MENA’s next tech breakthrough depends on infrastructure, not hype
Jamil Shinawi, CEO and Co-founder of AHOY and co-founder of Actual VC, speaks to TRENDS about risk, capital efficiency, and...
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...
Science
From healthcare to finance: How AI is reshaping global industries and GCC economies
A study by the World Economic Forum reveals that AI could replace around 85 million jobs by 2025
- KPMG’s recent global study on AI in finance found that the use of AI is rapidly expanding across corporate finance
- 71% of companies surveyed are using AI within finance operations, while 41% of them use it to a moderate or significant extent
Geostrategy
US trading partners hit back on steel, aluminum tariffs
The steep 25-percent levies came into place after midnight with no exemptions despite countries' efforts to avert them, in a...
- Canada, which is heavily exposed to the US steel and aluminum levies, announced additional tariffs of CAN$29.8 billion ($20.7 billion) on US goods, coming into force Thursday.
- Uncertainty over Trump's trade plans and worries that they could tip the world's biggest economy into a recession have roiled financial markets.
Economy
IMF approves additional $1.3 billion aid program for Egypt
Washington, United States - The International Monetary Fund has approved an additional $1.3 billion assistance program for Egypt under its...
- The Fund's Executive Board also completed the fourth review of an ongoing aid program, allowing for the immediate disbursement of $1.2 billion to Cairo
- Under the RSF, the IMF provides long-term loans to finance projects aimed at preparing countries for the effects of global warming and helping them with energy transition
Economy
Smart cities lead GCC’s IoT boom: NEOM and Smart Dubai in focus
IoT applications are transforming critical sectors such as transportation, where connected vehicles improve traffic management, utilities where smart grids enhance...
- For instance, to manage the flow of massive stadium crowds during the FIFA World Cup, Qatar leveraged “digital twins,” aggregating data from 40,000 IoT devices.
- In a similar vein, Dubai’s Enterprise Command and Control Center uses a combination of AI, digital camera, and thermal imaging technologies to oversee 11,000 surveillance cameras.
Economy
Building an anticipatory governance strategy for an increasingly risky world
Anticipatory governance is crucial in navigating today’s risks. While AI tools enhance forecasting, early warning does not always lead to...
- Global geopolitical shifts are reshaping alliances, creating an unstable multipolar order
- Climate change, AI, and conflicts are accelerating faster than expected, disrupting globalization
Economy
Building Smart Cities Starts with Listening to People
Successful smart cities address real challenges, like Mexico City’s digitalization of government services.
- Smart cities must prioritize people over technology to ensure long-term success and acceptance
- Ignoring community needs can lead to backlash and project failures, as seen in Toronto and Mexico
Interview
Tech and sustainability drive Singapore’s smart tourism vision
To realize its vision for “smart tourism”, Singapore Tourism Board is leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and...
- STB’s Tcube, a hybrid innovation space launched in 2021, has helped tourism businesses introduce tech solutions, including Al, into their operations.
- More than 1,100 tourism companies have benefited from Tcube programs. Its Singapore Tourism Accelerator has supported 47 start-ups to develop 58 industry solutions across 6 cohorts
Economy
The backbone of the digital economy is upskilling: Jayney Howson
AI won't replace jobs, but reskilling will unlock its true potential—lifelong learning is the key, Jayney Howson, SVP of Learning...
- We’re entering a new phase in the relationship between humans and technology, one that thrives on innovation and potential, Jayney Howson tells TRENDS
- We will see many new jobs and roles emerge, such as “Chief AI Officers” (CAIO), “Prompt Engineers” and “AI Ethicists,” he adds
Analysis
Logistics: At the heart of economic activity
The global logistics market is expected to be around US$10 trillion in 2024, and is estimated to reach US$21.91 trillion...
- The logistics market revenue in 2023 was US$485 billion by airways, US$2.85 trillion by waterways, US$2.09 trillion by railways and US$3.52 trillion by roadways.
- In the Arabian Gulf countries, the focus of the logistics and transport industry is moving from the UAE to Saudi Arabia.
Economy
Turkey central bank cuts rate to 42.5% as inflation eases
Istanbul, Turkey - Turkey's central bank on Thursday lowered its key interest rate for a third consecutive time as inflation...
- This is the third time the central bank cut its rate since December as its efforts to tame inflation are paying off
- Consumer prices rose by 39.05 percent last month, down from 42.1 percent in January, according to the country's statistics institute
Most Read
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
MENA’s next tech breakthrough depends on infrastructure, not hype
Jamil Shinawi, CEO and Co-founder of AHOY and co-founder of Actual VC, speaks to TRENDS about risk, capital efficiency, and...
Company News
Latest News
Building a secure future: Key takeaways from WEF’s Dubai meetings
The Annual Meeting on Cybersecurity, held jointly with the Global Future Councils, focused on strengthening global cooperation to enhance digital...
Geostrategy
Asian markets rally as Fed cut hopes trump trade war fears
Stocks jumped Wednesday as trade war fears were overshadowed by comments from Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell that suggested the...
Economy
IMF lifts 2025 global growth forecast, warns of ongoing trade ‘uncertainty’
In its flagship World Economic Outlook (WEO) report -- compiled before the most recent US-China tariff spat -- the IMF...
Economy
Most Read
Economy
Nobel economist warns of AI dangers amid “amazing possibilities”
Washington, United States - A winner of this year’s Nobel prize in economics warned Monday that artificial intelligence offers "amazing...
- The remarks from Canadian Peter Howitt, professor emeritus at Brown University in the United States, came amid growing concerns about how AI will impact society and labor market
- Howitt was one of three economists honored Monday by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for work on how technology drives and affects growth
Economy
As Trump mulls imposing additional 100% tariff, China says will ‘fight to the end’ in trade war
China said on Tuesday it was ready to "fight to the end" in a trade war with the United States...
- "On the matter of tariff wars and trade wars, China's position remains consistent," an unnamed commerce ministry spokesperson said
- Concerns spiked over the weekend that the trade war between the world's top two economies will worsen after Trump announced extra 100 percent tariffs on all Chinese goods
Economy
AI or inequality tipped for economics Nobel
Stockholm, Sweden - The Nobel economics prize wraps up the 2025 season when it is announced on Monday, as experts...
- Last year it went to Turkish-American Daron Acemoglu and British-Americans Simon Johnson and James Robinson for research into wealth inequality between nations
- For Micael Dahlen, a professor at the Stockholm School of Economics, it is important to look at the disciplines recognised in previous years