News

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

News

Pakistan passport services in UAE likely to resume on May 4

Published

17 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai indicated that passport services, disrupted due to technical issues, are expected to resume on Monday, May 4.

The suspension, announced earlier this week by Pakistan’s missions in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, stems from a major technical glitch that affected systems across multiple countries. Officials confirmed that all in-person processing would remain halted until further notice.

Roughly 800 to 1,000 expats rely on the consulate and embassy every day. That’s a huge volume, and delays have hit people needing passport renewals, visa processing, and residency-related paperwork. For several residents, it has directly affected their travel plans, legal status, and employment.

To ease the impact, missions have advised Pakistani citizens to use the online passport application system for renewals and new requests where possible. Those unable to access digital services are asked to wait for further guidance until operations are restored.

Crime

Dubai Police issue urgent warning: Secure your devices now

Published

18 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai Police have issued a fresh reminder to residents to strengthen the security of home surveillance systems and internet-connected devices, warning that weak settings can leave users vulnerable to hacking, privacy breaches, and even cyber extortion.

The alert comes as part of ongoing awareness campaigns led by the General Department of Criminal Investigation, represented by the Cybercrime and Electronic Crime Department. Authorities noted that many cyberattacks exploit devices with default or weak configurations, making them easy targets.

Residents are advised to take simple but vital steps:

•Change default passwords immediately after activating any device.
•Use strong, complex passwords with letters, numbers, and symbols.
•Regularly update operating systems and apps to patch security gaps.
•Avoid sharing personal details or passwords with unverified sources.
•Switch off surveillance systems when not in use, especially in private spaces.
•Stay alert to suspicious links or apps from unreliable platforms.

Dubai Police emphasised that awareness remains the first line of defence against cybercrime. To support the public, residents can access advice through the e-Crime Hub and report incidents via official channels or by calling 901 for non-emergency cases.

Authorities reiterated that community cooperation is key to reducing cybercrime and protecting individuals, families, and property in the digital age.

News

Dh400 fine for jaywalking in Dubai: What residents must know

Published

2 days ago

April 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Pedestrians in Dubai are being urged to follow road safety rules, as Dubai Police warns that crossing from non-designated areas remains a leading cause of run-over accidents.

Officials say that despite the availability of pedestrian bridges and safe crossings across major roads, some individuals continue to take risks, especially on high-speed routes where drivers may not be able to stop in time.

The warning follows a recent incident where a pedestrian was injured after attempting to cross from an unsafe location in the city. The individual sustained minor injuries.

According to Brigadier Jumaa Salem Bin Suwaidan, pedestrians who ignore crossing rules not only risk their own safety but also endanger drivers and other road users.

Under UAE traffic laws, crossing outside designated areas or ignoring signals can result in a Dh400 fine, reinforcing the importance of using marked crossings and following traffic lights.

Residents have been urged to use designated crossings and stay alert, particularly on busy roads. With increasing traffic and high vehicle speeds in many areas, even a short shortcut can carry serious risks.