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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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Headline staff

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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Delivery services in UAE get boost with new support package

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8 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Delivery and courier companies in the UAE are set to benefit from a new support package aimed at keeping services running smoothly and easing cost pressures, according to the Postal Sector Regulatory Committee.

The measures target firms in the courier, express and parcels (CEP) sector, which plays a key role in supporting e-commerce and everyday deliveries across the country.

Under the new plan, companies will be allowed to defer all regulatory fees for the first quarter of 2026 to the second quarter, along with a waiver of penalties linked to that period.

Officials say the move is designed to improve cash flow, reduce financial strain, and ensure uninterrupted delivery services, particularly at a time when operators are dealing with rising costs, shipment delays, and growing demand.

For residents and expats, the decision helps support the reliability of delivery services, from online shopping to essential shipments, at a time when demand continues to rise.

The CEP sector remains a backbone of the UAE’s e-commerce ecosystem, enabling faster and more flexible deliveries for businesses and consumers alike.

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New system to catch illegal parking in Dubai mall spaces

Published

12 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Some of Dubai’s busiest malls are set to introduce AI-powered parking enforcement to address the misuse of spaces reserved for People of Determination (PoD).

Parkin Company has signed a multi-year agreement with Emaar Properties to roll out the system across Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall and Dubai Marina Mall.

The move aims to protect dedicated parking bays, improve compliance, and ease congestion at high-traffic retail destinations frequently visited by residents and tourists.

How the tech works

The system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to monitor vehicles entering PoD-designated spaces.

Number plates are scanned and checked against valid permits. If no permit is found, the case is flagged for review at a central control centre. Drivers may face penalties, although a short grace period will allow time to move vehicles in case of mistakes.

On-ground inspections will continue alongside the new technology to ensure compliance with parking rules.

At Dubai Mall, parking systems are already integrated with Salik Company technology, including ticketless entry, number plate recognition, and automatic fee collection.

Stricter parking rules

For shoppers and mall visitors, the change means stricter enforcement of PoD parking rules to ensure these spaces remain available for those who genuinely need them.

It also signals a wider shift towards smart city solutions in Dubai, where AI is increasingly used to improve everyday services, from traffic flow to parking management, while enhancing accessibility and fairness.

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New toll gates in Abu Dhabi: Routes, costs and details

Published

13 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Motorists in Abu Dhabi will see changes to their daily commute, as two new toll gates were activated today.

The move, announced by the Integrated Transport Centre, is part of ongoing efforts to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow across key routes in the emirate.

The new toll points will be located on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Road in Ghantoot and on Karama Oasis Road at the entry and exit of Sheikh Zayed Road, areas identified through traffic studies as high-density corridors.

Dh4 per crossing

Drivers passing through these gates will be charged Dh4 per crossing, in line with existing toll rules. The system will operate 24/7, with current exemptions continuing for eligible groups, including senior citizens, People of Determination, low-income residents, and retired Emiratis.

To help motorists plan their journeys, authorities have also highlighted alternative routes. Drivers can divert via Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Road or Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, while those travelling through Ghantoot can use Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road.

What it means for drivers

For residents and expats, the new toll gates may mean slightly higher commuting costs, but they are designed to improve travel times and reduce bottlenecks, especially during peak hours.

Officials say the rollout reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to support urban growth and manage increasing traffic volumes, with the impact of the new gates set to be reviewed regularly.