Don’t give smartphones to kids under 11, UK mobile phone firm says
London, United Kingdom - One of Britain's biggest mobile network operators said on Sunday it will warn parents they should not...
Gross written premium rises by 12.7% in Q4 2023 to US$14bn, says CBUAE
ABU DHABI, UAE - The UAE insurance sector continued to grow in Q4 2023, as reflected by the increase in...
Economy
Chinese mourners use AI to digitally resurrect the dead
Several companies specialising in so-called "ghost bots" have emerged in the United States in recent years. But the industry is...
- Some Chinese firms claim to have created thousands of "digital people" from as little as 30 seconds of audiovisual material of the deceased
- They range from those who have died to living parents unable to spend time with their children and -- controversially -- a heartbroken woman's ex-boyfriend
Business
GCC media outlets think outside the box to stay afloat
Reeling from a calamitous drop in advertisement revenues and public trust, news media organizations are reworking strategies to create "niche"...
- Many believe news media outlets have been distracted from their role to safeguard space for informed debate on public issues
- Several well trusted media outlets with deep pockets are battling against thinning revenues and being forced to think differently
Geostrategy
Digitalization has high environmental costs, says UNCTAD meet
DUBAI, UAE - With global attention on the COP28 climate summit, UNCTAD’s eWeek 2023 highlighted digitalization’s potential to accelerate climate...
- Data-driven technologies like the Internet of Things, robotics and artificial intelligence can enhance climate change monitoring.
- The digital transformation has left its mark on the planet through raw material depletion, energy and water use, pollution and waste.
Research
Google releases the top trending searches of the year in MENA
Dubai, UAE - Google on Monday released the top trending searches of 2023 for the Middle East and North Africa....
- Saudi Arabia has been searching for football throughout the year, with many events and tournaments happening on-ground
- In the news list in Egypt, the war in Palestine ranked first, followed by the devaluation of the Egyptian Pound
Cloud security challenges haunt firms in UAE and KSA
Rapid cloud adoption in the two GCC countries is accompanied by increased security risks, leading to costly data breaches, reveals...
- Rapid cloud adoption in the two GCC countries is accompanied by increased security risks, leading to costly data breaches, reveals a latest study by Illumio.
- Organizations have been advised to adopt robust security measures, including Zero Trust Segmentation, to protect against emerging cyber threats.
Business
WhatsApp update allows posting status updates via Instagram
Washington, United States -- The instant messaging platform WhatsApp launched a new update that includes an optional feature that allows...
- This feature will be available in a future update to the application through its beta program within the Google Play Store.
- WhatsApp is also working on an improved posting feature to make it compatible with Instagram, scheduled for a future release, QNA reported.
Business
Innovations, regulatory shifts make Bitcoin resilient
In 2023, the crypto market sees a surge in blockchain advancements, regulatory shifts, and a notable rebound in Bitcoin, signaling...
- In 2023, the crypto market sees a surge in blockchain advancements, regulatory shifts, and a notable rebound in Bitcoin, signaling a year of dynamic change and potential.
- Most market experts believe that 2024 promises clearer government regulations, DeFi evolution, and integration of cryptocurrencies in traditional financial markets.
Business
Astra Tech to launch financial services powered by AI in 2024, says CEO
ABU DHABI, UAE - CEO and Co-Founder of Astra Tech Abdallah Abu-Sheikh said that the company will launch its first...
- The CEO said that Astra Tech plans to enter new financial sectors and make acquisitions in South Asia, including India.
- He said that the company is looking to expand into Saudi Arabia to enhance its services in this vital market.
Business
Tech titan Microsoft wins observer seat at OpenAI
SAN FRANCISCO, US - Microsoft, the tech titan that has invested billions of dollars in ChatGPT creator OpenAI, has been given...
- The nomination was shared in a memo to OpenAI staff that was later posted to the company's blog.
- Microsoft will join former US Treasury Secretary and political power broker Larry Summers, who was added last week.
Business
58% of firms in Saudi Arabia plan to outsource cybersecurity
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Company bosses are boosting their cybersecurity following an alarming increase in cyberattacks, a new study commissioned...
- A survey gathered information about people who influence cybersecurity, looking at both internal staff, and external actors.
- The survey also analyzed levels and types of online safety company bosses believed warranted investment.
Don’t give smartphones to kids under 11, UK mobile phone firm says
London, United Kingdom - One of Britain's biggest mobile network operators said on Sunday it will warn parents they should not...
Company News
Latest News
Apple’s changes contradicts European rules, 34 firms complain
Brussels, Belgium - Changes Apple is making to its services in the European Union "make a mockery" of new antitrust rules...
Business
Web Summit: 24 MoUs signed between Qatari institutions and global tech firms
Doha, Qatar - Web Summit Qatar 2024, the world's largest tech events debut in the Middle East and Africa, ended...
Economy
Facebook parent Meta to stop paying Australian news media
Meta had previously announced it would not renew content deals with news publishers in the United States, Britain, France and...
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Business
AI entity is Board Observer in IHC
IHC is a pioneer in leveraging AI for decision-making.
- Aiden Insight is a virtual entity endowed with sophisticated AI capabilities, and is set to revolutionise the way IHC handles the global investment landscape.
- This initiative by IHC is powered by AI capabilities of G42 in collaboration with Microsoft, setting a new benchmark for artificial intelligence development.
Business
MENA ups cybersecurity ante to combat GenAI risks
With GenAI emerging as a new frontier for cyber threats, and stricter data privacy laws coming into effect, organizations are...
- With GenAI emerging as a new frontier for cyber threats, and stricter data privacy laws coming into effect, organizations are investing heavily to safeguard their futures.
- A surge is seen in security and risk management spending, highlighting critical need for robust cybersecurity measures and a proactive approach to manage digital risks.
Business
Saudi media ministry and Google join forces for digital transformation
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Ministry of Media and Google have joined forces in a strategic collaboration aimed at driving...
- The collaborative effort intends to introduce specialized programs to enhance the skills of local media professionals, journalists, and content creators
- The partnership seeks to share global best practices in the media sector, with a particular emphasis on leveraging artificial intelligence tools, especially within newsrooms