that prioritise people. From wayfinding assistance to creating memorable experiences, we believe emerging technology—when used responsibly—can meaningfully elevate how customers engage with our destinations. This is only the beginning for us in this line of innovation.' The pilot is part of a large research collaboration between Dubai Future Labs (DFL) and Osaka University under Japan's Moonshot Research and Development Programme, supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. Advanced robotics The programme aims to establish an 'Avatar-Symbiotic Society' by 2050, enabling people to transcend physical and spatial limitations through advanced robotics. In parallel, DFF and Majid Al Futtaim are also addressing the legal, ethical, and societal implications from the outset, ensuring that the integration of technology is both responsible and reflective of community needs and values. By bringing robotics into public life in a measured, human-centric way, this partnership represents a significant step toward making advanced technologies more accessible, meaningful, and trusted.
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Majid Al Futtaim & DFF launch people-first retail robotics pilot
Collaboration focuses on real-world feedback to ensure robots adapt to people - not the other way around. Dubai: Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has partnered with Majid Al Futtaim, the leading retail, leisure, and lifestyle group in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, in a first-of-its-kind collaboration to explore the future of robotics in retail—starting not in labs, but in shopping malls with real shoppers. The partnership showcases a live pilot at City Centre Mirdif , featuring two avatar-style robots are assisting visitors in navigating the mall. This trial is part of a broader initiative aimed at understanding how robotics can enhance everyday experiences in shopping centres, hotels, and entertainment destinations - making them more intuitive, connected, and human. Khalifa Al Qama, Executive Director of Dubai Future Labs, said: "This partnership with Majid Al Futtaim falls under the Dubai Robotics and Automation Programme, which was launched to drive the development, testing, and adoption of advanced technologies across Dubai's key sectors. By deploying robotics in high-traffic public spaces, we're reinforcing Dubai's position as a regional and global leader in building a future-ready city.' This pilot reflects Majid Al Futtaim's broader vision to reimagine the future of customer experience through responsible AI and emerging technology. Rather than showcasing innovation for its own sake, the focus is on using real-time feedback and live interactions to inform practical applications of robotics in retail. From wayfinding and accessibility to enhanced service response and operational efficiency, the City Centre Mirdif initiative marks the first phase of a multi-stage journey to scale people-first, AI-enabled solutions across Majid Al Futtaim's portfolio. It's one of several technology initiatives being implemented under the group's wider digital transformation strategy, all designed to deliver seamless, useful and memorable experiences. Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director of Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls in the UAE, added: 'We are proud to see City Centre Mirdif at the forefront of innovation with this unique robotics pilot in collaboration with Dubai Future Foundation. This is a natural next step in our journey to deliver smarter, more responsive retail environments that prioritise people. From wayfinding assistance to creating memorable experiences, we believe emerging technology - when used responsibly - can meaningfully elevate how customers engage with our destinations. This is only the beginning for us in this line of innovation.' The pilot is part of a large research collaboration between Dubai Future Labs (DFL) and Osaka University, under Japan's Moonshot Research and Development Programme - supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency. The programme aims to establish an 'Avatar-Symbiotic Society' by 2050, enabling people to transcend physical and spatial limitations through advanced robotics. In parallel, Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) DFF and Majid Al Futtaim are also addressing the legal, ethical, and societal implications from the outset, ensuring that the integration of technology is both responsible reflective of community needs and values. By bringing robotics into public life in a measured, human-centric way, this partnership represents a significant step toward making advanced technologies more accessible, meaningful, and trusted.
