‘Strait of Hormuz disruption could trigger long-term shift in global trade and energy flows’
Kelsey Goodman of the World Economic Forum discusses Strait of Hormuz disruptions, global trade risks, and how GCC economies can...
Economy
Why the GCC should stop trying to build Silicon Valley and focus on owning it
Fahad AlSharekh says the GCC’s edge isn’t startup mimicry but global investment power — backing AI, infrastructure and category leaders...
Interview
Gulf startup hubs: Converging strategies, diverging ambitions
Despite fierce branding as rivals, Gulf startup hubs share capital, policy, and talent structures that are quietly shaping distinct, globally...
- Shared infrastructure, capital flows, and policy choices bind these ecosystems together more than they divide them.
- The critical question for Gulf ecosystems is not whether they have capital or talent, but whether both are organized toward genuinely global ambition.
Interview
MENA must integrate research, enterprise, and leadership development
Over the next five years, knowledge and innovation will redefine the MENA region’s economic landscape, moving it beyond traditional resource...
- AI and XR are no longer future trends; they’re reshaping leadership, business models, and education across the GCC today.
- Applying global models without considering local realities remains one of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs in MENA.
Business
From awareness to action: How Amazon Ads is helping GCC startups scale smarter
Amazon Ads is evolving from a marketing channel into a business-building engine, helping GCC startups use full-funnel advertising, retail media...
- Amazon Ads is positioning itself as a platform for GCC startups, helping them link brand building with measurable growth across the full funnel, Rayan Karaky told TRENDS
- MENA startups can leapfrog legacy markets by adopting AI-driven Retail Media 3.0 from the outset, using commerce data to scale smarter and faster, he adds
Interview
Lessons from Davos: From digital health tools to health intelligence
Despite ongoing disagreements over economic and geopolitical shifts, there remains a strong commitment to collaboration, says Andrew Moose, Head of...
- Culture, food options, office design, and management behavior all shape outcomes.
- Research shows that 60–80 percent of productivity gains from well-being initiatives happen at the team level.
Economy
Building the Gulf’s Knowledge Future: Education, Innovation, Talent
Florin Vasvari of London Business School says a knowledge economy requires educated local talent, global expertise and supportive regulation, tax...
- A knowledge economy rests on educated local talent supported by global expertise, enabling innovation and diversification in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Florin Vasvari told TRENDS
- Technology investment must be matched by strong leadership, risk-taking culture and lifelong learning to drive real productivity gains, he adds
Business
AI is changing how financial systems understand and serve people
As AI reshapes boardrooms worldwide, Cozmo AI CTO Nuha Hashem explains how responsible, accountable systems—powered by MENA talent—can drive sustainable...
- AI-powered fintech can expand financial inclusion and improve productivity by reducing friction and enabling people to focus on higher-value work, Nuha Hashem told TRENDS
- Building trust, transparency, and strong human capital is essential for sustainable AI-led growth in emerging markets, she adds
Economy
How To Enhance Human Potential? The answer: Cognitive Cities, AI, and Leadership in MENA
Joseph Bradley, former CEO of Tonomus, shares with TRENDS his views on how AI and leadership can help MENA build...
- Challenging fixed beliefs and pairing AI with human strengths is key to building agile, future-ready economies in the region, Joseph Bradley told TRENDS
- Effective leadership, he says, will hinge on explaining the “why,” trusting people, and letting humans and AI grow together, he adds
Interview
Dubai Media City bets on AI to cement its global creative hub status
Dubai Media City has moved decisively beyond real estate into intellectual and digital value creation to support the next generation...
- Media Cluster enables talent development by providing access to globally renowned institutions at Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, part of TECOM Group.
- The Media Cluster offers Grade A offices, recording and green rooms, and even world-class backlots and sound stages at Dubai Studio City.
Economy
Building the New Creative Engine of the Knowledge Economy: Mark Penn
Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, explains how AI and global tech partnerships are reshaping marketing and the GCC’s...
- AI is expanding creative and data-driven marketing capabilities at unprecedented scale, Mark Penn told TRENDS
- The GCC must now focus on building sustainable, talent-led innovation ecosystems beyond experimentation, he adds
Interview
The Middle East has become our living lab for digital reinvention
In the MENA region, we see an extraordinary opportunity to shape a digitally empowered workforce aligned with national transformation agendas,...
- The Middle East has become our living lab for digital reinvention, where ideas rapidly evolve into impactful, real-world solutions.
- AI, cloud, and IoT are no longer enablers but strategic levers reshaping productivity, resilience, and value creation across MENA.
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Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
‘Strait of Hormuz disruption could trigger long-term shift in global trade and energy flows’
Kelsey Goodman of the World Economic Forum discusses Strait of Hormuz disruptions, global trade risks, and how GCC economies can...
Economy
Company News
Latest News
From awareness to action: How Amazon Ads is helping GCC startups scale smarter
Amazon Ads is evolving from a marketing channel into a business-building engine, helping GCC startups use full-funnel advertising, retail media...
Business
Lessons from Davos: From digital health tools to health intelligence
Despite ongoing disagreements over economic and geopolitical shifts, there remains a strong commitment to collaboration, says Andrew Moose, Head of...
Interview
Building the Gulf’s Knowledge Future: Education, Innovation, Talent
Florin Vasvari of London Business School says a knowledge economy requires educated local talent, global expertise and supportive regulation, tax...
Economy
Most Read
Economy
How To Enhance Human Potential? The answer: Cognitive Cities, AI, and Leadership in MENA
Joseph Bradley, former CEO of Tonomus, shares with TRENDS his views on how AI and leadership can help MENA build...
- Challenging fixed beliefs and pairing AI with human strengths is key to building agile, future-ready economies in the region, Joseph Bradley told TRENDS
- Effective leadership, he says, will hinge on explaining the “why,” trusting people, and letting humans and AI grow together, he adds
Interview
Dubai Media City bets on AI to cement its global creative hub status
Dubai Media City has moved decisively beyond real estate into intellectual and digital value creation to support the next generation...
- Media Cluster enables talent development by providing access to globally renowned institutions at Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, part of TECOM Group.
- The Media Cluster offers Grade A offices, recording and green rooms, and even world-class backlots and sound stages at Dubai Studio City.
Economy
Building the New Creative Engine of the Knowledge Economy: Mark Penn
Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, explains how AI and global tech partnerships are reshaping marketing and the GCC’s...
- AI is expanding creative and data-driven marketing capabilities at unprecedented scale, Mark Penn told TRENDS
- The GCC must now focus on building sustainable, talent-led innovation ecosystems beyond experimentation, he adds