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35th World AI Show ends with achievers honoured in Dubai

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4 years ago

May 29, 2022

Staff Reporter

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Dubai, May 26, 2022:
The two-day 35th global edition of World AI Show & Awards, the longest running AI series, organized by Trecon, closed on a high note with the inaugural World AI Awards to recognise contributions in various fields on Thursday.

Held under the patronage of the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, a member of the royal family of Dubai, the World AI Show and Awards brought together the most powerful voices in the global AI and RPA space.

The second day of the World AI Show kick-started with a panel discussion on Women in AI. The confluence of global AI women leaders equivocally stressed the significance for women to prove their worth and get recognition on merit. There was a broader representation of views with panelists from the UAE, Germany, and Oman on stage.

James Connolly, the regional director of DarkTrace, spoke about using artificial intelligence to surgically respond to fast and furious attacks and the threat landscape in 2022.

Padam Kafle, the Aster Hospitals head of IT and Automation, touched on the growth in enterprise adoption of the 5G network. Kafle took the award for best project implementation under the best AI use-case award in the private sector on behalf of Aster.

Other sessions included topics such as ethical uses of AI, ways for successful rapid implementation, trends, and scaling the adoption of AI to deliver business outcomes.

A special award was handed out to Eng Fahad A Alhamed, the Founder and Chairman of the Saudi Cloud Computing Association, who was given the AI Visionary of the Year award.

Emirates NBD Bank had three innovations shortlisted in the banking category and the team representing faced some nervous moments before knowing that it was the model they created for ensuring compliance with financial regulations using a quantitative scoring system with scorecards to identify bottlenecks.

In addition, they have created a call center analytics that uses AI to predict consumer behavior, as well as a Multiplier effect that gives the next-best action and personalization for a better banking experience.

With his ENBD colleagues, Sachin Chandna received the best AI use case award private sector in the banking segment along with his head of customer intelligence who received the AI proponent of the year award in the private sector as well.

The inaugural World AI Awards winners pose with the jury members at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai. Photo by Trescon

Startup World Cup

The opening day saw the UAE finalist being spotted for the Startup World Cup. Affinsys, a startup running AI solutions for banks, telecom and insurance companies, won after the jury took a live decision based on final pitches from the top contenders and voted for UAE’s representation among 60-plus countries from where the World Cup winner will receive $1 million funding.

The inaugural edition of the World AI Awards was hosted in top glory with many AI visionaries and true flag bearers of the MENA region receiving the award for their contribution in the field of artificial intelligence.

“Dubai has always welcomed talent and we always looking to create a better future, so it was only natural for us to be associated with this event,” said Hisham Al Gurg, CEO at the Private Office. “AI is the future and it is nice to see so many experts and leading companies at World AI Show & Awards.”

Winners of World AI Awards:

Best AI use-case in Private Sector:
Healthcare – Aliasgar Bohari, Zulekha Hospital
Education – Shameed Sait, GEMS Education
Banking – Sachin Chandna, Emirates NBD
Financial Services – Saurav Suman, The Family Office
Manufacturing – Wissam Al Adany, ADES Arabia Holding
Retail – Mustafa Hussein, IKEA, Saudi Arabia
Best Project Implementation – Padam Kafle, Aster Hospitals

Best AI use-case in Public Sector:
Healthcare – Dr Maryam Alsharaf, Emirates Health Services
Best Project Implementation – Dr Maryam Alsharaf, Emirates Health Services
Education – Saud Aldajah, Higher Colleges of Technology
Energy & Utilities – Awad El-Sidiq, Adnoc Distribution

Others
Best Young Role Model – Maya Hiba, Al Ramz Corporation
Best Value Chain – Raman Nathani, Rafed Pure Health
Most Popular Proponent of the Year – Sachin Chandna, Emirates NBD Bank
Visionary of the Year – Fahad Alhamed, Saudi Cloud Computing Association chairman

Staff Reporter

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UAE motorist alert: Abu Dhabi announces new toll gates on major highways

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9 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Motorists travelling across Abu Dhabi may soon notice a shift in how road tolls are applied, as the emirate quietly expands its Darb toll system beyond island entry points to major highways.

New toll gates have been installed in strategic locations such as Ghantoot along the busy Dubai–Abu Dhabi corridor and in the Al Qurm area. While the structures are visible and clearly marked, authorities have confirmed they are not yet operational and are currently undergoing testing.

The move signals a broader approach to traffic management, aiming to ease congestion and improve flow on some of the UAE’s busiest routes. Unlike the earlier system focused on bridge access to Abu Dhabi Island, the expansion hints at a more comprehensive, network-wide tolling strategy.

For now, motorists are advised to stay updated through official channels and ensure their vehicles are registered on the TAMM platform to avoid penalties once the system goes live.

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Dubai’s senior citizens just got a new social hub: Thukher Club opens in Al Khawaneej

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11 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai is making sure its senior citizens are living their best lives. Under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a brand-new branch of the Thukher Club has officially opened its doors in Al Khawaneej.

This isn’t just a community centre, it’s a high-tech, high-heart hub designed to keep seniors right at the centre of the action. Supervised by the Community Development Authority (CDA), the club is all about recognising that wisdom doesn’t retire, it just finds a better place to hang out.

What’s inside the new Al Khawaneej branch

Integrated facilities: Think workshop halls, social lounges, and spaces dedicated to health and fitness.
Generational knowledge: The club acts as a bridge where seniors can share their massive life experiences with younger generations.
Wellness first: From sports to cultural programmes, the focus is on staying active, healthy, and connected.
Group effort: This isn’t a solo mission. The CDA teamed up with heavy hitters like Dubai Police, Dubai Health, and Dubai Municipality to make sure the services are top-tier.

Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the CDA, highlighted that this move is part of the Dubai Social Agenda 33. The goal? To make the family the ‘Foundation of the Nation’ and ensure Dubai remains the best city in the world to live in, no matter your age.

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Extra cash for more families as UAE extends support to 2040

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13 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Good news for Emirati families. The UAE just levelled up the Nafis programme, and it’s looking like a major win for those working in the private sector. In a move that basically says “we’ve got your back for the long haul,””the government has officially extended the initiative all the way to 2040.

So, what’s actually changing? The big headline is a new salary support package of up to Dh 3,000. This boost is specifically aimed at the children of Emirati women and the wives of Emirati citizens working in private firms. To get in on this, there’s a minimum salary threshold of Dh 6,000, making sure the support hits where it’s needed most.

But wait, there’s more. Remember the cap on child allowances? Yeah, that’s gone. The government has scrapped the limit on how many children can benefit, meaning bigger families get bigger support.

Mark your calendars:

New Beneficiaries: You’ll start seeing the impact in early September.
Existing Beneficiaries: Don’t worry, you aren’t being left out. The updates will roll out for you via a phased implementation over the next three years.

This initiative was officially announced by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It’s all part of a grand plan to make the private sector the ‘place to be’ for Emiratis for decades to come.