Latest news with #KHALED
Al Etihad
27-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
AI risks and opportunity for news industry take centre stage at Arab Media Summit
28 May 2025 00:41 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (DUBAI)The transformative power of AI in the media landscape dominated the agenda at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on Tuesday, with top regional officials and thought leaders urging media institutions to embrace emerging technologies or risk being left at one of the forum's headline panels, Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office, and Chairman of the UAE Media Council, stressed that adapting to emerging technologies and understanding how to deal with them determines the global competitiveness and relevance of media Hamed noted the global shift from traditional media to technology-driven platforms, emphasising the need for media entities to embrace this transformation.'Media platforms that fail to adapt to modern technologies will vanish,' Al Hamed said, adding the landscape continues to evolve rapidly. He called for the responsible and conscious use of modern Hamed stressed that the media must stay at the forefront of technological change to remain relevant and continue engaging younger against complacency amid rapid tech advancements, he added: 'If you don't learn it today, it will be hard to learn it tomorrow.'Dr. Ramzan bin Abdullah Al Noaimi, Minister of Information of Bahrain, highlighted the dual-edged nature of AI's rise in the industry. 'Arab media is at a critical stage due to the entry of AI,' he said. 'There is an opportunity for us to elevate our industry but also the potential to go backwards.'Al Noaimi stressed that successfully integrating AI would depend on more than just innovation, saying that institutional commitment and human adaptability were essential to ensure the proper and ethical utilisation of the technology. He called for comprehensive workforce transformation led by institutions embracing AI from the very top. 'The AI is there to help people, so we need to help them understand it and learn to use it — we need to bring people along.' Credibility amid Faster News Cycles With information cycles moving at a pace that's faster than ever, the media must also deal with the changing expectations of news consumers, said Abdulrahman Al Mutairi, Kuwait's Minister of Information and Culture.'Today, the speed of news is very important, but it must have credibility and accuracy,' Al Mutairi said. 'AI can help in that and should therefore be welcomed — although it needs to be implemented in the right way to ensure this.' Irreplaceable Human Element From a technological perspective, Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, CEO of Artificial Intelligence at Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, envisioned a future where AI lowers barriers to entry and fuels creativity. 'There will be one-person start-ups,' he predicted, highlighting how AI tools could democratise media creation and entrepreneurship. While he acknowledged the novelty and disruptive force of current AI advances, he reminded attendees that humans would remain central. 'Despite all of this advancement, the future will definitely still be human-based.' That human focus was further emphasised by Hamad Al Shirawi, Director of Projects at Dubai Future Foundation, who likened fears surrounding AI to early internet anxieties. 'When you talk about your concerns, it's only natural — just like when the internet came out,' Al Shirawi said. 'It is a wave that we will have to ride, and we will have to learn.' Once considered an optional edge, AI is now a core requirement for success, he added, calling on media professionals to see it as a change to up their game rather than a replacement for their talent. 'It used to be a secret weapon. Now it's a weapon that you must have,' said Al Shirawi. 'Don't be afraid of AI. Embrace it.'
Al Etihad
19-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Strong energy sector gives Abu Dhabi competitive edge in global AI race
20 May 2025 00:18 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI) Abu Dhabi's rapidly evolving AI ecosystem is closely tied to its world-class energy sector, experts said at a conference on Monday, following last week's landmark announcement of the record-breaking 5GW UAE-US data centre. The capital's abundant energy resources are expected to give it a competitive edge in the global AI race, the industry leaders added. "There's no AI without energy," said ADNOC Drilling CFO Yousef Salem, reflecting on the UAE's upcoming AI campus during talks held at the Arqaam Capital MENA Conference in Abu Dhabi. "The simultaneous announcements with major US players like Exxon and Occidental are not coincidental … Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as the nexus of energy and technology, creating a holistic strategy that fuels exponential growth."Last week, ADNOC and Exxon Mobil Corp and Occidental announced plans to expand the nation's oil and gas production capacity. Deals which Salem said were heavily influenced by the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure. He said the emergence of AI had become a key factor in future energy decisions. This sentiment was echoed by Magdalena Konig, General Counsel and Company Secretary at AIQ, who praised the UAE's leadership for pre-empting the global AI-energy dialogue years ago. "You cannot talk about the silicon age without addressing energy efficiency," Kenesbai said. "Data centres use about like 2% of global energy, but that is actually expected to increase by about 50% by the end of this year. And I think by the end of the decade, it's going to increase by, you know, 165%, the symbiosis between energy and AI is not optional; it is critical." Konig said the strategic partnerships Abu Dhabi has forged with US technology giants - which coincided with strong energy ties - were critical to developing the infrastructure required to support AI's massive computational and energy Prashanth Marpu, CTO at Smart Solutions part of Space42, added that Abu Dhabi's investments are not merely symbolic. "All this infrastructure is being built because it will be fully utilised," he said. "We are building platforms that not only serve the UAE but also offer solutions globally." The panellists agreed that Abu Dhabi's strategy of building both AI and energy ecosystems end-to-end gave it a competitive edge. They believed that by investing in everything from academic institutions and research hubs to industrial partnerships and regulatory sandboxes, the emirate was constructing a comprehensive innovation landscape. "This clustering of industries creates gravitational pull, making Abu Dhabi a magnet for talent, capital, and technological breakthroughs," Salem said. "AI and energy are two sides of the same coin, and Abu Dhabi holds that coin firmly in its hand."
Al Etihad
14-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE-US diplomatic partnership expected to deepen as Trump heads to Abu Dhabi
15 May 2025 00:16 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)With US President Donald Trump visiting the UAE on Thursday, attention is once again focused on the fast-deepening partnership between the two defence and economic cooperation to regional diplomacy and humanitarian response, the UAE and the US have built one of the Middle East's most multifaceted bilateral relationships - one that is expected to expand further during President Trump's establishing diplomatic relations in 1972, the UAE and the US have cultivated a relationship rooted in shared interests, mutual security, and economic the decades, the two nations have grown their defence cooperation through joint military exercises and arms agreements, positioning the UAE as a critical American partner in Gulf security and counterterrorism operations. Furthermore, the ever-deepening economic ties have positioned Abu Dhabi as a diplomatic player and key stakeholder in the US's strategy in the Trump's visit follows a series of high-level diplomatic engagements, including a recent visit to Abu Dhabi by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in February 2025. During his meeting with President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Rubio reaffirmed the strength of the US-UAE strategic partnership, emphasising the nations' shared interests in economic growth, technological advancement, and regional two sides discussed expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and economic innovation. Rubio also addressed ongoing efforts to stabilise Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, and tackled maritime security challenges in the Red Sea – all key areas where the UAE is heavily engaged with their American counterparts to ensure a more peaceful vision for the Middle two countries continue to work closely on regional security issues, sharing a commitment to upholding international humanitarian law, protecting civilians, and addressing the root causes of conflicts. Both countries have stressed the importance of sustainable solutions to the threats posed by non-state actors and terrorist organisations, while also supporting frameworks to advance peace, integration, and prosperity across the region. Focus on the Gaza Crisis A key geopolitical topic expected to feature in this week's talks is the ongoing war in Gaza. Both nations have called for a lasting and sustainable ceasefire, the release of hostages, and strict adherence to international humanitarian law. President Biden previously commended the UAE for its humanitarian leadership, including launching a maritime aid corridor, establishing a field hospital in Gaza, and supporting medical evacuations for two countries have emphasised the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian access to civilians across Gaza, calling on all parties to facilitate the safe delivery of life-saving assistance. UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has praised US mediation efforts alongside Egypt and Qatar, reaffirming the UAE's support for building on the US proposal to establish a political horizon for lasting peace. Both sides reiterated their commitment to the two-state solution, recognising it as the only viable path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Sudan, where civil war continues to devastate the population, the UAE and US have expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis. Both nations have rejected any military solution to the conflict, calling instead for an immediate ceasefire, the return to political dialogue, and a transition to civilian-led governance. They stressed the need to protect civilians, scale up humanitarian aid, and hold accountable those responsible for war crimes, particularly in the embattled Darfur leaders have pledged to continue efforts to prevent Sudan from becoming a breeding ground for transnational terrorist networks, highlighting the importance of securing humanitarian pauses to facilitate aid delivery to the millions affected by violence and famine. President Trump's upcoming visit is expected to build on this comprehensive agenda, with discussions likely to touch on enhancing defence cooperation, deepening economic investments, and strengthening diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts. The visit comes as both nations continue to position themselves as strategic partners capable of jointly addressing the complex challenges of the Middle East.
Al Etihad
05-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE job market grows 1.25% in Q1 2025 as employers prioritise skills and strategy
6 May 2025 01:24 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)The UAE recorded a 1.25% rise in job opportunities during the first quarter of 2025, according to the Cooper Fitch Q1 2025 Employment Index, marking a steady start to the year in an evolving employment landscape shaped by digital transformation, policy changes and sectoral marginal, the global recruitment firm says this increase reflects UAE employers' cautious optimism despite a slowdown in the global job report said that firms are targeting strategic recruitment and internal efficiency, especially in sectors such as oil and gas, healthcare and growth is underpinned by the strengthening of the UAE's non-oil economy, with sectors such as trade, real estate and technology seeing stable recruitment demand."Early signals suggest that some traditionally high-growth sectors may be approaching a new maturity phase as the focus shifts from expansion to efficiency. These patterns raise timely questions about how the region's labour market is evolving," the report of the stand-out areas was the increase in hiring for AI and digital jobs – growing 3% across the GCC in the first quarter of the to Fitch, the region as a whole ranked above the global average for interest and investment in technology, with 81% of GCC companies surveyed in the report planning to boost tech investment and 72% ranking AI as one of the top innovation fundamental shift in hiring criteria was reinforced in a recent LinkedIn survey cited by Marzio C, which found that 80% of professionals in MENA believe employers now value skills more than degrees. Marzio said this trend was encouraging for career-switchers and self-taught professionals with digital competencies."The UAE job market is charging ahead into 2025 with optimism and innovation. Global shifts in technology and policy are reshaping how employers hire and how professionals build their careers in the Emirates," Marzio survey found that employers are adopting AI-powered recruitment tools, using them for resume screening, candidate matching and even virtual 74% of professionals in the region surveyed believed that AI tools help them work more efficiently, further validating the shift toward tech-led hiring, according to the optimistic economic momentum, salary growth has largely stalled. The Cooper Fitch report noted a 0% average increase in UAE salaries in Q1 2025, citing population growth and cautious employer strategies. Nonetheless, 71% of employers either maintained or increased remuneration for new recruits over the past year, though this marked a 10% year-on-year decline.
Al Etihad
01-05-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
From palm-shaded gatherings to global blueprint: Arab architects reimagine the majlis for the world
2 May 2025 01:14 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)The majlis — literally 'a place to sit' in Arabic — is the social heart of Emirati life. Whether it is a cool room tacked onto a family villa, a carpeted tent pitched beside the desert, or simply a circle of cushions beneath date-palm fronds, the majlis is where news is exchanged, disagreements are settled, and hospitality is performed. Now, a new generation of architects is turning the centuries-old idea into an exportable architectural language, arguing that contemporary Arab architects should look inward to their traditions before looking outwards for inspiration. 'No one questions what a majlis means here,' said architect-researcher Riyad Joucka, Founder of Dubai-based Middle East Architecture Network (MEAN) and the UAE's first Fellow in Practice at Zayed University. 'But if we want the world to understand it, we have to define its DNA and then show how flexible it can be,' he told Aletihad on the sidelines of the Cultural Summit in Abu Dhabi this week. MEAN's research project, 'The Adaptive Majlis', treats the gathering space less as a finished building and more as a typology — a catalogue of elements which Joucka said could be combined like Lego bricks. The idea is to take the details that make sitting around a majlis so comforting, combine them with sustainable architectural practices, in hope of creating a guide for future architects. By isolating core components — shade, thermal comfort, egalitarian seating and a clear threshold between guest and host — Joucka believes architects can keep the soul of the majlis while letting its form change with context. 'If you look at some of the seating plants of the majlis, usually they're in a U shape, where the sort of head of the majlis is sitting in the centre,' he explained. 'The newer generation sits around a TV and a PlayStation, maybe during Ramadan or Eid. That's how the young members of the family convene in a majlis. So, we're studying these different sort of phenomena, social phenomena, and trying to come up with what the future of the majlis could look like.' He added that much of the work was also based around exploring the past to understand how we can make modern building more suitable. For example, this could be by using palm trees composites or recycled wood to replace concrete or using wind towers and traditional cooling tactics, borrowed from pre-oil Gulf houses. 'Our ancestors survived without glass curtain walls. They had wind towers, thick walls, deep overhangs — those lessons are waiting,' Joucka said.'The point is not nostalgia, it's continuity.' Exporting a unique Gulf architectural brand Joucka explained that for decades, the Gulf's skyline had been shaped by imported 'starchitects' and reflective glass towers ill-suited to 45-degree heat. Joucka, who recently toured expos in Osaka and Shanghai, argued that the UAE has matured past that phase. 'Tokyo has Kengo Kuma and Osaka's pavilions were almost all Japanese-designed,' he said. 'We now have the talent pool to do the same. The world is already watching us — this is the moment to export ideas conceived here, by people who live in the climate and the culture.'None of this meant abolishing landmark architecture. Joucka acknowledged the need for icons, like the Jean Nouvel's Louvre Abu Dhabi, in any global city but warned against equating identity with spectacle. 'A building can be a flex,' he said. 'But a majlis is a dialogue and dialogues travel. We're not selling arches and mashrabiya, we're selling a way of gathering.'
