Latest news with #HamdanbinMohammed
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Dubai crown prince Sheikh Hamdan promoted to Lieutenant General: A look at his defence journey
TL;DR Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has been promoted to Lieutenant General in the UAE Armed Forces . . He took charge as Defence Minister in July 2024, replacing his father after decades of service. His first year in office focused on modernisation, partnerships, and strategic military reforms. In a formal decree issued by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been promoted to Lieutenant General in the UAE Armed Forces. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The decision comes a year after Sheikh Hamdan stepped into the role of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, succeeding his father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, who had held the position since the country's founding. This move signals more than a military rank. It reflects a larger generational transition in the UAE's leadership, one that blends deep tradition with new thinking. Sheikh Hamdan's military education, global exposure, and hands-on experience in governance make him a prominent figure in this evolving phase of UAE defence policy. A Military Background with Global Exposure Born in 1982, Sheikh Hamdan graduated from Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2001 and later studied at the London School of Economics. He served as Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and became Crown Prince in 2008, helping develop Dubai's tourism and business sectors. On July 14, 2024, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced Sheikh Hamdan would succeed him as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, a role his father held since the UAE's founding. Sheikh Hamdan took the defence minister oath on July 18, marking a clear generational shift in UAE defence leadership. He recently completed one year in this role, focusing on modernising the armed forces. One Year in Office: Key Initiatives Since becoming Defence Minister in July 2024, Sheikh Hamdan has led a period of focused change within the UAE Armed Forces. Here's what's shaped his first year: He has pushed for integrating new technologies, including advanced surveillance systems and digital warfare capabilities. One of the highlights under his leadership: the launch of the Al Emarat P111 corvette warship, equipped with cutting-edge naval defence systems. warship, equipped with cutting-edge naval defence systems. In April 2025, Sheikh Hamdan visited India, meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The two agreed to collaborate on military training, coast guard coordination, and joint defence production. Beyond India, Sheikh Hamdan has participated in regional outreach alongside President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, including strategic visits to South Korea and other allied nations. These visits have helped build long-term partnerships in defence manufacturing, logistics, and security planning. In his first formal address to UAE Armed Forces personnel, Sheikh Hamdan spoke of building a military that stands as a 'global model of organisation and excellence.' This message has resonated as the armed forces shift toward a more tech-savvy, future-focused force. A Role Rooted in Legacy Sheikh Hamdan's promotion also holds symbolic weight. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The UAE Armed Forces were unified nearly five decades ago, a move that cemented national identity and shared strength. His recent appearance at a ceremony marking 49 years of military unification highlights his commitment to honouring this legacy while shaping its next phase. His father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, offered public praise on the one-year anniversary of Sheikh Hamdan's defence appointment, sharing a personal poem celebrating his son's leadership. It wasn't just a family gesture. It was a moment that tied together legacy, leadership, and national pride. Why It Matters for the UAE The promotion of Sheikh Hamdan to Lieutenant General is more than a rank change. It's a sign of continuity in the UAE's leadership, with a focus on adaptation. Sheikh Hamdan brings global experience, deep national roots, and a clear sense of direction. He's also stepping into a role that affects not just national security, but regional stability, defence innovation, and international diplomacy. His leadership will likely influence how the UAE prepares for future challenges, both at home and beyond its borders.
Filipino Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Dubai launches new system to label human vs AI-created content
Dubai has launched a global classification system to help people easily understand whether content was created by a human, a machine, or a mix of both. The Human–Machine Collaboration (HMC) classification system, approved by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Future Foundation, aims to provide transparency on how and to what extent technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), is used in research and content creation. The system, developed by Dubai Future Foundation, applies to research, academic, creative, and intellectual materials, including text, visuals, and designs. 'Distinguishing between human creativity and artificial intelligence has become a real challenge in light of today's rapid technological advances. This calls for a new approach to recognize the growing role of intelligent machines. That's why we launched the world's first Human–Machine Collaboration Icons, a classification system that brings transparency to how research documents, publications, and content are created,' H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said. The system uses icons to show who or what contributed to the content, with five main icons, namely All Human, Human-led, Machine-assisted, Machine-led, and All Machine. These icons indicate whether the content was made fully by a person, partially helped by machines, or fully generated by technology. The system also introduces nine smaller icons to show which part of the process involved machines, including idea generation, writing, translation, data analysis, visuals, and more. Photo courtesy: WAM 'The HMC icons provide a clear and standardized way of showing the extent to which machines were involved in the research and publication process within a specific report or publication,' Dubai Future Foundation said on its website. All Dubai government departments have been directed to use the system in their research and content work. The public can view and download the icons by visiting 'We invite researchers, writers, publishers, designers, and content creators around the world to adopt this new global classification system and use it responsibly and in ways that benefit people,' the Dubai Crown Prince added.
Al Etihad
16-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Hamdan bin Mohammed approves launch of pioneering human-machine collaboration classification system
16 July 2025 18:47 DUBAI (WAM) His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, on Wednesday approved the launch of a global classification system that enables in differentiating between the role of humans and machines in the research, production, and publication of creative, scientific, academic, and intellectual Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said, 'Distinguishing between human creativity and artificial intelligence has become a real challenge in light of today's rapid technological advances. This calls for a new approach to recognise the growing role of intelligent machines. That's why we launched the world's first Human–Machine Collaboration Icons, a classification system that brings transparency to how research documents, publications, and content are created.'We invite researchers, writers, publishers, designers, and content creators around the world to adopt this new global classification system and use it responsibly and in ways that benefit people,' His Highness Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed directed all Dubai Government entities to start adopting the system in their research and knowledge-based Human–Machine Collaboration (HMC) classification system, developed by the Dubai Future Foundation, is designed to enhance transparency in research and content production. It offers a visual representation that enables readers, researchers, and decision-makers to understand how much of a given output was shaped by intelligent machines, across fields such as research, design, and publishing. Such fields are increasingly becoming reliant on machines and automation classification defines 'intelligent machines' as a broad category encompassing various digital technologies, including algorithms, automation tools, generative AI models, and robotics, or any technological system that plays a role in the research or content creation HMC system introduces five primary icons that indicate the extent of collaboration between humans and intelligent machines:All Human: Content is fully produced by a human with no machine Human-produced content enhanced or checked by machine for accuracy, correction, or Humans and machines worked together iteratively to produce Machine took the lead in producing the content, with humans verifying quality and Content was entirely generated by a machine with no human addition to the five primary icons, the system also includes nine functional icons that indicate where in the process human–machine collaboration occurred. These cover ideation, literature review, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, writing, translation, visuals, and icon system is designed to be flexible and adaptable across sectors, industries, and content formats, including image and video outputs. While it does not assign percentages or exact weights to the contribution of the machine, it enables creators to disclose involvement transparently, acknowledging that evaluation often relies on personal judgment. To explore how to use the HMC icons and download the classification system, visit:
Gulf Insider
08-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Drives Middle East Push Into $600B
Saudi Arabia is spearheading the Middle East's emergence as a global sports powerhouse, backed by large-scale investment, major event hosting and rapid growth in digital sectors, according to a new report by global consultancy Kearney. The report, titled From Passion to Profit: Unlocking Value in Sports , projects the global sports market will exceed $600 billion by 2030. It identifies the Middle East as playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry, citing policy reforms, infrastructure spending and a strong push into esports as core drivers of the region's influence. Saudi Arabia has allocated $38 billion to become a global centre for gaming and esports, while also advancing broader development of sports infrastructure and event management under its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. 'The region is innovating at scale: from Riyadh's Sports Boulevard and Qatar's integrated World Cup infrastructure to the UAE's growing ecosystem of digital fan platforms,' said Mohamed Hashem, Partner and Sports Lead for the Middle East and Africa at Kearney. 'Rather than replicating Western models, countries across the region are testing new frameworks that align sport with broader economic and societal ambitions.' The report highlights the transformation taking place across the region, with the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain also playing significant roles through investment in elite talent development, digital platforms, and hosting of global sporting events. The Middle East has strengthened its position on the global sports calendar in recent years by hosting a range of high-profile competitions. These include the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Dubai Tennis Championships, and the upcoming Olympic Esports Games set to take place in Saudi Arabia. According to Kearney, these events reflect more than just regional ambition. They are part of a coordinated strategy to integrate sports into long-term economic planning, drive tourism, and increase international visibility. Infrastructure development is accelerating in parallel. Governments across the Middle East are investing in next-generation stadiums, high-performance training academies and integrated digital ecosystems to support long-term growth in the sector. In the UAE, the sports ecosystem continues to expand, with Dubai recently confirmed as the host of the inaugural World Sports Summit in December 2025. The event was announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and is expected to further elevate the region's standing in global sports discourse. Kearney's report also highlighted the role of digital-native sectors, with esports identified as a major area of opportunity. Saudi Arabia's $38 billion commitment to developing a world-leading gaming sector is seen as emblematic of the broader shift toward younger audiences, digital engagement, and immersive experiences. This youth-centric focus is being echoed in fan engagement strategies across the region, with a growing emphasis on streaming, personalised content and interactive platforms. Women's participation in sports is also growing. New professional women's football leagues have launched in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, while community-level initiatives are expanding access and inclusion. In Saudi Arabia alone, female sports participation has increased by 150 per cent since the introduction of Vision 2030. Kearney's report identifies five key growth levers for organisations aiming to capture greater value in the sports sector. These include commercial excellence—across media rights, sponsorship, matchday revenue, merchandise, and talent monetisation—alongside fan engagement and insights, platform expansion, technology-driven innovation, and operational efficiency. 'Free from legacy constraints,' Hashem said, 'the Middle East is well positioned to develop sports models that align with its economic and social priorities.' The report concludes that the region's blend of financial commitment, strategic planning, and openness to innovation is allowing it to play an increasingly central role in global sports. The shift is not only contributing to economic diversification in Gulf countries but also reshaping how sports are structured, monetised, and experienced read: Game On for $70M Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia
Biz Bahrain
08-07-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Middle East Emerges as Global Sports Powerhouse, Unlocking Billions in Value and Opportunity
The Middle East is fast becoming one of the most influential players in global sports, according to global management consultancy Kearney's latest report, From passion to profit: unlocking value in sports. With the region experiencing a rapid and sustained growth rate across key segments, it is emerging as a major force in the global sports industry, driving innovation and investment that are reshaping the sector's future. With the global sports market expected to reach $600+ billion by 2030, the region is driving a transformation fueled by strategic investment, forward-looking policy, and technology-enabled innovation. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is emerging as a global benchmark, combining world-class hosting with systemic reform and sector-wide development. The momentum is visible across multiple fronts. On the global stage, the region has solidified its reputation as a premier destination for high-profile events: hosting everything from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the Bahrain Grand Prix to the Dubai Tennis Championships and soon, the Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia. These events are not just about spectacle; they signal a strategic effort to position the region at the heart of global sporting calendars. Behind the scenes, infrastructure investment is accelerating. Governments across the Middle East are committing billions to develop next-generation stadiums, elite training academies, and integrated digital platforms. Saudi Arabia has allocated significant budgets toward sports infrastructure as part of its Vision 2030 agenda, while the UAE and Qatar continue to grow their ecosystems for high-performance sports and global talent attraction. Following an announcement by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Dubai will host the inaugural World Sports Summit in December 2025, further reinforcing the region's growing influence on the global sports stage. The region is also pushing hard into digital-native sectors, with esports emerging as a focal point. Saudi Arabia's $38 billion investment to become a global hub for gaming is emblematic of a wider regional effort to tap into younger demographics through streaming, immersive content, and competitive gaming platforms. This youth-centric focus is being mirrored in broader fan engagement strategies across the ME. Women's participation is another key area of growth. New professional women's football leagues in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are expanding access and visibility, while initiatives across schools and communities are driving higher levels of inclusion. In Saudi Arabia alone, female participation in sport has increased by 150% since the launch of Vision 2030, an indicator of how deeply sports are being woven into the region's social fabric. Kearney's report highlights five key growth levers that organizations can use capture a greater share of future growth: • Commercial excellence: maximizing revenue across media rights, sponsorship, matchday, merchandise, and talent monetization • Fan engagement and insights: using data to understand fan behavior, personalize content, and increase loyalty and spend • Platform expansion: building or partnering with streaming and digital platforms to deliver richer, more monetizable fan experiences • Technology-driven innovation: applying tech across advertising, ticketing, content, and performance to unlock new revenue streams and efficiencies • Operational efficiency: adopting business best practices to reduce costs, streamline operations, and professionalize structures
