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First intelligent humanoid robot Sophia arrives in Dubai to participate in conference

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The humanoid robot Sophia, the world’s first robot citizen, will arrive in Dubai on Tuesday, March 8, to participate in the largest smart conference for internal auditors, the 20th Annual Regional Audit Conference (ARAC) from March 7 to 9, 2022 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sophia, who holds Saudi citizenship, will conduct an interactive session on the future of artificial intelligence titled ‘Artificial Intelligence in the Internal Audit Profession’, on the second day of the annual regional conference on internal auditing, hosted by the Association of Internal Auditors in the United Arab Emirates at the Dubai World Trade Center under the theme “The Revolution and Transformation in Internal Audit”.

Sophia became the world’s first robot citizen after Saudi Arabia granted her citizenship in October 2017.

The organizers facilitated Sophia’s presence at the smart conference as a symbol of the future of artificial intelligence.

The conference is sponsored by a number of major international companies such as KPMG, Bee’ah, Protiviti and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The conference provides an opportunity for attendees to receive more than 22 CPE credits, in order to enhance their professional development process. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from over 40 international speakers, leaders and authors who will share their experiences, best practices, trends and case studies, through more than 44 sessions moderated by some of the biggest names in the field of internal auditing.

Special attractions are some high-profile speakers such as Terry Cutler, CEO, Cyology Labs Canada and Ethical Hacker, who will conduct a session on ‘Insider Secrets to how hackers are getting in, and why’. Participants will get to learn a lot on Cybersecurity from Terry Cutler as he has been voted Top Influencer in Cybersecurity.

Jordan Belfort, American author, The Real Wolf of Wall Street, motivational speaker and former stockbroker, will talk on ‘Leveraging Risk to Elevate your Business and Life’.

Henrik Stein, Former President of European Confederation of the Institutes of Internal Auditing (ECIIA), will address the participants on ‘Continuation and Innovation: A Challenge to evolve Internal Audit in a strongly regulated environment’.

Panel discussions and workshops will cover topics such as: Digital, Cyber Security and Resilience Trends; Tech Talk: Reimagining Digitization of the Information Security World; Building a Successful Competency Framework for Auditors; ‘Auditing the new world of AI & automation and your place in it’.

The other major topics to be discussed at the conference include: Cracking the Code: Emerging Risks; Re-imagining Risk Management; Building a modern audit function: A Take-to-enterprise Road Map; Cracking the Code: Digital Risk / Cyber Security; Procurement fraud; Balancing product sustainability against business profitability: Sustainability reporting practices and corporate governance; Regulatory compliance; Robotics Risk Monitoring; Audit transformation with data analytics; Audit Department’s Road Map to Success.

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UAE flights cancelled or delayed after Israel-Iran escalation: What travellers need to know

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Several flights operated by UAE-based airlines were cancelled or delayed on Friday following Israel’s attack on Iran and the subsequent closure of regional airspace. Airlines, including Etihad Airways, Emirates, and flydubai, have announced changes to flight schedules, citing safety concerns and airspace restrictions over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel.

Etihad Airways

Abu Dhabi’s national carrier cancelled and delayed multiple flights to Tel Aviv after Ben Gurion Airport shut down temporarily.

  • Cancelled:
    • EY595 (Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv)
    • EY596 (Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi)
  • Delayed:
    • EY593 / EY594 – by approx. 4 hours
    • EY597 / EY598 – by approx. 12 hours

Etihad is assisting affected passengers and advising them to check real-time flight status on its website or app. The airline warned that the situation remains fluid, and more disruptions may follow.

Emirates

Dubai-based Emirates cancelled several flights to Tehran, Baghdad, Basra, Amman, and Beirut on June 13 and 14. Affected services include:

  • June 13: EK943–EK946 (Baghdad, Basra), EK979–EK980 (Tehran), EK903–EK906 (Amman), EK953–EK958 (Beirut)
  • June 14: EK977–EK978 (Tehran)

Passengers connecting through Dubai to destinations in Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon are not being accepted for travel from their origin point until further notice.

 flydubai

Low-cost carrier flydubai confirmed suspensions and reroutes for flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran, and Israel, following airspace closures.

Some flights were cancelled, rerouted, or returned to their departure points. Passengers are urged to keep their contact details updated and check the latest flight status on flydubai.com.

Dubai Airports Advisory

Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) reported cancellations and delays due to airspace restrictions over multiple countries.

Airport authorities are working closely with airlines to support travellers and advise passengers to check with their airline for updates before leaving for the airport.

What You Should Do:

  • Check your flight status regularly via the airline’s website or app
  • Contact your airline or travel agent for rebooking options
  • Ensure your contact details are updated with your airline
  • Arrive at the airport only after confirming your flight’s status

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UAE firms face fines from July for missing mid-year Emiratisation target

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Private sector companies in the UAE with 50 or more employees have until June 30, 2025 to meet their Emiratisation target for the first half of the year, or face financial penalties starting in July, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has warned.

What’s required?

Companies must increase the number of Emiratis in skilled jobs by at least 1% relative to their current skilled workforce, while maintaining any previous Emiratisation levels already achieved.

What happens if they don’t?

Failure to meet the target will result in mandatory financial contributions (effectively fines) that will be collected starting July 2025. The exact penalty depends on the gap in compliance.

MoHRE urges action and reporting

MoHRE is also encouraging Emirati citizens to report non-compliant companies or unethical hiring practices. Reports can be made through:

  • Call centre: 600590000
  • MoHRE app or website

Benefits for compliant firms

Companies meeting or exceeding targets may qualify for:

  • Up to 80% discounts on MoHRE service fees
  • Priority in government procurement contracts
  • Membership in the Tawteen Partners Club
    These benefits are part of the Nafis programme, which also connects employers with a large pool of qualified Emirati candidates.

Progress so far

As of May 2025, more than 141,000 Emiratis were working in the private sector across 28,000 companies, a record high, according to MoHRE.

The Ministry said it remains confident in the private sector’s commitment to Emiratisation and praised companies already contributing to the national strategy aimed at boosting economic growth and workforce diversity.

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How Dubai Metro’s new AI robot is going to make your commute smoother and safer

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If you ride the Dubai Metro regularly, here’s some good news: a new AI-powered robot is now working behind the scenes to make your daily journey safer, faster, and more reliable.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced a smart robot called ARIIS (Automated Rail Infrastructure Inspection System) that autonomously checks the tracks and metro infrastructure, eliminating the need to stop trains or close lines.

So what does that mean for you as a passenger?

  • Fewer delays: With faster inspections and better planning, there’s less chance of sudden disruptions or maintenance-related delays.
  • Safer rides: The robot can detect early signs of damage or wear that humans might miss, helping prevent issues before they happen.
  • Smoother journeys: Better track maintenance means less noise and vibration, making your metro ride more comfortable.
  • More reliable service: The system helps keep the metro running on schedule, so you’re less likely to miss that important meeting or connection.

And the best part? It all happens quietly in the background, without affecting daily metro operations.

This upgrade is part of Dubai’s push to lead in smart city innovation. By utilising AI and robotics, the city not only ensures the safety of public transport but also maintains its world-class status for residents and millions of others who rely on it every day.

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