Latest news with #IslamAbdulKarim
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Meet Yasmina: Oman's AI assistant that speaks fluent Khaleeji Arabic and calls the Adhan at prayer time
TL;DR: Oman introduces Yasmina , an Arabic-speaking AI assistant that mimics human interaction. It's part of the country's digital transformation push, offering real-time info and smart services via voice. The AI is designed to be emotionally intelligent, culturally aware, and accessible through smart kiosks and mobile apps. Developed in collaboration with Omani tech teams, Yasmina supports public service delivery and aims to strengthen Oman's AI ecosystem. Yasmina is a bilingual AI assistant fluent in both Khaleeji Arabic and English, developed by Yango Group specifically for users in Oman and the broader GCC region. Integrated into Yasmina smart speakers (Midi, Mini, and Lite) and the Yango Play app, Yasmina is designed to deliver culturally resonant, highly personal voice interactions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Her advanced conversational skills stem from YangoAI's upgraded large language model (LLM), tailored for authenticity in regional dialects and context. Trained with diverse regional voices and linguistics experts, Yasmina goes beyond conventional assistants, she offers empathy, humour, and human-like dialogue rooted in Khaleeji culture. Why Yasmina Matters: A Digital Ally for Oman's Vision 2040 Yango Group introduced Yasmina in alignment with Oman Vision 2040, aiming to enhance digital literacy, local innovation, and access to technology across households, schools, and communities. ITHCA Group, the investment arm of Oman's sovereign fund, praised Yasmina as a tool that introduces AI in practical, user-friendly formats—helpful to families, students, and digital novices alike. As per Gulf Business, Islam Abdul Karim, Head of Yango Middle East, described Yasmina as part of a broader mission to deliver technology shaped for everyday life. He emphasised that Yasmina promotes AI access and aligns strategically with Oman's drive toward technological independence and digital transformation. Key Features Tailored for Omani and GCC Users Locally Relevant Content Provides prayer times for Muscat (and other cities) based on Hijri and Gregorian calendars Plays Adhans and Surahs from the Qur'an upon user request Recommends traditional Omani recipes, such as Shuwa, and offers itineraries for local sites like Wadi Shab Culturally Aware Conversations Understands and responds in Khaleeji Arabic, along with other GCC dialects Able to hold dynamic, humorous, and empathetic dialogues, enhancing user comfort and trust Educational Support & Daily Life Aid Simplifies complex topics and supports lifelong learning Offers interactive storytelling, bilingual translation, brainstorming, creative writing prompts, and even riddles for children Manages routine tasks via voice commands: setting reminders, timers, answering general questions Controls smart home devices: dimming lights, adjusting thermostats, playing ambient sounds, etc. Under the Hood: Technology Anchored in Culture Custom Large Language Model Yasmina is powered by YangoAI's proprietary LLM, engineered to support high-quality responses across Arabic and English. The model processes information with up to 38% greater relevance in Arabic and significantly fewer refusals than earlier versions, delivering richer, context-aware conversations. Extensive training data included diverse Arabic dialects and speech patterns collected from cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, ensuring Yasmina understands variations in pronunciation, slang, and stylistic nuances. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Human Oversight & Community Engagement Hundreds of regional dialect experts and content contributors took part in Yasmina's development, including naming the assistant through public feedback. This crowdsourced approach improved linguistic authenticity and regional relevance. Product Access & Platform Integration Smart Speakers Available Yasmina Mini (compact, ideal for private spaces) Yasmina Midi (larger speaker with multi-colour LED and enhanced mic array) Yasmina Lite (entry-level). Speakers are retail-ready in Oman and UAE, sold at outlets including Virgin Megastore, Sharaf DG, and via platforms like (priced at approximately AED 279–449 in the UAE). The full suite of Yasmina's features (including entertainment, smart home integration, local services, and AI responses) requires an active subscription to Yango Play, Yango Group's multi-functional entertainment platform, available across GCC. Real-World Use Cases At Home Families ask Yasmina to set prayer reminders, play Surahs, plan local outings, cook traditional meals, or calm children with bedtime stories. Smart home commands (like controlling lighting or music) are also supported. Education & Language Learning In schools or homes, Yasmina simplifies classroom topics, helps learners grasp Arabic or English, and fosters interactive thinking through questions and games. Private Use For individuals, tasks like translation, travel planning, creativity prompts, financial explanations, and emotional support are all easily initiated via Yasmina's conversational interface. Challenges & Future Prospects Building Trust in AI Achieving emotional resonance and culturally sensitive dialogue depends heavily on continuous LLM refinement and linguistic updates. Early local beta feedback has been positive, but scaling quality remains a priority. Balancing Privacy & Usability As a voice assistant, Yasmina must ensure data privacy and opt-in user control, capabilities included in the speaker hardware and app interfaces. Expanding Ecosystem Yango Group plans to add more local dialect support, content features, and app integrations. Yasmina is positioned to evolve into a central voice interface across GCC smart ecosystems, including banking, education, and public services. Yasmina is more than a voice assistant, she represents a shift in AI design philosophy: technology built around cultural relevance and everyday practicality. By blending advanced AI with local dialect understanding and regional content, Yasmina empowers users to interact naturally and meaningfully. From classrooms to living rooms, Yasmina's presence in Oman heralds a new era where AI isn't just smart, it's personally relevant.
Web Release
21 hours ago
- Business
- Web Release
Yango Group introduces the bilingual AI assistant Yasmina in Oman, supporting national digital transformation goals
Yango Group, a global tech company, has introduced Yasmina – the bilingual human-like AI assistant, in Oman. Yasmina, fluent in Arabic and English, is built into the smart speakers — Midi, Mini, and Lite, and is designed to meet the needs of users in the region through natural, intelligent voice interactions. Behind the assistant's ability to understand context and engage in natural conversations is an upgraded large language model, one of the core components of YangoAI — a suite of advanced AI technologies tailored to the GCC. Yasmina goes beyond standard functions such as music streaming and smart home control. It offers localized features, including prayer times for Muscat, traditional recipe suggestions like Omani Shuwa, and assists with planning family trips to popular destinations such as Wadi Shab. Additionally, the assistant supports faith-based activities by playing Surahs, setting Adhans, and providing accurate dates according to the Hijri calendar, helping users maintain a strong connection to their cultural and religious practices. The AI assistant encourages curiosity across all age groups by simplifying complex topics, supporting language development, and offering interactive storytelling, making it equally useful at home, in classrooms, and on the go. It has the ability to translate between Arabic and English, making it particularly useful for bilingual users and language learners, educators, and content creators. 'AI technology is transforming how people live, learn, and connect, and we believe it should be accessible to everyone, everywhere. The Sultanate of Oman has shown strong momentum in embracing AI as a key part of its national digital strategy. We are proud that our ecosystem is expanding with increasingly advanced services designed to enhance the lives of Omani citizens. Through Yasmina and our broader portfolio, we remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that support Oman's vision for technological sovereignty,' said Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head, Yango Group Middle East. 'ITHCA Group, being the technology investment arm of the OIA, actively supports initiatives within its portfolio companies that aim to adapt advanced technologies to the unique needs of users. Therefore, we highly value Yango Group's contributions to enhancing Oman's digital ecosystem. The Yasmina smart speakers will help families, students, and individuals discover the capabilities of AI in ways that feel familiar and practical. We believe that such innovations are well aligned with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040,' ITHCA Group stated. The expansion reflects Yango Group's ongoing commitment to digital innovation across the region. With the launch of Yasmina in Oman, Yango Group continues its mission of bridging the gap between innovative technologies and local communities. The Yasmina smart speakers are now available for purchase through various retail and online outlets across Oman. To fully enjoy everything the Yasmina smart speakers have to offer, users need to have an active Yango Play subscription, which may be subject to applicable fees and terms. Yango Play is an AI-powered entertainment super app available across multiple countries in the GCC.
TECHx
2 days ago
- Business
- TECHx
Yango Launches Yasmina AI Assistant in Oman
Home » Emerging technologies » Artificial Intelligence » Yango Launches Yasmina AI Assistant in Oman Yango Group, a global technology company, has announced the launch of Yasmina, a bilingual AI assistant, in Oman. Yasmina is integrated into Yango's smart speaker lineup, including the Midi, Mini, and Lite. The assistant supports both Arabic and English, offering natural, human-like voice interactions tailored for the region. The company revealed that Yasmina is powered by an upgraded large language model, part of the YangoAI suite. This suite includes advanced AI technologies designed for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Yasmina provides more than just music streaming or smart home control. It delivers localized features, such as: Prayer times specific to Muscat Traditional recipes like Omani Shuwa Travel planning to destinations like Wadi Shab It also supports religious activities by playing Surahs, setting Adhans, and using the Hijri calendar for accurate date tracking. The assistant aims to boost curiosity and learning across all age groups. It simplifies complex topics, encourages language development, and offers interactive storytelling. Yasmina also translates between Arabic and English, supporting bilingual users, educators, and content creators. Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group Middle East, stated that AI is reshaping lives and should be accessible to everyone. He highlighted Oman's strong embrace of AI as part of its digital strategy and affirmed Yango's commitment to supporting technological sovereignty. ITHCA Group, the technology investment arm of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), expressed support for Yango's efforts. The group emphasized that Yasmina aligns with Oman Vision 2040 and helps bring AI into daily life in practical ways. Yango reported that the Yasmina smart speakers are now available for purchase across various retail and online outlets in Oman. To access all features, users require an active Yango Play subscription, which may be subject to fees. Yango Play is an AI-powered entertainment app available in multiple GCC countries. The launch reflects Yango's broader goal of bridging advanced technologies with local communities across the region.
Hi Dubai
21-07-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Yango Ride Launches City Taxis for B2B in Abu Dhabi, Reducing Transport Costs by 30%
Yango Ride , part of the international tech company Yango Group, now offers city taxis for corporate clients in Abu Dhabi through its solutions for business. The service provides a centralized platform that helps companies book and manage employee rides. A new B2B option addresses the challenge of coordinating transport and expenses across large teams, enabling businesses to enforce custom policies and save up to 30% on corporate travel compared to other solutions. The move follows Yango Ride's 2024 launch of its B2B options in the UAE, where companies in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi gained access to a centralized, cloud-based system to manage employee transportation. The addition of taxis in Abu Dhabi builds on this foundation, extending greater affordability and access while preserving the platform's enterprise-grade features. With a unified system for managing rides, Yango Ride's offer for business removes the complexity of employee reimbursements and ride approvals. All trips, including city taxis, are billed monthly to a single corporate account, with itemized reporting and tax-deductible documentation. Companies can monitor ride activity in real time, apply custom travel policies, and control usage based on employee seniority, department, time of day, or location. Abu Dhabi was recently named the fourth-best city globally for public transport, creating the ideal environment to bridge the gap between public mobility and private sector needs, said Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Middle East. Taxis are often the most practical and affordable car option, yet companies still book them ad hoc, without visibility or control. By integrating taxis into the platform, we're turning a common workaround into a structured, cost-efficient solution that finally matches the scale and needs of modern companies. Ivan Kaplunovich, Head of Yango Ride for business, added: Abu Dhabi has taken major steps to reshape its transport ecosystem through forward-looking initiatives like the Transportation Mobility Management Strategy, which aims to improve public transport access, reduce congestion, and encourage more sustainable travel. By integrating taxis into our B2B platform, we're enabling businesses to support this initiative and offer an efficient way to manage employee transport using modes that are already part of the city's mobility fabric. Yango Ride for business can integrate with internal HR and travel systems through APIs, enabling automated onboarding, access rights, and budget control for distributed teams. Each client is assigned a dedicated account manager and 24/7 support for smooth and responsive service. The service is already used across over 15 industries, including consulting, logistics, finance, IT, and legal services. In Abu Dhabi, companies can now choose between the Comfort tariff and City Taxis for their corporate transport needs. In Dubai, the available ride classes are Premier and Elite. This update complements Yango Ride's ongoing work with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) and 'Abu Dhabi Mobility,' further strengthening the emirate's push toward smart, efficient transport systems. The addition of taxis marks another step in Yango Ride's expansion across the UAE, reinforcing its position as a key player in the region's corporate mobility space. For more information about Yango Ride for businesses, visit link .
Arabian Business
17-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Yango Ride promises to reduce business travel costs in Abu Dhabi by 30%
Corporate clients of Dubai-based Yango Ride can now enjoy travel in Abu Dhabi and save money, after the Dubai-based company added cost-effective city taxis to its B2B service in the capital, which promises to reduce business transport costs by 30 per cent. The new service provides a centralised platform that helps companies book and manage employee rides, addressing the challenge of coordinating transport and expenses across large teams. Yango Ride expands B2B taxi services The move follows Yango Ride's launch of its B2B options in the UAE last year, which enabled companies in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi to access to a centralised, cloud-based system for managing employee transportation. The addition of taxis in Abu Dhabi builds on this foundation, extending greater affordability and access while preserving the platform's enterprise-grade features. With a unified system for managing rides, Yango Ride's business offers a solution that removes the complexity of employee reimbursements and ride approvals. All trips, including city taxis, are billed monthly to a single corporate account, with itemised reporting and tax-deductible documentation. Companies can monitor ride activity in real time, apply custom travel policies, and control usage based on employee seniority, department, time of day, or location. Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Middle East, commented: 'Abu Dhabi was recently named the fourth-best city globally for public transport, creating the ideal environment to bridge the gap between public mobility and private sector needs. 'Taxis are often the most practical and affordable car option, yet companies still book them ad hoc, without visibility or control. By integrating taxis into the platform, we are turning a common workaround into a structured, cost-efficient solution.' Ivan Kaplunovich, Head of Yango Ride for business, added: 'Abu Dhabi has taken major steps to reshape its transport ecosystem through forward-looking initiatives like the Transportation Mobility Management Strategy, which aims to improve public transport access, reduce congestion, and encourage more sustainable travel. 'By integrating taxis into our B2B platform, we are enabling businesses to support this initiative and offer an efficient way to manage employee transport using modes that are already part of the city's mobility fabric.' Yango Ride for business can integrate with internal HR and travel systems through APIs, enabling automated onboarding, access rights, and budget control for distributed teams. Each client is assigned a dedicated account manager and 24/7 support for responsive service. The service is already used across over 15 industries, including consulting, logistics, finance, IT, and legal services. In Abu Dhabi, companies can now choose between the Comfort tariff and City Taxis for their corporate transport needs. In Dubai, the available ride classes are Premier and Elite. This update complements Yango Ride's ongoing work with the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) and 'Abu Dhabi Mobility', further strengthening the emirate's push toward smart, efficient transport systems.
