EU gives accent to landmark rules on artificial intelligence
Brussels, Belgium - The European Union's 27 member states on Friday approved landmark rules on reining in artificial intelligence, passing a key...
Business
Dubai RTA awards US$95m contract to upgrade ticketing system  Â
DUBAI, UAE - Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a contract to upgrade the existing nol (card-based ticketing...
Business
Geostrategy
US ‘black lists’ Israeli maker of Pegasus spyware
The company, NSO, was engulfed in controversy over reports that tens of thousands of human rights activists, business executives, journalists,...
- Smartphones infected with Pegasus are essentially turned into pocket spying devices, allowing the user to read the target's messages.
- Washington also targeted Israeli company Candiru, Singapore-based Computer Security Initiative Consultancy PTE (COSEINC) and Russian firm Positive Technologies.
Science
Augmented reality: an early taste of the metaverse?
The key idea behind metaverse, supposedly the internet of the future, is the blurring of the divide between the physical...
- Augmented Reality is believed to be the early stage of the metaverse envisioned by Facebook.
- With AR, you put on a device and you're still in your world, but we're augmenting it with digital content, says Peggy Johnson, CEO of Magic Leap
Geostrategy
Facebook whistleblower sits atop publicity juggernaut
Haugen's leak of company records has benefited from well-oiled communications machinery, powerful backers and a lucky cryptocurrency bet.
- The internal reports captured by her smartphone camera and handed to journalists have already resulted in a deluge of damning stories.
- In a matter of weeks, Haugen has testified before the US Congress and the British Parliament, with European Union lawmakers inviting her for a Nov. 8 appearance.
Geostrategy
Facebook on defensive over work in ‘fragile’ countries
Some 87 percent of Facebook's anti-misinformation budget is focused on the US even though the vast majority of its users...
- Facebook vice president Nick Clegg told the Web Summit that the tech giant has content moderation in over 70 countries.
- Whistleblower Frances Haugen said the company's algorithms made "polarizing and divisive content" more visible in people's timelines.
Interview
Despite hurdles, interest in 5G high in MENA
As GCC shifts away from dependence on oil and gas revenues, 5G is set to fuel tech growth and ease...
- 5G subscriptions in the MENA have exceeded 1 million at the end of 2020
- The deployment of a 5G network faces several challenges
Business
Two Saudi defense firms sign contract to build SkyGuard UAV
Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) and Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) have signed a contract for the...
- SkyGuard is the outcome of numerous R&D efforts and geared towards developing a 'truly local' product.
- Saudi Arabia has set a target of spending 50 percent of expenditure on locally manufactured defense products and services by 2030.
Geostrategy
Facebook’s future tops agenda at Web Summit in Lisbon
Frances Haugen, the former Facebook engineer who leaked a trove of internal documents to international media, is due to speak...
- The summit in Portugal's capital Lisbon is set to welcome some 40,000 people from Monday evening through Thursday.
- Facebook has had to grapple in recent weeks with mass outages and rising calls for regulation to curb its vast influence.
Business
UAE and Blue Origin to explore space economy and space tourism opportunities
The UAE will explore investment opportunities in the space economy and space tourism services besides other related ventures with Blue...
- The two sides also discussed expanding the scope of R&D in space to develop emerging space technology in the UAE.
- Space sector provides more than 3,200 jobs, and over 57 space firms are currently operating in the UAE.
Geostrategy
TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat defend impact on kids
In their first testimony to US senators, they argued they are built to protect against the mental health and safety...
- Senator Marsha Blackburn, who was co-chairing the hearing, drew little difference among the platforms and their arguments for safety.
- YouTube has battled with a surge in Covid-19 and vaccine misinformation as the pandemic drove people online looking for information.
Business
Pyypl, Ripple launch on-demand liquidity service in Middle East
ODL uses XRP for instant, low-cost cross-border payments.
- ODL is the process of buying and selling XRP in originating and destination countries
- XRP is the native cryptocurrency of products developed by Ripple’s creator Ripple Labs
EU gives accent to landmark rules on artificial intelligence
Brussels, Belgium - The European Union's 27 member states on Friday approved landmark rules on reining in artificial intelligence, passing a key...
Business
Company News
e& capital invests in Maxbyte
Business
Latest News
Artificial intelligence key focus as GITEX 2023 begins
GITEX, Dubai's premier tech event, kicks off its 43rd "Technology Week" at the Dubai World Trade Center, spotlighting the latest...
Business
Gaza becomes a dangerous ground for journalists
Amidst the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict, an alarming number of journalists have been killed, injured, or missing, underscoring the importance of...
Geostrategy
Al Etihad Payments partners with NIPL to develop UAE Domestic Card Scheme
ABU DHABI, UAE – Al Etihad Payments (AEP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), and...
Business
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Business
Dubai Customs strengthens partnerships with courier firms to expand e-commerce
DUBAI, UAE - Dubai Customs recently convened an extensive meeting with the courier and express shipping companies, aimed at bolstering...
- Dubai Customs unveiled its cutting-edge e-commerce project, strategically leveraging blockchain technology to streamline supply chain operations.
- It also addressed all queries from participating companies and shared insights into the department's systems in this context.
Arts & Culture
People marvel at ancient Iraq in new ‘Assassin’s Creed’ game
The central character, pickpocket turned master assassin Basim, speaks classical Arabic in "Assassin's Creed Mirage",.
- In the game, the hooded and stealthy hero fights his way through an ancient maze of alleyways, souks and rooftops.
- The entire scene in the game has been rendered in loving detail with what its creators say is the help of historical sources.
AI of the tiger: Tiny camera ‘protects’ predator and people
Experts from Clemson University in South Carolina and several NGOs published research last month on their work using AI-enabled cameras...
- The camera system called TrailGuard can distinguish between tigers and other species and relay images to park rangers or villagers within seconds, research said
- The project, called Wildlife Insights, automates the process of identifying species and labelling images, saving many hours of laborious work for researchers