Latest news with #digitaltechnologies
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Kazakhstan to create ‘Crypto City', train 1 million citizens in AI
Kazakhstan president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Astana International Forum in Astana, Kazakhstan, today. ASTANA : Kazakhstan plans to establish a 'Crypto City', where cryptocurrencies can be used for purchasing goods and services, and to train one million of its citizens in artificial intelligence (AI) over the next five years. Kazakhstan president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who announced the 'Crypto City' initiative at the Astana International Forum here, said the country is committed to investing in human capital and expanding opportunities for young professionals. 'Our immediate goal is to reduce regional disparities and strengthen the middle class,' he said. To achieve this, Kazakhstan will boost its capabilities in key sectors such as digital technologies, AI, clean energy, and value-added manufacturing. The country also plans to launch its most powerful supercomputer. 'We are placing great emphasis on AI. Our goal is to become a hub for academia and innovation by welcoming branches of foreign universities and establishing research and development partnerships,' added Tokayev. Building talent from the ground up Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's digital development, innovation, and aerospace industry minister Zhaslan Madiyev said the government aims to train one million citizens in AI within the next five years. The AI education programme will be embedded into the national school curriculum, starting with 500,000 schoolchildren and 300,000 university students. Students will be introduced to generative IT, graphics, coding, programming and other AI-related modules from a young age. 'The programme will also include adults who are interested in learning AI. Even those from rural areas will be included, with transport provided to help them attend classes,' Madiyev told reporters. He added that university students and teachers in Kazakhstan have been learning about blockchain technology since 2022. According to Madiyev, the government is working to regulate and license cryptocurrency exchanges to facilitate the use of crypto in daily transactions. 'Kazakhstan is exploring how the crypto industry can be applied across various sectors, including through standardised tenders for sales and purchases,' he said. However, he noted that enhancing cybersecurity will be a key challenge moving forward, with the government actively looking into measures to address potential threats.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Connected Aftermarket: How Industrial Companies Can Make Services Smarter
In recent years, economic uncertainties have driven industrial companies to seek out new streams of revenue—ones that aren't subject to the vagaries of supply chains, extreme weather, and geopolitical matters. For many, that new stream has been aftermarket services. Providing services outside of the pressures involved in equipment production and sales is what makes aftermarket sales so attractive—and profitable. The average operating margin from aftermarket services globally is two to three times higher than the operating margin from new equipment sales. And with digital technologies and smart operations driving new opportunities—and demands—for customer service, now is a good time for industrial companies to explore or expand aftermarket services. Aftermarket sales can satisfy the expectation of customer-centricity. With the proliferation of smart technologies, customer experience and seamless interactions are table stakes for any business-to-consumer (B2C) enterprise—and that approach is increasingly extending itself to the business-to-business (B2B) market. And with good reason: 88% of customers say the experience a company provides is as important as the product itself. Even more compelling, customer-focused organizations report a 49% increase in sales or revenue, a 45% increase in profitability, and a 70% increase in customer loyalty and satisfaction. One of the ways to build out customer-centricity—and therefore, aftermarket services—is connectivity. That is, assets that are connected through digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and Generative AI (GenAI)—most of which manufacturers have already incorporated into their operations. But these technologies can take aftermarket services to new levels. According to a Deloitte Consulting LLP survey, 70% of companies that have implemented digital solutions improved their customer experience. Drawing on these technologies can enable industrial companies to develop a connected aftermarket—which can extend the value chain beyond the factory to the full lifecycle of the product. It can connect vast networks of assets, people, and materials to create an integrated system that is in a better position to offer good customer experience. Working like a B2C in a B2B environment is likely a new world for many industrial companies. They often don't have the data—due to legacy systems and siloed operations—to understand their customers and can lose track of a product once its sold. Industrial companies' linear mindset based on traditional production lines can make it hard to stand up aftermarket services—which don't necessarily fit into a predictable sequence. This also means there can be an overall lack of experience in building out customer-centric solutions. To deliver aftermarket services that offer the customer-centricity of a B2C and take advantage of today's connected and advanced technologies, industrial companies should consider the following actions: Digital technologies such as IoT, sensors, machine learning, and GenAI have fueled the proliferation of smart operations in manufacturing and continue to drive gains in productivity and efficiency. These technologies and the aftermarket service they enable can help industrial companies form a buffer — while offering an improved customer experience which could lead to loyalty.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tashkent hosts GSMA M360 as Eurasia's digital economy grows
The summit highlights the growing role of digital technologies in the region's economic development and coincides with the release of the GSMA's latest Mobile Economy Eurasia report. The report projects that mobile technologies will contribute €238 billion to Eurasia's economy by 2030, equivalent to 8.3% of the region's GDP. This forecast is driven by the growth of smartphone usage, expanded internet access, and the accelerating rollout of 5G networks. The choice of Tashkent as host city reflects Uzbekistan's rising profile as a regional digital leader. Since launching wide-ranging reforms in 2017, the country has opened up its economy, encouraged foreign investment, and promoted innovation in the tech sector. Today, Uzbekistan is home to more than 9,700 ICT companies and 200,000 tech professionals, with services exported to 90 countries and a total turnover of €4.1 billion. 'Uzbekistan has undergone one of the most successful transformations in the world,' Kaan Terzioğlu, CEO of VEON, said. 'With a population of 40 million and over one million babies born every year, the country is demographically strong and full of potential.' Vivek Badrinath, Director General of GSMA, stressed the broader economic impact of mobile sector growth. 'A $1 increase in the mobile economy generates $6 in GDP. When governments create investment-friendly environments and key sectors like banking or transport integrate mobile tech, the benefits are shared by all,' he said. A key highlight of the summit is the unveiling of the Kazakh Large Language Model, developed through a partnership between Kazakh researchers, QazCode, the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, and the GSMA Foundry. The AI model supports Kazakh, Turkish, English, and Russian, addressing a crucial gap in local language technologies. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan continues to encourage innovation through initiatives like the Presidential $1 million tech award, aimed at supporting start-ups and digital entrepreneurship. Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies, pointed to recent app launches that integrate IT, tourism, and business services - generating over 2,000 international user interactions in just one week. Neighbouring Kazakhstan is also advancing its digital infrastructure. Zhaslan Madiyev, Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry, emphasised the country's commitment to AI and digital infrastructure saying, 'We are building our AI ecosystem with initiatives such as the creation of a national AI Center. This center will support research, education, and startups, playing a crucial role in nurturing the entire ecosystem.' Despite advances some challenges remain. According to the GSMA, around 80 million people in Eurasia remain offline, despite having mobile network coverage. Addressing this "usage gap" will be key to ensuring inclusive digital growth across the region. GSMA initiatives such as its collaboration with IBM — offering members access to the platform — and joint efforts with the European Space Agency on Non-Terrestrial Networks, aim to enhance connectivity and bridge the digital divide. As Tashkent takes the spotlight during M360 Eurasia, Uzbekistan positions itself as a key player in shaping the region's digital future — one increasingly defined by innovation, inclusion, and international cooperation. Sign in to access your portfolio
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Matarat, Thales sign deal to transform air travel experience
RIYADH: Matarat Holding, the state-owned company responsible for managing Saudi Arabia's airports, has signed a strategic agreement with French aerospace and defense giant Thales to advance the Kingdom's aviation sector through cutting-edge digital technologies. The agreement, formalized during the Passenger Terminal Expo 2025 in Madrid, Spain, focuses on enhancing innovation, operational efficiency, and the overall passenger experience across the Kingdom's 27 airports. According to a statement by Matarat, the partnership will leverage Thales' expertise in artificial intelligence, biometrics, automation, and data-driven systems to develop safer, smarter, and more efficient travel journeys. As part of the collaboration, advanced digital platforms and next-generation infrastructure will be deployed throughout Saudi Arabia's airport network. 'This collaboration with Matarat Holding represents a revolutionary step in reimagining the future of the Saudi aviation sector,' said Bernard Roux, CEO of Thales in Saudi Arabia and Central Asia. 'By combining Thales' digital transformation capabilities with Matarat's operational excellence, we aim to build a smart and secure aviation ecosystem.' Roux emphasized that the integration of AI, cybersecurity solutions, and connected systems will not only improve passenger experience and boost efficiency, but also enhance national security— contributing directly to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goal of becoming a global aviation leader. In addition to technology deployment, the agreement includes knowledge-sharing initiatives, operational streamlining, and joint innovation efforts aimed at future-proofing the Kingdom's aviation infrastructure.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Imkan, Saal.ai to boost AI, Big Data growth in real estate
Imkan, a leading global master developer based in Abu Dhabi, has entered into a strategic partnership with a national leader in Artificial Intelligence and Big Data technologies, for integrating advanced AI and digital technologies across its value chain. Unveiled at the ongoing "Make it in the Emirates" event, the collaboration will deliver smarter, faster, and more sustainable living experiences by deploying cutting-edge digital solutions that empower developers to design more intelligently, streamline operations, and make faster, evidence-based decisions - all aligned with the UAE's broader vision for technological leadership and sustainable growth. By leveraging cutting-edge platforms, Imkan is set to enhance design optimisation, streamline operations, and offer hyper-personalized customer engagement, said the company in a statement. This approach enables the delivery of future-ready living environments equipped with IoT and smart infrastructure, paving the way for next-generation communities. It is the first real estate developer in the region employing this advanced technology for compliance automation. This intelligent automation ensures consistency in regulatory compliance, eliminates manual bottlenecks, and enhances project delivery timelines, it stated. CEO Engineer Suwaidan Al Dhaheri said: "This forward-thinking partnership demonstrates how technology can drive real, measurable impact in our sector." "By leveraging the power of AI and data, we are not only optimising delivery timelines and costs and reducing human error, but we are also ensuring that our developments set new benchmarks for quality, compliance, and future readiness," he stated. Vikraman Poduval, the CEO of said: "As the UAE continues to lead the region in digital transformation and AI innovation, we are proud to be partnering with Imkan to empower the Future of Intelligence Living." "We at SAAL are passionate about capitalising the Technology for the good at large, this partnership is an example of our solutions to optimizing the real estate development cycle and the project cost, while preparing for the Internet of Things for the future ready smart homes," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
