The Technology Express Magazine | Edition: November 2025

The Edge Micro Data Centers are Providing
How PPPs in Cloud Can Be a Game Changer
Abu Dhabi Dominates the Data Race
GITEX 2025: Showcasing UAE’s Tech Leadership
November 2025
thetechnologyexpress.com
COVER
Why Single-Cloud Strategy Is Costing Enterprises Billions
UAE - AED 60 | USA - USD 16.5
KSA - SR 61 | Qatar - QAR 60
Oman - OMR 6.3 | Bahrain - BD 6.2
Kuwait - KWD 5 | UK - £12 | EU - €14

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Human-AI Collaboration in UAE Logistics
Autonomous Vehicles Transform UAE Logistics
Digital Dirham: UAE's CBDC Revolution
Building the Silicon Valley of the Middle East
September 2025
Founder & CEO,
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October 2025
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UAE Sets Global AI Governance Standards
UAE's Cross-Border Innovation
The Edge Micro Data Centers are Providing
How PPPs in Cloud Can Be a Game Changer
Abu Dhabi Dominates the Data Race
GITEX 2025: Showcasing UAE’s Tech Leadership
November 2025
thetechnologyexpress.com
UAE - AED 60 | USA - USD 16.5
KSA - SR 61 | Qatar - QAR 60
Oman - OMR 6.3 | Bahrain - BD 6.2
Kuwait - KWD 5 | UK - £12 | EU - €14
Abu Dhabi’s AI Sector Expands 61% in One Year
Millennials Are Quietly Leading the AI Revolution
“
SOMETIMES MISTAKES
OPEN THE BIGGEST
DOORS IN LIFE.
PRATEEK SURI
Maser Group
Why Single-Cloud Strategy Is Costing Enterprises Billions
UAE - AED 60 | USA - USD 16.5
KSA - SR 61 | Qatar - QAR 60
Oman - OMR 6.3 | Bahrain - BD 6.2
Kuwait - KWD 5 | UK - £12 | EU - €14
UAE - AED 60 | USA - USD 16.5
KSA - SR 61 | Qatar - QAR 60
Oman - OMR 6.3 | Bahrain - BD 6.2
Kuwait - KWD 5 | UK - £12 | EU - €14
THE
ACCIDENTAL
BILLIONS
Contact us at: +971 58 580 7812
www.thetechnologyexpress.com | subscribe@thetechnologyexpress.com

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“Data is the wealth of the future and the foundation of technological
progress. We remain committed to supporting local and
international companies... to benefit our communities.”
— H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum,
Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE
The cloud has never been more tangible. Behind every
AI model trained, every government transaction
processed, and every smart city decision made sits a
data centre: the physical embodiment of digital infrastructure
that most executives never see but upon which their entire
business strategy depends. This November edition of The
Technology Express examines the hidden architecture
reshaping the Middle East’s competitive landscape.
The numbers tell a story of unprecedented infrastructure
transformation. The UAE’s data centre market, valued at USD
1.26 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 3.3 billion
by 2030. Abu Dhabi alone accounts for 45% of upcoming
capacity, shifting the region’s technological centre of
gravity from Dubai toward the nation’s capital.
For CXOs, these developments carry profound strategic
implications. Cloud infrastructure decisions made today
determine competitive positioning for the next five years.
Organizations investing in tri-cloud strategies now will
achieve cost structures 30-40% below competitors clinging
to single-cloud approaches. Enterprises establishing talent
pipelines through AI universities and technical partnerships
will capture disproportionate value as AI talent constraints
ease. Businesses integrating edge computing infrastructure
alongside data centre deployment will unlock autonomous
vehicle applications, smart city capabilities, and industrial
IoT scenarios unavailable to competitors. Sovereign
cloud adoption is no longer optional compliance burden,
it is competitive differentiator for organizations serving
regulated sectors.
This edition explores these transformations through
detailed case studies, infrastructure analysis, and strategic
frameworks guiding investment decisions. The data centres
are not the future, they are the present. The organizations
responding strategically to this infrastructure transformation
are reshaping the competitive landscape. The question
is not whether your organization will engage with cloud
infrastructure, but whether you will lead this transformation.

TECH
12
22
Medtech:
How the Med Sector Uses AI for
Care
Drive to the Future:
BYD Seal: The Performance-Driven
Electric Sedan
20
24
Interview:
The Future is Intelligent: AI in UAE
Banking
Cover Story:
What’s the Best Cloud Strategy?
A Detailed Breakdown

48
78
Smart Cities:
Dubai’s Infrastructure Going
Smarter
Cloud Infrastructure:
Abu Dhabi Dominates the Data
Race
54
84
Events:
Innovation Hackathon
2025
Events:
Showcasing UAE’s Tech
Leadership at GITEX 2025
INSIDE

Data Centres
Data Centres Are
The Future Today
UAE infrastructure boom accelerates with government digitalization
initiatives driving market expansion
Government digitalization and artificial intelligence
adoption propel UAE data centre market from US$1.26
billion in 2024 toward US$3.3 billion by 2030, attracting
sovereign fund investments alongside international
hyperscale operators and local developers.
The UAE data centre market is
experiencing unprecedented
growth, valued at $1.26 billion
in 2024 and projected to exceed
US$3.3 billion by 2030, representing
a compound annual growth rate of
17.58 percent according to market
analysis. This expansion reflects the
nation’s aggressive digitalization
strategy and positions the UAE as
the Middle East’s leading digital
infrastructure hub, with government
initiatives, artificial intelligence
deployment, and data sovereignty
requirements driving investment
from sovereign wealth funds, global
hyperscale operators, and regional
developers.​
Strategic Government Digitalization
Initiatives
The Telecommunications and Digital
Government Regulatory Authority
leads federal digital transformation
efforts, implementing comprehensive
strategies that have generated
approximately AED 368 billion in
customer savings and AED 20 billion
8 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
in government efficiencies through
digital services. TDRA’s digital enablers,
including UAE Plus and the
national API Marketplace, facilitate
seamless government service
integration while supporting 99
percent digital transformation of
government services. The authority’s
sovereign cloud infrastructure
serves federal entities through a
secure international platform enhanced
with artificial intelligence
capabilities and security protocols.​
Abu Dhabi’s partnership with
Microsoft and Core42 represents
a landmark sovereign cloud
implementation, with AED 13
billion allocated to AI-powered
government services. This initiative
processes over 11 million daily
interactions among government
entities, citizens, and businesses
while maintaining strict data sovereignty
requirements. The Digital
Government Platform encompasses
37 federal entities collaborating
on innovation projects leveraging
Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.​
Investment Landscape and Market
Dynamics
Sovereign wealth fund participation
underscores data centre
infrastructure’s strategic importance
as a national economic asset
supporting growth objectives.
Mubadala Investment Company
emerged as the world’s most
active sovereign investor in 2024,
deploying $29.2 billion across 52
transactions with significant technology
infrastructure allocations.
The fund’s MGX initiative made
strategic investments in OpenAI
and expanded AI-focused portfolios
exceeding $15 billion.​
Global hyperscalers including
Microsoft, Amazon Web Services,
Oracle, and Alibaba Cloud continue
expanding UAE operations. Microsoft’s
AED 2 billion hyperscale
data centre partnership with du
represents transformative infrastructure
investment supporting
national cloud computing and artificial
intelligence capabilities. The
facility will enhance du’s existing
five-data-centre network while
positioning the UAE as a global AI
hub.​
Regional operators dominate
the competitive landscape, with
Khazna Data Centers commanding
over 59 percent market share and
planning to add over 1 gigawatt
of hyperscale capacity by 2030.
Gulf Data Hub secured over US$5
billion in partnership funding with
KKR for expansion across Dubai,
Abu Dhabi, and broader GCC
markets. Moro Hub operates the
world’s largest solar-powered data
centre at Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum Solar Park, offering
100 megawatts capacity powered
by renewable energy.​
Data Sovereignty and Economic
Impact
The data centre boom contributes
significantly to the UAE’s
economic diversification strategy,
with artificial intelligence projected
to contribute US$96 billion
to national GDP by 2030. Abu
Dhabi and Dubai ranked first and
second globally among emerging
data centre markets in Cushman
& Wakefield’s 2025 assessment.
The UAE currently hosts over 250
megawatts of operational capacity
with 500 megawatts under
development across emirates and
free zones.​
Infrastructure Development and
Future Outlook
The UAE maintains 35 operational
data centres with 23 additional
facilities under development in
Dubai and Abu Dhabi free zones.
Equinix’s third Dubai facility
provides 1,800 cabinets capacity
across 12,000 square metres.
Wholesale colocation dominates
the UAE market as digital economy
expansion continues. The strategic
integration positions the UAE
data centre market for continued
robust growth.
Digital transformation is essential, lying at
our ambitions’ core to build a diversified
digital economy and interconnected, secure
communities.”
— H.E. Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar,
Director General,
Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority
November 2025 / 9

Crypto NEWS
Ignyte Partners with
Binance to Accelerate
Blockchain Innovation
Ignyte has partnered with Binance
to advance blockchain innovation
across the Middle East and North
Africa. The initiative begins with a
hackathon uniting developers and
entrepreneurs to solve digital asset
and real-world blockchain challenges.
Shortlisted teams will pitch to investors
for funding and mentorship.
Beyond the event, the collaboration
offers year-round support, tools, and
scale-up opportunities for regional
blockchain start-ups, across the Middle
East and North Africa.
Dubai VARA Fines
19 Crypto Firms for
Operating Without
Licences
Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory
Authority (VARA) has penalized 19
crypto firms for operating without
licences, imposing fines between AED
100,000 and AED 600,000. The crackdown
targets misleading promotions and
non-compliant advertisements to protect
investors and strengthen transparency.
Cease-and-desist orders and tighter
marketing regulations highlight Dubai’s
growing commitment to responsible
innovation.
Rumble Partners
With Tether to Launch
Bitcoin Tipping for
Creators
Publicly traded video platform Rumble
is introducing Bitcoin tipping
for creators through a partnership
with stablecoin issuer Tether, CEO Chris
Pavloski announced at the Plan B Forum
in Lugano, Switzerland. The feature, now
in testing, will roll out by mid-December.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the move
could drive Bitcoin and stablecoin adoption
among Rumble’s 51 million active
users. Tether invested $775 million in
Rumble last year, backing its stance as
a free-speech-focused alternative to
YouTube. Rumble is also developing a
crypto wallet with MoonPay to enhance
creator monetization. The firm, which
holds around $25 million in Bitcoin after
recent treasury investments, saw its
shares rise 0.56% to $7.14, though
they remain down 45% year-to-date.
Rumble partnered with Tether to launch
a Bitcoin tipping feature for creators,
aiming to streamline income generation.
Mbank Partners with Blockchain Center to
Launch AE Coin Payments in UAE
Al Maryah Community Bank
(Mbank) has partnered with
Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi to
introduce AE Coin payments through
the AEC Wallet, the UAE’s first Central
Bank–regulated stablecoin. The collaboration
promotes blockchain adoption,
financial inclusion, and secure
digital transactions. Pegged to the
UAE dirham, AE Coin ensures stability
and transparency while advancing the
nation’s vision to position Abu Dhabi
as a global hub for digital innovation,
strengthening its overall position.
SpaceX Moves $134
Million in Bitcoin After
Months of Test-Flight
Inactivity
Elon Musk’s aerospace firm SpaceX
has moved $134 million worth of
Bitcoin to new wallets, data from
blockchain analytics firm Arkham revealed.
The October 24 transfers follow
an earlier $268 million Bitcoin movement
this week, ending a three-month
lull in activity. Arkham reports SpaceX
shifted 300 BTC valued at $33 million
and 915 BTC worth $100.7 million to
unmarked wallets. Analysts believe the
transactions likely reflect internal wallet
reorganization or custody transfers to
Coinbase Prime. SpaceX currently holds
about 6,970 BTC, valued near $770
million. Meanwhile, Tesla retains 11,509
BTC worth roughly $1.24 billion, ranking
11th among public Bitcoin holders, while
MicroStrategy remains the largest with
over 640,000 BTC in its corporate
treasury. The period of inactivity came
as a result of operational stand-down
and network outages.
10 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
Tether Launches QVAC
Genesis I to Decentralize
AI and STEM
Learning
Tether’s AI research arm, QVAC, has
introduced Genesis I, a groundbreaking
41-billion-token synthetic
dataset designed to train AI models in
science, technology, engineering, and
medicine. Announced Friday, the dataset
enhances reasoning and precision in
STEM-focused models, delivering strong
benchmark results across mathematics,
physics, biology, and medicine. Alongside
Genesis I, Tether launched QVAC
Workbench, a local AI app that enables
users to run and train models like Llama,
Medgemma, Qwen, and Whisper directly
on their devices while preserving privacy.
CEO Paolo Ardoino emphasized the goal
of “returning intelligence to the people”
by decentralizing AI computation and
ownership. The initiative continues
Tether’s broader push beyond stablecoins,
building infrastructure that merges
cryptocurrency with open, decentralized
artificial intelligence systems.
BitGo MENA Gains
VARA License to
Expand Regulated
Digital Asset Trading
BitGo MENA has received a Broker-Dealer
license from Dubai’s
Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
(VARA), allowing it to offer regulated
digital asset trading across the region.
The approval enables institutional clients
to access OTC and spot trading with
deep market liquidity and enhanced
pricing. Aligned with VARA’s compliance
standards, the license strengthens investor
protection and advances MENA’s
regulated digital asset ecosystem.
BlackRock Develops
Tokenization Technology
BlackRock is developing a tokenization
technology to bring
real-world assets, including ETFs,
onto blockchain networks. The initiative
aims to expand investor access,
enhance transparency, and improve
capital market efficiency. Following its
Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF success,
BlackRock views tokenization as the
next step in digital finance integration,
allowing investors exposure to tokenized
assets like real estate, equities,
and bonds within regulated investment
frameworks.
Quantum Solutions
Buys 2,000 ETH,
Becomes 11th-Largest
Ether Holder
Tokyo-based Quantum Solutions has
strengthened its Ether treasury,
acquiring 2,000.13 ETH worth
$7.85 million through its Hong Kong
subsidiary, GPT Pals Studio, on October
21. The purchase raises the firm’s
total holdings to 3,865.8 ETH, valued
around $15.1 million at an average cost
of $4,101 per ETH. This move cements
Quantum Solutions as the 11th-largest
Ether treasury holder globally and the
second-largest outside the U.S., according
to CoinGecko. The acquisition
was funded through external borrowings
and proceeds from stock acquisition
rights and convertible bonds issued on
October 14. The AI-focused company
plans to continue expanding its digital
asset reserves, primarily in Ether, to
boost long-term value. Its stock has
gained 17% year-to-date. Quantum
Solutions buys 2,000 ETH, becoming
the 11th-largest Ether holder globally.
Ripple Partners with Absa Bank to Launch Digital
Asset Custody Services
Ripple has partnered with Absa
Bank to introduce digital asset
custody services in South Africa,
marking its first major custody collaboration
in Africa. The partnership enables
Absa to use Ripple’s institutional-grade
technology for secure tokenised asset
storage, including cryptocurrencies.
Supporting Africa’s growing digital finance
ecosystem, the initiative strengthens
Absa’s innovation strategy and Ripple’s
commitment to advancing compliant,
secure digital asset infrastructure across
emerging markets.
November 2025 / 11

Medical Tourism and Healthcare
Market Dynamics
The UAE’s thriving medical tourism
sector, generating 691,000 internamedtech
How the Med Sector
Uses AI for Care
Medical AI startups transforming UAE into a global health innovation
hub
UAE healthcare artificial intelligence market experiencing
significant 24.1% annual growth according to
industry analysis, attracting leading global medical
technology companies including Google Health and
IBM Watson Health to establish strategic regional
research and development centers.
12 \ November 2025
The UAE healthcare artificial
intelligence market is experiencing
unprecedented
expansion, valued at USD 39 million
in 2024 and projected to reach USD
337.90 million by 2033, representing
a 24.10 percent compound annual
growth rate according to comprehensive
market research analysis.
This remarkable trajectory reflects
the nation’s strategic positioning
as a global health innovation hub,
attracting multinational technology
companies and regional startups to
establish research and development
centers across medical free zones
nationwide. The convergence of government
digitalization initiatives, regulatory
innovation frameworks, and
significant sovereign wealth fund
investment positions the UAE as an
ideal testbed for advanced medical
AI solutions reshaping global healthcare
delivery and patient care.​

thetechnologyexpress.com
Our mission goes beyond delivering healthcare.
We are shaping a new era of healthy
longevity where data, prevention and innovation
come together.”
— H.E. Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi,
Undersecretary,
Department of Health – Abu Dhabi
tional patient visits annually in
Dubai alone, provides unique competitive
advantages for healthcare
AI innovation and research development.
This diverse patient population
enables companies like Google
Health and IBM Watson Health
to validate AI diagnostic systems
across varied demographics and
disease profiles effectively. Cleveland
Clinic Abu Dhabi, operating
within the M42 network, has
pioneered cutting-edge AI applications
including adaptive radiotherapy
systems and AI-powered
stroke intervention technologies
that reduce treatment time while
minimizing radiation exposure.
The hospital’s collaboration with
Mohamed bin Zayed University of
Artificial Intelligence demonstrates
integration of clinical practice with
academic research, accelerating AI
innovation cycles and attracting
global talent.​
Regulatory Sandbox Innovation
Framework
Dubai’s Health Data Sandbox
establishes a groundbreaking
regulatory environment enabling
healthcare innovators to test
AI solutions under supervised
conditions while complying with
UAE Health Data Law and Personal
Data Protection Laws. This
framework addresses critical
barriers preventing global AI adoption
by offering secure access to
de-identified real-world datasets,
collaborative relationships with
regulators, and expert mentorship
from policy and clinical specialists.
The Department of Health Abu
Dhabi’s partnership with Malaffi,
the national health information exchange
system, leverages artificial
intelligence for predicting patient
disease risks while maintaining
strict data sovereignty requirements
essential for public sector
entities and international firms.​
Sovereign Cloud Infrastructure
and Data Governance
G42, emerging as a leading
healthcare AI player through its
M42 healthcare division, operates
480 clinics across 26 countries
while maintaining sovereign cloud
infrastructure prioritizing data residency
and security compliance.
The platform released Med42, a
70 billion parameter generative AI
Clinical Large Language Model designed
for clinical decision support
and healthcare provider augmentation
across medical systems.
Oracle, Cleveland Clinic, and G42’s
strategic partnership aims to develop
a groundbreaking AI-based
global healthcare delivery platform
utilizing advanced analytics
and real-time data while maintain-
ing compliance with UAE regulatory
frameworks. This collaboration
exemplifies capital and expertise
flowing from international healthcare
leaders to the UAE’s medtech
ecosystem.​
Institutional Research and Development
Centers
Dubai Healthcare City hosts over
120 medical institutions with
sophisticated AI capabilities and
advanced research infrastructure
supporting innovation initiatives
and clinical trials. Acorn Research’s
AI Healthcare Innovation Lab,
launched during Arab Health
2025, represents significant institutional
commitment to advancing
value-based healthcare through
AI-driven clinical decision support
and genome analysis. American
Hospital Dubai partnered with
Cerner to establish the region’s
first artificial intelligence-led
healthcare research lab, developing
explainable AI models supporting
clinical operations and patient
outcomes. These research centers
collaborate with international
medical universities and technology
companies, creating networks
attracting specialized talent from
around the world, signaling confidence
in the UAE’s capacity as a
leading global hub for healthcare
artificial intelligence innovation.
November 2025 / 13

GADGET REVIEWs
SONY PLAYSTATION 5 PRO
NEXT-GENERATION CONSOLE PERFORMANCE UNLEASHED
The Sony PlayStation 5 Pro, launched
globally on November 7, 2024, for
$699.99 / £699.99 / €799.99,
represents a significant mid-generation
upgrade targeting hardcore gamers
seeking unparalleled visual fidelity and
smoother performance. Sony touts it
as “the most visually compelling way to
play games on PlayStation,” focusing on
enhanced graphics and new AI-assisted
technology.
The core upgrade is the GPU, featuring
60 compute units based on nextgen
RDNA architecture, delivering 16.7
teraflops — a 67% increase over the
standard PS5’s 36 CUs. This translates to
roughly 45% faster rendering in practical
gaming scenarios at 2.35 GHz GPU clock
and 28% faster memory bandwidth at
576 GB/s (up from 448 GB/s on PS5).
The Pro offers advanced ray tracing
that runs 2 to 3 times faster, enabling
significantly improved lighting, reflec-
tions, and shadows without sacrificing
frame rates.
Sony’s proprietary PlayStation Spectral
Super Resolution (PSSR) is a breakthrough
AI-driven upscaling technology
comparable to NVIDIA’s DLSS, allowing
games to run at native or upscaled 4K
resolution with minimal performance
cost while maintaining crisp visuals at
60 FPS, enhancing game immersion.
System specs include the same 8-core
Zen 2 CPU at up to 3.85 GHz as the original,
but with enhanced memory: 16 GB
GDDR6 for graphics plus 2 GB DDR5 for
system tasks—offering 13.7GB usable for
gaming compared to 12.5GB previously.
Storage doubles to a 2TB custom SSD,
addressing prior storage limitations, and
WiFi 7 supports future-proof online connectivity.
Despite the upgrades, the Pro
is lighter (3.1 kg) than the original PS5.
Thermal design supports the 390W
power supply adequately, ensuring effi-
cient cooling for extended gaming. Over
55 games launched with PS5 Pro enhancements,
including blockbuster titles
like Alan Wake 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man
2, and God of War Ragnarök, delivering
improved resolution, ray tracing, volumetric
effects, and support for up to
120 fps or 8K in select titles.
The Pro also applies a Game Boost to
~8,500 PS4 titles, improving resolutions
and performance. However, its $200-
$300 price premium and lack of some
included accessories (disc drive, stand)
sparked mixed reactions.
Independent reviews position its GPU
performance between the NVIDIA RTX
3080 and RTX 4070 desktop cards,
while its custom silicon design affords
optimized gaming at a competitive cost.
Sony defends pricing as targeting enthusiasts
willing to pay for a premium
experience.
14 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
ONEPLUS 13
FLAGSHIP POWER MEETS EFFICIENCY
The OnePlus 13, launched in India on January 7, 2025, after
its October 2024 debut in China, solidifies its place as
one of 2025’s standout flagship smartphones. Starting
at ₹69,999 for the 12GB/256GB variant—and extending to
₹89,999 for its 24GB/1TB configuration—it
combines top-tier
performance with exceptional
battery endurance at a competitive
price point.
OnePlus breaks ground with
a 6,000mAh Silicon NanoStack
battery, marking its first use of
silicon-carbon chemistry. This innovation
allows a smaller physical
footprint without compromising
capacity, delivering 7–8 hours
of screen-on time, comfortably
outlasting rivals like the iPhone
16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy
S24 Ultra. Its 100W SUPERVOOC
fast charger fills the battery from
0–100% in about 40 minutes,
while 50W AIRVOOC wireless
charging supports magnetic accessories
through optional Mag-
Safe-style cases. OnePlus remains among the few flagship
manufacturers still including its power brick in the box.
The handset sports a 6.82-inch LTPO 4.1 AMOLED panel with
QHD+ (3168×1440) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and staggering
4,500-nit peak brightness,
ensuring excellent outdoor readability.
Built with Ceramic Guard
protection and RadiantView display
technology, it delivers lifelike color
accuracy and maintains comfort
with TÜV Rheinland Eye Care 4.0
certification featuring DC dimming.
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon
8 Elite processor with Oryon
CPU cores clocked at 4.32GHz,
the OnePlus 13 handles multitasking
and gaming effortlessly. Paired
with up to 24GB LPDDR5X RAM
and UFS 4.0 storage, it ensures
flawless responsiveness. Balancing
flagship power, long battery
life, and stellar camera performance,
the OnePlus 13 emerges as
a near-perfect blend of innovation
and usability.
GARMIN FORERUNNER
PREMIUM GPS RUNNING SMARTWATCH EXCELLENCE
The Garmin Forerunner series, led by the flagship Forerunner
970 and 965 in 2025, sets the standard in GPS
running technology with outstanding training accuracy,
battery life, and comprehensive metrics tailored for serious
runners, triathletes, and endurance athletes.
The Forerunner 970, Garmin’s newest flagship, introduces
an integrated LED flashlight for low-light safety, speaker and
microphone capabilities for calls and voice commands, and
Garmin’s brightest AMOLED display. It delivers exceptional
battery life of up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and 9-11 days
with heavy training, and features detailed topographical maps
and innovative Round Trip Routing for customizable routes.
Training features include “running tolerance” and “running
economy,” providing deeper insights into adaptation and
efficiency, alongside a race time prediction tool that adjusts
to an athlete’s training to offer personalized guidance.
It also excels in GPS accuracy, showing precise tracking
even in challenging terrains like trails and urban canyons, as
evidenced by its strong performance in tests such as the
Comrades ultramarathon.
The Forerunner 965 continues as a popular model, with a
vibrant 6.82-inch AMOLED display and a lightweight titanium
bezel weighing only 53 grams. It boasts an impressive 23
days of battery life in smartwatch mode and 29-31 hours in
GPS tracking mode, suitable for ultramarathons or multi-day
events.
Both watches feature Garmin’s complete training ecosystem,
including Training Readiness, Training Status, Endurance, Hill
Score, and Running Power metrics. The PacePro technology
provides pace guidance, and ClimbPro gives real-time ascent
data. Supporting over 100 sports profiles, including running,
cycling, swimming, golf, and strength training.
November 2025 / 15

edtech
AI University: Training
the AI Workforce
World’s first AI-focused graduate university scales to meet critical
talent demand
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
(MBZUAI) has enrolled over 700 students from 47
countries, advancing the UAE’s mission to bridge the
Middle East’s AI talent gap and strengthen regional
innovation capacity.
16 \ November 2025
The Mohamed bin Zayed University
of Artificial Intelligence
(MBZUAI) is leading efforts to
close the Middle East’s AI talent gap,
enrolling over 700 students from
47 nationalities across graduate
and new undergraduate programs.
Since its 2020 launch, the Abu Dhabi-based
university, the world’s first
dedicated entirely to AIhas become a
global model for developing AI talent.
In Fall 2025, MBZUAI admitted
403 new students from more than
8,000 applications, reflecting a
selective 5% acceptance rate. This
includes its first undergraduate class
of 115 students, over 25% of whom
are UAE nationals, strengthening a
globally diverse academic community,
driving regional and international
AI innovation.
Curriculum Blending Theory with
Industry Application
MBZUAI’s educational model blends
rigorous AI theory with real-world
industry experience. Its curriculum
spans machine learning, NLP, computer
vision, robotics, and compu-

thetechnologyexpress.com
tational biology, while integrating
business, entrepreneurship, and ethical
AI. The undergraduate program
offers two tracks: AI for Engineering,
focused on model development, and
AI for Business, centered on commercial
and entrepreneurial applications.
A defining feature is the mandatory
industry internship, where
students engage directly with
real-world AI challenges through
cooperative education and mentorship.
This hands-on philosophy
continues in the Master’s in Applied
AI program, which builds applied and
entrepreneurial skills to meet UAE
and global market demands.
Strategic Partnerships Driving Real-World
Deployment
The university’s close collaboration
with G42 and its subsidiary Inception
exemplifies the integration of
academic research with commercial
deployment. MBZUAI and Inception
jointly developed Jais, the world’s
most advanced Arabic large language
model, which has become the
most popular open-weight model for
Arabic applications. This partnership
extends to developing foundation
models across languages, including
Kazakh and Hindi, while also
supporting Inception’s evolution into
a product-first company creating
AI-native enterprise solutions.​
Beyond G42, MBZUAI maintains
strategic alliances with global technology
leaders, including Microsoft,
Mistral AI, MIT Schwarzman College
of Computing, and Cerebras
Systems. The university’s Institute
of Foundation Models now operates
research facilities across three
continents in Abu Dhabi, Paris, and
Silicon Valley, enabling knowledge
exchange with leading institutions
while showcasing breakthrough
technologies, including the K2-65B
reasoning model and PAN world
simulation system.​
Filling the Regional AI Talent Gap
MBZUAI has significantly strengthened
the UAE’s AI talent pool, with
around 80% of its 316 graduates
remaining in the country’s AI ecosystem.
Among them, 69 work in industry
and 28 are pursuing advanced
studies, reflecting strong domestic
retention in a field where global AI
demand exceeds supply by 3.2 to
1. Graduates hold roles across key
sectors such as energy, healthcare,
finance, government, and technology,
including ADNOC, e&, Etihad
Airways, FAB, Abu Dhabi Police, and
Hub71. The university also celebrated
its first Emirati PhD and four female
PhD graduates in 2025, advancing
workforce diversity. MBZUAI’s Ap-
This undergraduate
program will play a
transformative role
in fulfilling our leadership’s
vision of ensuring
that the UAE
continues to lead in
AI research, application,
and commercialization.”
— H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al
Mubarak,
Chairman,
MBZUAI Board of Trustees
plied AI Master’s enables professionals
to upskill without career disruption,
while its Executive Program has
trained nearly 240 senior leaders in
strategic AI deployment.
Regional Replicability and Broader
Impact
The MBZUAI model has drawn major
regional attention as Gulf states race
to lead in artificial intelligence. Saudi
Arabia now offers AI-focused undergraduate
programs at 86% of universities,
master’s programs at 56%, and
PhD options at 9%, producing over
38,000 AI graduates between 2019
and 2023. Both Saudi Arabia and the
UAE have also introduced AI education
from kindergarten to grade 12,
ensuring strong academic pipelines.
However, replicating MBZUAI’s
success demands far more than
curriculum reform requires the deep
infrastructure and funding that
underpin its model. Fully government-funded,
the university provides
complete scholarships, housing, and
stipends, while attracting over 100
top-tier faculty from institutions such
as Stanford, MIT, Oxford, and Tsinghua
University.
While several Gulf universities are
developing AI labs, research centers,
and degree programs, MBZUAI’s
integration within Abu Dhabi’s AI
ecosystemalongside access to G42’s
computing infrastructure, gives it
unique strategic advantages.
As AI reshapes regional economies,
expected to contribute 20% to
the UAE’s non-oil GDP by 2031 and
add $320 billion to MENA by 2030,
MBZUAI stands as a cornerstone
of technological sovereignty. Its
success in cultivating and retaining
AI talent locally sets a powerful,
adaptable framework for regional
institutions seeking sustainable AI
leadership.
MBZUAI exemplifies how academic
excellence aligned with national
vision can transform a country into a
global AI talent hub, positioning the
UAE at the forefront of technological
leadership, and digital sovereignty.
November 2025 / 17

AI NEWS
OpenAI Launches Sora
2 AI Model with Tik-
Tok-Style Video App
OpenAI has unveiled Sora 2, a
powerful upgrade to its AI video
model, featuring native audio,
realistic motion, and seamless multi-shot
generation. The model supports
cinematic, realistic, and anime
styles while reducing visual distortions.
Alongside it, OpenAI introduced
a TikTok-style app called Sora, allowing
verified users to create and share
personalized AI-generated videos
through invite-only access on iOS in
the US and Canada, with further countries
to be explored soon.
Elon Musk’s xAI to
Launch Grokipedia as
AI Alternative to Wikipedia
Elon Musk’s xAI is developing Grokipedia,
an AI-driven alternative to
Wikipedia designed to enhance
global knowledge sharing. Musk described
it as “a massive improvement”
over the existing platform, aligning with
xAI’s mission to understand the universe.
Despite past controversies around Grok’s
biases, Musk aims to integrate it deeply
into X, enabling personalized content
recommendations and redefining how
information is curated online.
DIB and HCLTech
Partner to Revolutionize
Islamic Finance
Through AI
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has announced
a strategic partnership
with HCLTech to accelerate Artificial
Intelligence adoption across its
operations, marking a significant step
for Islamic finance. Revealed at GITEX
GLOBAL 2025, the collaboration targets
greater efficiency, stronger compliance,
and improved customer engagement
while remaining fully aligned with Shariah
principles. Leveraging HCLTech’s AI
expertise and global partnerships, DIB
will embed intelligence across systems
to streamline decision-making, optimize
workflows, and manage risk responsibly.
The initiative emphasizes transparency,
data security, and ethical deployment to
maintain trust and regulatory integrity.
Together, DIB and HCLTech aim to
build a sustainable, inclusive, technology-driven
financial ecosystem that
sets a benchmark for responsible digital
transformation.
Comet Browser Expands Globally, Offering Free
AI Tools and Features
Perplexity has launched its Comet
browser globally for free after
debuting it for Max subscribers
three months ago. With millions on
the waitlist, Comet aims to rival leading
browsers and search engines. The
browser offers a sidecar AI assistant,
access to Discover, Shopping, and
Travel tools, and a $5 Comet Plus
plan. Max users enjoy premium AI
models and automated background
assistants. New users can benefit
from existing users referrals, allowing
them to try the new browser.
DLD Enhances Customer
Experience with
Unified AI-Powered
Microsoft Platform
The Dubai Land Department (DLD)
has launched a unified customer
relationship management system
powered by Microsoft Dynamics 365
CRM to elevate service quality and
efficiency. Announced at GITEX Global
2025, the AI-driven platform integrates
all service channels including call centers,
social media, the smart app, and
website into a single intelligent ecosystem.
By leveraging automation and
predictive analytics, the system provides
a 360-degree customer view, enabling
faster decisions and proactive service
delivery. It supports Dubai’s Real Estate
Strategy 2033 and Economic Agenda
D33 by promoting transparency, innovation,
and sustainability. Additionally,
DLD introduced “Malik,” an AI-powered
chatbot offering 24/7 multilingual support,
streamlining communication, and
reducing response times establishing
Dubai as a leader in digital real estate.
18 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
Aldar and PARKON-
IC Partner to Launch
AI-Driven Smart Parking
Systems
Aldar Estates and PARKONIC have
formed a joint venture to introduce
AI-powered smart parking
systems across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
The collaboration combines Aldar’s real
estate expertise with PARKONIC’s urban
mobility technology to deliver seamless,
cashless, and automated parking experiences.
The AI platform enhances traffic
flow, accuracy, and efficiency, supporting
the UAE’s Future Mobility strategy
and sustainability goals. Designed for
scalability, it integrates with emerging
autonomous vehicle infrastructure. The
partnership emphasizes convenience,
reduced congestion, and eco-friendly
urban development through data-driven
mobility solutions. With over 170 projects
and 200,000 managed parking
spaces globally, PARKONIC’s experience
complements Aldar’s innovation vision,
redefining smart parking and intelligent,
connected, and sustainable cities.
OpenAI Launches
In-Chat Apps to Make
ChatGPT an Interactive
Platform
OpenAI has introduced in-chat
apps that let developers build
interactive experiences directly
within ChatGPT. Users can now access
services like Spotify, Expedia, Canva,
and Coursera without leaving the chat.
The new Apps SDK enables seamless
integration, while the system uses the
Model Context Protocol for data connectivity.
Developers can monetize future
apps, marking ChatGPT’s evolution into
a dynamic digital marketplace.
OpenAI and Broadcom
Partner to Build Custom
AI Chips by 2026
OpenAI has joined forces with
Broadcom to develop its first
in-house AI chips, set for rollout
in 2026. OpenAI will design the
processors while Broadcom handles
production, aiming for 10 gigawatts of
computing power. The move reflects
the industry trend toward custom chipmaking
to reduce Nvidia dependence.
These chips promise greater energy
efficiency, performance, and scalability
for expanding AI workloads. This move
positions OpenAI to become a leading
competitor in the AI chip race.
OpenAI Launches
ChatGPT Atlas, a Conversational
AI Browser
for Smarter Web
OpenAI has unveiled ChatGPT Atlas,
a conversational AI browser that
transforms how users interact with
the web. Designed for natural dialogue
with webpages, it enables chatting, automating
tasks, and creating personalized
experiences through memory and agent
capabilities. Initially released for macOS,
Atlas will soon expand to Windows and
mobile. The Agent Mode available to Plus
and Pro subscribers lets users delegate
actions while maintaining control and
privacy. Unlike traditional browsers,
Atlas integrates ChatGPT for direct
conversations, intelligent summaries,
and automated workflows. Users can
manage forms, emails, and online orders
seamlessly while monitoring every step.
With customizable memory and strong
safety features, Atlas represents a major
step toward personalized, AI-driven
browsing and signals a new era of
interactive web navigation.
Anthropic Launches Claude Haiku 4.5, Faster
and Smarter AI for Developers
Anthropic has released Claude
Haiku 4.5, a faster, more efficient
AI model delivering Sonnet-level
performance at one-third the cost.
Available to all users, it supports rapid,
scalable AI deployment with strong
benchmark results. The lightweight
design allows multiple agents to run
simultaneously, enhancing flexibility.
Ideal for developers, Haiku 4.5 improves
responsiveness, enabling seamless,
cost-effective integration across production
environments. This is one step
above previous versions.
November 2025 / 19

Interview
MANOJ SUREKA
CEO & Managing Partner,
Synergy Fin. Consulting
The Future is
Intelligent: AI in UAE
Banking
20 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
Exclusive Interview
Manoj Sureka is a recognised leader in the finance and investment sector. Manoj has built a strong reputation for his
strategic foresight and ability to foster sustainable business growth.
At Synergy Fin. Consulting, the firm provides end-to-end fundraising advisory services through private equity,
debt, and trade finance solutions. Their clientele includes SMEs and corporates seeking capital through banks, financial
institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and other institutional investors. Synergy also offers specialised advisory services in
mergers and acquisitions, joint venture and investment into profitable businesses.
Q: Manoj, how do you see Artificial Intelligence
reshaping the UAE’s banking
landscape?
AI is fundamentally redefining banking —
from how risk is assessed to how customers
are served. In the UAE, where digital
adoption is exceptionally high, banks
are using AI to make decisions faster,
personalise products, and strengthen
fraud detection.
Q: What makes the UAE a strong market
for AI-driven banking transformation?
Three factors: a forward-looking regulatory
ecosystem led by the Central Bank
and AI Office, a highly digital customer
base, and strong government investment
in innovation. The UAE’s Vision 2031
and the CBUAE’s Enabling Technologies
Guidelines have created a foundation
where banks can experiment safely while
maintaining stability.
Q: Which areas of banking are seeing
the fastest adoption of AI?
Risk management, credit scoring, and
anti-fraud analytics lead the way. We
also see strong traction in customer engagement
— chatbots, virtual relationship
managers, and predictive financial
assistants. On the operational side, AI is
automating back-office functions such
as document verification and transaction
monitoring.
Q: How is AI improving financial inclusion
in the UAE?
AI allows banks and fintechs to assess
alternative data — such as transaction
behaviour or mobile usage — to extend
credit to previously unbanked or underbanked
customers. In a country with a
diverse expatriate population, this is a
game-changer for small businesses and
individuals who lack traditional credit
history.
Q: What risks does AI introduce to the
financial system?
Like any technology, AI brings its own
risks — from algorithmic bias to data
By 2030, AI will be seamlessly
integrated into every layer of
banking — from regulatory reporting
to personalised wealth
management. Banks will evolve
into intelligent ecosystems.”
privacy and cyber threats. The concern
is not AI itself, but its misuse or
lack of governance. Transparent model
design, proper human oversight, and
ethical frameworks are vital to prevent
systemic risks or unfair decision-making.
Q: How is the Central Bank addressing
AI-related risks?
The CBUAE has been proactive. It
encourages innovation but demands
accountability. Through its SupTech
(supervisory technology) initiatives, the
regulator is using AI itself to monitor
emerging risks. This dual approach —
adopting and supervising simultaneously
— is what keeps the UAE ahead of most
global peers.
Q: What opportunities does AI create
for banks’ profitability and efficiency?
AI reduces cost-to-income ratios dramatically.
Processes that once took hours
now take seconds. Predictive analytics
also help banks anticipate client needs
and cross-sell intelligently. Over time,
we’ll see a shift from transactional banking
to relationship-driven, insights-based
banking — powered by AI.
Q: How do you see AI influencing credit
and investment decisions?
AI can analyse vast datasets — from
financial statements to market sentiment
— to improve lending accuracy
and investment timing. However, human
judgement remains indispensable. The
best outcomes arise when bankers use
AI as an advisor, not a replacement.
Q: What skills will the next generation of
UAE bankers need in an AI-first world?
Bankers must blend financial acumen
with digital literacy. Understanding data
science, ethics, and algorithmic thinking
will become as essential as understanding
balance sheets. The winners will be
those who can interpret AI outputs and
translate them into meaningful business
strategies.
Q: Finally, where do you see AI in UAE
banking by 2030?
By 2030, AI will be seamlessly integrated
into every layer of banking — from regulatory
reporting to personalised wealth
management. Banks will evolve into intelligent
ecosystems where data moves
in real time and decisions are predictive
rather than reactive. The UAE, given its
vision and infrastructure, is perfectly
positioned to lead this transformation.
November 2025 / 21

DRIVE TO THE FUTURE
BYD SEAL
The Performance-Driven Electric Sedan
The BYD Seal represents a significant milestone in the global electric vehicle
landscape, combining striking design aesthetics with exceptional performance
capabilities that challenge conventional expectations of electric sedans.
Launched in India in March 2024 and updated for 2025, this premium offering
from the Chinese automotive giant has rapidly established itself as a formidable
contender in the luxury electric sedan segment.
22 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
3.8 s
0–100 km/h
523 bhp
Horsepower
670 Nm
Torque
Built on BYD’s revolutionary e-Platform 3.0, the
Seal showcases advanced engineering that prioritizes
safety, efficiency, and driving dynamics.
The vehicle’s Cell-to-Body (CTB) architecture integrates
the battery pack as a structural component,
increasing chassis rigidity to an impressive 40,500
Nm per degree compared to the industry average
of approximately 25,000 Nm per degree. This innovative
approach not only enhances safety but also
lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity, contributing to
superior handling characteristics and improved overall
stability.
The Seal’s aerodynamic excellence
stands out prominently with a drag
coefficient of just 0.219, making
it one of the most
aerodynamically
efficient
sedans
currently
available.
This
sleek
profile,
inspired
by ocean
aesthetics
and previewed
through the Ocean-X Concept,
features double-U floating LED
headlamps, arrow-shaped accents, and a continuous
LED light bar spanning the tailgate. The design
has earned recognition with the prestigious iF Design
Award, validating BYD’s commitment to aesthetic excellence.
Performance specifications across the Seal lineup
demonstrate remarkable versatility. The base Dynamic
variant utilizes a 61.44 kWh LFP Blade battery
paired with a single rear-mounted motor producing
201 horsepower and 310 Nm of torque. The Premium
variant elevates performance with an 82.56 kWh battery
and enhanced motor output reaching 308 horsepower
and 360 Nm of torque. However, the flagship
Performance variant truly showcases BYD’s engineering
prowess. The Performance variant employs
an all-wheel-drive configuration with dual motors—a
215-horsepower induction motor at the front and a
308-horsepower permanent magnet synchronous
motor at the rear. This powertrain combination delivers
breathtaking acceleration that places the Seal
among the quickest electric sedans globally, easily
outpacing most internal combustion engine sports
cars from traffic lights.
What distinguishes the Seal beyond raw performance
is its intelligent Torque Adaption Control
(iTAC) system, which dynamically
allocates drive torque
to minimize wheel
slip and maximize
traction. This
technology
enhances
both
safety
and handling
comfort
by utilizing
torque
vectoring
rather than
traditional
power reduction methods.
Interior refinement matches the exterior sophistication,
featuring a rotating 15.6-inch infotainment
display, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster,
heads-up display, and a 12-speaker Dynaudio audio
system. The cabin incorporates quilted vegan leather
upholstery, dual wireless smartphone chargers, and
heated and ventilated front seats, creating a premium
environment that rivals established luxury brands.
Pricing in India positions the Seal competitively,
with the Dynamic variant starting at ₹41 lakh, the Premium
at ₹45.70 lakh, and the Performance at ₹53.15
lakh (ex-showroom). This pricing strategy delivers
exceptional value considering the comprehensive
feature set, advanced safety systems including nine
airbags and a 5-star Global NCAP rating, and BYD’s renowned
Blade battery technology that promises over
500,000 km of driving longevity.
November 2025 / 23

COVER
STOR

Y

COVER STORY
WHAT’S THE BEST CLOUD STRATEGY?
A DETAILED BREAKDOWN TO INFORM
YOUR CHOICES
26 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
Part One:
THE CLOUD DECISION PARADOX
Ten years ago, the cloud revolution was framed as a
binary debate that divided technology leaders and
boardrooms alike. Should organizations migrate
fully to the cloud, abandoning the control and familiarity
of on-premise infrastructure? Or should they maintain
the security and sovereignty of keeping everything
behind their own firewalls?
Today, that paradigm has dissolved completely. The
rise of tri-cloud architecture, the strategic deployment
of on-premise, private cloud, and public cloud resources
in integrated harmony, has transformed how Middle
East enterprises, governments, and financial institutions
architect their technology ecosystems. Rather than
viewing these three infrastructure tiers as competing
alternatives, the most sophisticated organizations are
orchestrating them as complementary components of
a unified strategy.
The data tells the story of this transformation with remarkable
clarity. With 53.6% of Middle East organizations
now leveraging cloud infrastructure in some form, and
hybrid cloud architectures expanding at a remarkable
25.75% compound annual growth rate through 2030,
the operational landscape is shifting at an accelerating
pace. The UAE’s cloud computing market, valued at
USD 12.84 billion in 2025, is projected to surge to USD
45.41 billion by 2030—a staggering 28.75% CAGR that
reflects not merely technology adoption but fundamental
architectural transformation.
“Technology has the power to transform how governments
interact with people, making services more efficient,
intuitive, and impactful,” observes Ahmed Hisham
Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government
Enablement at the Abu Dhabi Government.
November 2025 / 27

COVER STORY
Part Two:
UNDERSTANDING YOUR CLOUD
STRATEGY CHOICES
The decision to embrace tri-cloud architecture
begins with understanding
each infrastructure tier and the strategic
advantages each delivers. It is
a fundamental business decision that
determines whether organizations can
scale efficiently in an increasingly complex
technology landscape.
On-Premise Infrastructure: Control at
a Cost
On-premise infrastructure, the traditional
model where organizations own
and operate their own data centers or
lease dedicated co-location space, offers
something that no cloud provider can
fully replicate: absolute control.
Organizations that maintain on-premise
infrastructure possess complete authority
over security protocols, access man-
agement, and operational procedures.
For regulated industries like banking,
healthcare, and government, this control
translates directly into compliance.
Yet on-premise infrastructure carries
profound disadvantages that force many
organizations to reconsider this traditional
approach. The capital expenditure is
substantial. Large enterprises typically
invest USD 5 million to USD 10 million
annually in hardware procurement, facility
preparation, and infrastructure buildout.
Scalability represents another fundamental
limitation. Organizations cannot
dynamically expand capacity to match
seasonal demand or unexpected business
opportunities without either over-provisioning
fixed infrastructure or accepting
periods where infrastructure capacity
constrains business operations.
Private Cloud: The Regulated Entity’s
Fortress
Private cloud platforms represent a
middle ground designed specifically
to address the core challenge facing
regulated organizations: how to modernize
and scale while maintaining absolute
compliance certainty. Unlike public cloud
services shared across thousands of
organizations, private cloud infrastructure
is restricted to a single organization or
limited consortium.
Private cloud can be deployed in
multiple ways. Some organizations build
private clouds within their own data
centers, gaining most control benefits
of on-premise infrastructure. Other organizations
contract with specialized
private cloud providers who operate
infrastructure dedicated to their specific
requirements, enabling cost efficiency
through shared operational expertise.
Still others leverage sovereign cloud
platforms—a model emerging across
the Middle East—that operate on public
cloud infrastructure (typically Microsoft
Azure or AWS) but maintain sovereign
28 \ November 2025

governance controls ensuring that data
never leaves national borders.
The strategic power of private cloud
lies in its ability to satisfy regulatory mandates
while enabling modernization that
on-premise infrastructure fundamentally
prevents. Organizations need not choose
between compliance and innovation.
The UAE Central Bank’s data residency
requirements can be met through
private cloud platforms deployed within
sovereign boundaries.
Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud exemplifies
this approach. Built on Microsoft
Azure infrastructure but incorporating
sovereign controls ensuring one hundred
percent data residency within UAE
borders, the platform enables regulated
financial institutions, government entities,
and healthcare organizations to
leverage cloud capabilities while maintaining
absolute compliance certainty.
This architectural elegance solves a
problem that seemed insurmountable
when cloud computing first emerged:
how can regulated organizations harness
cloud innovation without violating regulatory
mandates about data sovereignty?
Yet private cloud introduces complexities
that organizations must carefully
evaluate. The cost structure reflects neither
the capital intensity of on-premise
infrastructure nor the operational efficiency
of global public cloud platforms.
Private cloud occupies an intermediate
cost position. Organizations pay ongoing
operational expenses similar to public
cloud consumption models, yet lack the
massive scale economies that hyperscale
providers achieve.
Perhaps most significantly, private
cloud does not eliminate the operational
staffing requirements that plague
on-premise infrastructure. Organizations
remain responsible for infrastructure reliability,
security patching, performance
optimization, and disaster recovery. Unlike
public cloud’s managed services
model where hyperscale providers
handle these responsibilities, private
cloud typically remains the organization’s
operational responsibility.
Public Cloud: Innovation at Scale
Public cloud infrastructure, operated
by hyperscale providers like Microsoft
Azure, Amazon Web Services, Google
Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud, represents
a fundamentally different approach
to computing resources. Rather than
organizations owning or controlling
infrastructure, public cloud resources
are provisioned on-demand through
self-service portals, with organizations
paying only for resources consumed on
pay-as-you-go pricing models. This
simple but revolutionary concept has
transformed enterprise technology over
the past decade.
Public cloud eliminates capital expenditure
for infrastructure. Organizations do
not purchase hardware, build facilities, or
invest in infrastructure that sits partially
idle during periods of lower demand.
Instead, they pay operational expenses
aligned with actual consumption. This
shift from capital expense to operational
expense transforms financial modeling
and enables organizations to align
technology costs directly with business
value generation. A startup can begin
operations with zero infrastructure investment.
A seasonal business can scale
infrastructure during peak periods and
reduce capacity during low seasons,
paying only for what it uses.
Public cloud platforms provision resources
at scales impossible with traditional
infrastructure. An organization
needing additional storage can provision
terabytes instantly. A batch processing
job requiring thousands of compute instances
can acquire those resources
within minutes, complete processing,
and release them. This elasticity enables
organizations to respond to business
opportunities and market demand with
unprecedented speed.
thetechnologyexpress.com
Part Three:
THE STRATEGIC
CASE FOR
TRI-CLOUD
ARCHITECTURE
The fundamental insight underlying
tri-cloud architecture is profound in its
simplicity: not all workloads are created
equal, and therefore not all workloads
should be deployed to the same
infrastructure tier. A workload-aligned
approach delivers multiple strategic advantages
that transcend the capabilities
of any single infrastructure model.
By matching each workload to the
infrastructure tier best suited to its
characteristics, organizations achieve
optimal cost efficiency. On-premise infrastructure
incurs fixed costs regardless
of utilization; paying for idle capacity
when not under load. Public cloud incurs
consumption-based costs appropriate for
variable workloads but inappropriate for
stable baseline capacity. Private cloud
occupies a middle ground.
The cost advantage is quantifiable and
compelling. Five-year total cost of ownership
calculations demonstrate that pure
on-premise approaches average USD
46 million when accounting for capital
expenditure, maintenance overhead,
and staffing costs. Pure public cloud
approaches cost approximately USD
45.5 million due to premium pricing for
predictable baseline workloads that
public cloud handles inefficiently. Tricloud
optimization reduces five-year total
cost to approximately USD 27.5 million—a
forty percent reduction compared to
single-model approaches.
Beyond cost efficiency, tri-cloud delivers
regulatory and compliance assurance
that pure public cloud cannot provide.
Organizations deploying mission-critical
systems to public cloud services that
may route data across borders violate
fundamental regulatory mandates. Yet
organizations deploying all applications
to on-premise infrastructure sacrifice the
innovation velocity required to compete
in digital markets. Tri-cloud architecture
solves this dilemma: core systems remain
on-premise or private cloud within
sovereign boundaries, something binary
architecture choices make impossible.
November 2025 / 29

COVER STORY
Part Four:
COMPREHENSIVE
PROS AND CONS
ANALYSIS
Organizations evaluating tri-cloud strategy
must understand not only theoretical
advantages but also practical limitations.
Different infrastructure models present
different advantages and disadvantages
that organizations must weigh against
their specific requirements.
On-premise infrastructure offers
organizations complete control over
infrastructure configuration, security
protocols, and operational procedures.
This control enables development of
customized security frameworks reflecting
organizational risk profile and
threat environment. Compliance certainty
is particularly valuable for regulated
organizations. The UAE Central
Bank’s data residency requirements are
inherently satisfied through on-premise
deployment. Organizations maintain deterministic
performance characteristics
essential for mission-critical systems.
High-frequency trading systems, fraud
detection algorithms, and critical customer
service applications benefit from
on-premise infrastructure’s predictable
latency and throughput.
Yet on-premise infrastructure carries
significant disadvantages. Capital expenditure
is substantial, with large enterprises
typically investing USD 5 million to USD
10 million annually. Operational overhead
is equally burdensome, with infrastructure
maintenance consuming 40 to 50
percent of total IT budgets. Scalability
is limited—organizations cannot dynamically
expand capacity without hardware
procurement cycles. Skills and talent
requirements drive premium salary costs
in tight labor markets. Innovation barriers
are real—legacy infrastructure makes
adoption of cloud-native technologies
extraordinarily difficult. Disaster recovery
and high availability require geographic
redundancy or multiple facilities creating
additional cost and complexity.
Private cloud infrastructure enables
organizations to satisfy compliance
mandates while accessing cloud modernization
benefits. The flexible balance
between control and cloud automation allows
organizations to implement contain-
30 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
erization, microservices, and continuous
deployment practices within compliance
frameworks. Data residency is guaranteed
through private cloud platforms designed
for regulated workloads. Organizations
achieve modernization without compliance
compromise.
Disadvantages include intermediate
cost structure reflecting neither the
capital intensity of on-premise nor the
operational efficiency of global public
cloud. Capacity planning becomes
complex—organizations must reserve
infrastructure for peak demand without
visibility into future requirements. Vendor
lock-in can emerge if proprietary
private cloud implementations become
tightly coupled with organizational applications.
Operational staffing requirements
remain substantial—organizations cannot
eliminate infrastructure management
responsibilities. Integration complexity
increases when connecting private cloud
to on-premise systems and public cloud.
Public cloud infrastructure provides
lowest operational and capital costs
through consumption-based pricing
models. Unlimited scalability enables
organizations to respond to business
opportunities without infrastructure
constraints. Organizations access rapid
innovation through hyperscale provider
investment in emerging technologies.
Global infrastructure with multiple geographic
regions enables low-latency
service delivery and disaster recovery
across zones. Reduced operational burden
enables organizations to redirect IT
resources from infrastructure management
to business value creation. Managed
services ecosystem accelerates
application development without managing
underlying infrastructure complexity.
Yet public cloud introduces fundamental
challenges for regulated organizations.
Data sovereignty concerns
emerge when public cloud infrastructure
routes data across borders. Vendor lockin
becomes problematic as organizations
develop deep dependencies on
proprietary services. Compliance and
security risks require careful evaluation.
Performance unpredictability in shared
infrastructure creates concerns for latency-sensitive
applications. Complex
cost optimization becomes necessary
without skilled management practices.
Tri-cloud architecture combines
advantages of all three models while
mitigating individual disadvantages.
Organizations achieve optimized cost
structure by matching workloads to appropriate
infrastructure tiers. Compliance
assurance emerges through strategic
workload placement. Innovation velocity
increases through public cloud access
without compliance exposure. Vendor
diversification reduces lock-in risk. Operational
resilience improves through
infrastructure diversity.
Disadvantages center on complexity.
Tri-cloud environments require sophisticated
architecture expertise and multicloud
management capabilities. Skills
requirements become more demanding—
organizations need expertise spanning
three infrastructure tiers. Integration
overhead increases from connecting
three infrastructure tiers. Governance
and policy consistency becomes challenging.
Cost attribution and optimization
requires sophisticated FinOps practices.
Security integration across disparate environments
demands careful architecture.
Operational complexity increases when
troubleshooting issues spanning multiple
infrastructure tiers.
The Verdict
THE STRATEGIC
IMPERATIVE
FOR MODERN
ENTERPRISES
The binary choices that dominated early
cloud discussions—all on-premise or all
public cloud—have given way to sophisticated
multi-cloud strategies reflecting
organizational complexity and regulatory
reality. The organizations leading digital
transformation across the Middle East
have validated that tri-cloud architecture
represents the optimal balance between
compliance, innovation, cost efficiency,
and operational resilience.
The UAE’s largest financial institutions
and government entities are not
experimenting with tri-cloud as theoretical
framework. They are implementing
it operationally at massive scale, achieving
quantifiable results, and establishing
patterns that other organizations can
adapt to their specific contexts. First
Abu Dhabi Bank achieved forty percent
cost reductions and three times faster
application delivery. Abu Dhabi Government
is building the world’s first AI-native
government while maintaining absolute
data sovereignty.
For CXOs and technology leaders,
the strategic imperative is clear. Organizations
must move beyond outdated
binary thinking that forces choice between
compliance and innovation, between
control and efficiency, between
national sovereignty and global scale.
Tri-cloud architecture enables all objectives
simultaneously through strategic
workload alignment.
The market validates this imperative.
The UAE’s cloud computing market is
projected to reach USD 45.41 billion by
2030. Hybrid and private cloud deployment
models are growing faster than
public cloud. Organizations failing to
adopt sophisticated multi-cloud strategies
risk both regulatory compliance
failures and competitive disadvantage
in innovation cycles.
The time for tri-cloud adoption is now.
Organizations that strategically implement
tri-cloud architectures will position themselves
at the forefront of the AI-powered,
data-driven Middle East economy that is
emerging. Organizations that delay will
find themselves constrained by legacy
architecture decisions that prevent
regulatory compliance and competitive
innovation simultaneously.
The question is not whether tri-cloud
is the correct strategy. The question
is how quickly your organization can
move from strategic consideration to
operational implementation.
November 2025 / 31

Data Infrastructure
Inside UAE’s New AI
Data Campus
Abu Dhabi unveils the world’s most advanced
AI infrastructure
The UAE and its global technology partners are constructing
a 5-gigawatt AI campus in Abu Dhabi, with
the first 1-gigawatt phase expected to be operational
by 2026, representing a transformative commitment
to digital sovereignty and computational power.
32 \ November 2025
Stargate UAE represents a
transformative investment in
artificial intelligence infrastructure,
positioned as a cornerstone of
Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a global
technological and economic leader.
Announced in May 2025 during U.S.
President Donald Trump’s Gulf visit,
this ambitious 1-gigawatt AI compute
cluster is being developed by
Khazna Data Centers, a subsidiary
of state-linked G42, in a strategic
partnership with technology giants
OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, Cisco, and
Japan’s SoftBank.
The facility anchors a broader
5-gigawatt UAE-U.S. AI Campus
in Abu Dhabi that will cement the
nation’s strategic importance in the
intensifying global artificial intelligence
race and redefine regional
technological capabilities for decades
to come. The multipartite
collaboration demonstrates unprecedented
commitment to foundational
AI infrastructure development and
shared prosperity.
The project’s first operational
phase will deliver 200 megawatts

thetechnologyexpress.com
Whoever leads in artificial intelligence
will lead the future. This technology will
change the world.”
— H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama,
Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence,
UAE Ministry of AI and Digital Economy
of computing capacity by 2026,
initially equipped with approximately
100,000 NVIDIA Grace
Blackwell GB300 chips specifically
configured for advanced AI model
training and complex inference operations
at enterprise and national
scales. Current construction progress
demonstrates unprecedented
execution velocity, with over 3,500
personnel actively working on the
Abu Dhabi site as of October 2025.
Civil, structural, and architectural
works are substantially advanced,
and mechanical and electrical
systems are being finalized
according to aggressive development
timelines. Critical long-lead
equipment has already arrived
on-site, underscoring robust
supply chain management and an
unwavering commitment to the
accelerated deployment timeline,
which represents an industry first
globally. Supply chain coordination
across international borders
reflects exceptional logistical and
engineering achievement for the
infrastructure sector.
Strategic Digital Sovereignty and
Regional Positioning
Stargate UAE establishes a new
paradigm for what policymakers
call digital sovereignty, fundamentally
enabling nation-scale
artificial intelligence deployment
while maintaining computational
infrastructure, data governance,
algorithmic control, and technological
independence under national
direction rather than creating
dependency on external providers
or foreign technology platforms.
This strategic positioning directly
supports the UAE’s comprehensive
National Artificial Intelligence
Strategy 2031, which targets
artificial intelligence’s economic
contribution to reach approximately
14 percent of the country’s gross
domestic product equivalent to
nearly $96 billion by 2030.
Economic Transformation and
Sectoral Innovation
The economic transformation
catalyzed by this infrastructure
extends across multiple economic
sectors and specialized employment
categories throughout the
nation and regional economies.
The UAE’s broader artificial intelligence
market is projected to surge
dramatically from $3.47 billion in
2024 to an estimated $46.3 billion
by 2030, representing a robust 44
percent compound annual growth
rate that reflects accelerating enterprise
and government adoption
trends.
The Stargate project catalyzes
substantial employment opportunities
in specialized technical
fields, including data engineering,
artificial intelligence software
development, machine learning
operations, cybersecurity architecture,
cloud infrastructure
management, and advanced data
science across government and
commercial sectors. The operational
facility will provide best-inclass
infrastructure supporting
transformative applications
spanning precision healthcare
and accelerated genomic research
through predictive maintenance in
energy infrastructure systems and
advanced autonomous transportation
development throughout
the broader regional and international
ecosystem serving multiple
countries.
Bilateral Cooperation and Future
Expansion
As the first international deployment
of OpenAI’s proprietary
Stargate platform, this partnership
was developed through close government-level
coordination with
the U.S. government under the
formal U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration
Partnership framework established
in May 2025. This bilateral
commitment includes reciprocal
investment commitments from
the UAE, thereby strengthening
strategic technology ties and
cross-border innovation.
November 2025 / 33

UAE NEWS
Dubai Police Launch
Dh223,000 Cybersecurity
Contest to Spot
Top Ethical Hackers
Dubai Police have launched a
Dh223,000 “Capture the Flag”
cybersecurity contest to find
the UAE’s best ethical hackers during
Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Open to students and professionals.
It runs from October 5 to 26, concluding
at Dubai Police Officers’ Club.
Complementing the contest, the new
ecrimehub platform offers AI-powered
fraud detection, learning tools, and
quizzes to promote online safety.
M42, MTA, and Mastercard
Partner to
Expand UAE Medical
Tourism
M42 has partnered with the Medical
Tourism Association (MTA)
and Mastercard to improve
international patient access across the
UAE. Through MTA’s Better by MTA
platform, patients can find, plan, and
pay for treatments seamlessly. The
collaboration integrates M42’s leading
healthcare facilities, supports secure
cross-border payments, and enhances
global connectivity, strengthening the
UAE’s position as a leading destination.
UAE’s YAL.ai Raises
$12M to Build AI
Scam-Free Communication
Platform
UAE-based YAL.ai has raised $12
million in Series A funding to develop
an AI-powered communication
platform designed to eliminate scams and
rebuild trust in digital communication.
Telecom fraud causes global losses
exceeding $300 billion annually, with
cybercrime draining nearly $1.9 million
per second. YAL.ai’s self-learning,
on-device AI blocks fraudulent calls,
messages, and emails in real time across
multiple languages while maintaining user
privacy. The platform also introduces
AI-guided safe replies and advanced
discovery tools. Currently tested by
over 10,000 users, the new funding
will drive research, development, and
international expansion. By partnering
with telecom, banking, and fintech firms,
YAL.ai aims to lead global efforts in preventing
digital fraud, enabling scam-free
and ensuring secure, trustworthy online
communication.
DEWA and ENOC Partner to Expand Dubai’s
Fast EV Charging Network
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
(DEWA) has partnered
with ENOC Group to expand
electric vehicle fast-charging stations
across Dubai. Announced during WE-
TEX 2025, the agreement supports
DEWA’s EV Green Charger initiative
launched in 2014. The project will install
additional high-speed chargers
at ENOC service stations, enhancing
convenience, promoting sustainable
transport, and accelerating Dubai’s
progress toward smarter, cleaner, and
net-zero urban mobility.
Khazna Data Centres
Reaches 650MW
Capacity to Power
UAE’s Digital Growth
Khazna Data Centres has achieved
a total capacity of 650 megawatts
(MW) across the UAE, combining
operational and under-construction
facilities. With advanced centres in
Dubai and Abu Dhabi providing 250MW
and ongoing projects adding 400MW,
Khazna is driving the nation’s digital
transformation. The expansion aligns
with the UAE’s goal of becoming a global
leader in technology, data, and artificial
intelligence. Through sustainable, largescale
infrastructure, Khazna supports
AI-driven applications, enhances resilience,
and powers innovation across
sectors. Internationally, the company
is expanding into Saudi Arabia, France,
and Italy, with further plans for Greece,
Cyprus, and Southeast Asia. By strengthening
digital connectivity and reliability,
Khazna is helping position the UAE as a
major hub for global data infrastructure,
a crucial move in today’s landscape.
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thetechnologyexpress.com
EDGE and e& Partner
to Launch Abu Dhabi’s
First Drone Traffic
System
EDGE Group, a global leader in advanced
defense and technology,
has partnered with e& to design,
implement, and operate the region’s first
Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM)
system in Abu Dhabi. Announced during
GITEX GLOBAL 2025, the initiative introduces
real-time drone monitoring, conflict
prevention, and coordinated airspace
management to enhance safety, efficiency,
and regulatory control. The system
supports diverse applications, including
logistics, emergency response, smart
cities, and environmental monitoring. Fully
aligned with the UAE’s Industry 4.0 and
Smart and Autonomous Systems Council
strategies, the partnership strengthens
national innovation, sustainability, and
technological independence. By integrating
advanced AI and communication
technologies, EDGE and e& aim to establish
Abu Dhabi as a global benchmark
for safe and intelligent drone operations.
DEWA and Fortinet
Partner to Enhance
Cybersecurity and
Protect Infrastructure
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
(DEWA) has partnered with Fortinet
to enhance cybersecurity and
safeguard its digital infrastructure. The
agreement introduces Fortinet’s Security
Fabric and Zero Trust model to protect
IT systems, cloud networks, and IoT
devices. Using AI-driven analytics from
FortiGuard, DEWA gains real-time threat
detection and faster response, supporting
Dubai’s broader digital transformation
and secure smart city ambitions.
Al Sayegh and Triton
EV Partner to Launch
Abu Dhabi Truck
Transportation Hub
Al Sayegh Group has partnered
with Triton EV to establish a
state-of-the-art electric truck
manufacturing hub in Abu Dhabi. The
facility will serve the GCC and African
markets, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position
as a global leader in sustainable
industries. Signed during an Abu Dhabi
delegation’s US visit, the agreement
supports economic growth, innovation,
and the UAE’s transition toward cleaner,
future-ready transportation solutions.
Wio Bank and TAMM
Partner to Empower
SMEs Across Abu Dhabi
Wio Bank, a leading digital financial
platform, has partnered with
TAMM, Abu Dhabi’s unified
government services platform, to simplify
financial management for entrepreneurs
and small businesses. Announced during
GITEX Global 2025, the partnership
integrates Wio Business directly into
TAMM’s digital ecosystem, allowing
users to open accounts, track finances,
and access dashboards without leaving
the platform. This collaboration enables
business owners to manage finances
and government services in one place,
streamlining setup and daily operations
for both new and existing ventures.
Tailored specifically for Abu Dhabi Trade
License holders, it supports seamless
onboarding and expansion beyond the
Emirate. The initiative advances the
UAE’s vision for digital transformation,
entrepreneurship, and economic diversification
by empowering SMEs.
du and UAEV Partner to Expand Smart EV
Charging Across the UAE
du and Emarat EV Charging Stations
Company (UAEV) have signed an
MoU at WETEX 2025 to accelerate
the UAE’s national EV charging network.
The partnership merges telecom
innovation with advanced charging
technologies to create connected,
AI-driven charging hubs. Supporting
the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 goals, the
initiative promotes sustainable mobility,
enhances accessibility, and strengthens
the country’s leadership in smart, clean
transportation, enabling the country to
reach its zero-emission goals.
November 2025 / 35

Cloud Computing
How PPPs in Cloud Can Be
a Game Changer
Billion-dollar alliance accelerates regional digital transformation
ambitions
Amazon Web Services and UAE telecommunications
leader e& signed
a six-year, $1 billion agreement in
October 2024 to deliver cloud infrastructure,
AI capabilities, and cybersecurity
solutions across heavily
regulated Middle East sectors.
Amazon Web Services and
e& formalized their $1 billion
strategic partnership at GITEX
Global 2024, combining AWS’s
sovereign-by-design cloud infrastructure
with e&’s telecommunications
network capabilities to address
stringent requirements across the
public sector and regulated industries
throughout the Middle East.
The six-year agreement focuses
on delivering storage, computing,
networking, cybersecurity, artificial
intelligence, and machine learning
services to customers in healthcare,
finance, and oil and gas sectors
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thetechnologyexpress.com
industries characterized by complex
compliance frameworks and
data sovereignty mandates. This
convergence establishes foundations
for secure, scalable cloud
adoption, aligning with regulatory
requirements while enabling digital
transformation across traditionally
conservative sectors.
PwC research indicates nearly
70 percent of Middle East companies
plan to migrate operations to
the cloud within two years, while
Telecom Advisory Services projects
public cloud adoption unlocking
$733 billion in economic value by
2033 across the region. AWS holds
31 percent global cloud infrastructure
market share, positioning this
collaboration as a strategic commitment
to regional penetration through
telecommunications distribution
channels.
Platform Modernization and Enterprise
Digital Transformation
The agreement enables e& leveraging
AWS’s suite of over 200 services
to modernize key digital platforms.
Starzplay Arabia, the television
streaming service in which e& holds
a majority stake, will migrate to AWS
infrastructure, enhancing content
delivery and reducing operational
costs through cloud-native architectures.
Careem, the Middle East super
app offering food delivery, mobility,
and digital payments to millions, will
deploy on AWS to scale operations
and integrate advanced artificial
intelligence for personalized customer
experiences. E& will expand
AI capabilities and advance Smart
Home services using AWS technologies,
while e&’s Smiles loyalty program
enables points earning when
customers shop on Amazon.
AWS gains strategic distribution
access to hundreds of small and medium-sized
businesses through e&’s
customer relationships, enabling organizations
to discover, deploy, and
manage software through AWS Marketplace.
This democratizes cloud access
for enterprises lacking technical
expertise to engage directly with
hyperscale providers. The companies
will leverage Amazon Bedrock
generative AI solutions to empower
e&’s Middle East customers with advanced
artificial intelligence driving
productivity improvements. Amazon
Bedrock provides a foundation model
choice from leading AI providers
via a single application programming
interface.
Workforce Development and National
Digital Economy Alignment
Beyond infrastructure deployment,
AWS and e& committed to developing
local upskilling initiatives
providing training opportunities to
thousands of individuals, including
UAE nationals, in cloud technologies
and artificial intelligence. This talent
development directly supports the
UAE’s Vision 2031, which targets
raising gross domestic product to
AED 3 trillion by the next decade.
Tanuja Randery, AWS vice president
for Europe, the Middle East, and
Africa, emphasized that investment
The UAE has become
a significant
player in the global
governance of artificial
intelligence,
actively contributing
to international policy
discussions.”
— H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama,
Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence,
UAE Ministry of AI and Digital Economy
in developing UAE national skills will
positively impact regional economic
growth and technological leadership,
positioning human capital development
as equally important as physical
infrastructure.
The partnership followed AWS’s
2022 launch of its second Middle
East cloud region in the UAE, accompanied
by a planned $5 billion
investment in the local economy
through 2036. Hatem Dowidar,
group CEO of e&, articulated the
strategic vision: the agreement
demonstrates shared long-term
goals, creating an ecosystem supporting
current digital needs while
laying foundations for future growth,
enabling businesses to lead in an
AI-powered, data-driven economy
through investments in critical
infrastructure and talent supporting
the regional economy and digital
resilience.
Sovereign Cloud Evolution and Cybersecurity
Innovation
In May 2025, the partnership
evolved to launch the UAE Sovereign
Launchpad, a sovereign cloud
solution backed by the UAE Cybersecurity
Council. This offering, powered
by AWS, delivered by e&, and endorsed
by government cybersecurity
authorities, accelerates cloud and AI
adoption for the UAE public sector
and regulated industries while ensuring
data remains within national
borders. The Sovereign Launchpad
runs on AWS Middle East UAE Region
with e& managing security and
sovereignty controls aligned with
UAE Cloud Security policies, addressing
workloads except those classified
Secret or Top Secret. This represents
an estimated $181 billion cumulative
value addition to the nation’s digital
economy by 2033, demonstrating
how commercial partnerships
evolve into sovereign infrastructure
supporting national digital transformation
while maintaining security
frameworks essential for government
adoption.
The e& and AWS partnership
redefined the UAE’s cloud landscape,
creating a secure, sovereign foundation
that accelerates innovation,
empowers national digital goals, and
sets a new benchmark for trusted
cloud sovereignty in the region.
November 2025 / 37

INFOGRAPHIC
UAE’s AI & Cloud
Market Explosion
Regional AI Market Growth Trajectory
The Middle East’s AI and cloud sector is on an exponential rise.
$11.92B
2023 Market Size
$166.33B
2030 Projection
44.8%
CAGR
Annual Growth Rate
Insight:
The region’s AI adoption is accelerating across industries — from
energy and logistics to finance and government services.
UAE’s Dominant Share in MENA
The UAE continues to anchor the region’s AI momentum.
$46.33B
2030 Share
28%
Regional Share
of MENA’s total AI market
#1
in AI and Cloud investments
across the GCC
Insight:
UAE’s national AI strategy and sovereign cloud initiatives place
it at the forefront of the regional digital economy.
38 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
Investment & Adoption Metrics
The UAE’s enterprise ecosystem shows unmatched AI confidence.
75% of
companies
are maintaining or increasing AI investments.
AI Infrastructure
Investments span
Workforce Reskilling
Cloud Integration
Insight:
Strategic government policies and innovation sandboxes are
fast-tracking adoption across public and private sectors.
Sector-Specific Growth Opportunities
AI transformation is reshaping industries through sectoral innovation.
Healthcare AI:
33.6%
CAGR
predictive care
& diagnostics
Legal AI:
18%
CAGR
automation &
compliance
solutions
Core Backbone:
Machine Learning &
Deep Learning
fueling scalability
Insight:
With AI embedded across critical infrastructure, the UAE
is building a future-ready knowledge economy.
November 2025 / 39

Fintech NEWS
Emirates Investment
Bank Partners with
Avaloq for WMS
Emirates Investment Bank has
partnered with Avaloq to modernize
its core banking and wealth
management systems. The integration
unifies front, middle, and back-office
functions on a single platform, improving
efficiency, automation, and
compliance. Avaloq’s open architecture
enables seamless third-party integration
and faster product launches,
while upgraded digital channels enhance
client experience through personalized
dashboards and transparent
portfolios.
Binance Expands
Global Reach with
BPay Enabling Direct
USD Transfers
Binance has launched direct USD
deposits and withdrawals in over
70 countries through BPay Global,
licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain.
The service allows users to fund, store,
and convert USD via SWIFT transfers,
cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Integrated
with Binance’s fiat wallet, BPay
supports zero deposit fees, improved
accessibility, and secure, compliant
cross-border transactions for global
retail and corporate users.
AWS and e& Launch
‘AI Nation – Afaaq’ to
Build UAE AI and ML
Talent
Amazon Web Services (AWS) and
e& have launched “AI Nation –
Afaaq,” a nationwide programme
aimed at training 30,000 people in artificial
intelligence and machine learning.
Announced at GITEX Global 2025, the
initiative is part of a US$1 billion strategic
alliance formed between the two companies
in 2024. Delivered through the
e& Academy, the programme supports
the UAE Centennial 2071 vision for a
knowledge-driven economy. AWS will
offer 30,000 sponsored certification
vouchers 25,000 for AI Practitioner and
5,000 for Machine Learning Engineer
credentials. Participants gain access
to AWS Skill Builder resources and live
‘Cloud Coach’ sessions. The initiative
addresses regional AI skill shortages
while empowering the next generation
of innovators driving the UAE’s digital
transformation and technological
innovation.
Doha Bank Partners with PayTabs to Strengthen
Qatar’s Digital Payment Infrastructure
Doha Bank has partnered with
PayTabs Group to enhance Qatar’s
e-commerce ecosystem
and accelerate the nation’s move toward
a cashless economy. The collaboration
supports SMEs by providing
secure, innovative, and cost-effective
digital payment solutions aligned with
Qatar National Vision 2030. Together,
both organizations aim to strengthen
financial inclusion, empower local entrepreneurs,
and promote sustainable
digital transformation across Qatar’s
growing payment sectors.
Wio Bank and TAMM
Partner to Streamline
SME Banking in Abu
Dhabi
Wio Bank PJSC has signed a
partnership with TAMM, Abu
Dhabi’s unified government
services platform, to simplify SME
banking and enhance digital access
for entrepreneurs. Announced during
GITEX Global 2025, the collaboration
integrates Wio Business into TAMM’s
ecosystem, enabling users to open
new accounts, link existing ones, and
manage financial dashboards directly
through the TAMM website and app.
The service provides tailored onboarding
for Abu Dhabi Trade License holders
and companies operating outside the
Emirate. It also introduces the region’s
first AI-powered SME account opening
experience, delivering greater speed,
transparency, and convenience. Supporting
the UAE’s digital transformation
strategy, the partnership strengthens
financial inclusion and empowers businesses
with seamless banking tools.
40 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
Presight and UAE
Cyber Security Council
Partner to Advance
Secure AI Innovation
Presight has signed a memorandum
of understanding with the UAE
Cyber Security Council (CSC) to
strengthen collaboration in artificial
intelligence and cybersecurity. Under
the agreement, the CSC’s CyberE71
programme will join Presight’s AI-Startup
Accelerator to promote the development
of secure, responsible, and scalable
AI technologies across the UAE and
beyond. The partnership focuses on
integrating cybersecurity mentorship,
technical training, and research within
AI innovation ecosystems. Both organizations
will work alongside government
entities, academia, and industry partners
to embed cyber resilience into AI
solutions and enhance national digital
readiness. By combining Presight’s expertise
in AI with the Council’s leadership
in cybersecurity, the initiative aims to
empower startups and reinforce the
UAE’s position as a global digital leader.
TeleMoney Partners
with Mastercard to
Expand Global Money
Transfer Services
TeleMoney, Arab National Bank’s
international transfer service in
Saudi Arabia, has partnered with
Mastercard to power cross-border
payments through Mastercard Move.
The collaboration enables users to send
funds to over 160 countries quickly and
securely. Supporting Saudi Arabia’s digital
finance vision, the partnership enhances
financial inclusion and streamlines remittance
services, offering customers
more convenient money transfer options.
Emirates NBD to
Acquire Majority
Stake in India’s RBL
Bank
Emirates NBD will acquire a controlling
60% stake in India’s RBL
Bank through a US$3 billion capital
infusion, marking the largest foreign
investment in India’s financial sector.
The deal includes a mandatory open
offer for 26% public shares and a
planned branch merger post-approval.
The acquisition strengthens RBL’s
balance sheet and deepens Emirates
NBD’s footprint in India’s exceedingly
growing banking market.
Ripple Partners with
Bahrain Fintech Bay
to Advance Digital
Asset Innovation
Ripple has entered a strategic
partnership with Bahrain Fintech
Bay (BFB) to advance blockchain,
tokenisation, and digital asset innovation
in the Kingdom. The collaboration will
drive initiatives such as pilot projects,
proofs of concept, and accelerator
programmes focused on blockchain,
cross-border payments, stablecoins,
and tokenised assets. Both organisations
will also lead educational efforts and
fintech events to foster collaboration
and ecosystem growth. Ripple plans
to introduce its Ripple USD (RLUSD)
stablecoin and digital asset custody
solutions to Bahrain’s financial institutions,
supporting adoption and regulatory
compliance. The partnership highlights
Bahrain’s role as a fintech pioneer and
reinforces its vision to position the
nation as a leading hub for blockchain
innovation, financial technology and
digital asset development in the region.
Alibaba Cloud Partners with Wio Bank to
Advance AI and Fintech Innovation
Alibaba Cloud has signed an MoU
with Wio Bank to strengthen
collaboration in cloud computing,
fintech, and artificial intelligence.
Announced at GITEX Global 2025,
the partnership supports Wio Bank’s
multi-cloud strategy and generative AI
adoption using Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen
LLM and Platform for AI. Both companies
will co-develop AI-powered banking
agents hosted in Dubai, enhancing
operational efficiency, scalability, and
customer experience, with the potential
to transform Fintech Innovation.
November 2025 / 41

Cloud Computing
Hyperscale Cloud Expands
in Dubai, its Implications?
Chinese tech giant accelerates Middle East AI infrastructure
investment
Alibaba Cloud launched its second
Dubai data center in October 2025
as part of a $53 billion global investment,
establishing strategic partnerships
with UAE financial institutions
and enterprises to accelerate AI-powered
digital transformation.
Alibaba Cloud inaugurated its
second Dubai data center at
GITEX Global 2025 on October
14, marking strategic infrastructure
doubling in the Middle East nine
years after establishing its initial regional
presence in 2016. The expansion
forms part of Alibaba Group’s
¥380 billion global investment
programequivalent to $53 billiontargeting
artificial intelligence and cloud
infrastructure development over
three years. This deployment represents
calculated positioning within
the UAE’s rapidly maturing artificial
intelligence ecosystem. With this
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addition, Alibaba Cloud’s infrastructure
now spans 92 availability zones
across 29 regions, demonstrating a
commitment to a distributed computing
architecture serving enterprise
and government clients worldwide.
The launch aligns strategically
with the UAE’s multi-billion-dollar
AI initiatives, including the Stargate
project 5-gigawatt AI campus in Abu
Dhabi developed with OpenAI, Oracle,
NVIDIA, and Cisco. Alibaba Cloud
identified the region’s advantageous
position in fast-tracking AI adoption
and collaborative ecosystem as crucial
factors enabling organizations to
implement advanced technologies
rapidly. The facility expands product
portfolio to include cloud-native
services, large language models, big
data analytics, elastic computing,
storage, and networking offerings
configured to support growing
enterprise demand across financial
services, healthcare, gaming, media,
and government sectors.
Multi-Sector Partnerships Anchoring
Market Penetration
Alibaba Cloud leveraged the data
center launch to formalize strategic
collaborations spanning five economic
sectors, suggesting ecosystem
strategy beyond infrastructure
provisioning. The most substantial
partnership involves Abu Dhabi-based
Wio Bank, which signed a
memorandum to integrate Alibaba
Cloud’s Qwen large language model
and Platform for AI into banking
operations. Wio Bank will develop
AI-powered banking agents hosted
on Dubai data centers, leveraging
generative AI technologies to provide
intelligent customer services, risk assessment,
and personalized financial
advisory functions. This collaboration
strengthens Wio Bank’s multi-cloud
strategy while accelerating generative
AI adoption across Middle East
fintech, demonstrating how regional
institutions utilize localized infrastructure
to maintain data sovereignty
while accessing cutting-edge
capabilities.
Healthcare represents another
strategic vertical. ACCUMED Middle
East’s largest revenue cycle management
provider migrated core workloads
to Alibaba Cloud and is adopting
the Qwen model to develop AI
agents for electronic claims processing,
medical coding automation, and
customer support. Partnerships extend
to emerging applications, with
BYOND Asia deploying conversational
digital humans tailored for Middle
Eastern enterprises, emphasizing
Arabic capabilities. The Game Company
plans to utilize infrastructure
for cloud gaming, citing low-latency
networks and high-performance
infrastructure as critical selection
factors. Alibaba Cloud expanded its
reseller partnership with Atos for the
region, enabling the distribution of
Alibaba Cloud’s portfolio alongside
consulting services.
Economic Diversification Is Driving
Cloud Infrastructure Demand
The UAE’s economic transformation
strategy directly influences cloud
infrastructure investment. Non-oil
sectors now constitute 77.3 percent
of the UAE’s economy, up from 69
percent five years ago, with govern-
AI is national sovereignty
like defense
or cybersecurity.
We must spend the
budget on AI as sovereignty
for every
nation.”
— Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri,
Minister of Economy,
Government of United Arab Emirates
ment targets aiming for 80 percent
within five years. Digital infrastructure,
with artificial intelligence as a
core productivity component, drives
substantial economic progress.
The UAE’s treatment of artificial
intelligence as national sovereignty
comparable to defense reflects how
deeply technology infrastructure
intertwines with national development
strategies and competitiveness
positioning.
Since entering the Middle East in
2016, Alibaba Cloud has developed a
robust ecosystem serving customers
across banking, financial services,
insurance, media, and public sectors.
The second data center enhances
data compliance, service response
speeds, and disaster recovery while
providing comprehensive suites,
including cloud-native services and
big data analytics. This dual-facility
configuration enables enterprises
to distribute applications across
geographically separate availability
zones, ensuring higher service resilience
and data security critical for
mission-critical systems.
Global Positioning Amid Intensifying
Cloud Competition
The Dubai expansion coincides with
broader Alibaba Cloud infrastructure
investments announced at Apsara
Conference 2025, including first data
centers planned for Brazil, France,
and the Netherlands, with additional
facilities scheduled for Mexico, Japan,
South Korea, and Malaysia. This
expansion strategy positions Alibaba
Cloud as a comprehensive intelligent
solutions supplier, integrating cloud
computing and artificial intelligence
technology. As global providers
intensify competition for emerging
markets, the Dubai launch serves
dual purposes: deepening Middle
East presence while supporting
local digital economy development
aligned with national transformation
priorities. The UAE’s determination to
establish itself as a global AI leader
by 2031, combined with government
investments in digital infrastructure
and supportive regulatory frameworks,
creates favourable conditions
for cloud providers committing longterm
capital to regional development
in the UAE, Middle East and nations
beyond.
November 2025 / 43

STARTUP Spotlight
CLOUDHOST
CO-FOUNDERS: RAJESH SAJNANI
AND NIKHIL KATARA
YEAR STARTED: 2015
CloudHost Technology emerged
as a pioneer in the UAE’s cloud
services sector, focusing on per-
sonalized, customer-centric solutions for
small and medium enterprises across the
Middle East. As part of the RVS Group,
the company has built a robust foundation
serving over 150 businesses with
private cloud offerings supplemented
by comprehensive managed services,
including security, backup, and disaster
recovery.
The startup’s innovative approach
centers on its user-based pricing model,
operates across 15+ working domains
spanning finance, banking, supply chain,
and telecommunications, demonstrating
the versatility of their blockchain expertise.
Their service offerings encompass
smart contract development, ICO advisory
services, and end-to-end blockchain
project implementation.
Nonceblox has expanded its ecosystem
through sister companies, including
NonceAudits, which provides cybersecuallowing
clients to pay a flat fee per user
per month for their entire technology
infrastructure. This unique structure
helps businesses transition from capital
expenditure to operational expenditure
models while keeping costs predictable
and controlled. CloudHost’s flagship
CloudScales solution gives customers
unprecedented control over their virtual
data centers, complete with individual
firewalls and management capabilities.
The company has demonstrated consistent
growth, signing over 50 enterprise
clients within its first year and expanding
to include government entities, banks,
retail, manufacturing, and distribution
companies. CloudHost’s recent development
of the CloudSouq e-commerce
platform and Fusion platform for hybrid
multi-cloud environments showcases
their commitment to continuous innovation.
Their technology partnerships with
Lenovo and Intel provide the infrastructure
backbone for their expanding data
center operations, positioning them as
a key enabler of digital transformation.
NONCEBLOX
CO-FOUNDERS: VINSHU “THE
BLOCKCHAIN GUY”
YEAR STARTED: 2017
Nonceblox emerged as a specialized
blockchain development company
founded by Vinshu, a seasoned
blockchain architect with extensive experience
at major organizations, including
Emirates NBD, Paytm, and XinFin Organization.
The company positions itself
as “Asia’s leading emerging tech studio
with a focus on blockchain technology,”
offering comprehensive blockchain
solutions across multiple platforms, including
Ethereum, Bitcoin, Hyperledger,
Polygon, Solana, BSC, and Polkadot.
The startup has built an impressive
portfolio with over 200 completed projects
and 12 white-labeled products, including
modules for staking, mining, farming,
and NFT marketplaces. Nonceblox
rity services and smart contract auditing,
and NonceVC, where founder Vinshu
has served as Managing Partner since
June 2020. The company’s emphasis on
“commercially scalable blockchain products”
has attracted clients across various
industries, with testimonials highlighting
their project security focus, professional
approach, and strong work ethic. Their
team combines over three decades of
project management experience.
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LOGICERA
CO-FOUNDERS: ASIF MUHAMMAD
(FOUNDER & CEO)
YEAR STARTED: 2018
LogicEra established itself as a Microsoft
Solutions Partner specializing
in cloud migration and digital
transformation services across the UAE,
Australia, and Europe. Founded by Asif
Muhammad, the company operates from
Dubai’s Jumeirah Lake Towers with a
team of 11-50 employees focused on
helping businesses transition to cloudbased
operations and leverage AI technologies
for competitive advantage.
logicera+1
The company’s core mission revolves
around being a “digital transformation
partner” rather than just a vendor, emphasizing
transparency and innovation
as fundamental values. LogicEra’s service
portfolio encompasses IT support,
cloud computing, AI implementation, big
data analytics, and advanced analytics
solutions. Their specializations include
lift-and-shift IT infrastructure migrations
to cloud platforms, master data management,
artificial intelligence applications,
and machine learning implementations.
LogicEra has built strategic relationships
as a trusted Microsoft solutions
provider, offering expertise in areas
such as AI image recognition, AI search
relevance, AI recommender services,
chatbot development, and AI automation
for factory inspections. The company’s
leadership team includes seasoned professionals
like Muhammad AttaUllah as
Lead Cloud Solution Architect and Bill
Ahmad as Chief Technology & Product
Officer. Their geographic expansion
across continents reflects their ambition
to provide enterprise-grade support
globally.
INFRAWARE
CO-FOUNDERS: NICK MAHURIN
YEAR STARTED: 2003 (OFFICIALLY
LAUNCHED, FOUNDED IN 1998)
InfraWare Inc. is an American technology
company headquartered in Terre
Haute, Indiana, specializing in speech
transcription and machine-assisted documentation
technologies. While not a
UAE startup, the company represents
significant innovation in AI-powered documentation
solutions across healthcare,
legal, and insurance industries.
The company’s flagship products include
the IW360 Documentation Platform
integrated with their patented First Draft
speech recognition software, delivering
efficiency throughout documentation
workflows. InfraWare’s Readback service
revolutionizes court reporting by
providing “near-time” transcript delivery
during proceedings, addressing the
growing stenographer shortage. Their
Property Content Valuation service assists
insurance companies in improving
claim processing quality while reducing
costs.
InfraWare has achieved notable recognition,
including inclusion on the Inc.
5000 list in 2008, and has received
grants from the Terre Haute Innovation
Alliance and Indiana’s 21st Century Fund.
The company maintains annual revenues
of approximately $12.2 million with 84-117
employees and has received funding,
including SBA PPP loans totaling over
$1 million. Their technology ecosystem
serves physicians, attorneys, insurance
companies, and medical transcription
service organizations, with a focus on
enabling professionals to work at the top
of their capacity by automating documentation
processes through advanced
AI and human expertise integration.
November 2025 / 45

Launch EXPRESS
AMAZON ECHO DOT MAX
PREMIUM SMART AUDIO EXPERIENCE
Amazon’s Echo Dot Max represents a significant evolution
in smart speaker technology, launching at $99.99 with
nearly three times the bass output of its predecessor.
This premium smart speaker introduces Amazon’s custom
AZ3 chip specifically designed for Alexa+, the company’s
next-generation AI assistant that delivers more natural, conversational
interactions.
The Echo Dot Max features a sophisticated dual-driver
system comprising a high-excursion woofer and custom
tweeter integrated directly into the device housing. This
architectural redesign doubles the internal air volume, resulting
in dramatically improved bass response and fuller
sound quality. Amazon’s engineers repositioned the light
ring to the front control surface, creating a more modern
spherical design aesthetic.
The revolutionary AZ3 chip enhances conversation detection
by over 50%, enabling users to interact with Alexa+ from
anywhere in the room while effectively filtering background
noise. This custom silicon includes an AI accelerator capable
of running edge AI models locally, reducing response times
and improving overall performance.
Amazon’s new Omnisense platform combines multiple
sensors, including audio, ultrasound, Wi-Fi radar, and accelerometers,
to create ambient intelligence. This technology
enables proactive notifications, such as reminding users
about unlocked garage doors after 10 p.m. or providing personalized
information when specific individuals enter a room.
The Echo Dot Max arrives on October 29, 2025, bundled
with early Alexa+ access. Users can chain multiple
units together for stereo or surround sound experiences,
and pair up to five devices with compatible Fire TV sticks
for immersive home theater setups. The device maintains
Amazon’s commitment to seamless smart home integration
while delivering professional-quality audio performance that
directly competes with premium competitors like Apple’s
HomePod Mini.
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NINTENDO SWITCH 2
REVOLUTIONARY GAMING INNOVATION ARRIVES
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025, at
$449.99, marking a significant leap forward in portable
gaming technology. This highly anticipated hybrid console
maintains the beloved
portability of its predecessor
while introducing substantial
hardware upgrades that position
it as Nintendo’s most
powerful gaming system to
date.
Nintendo’s newest console
features a striking 7.9-inch
LCD supporting 1080p resolution
in handheld mode, with
HDR10 support and variable
refresh rates up to 120fps.
When docked, the system
can output stunning 4K resolution
at 60fps, delivering
console-quality visuals on
television screens. The enhanced display utilizes a wide
color gamut LCD technology, ensuring vibrant colors and
Google’s new Nest Doorbell (3rd generation) launches at
$179.99, introducing the first 2K HDR video resolution
in the company’s security lineup. This wired doorbell
represents a significant advancement in smart home security,
specifically engineered to leverage Gemini AI for enhanced
monitoring and intelligent notifications.
The device captures stunning 2K HDR video with a revolusharp
details across all gaming experiences.
The redesigned Joy-Con 2 controllers introduce groundbreaking
mouse functionality, allowing precise cursor control
for strategy games and
first-person shooters. Each
controller incorporates magnetic
connectors for secure
attachment, accelerometers,
gyroscopes, and dedicated
mouse sensors. The mysterious
“C” button on the right
Joy-Con enables GameChat,
a new social feature allowing
up to 12 players to engage
in voice and video conversations
while gaming.
The console maintains impressive
versatility with Wi-
Fi 6 connectivity, Bluetooth,
built-in stereo speakers, and
an integrated monaural microphone with noise cancellation.
Battery life ranges from 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on usage.
GOOGLE NEST DOORBELL
AI-POWERED HOME SECURITY REVOLUTION
tionary 166-degree diagonal field of view, utilizing a 1:1 aspect
ratio that provides comprehensive head-to-toe visitor visibility.
The wider, taller viewing angle represents a substantial
improvement over previous 145-degree models, ensuring
complete coverage of entryways and package deliveries.
The Nest Doorbell’s integration with Gemini for Home
transforms basic motion detection into sophisticated scene
understanding. The system provides detailed, contextual
notifications such as “Alex with flowers” rather than generic
person alerts. Users can search their video history using
natural language commands like “Who let the dogs out?” and
receive relevant video clips with event summaries.
Advanced low-light performance utilizes wider aperture
lenses and improved sensors for full-color video capture in
challenging lighting conditions. The 6x digital zoom automatically
focuses on triggered events, maintaining magnification
on people or packages as needed. DXOMARK’s independent
testing ranked all new Nest cameras first in their respective
image quality categories.
The doorbell integrates seamlessly with Google Assistant
and Alexa-enabled devices, while also supporting Google
Home Premium subscriptions for enhanced features. Premium
subscribers receive up to 60 days of video storage, while
basic users can still access 10-second clips for a maximum of
six hours, available in Snow, Hazel, and Berry color options.
November 2025 / 47

Smart Cities
Dubai’s Infrastructure
Going Smarter
How IoT sensors power Dubai’s evolution toward global smart
city leadership
Dubai has deployed extensive IoT sensor networks
across utilities, transportation, and infrastructure
systems, integrating them with artificial intelligence
to enable real-time monitoring, predictive analytics,
and data-driven urban management aligned with the
UAE’s Digital Government Strategy 2025.
Dubai’s evolution into a globally
recognized smart city is
built on systematic IoT sensor
deployment integrated with artificial
intelligence platforms throughout
critical infrastructure networks. The
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
operates a comprehensive smart
grid analyzing 15 million data points
daily through advanced IoT sensors
embedded across electricity transmission,
distribution, and water networks
spanning the entire emirate.
This real-time monitoring capability
enables immediate fault detection
and remote repair before escalation
occurs, delivering world-leading performance
metrics in 2024: electricity
customer minutes lost averaging
0.94 per year, substantially lower
than European and US utilities
reporting 50-200 minutes annually.
Water distribution losses stand at 4.5
percent, ranking among the lowest
globally compared to typical 10-15
percent losses in developed economies,
demonstrating the operational
efficiency enabled by comprehensive
IoT integration.
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The sensor infrastructure scale
reflects DEWA’s strategic deployment
across its entire operational
network. Over 1.8 million smart devices
operate on pumping stations,
reservoirs, and transmission and
distribution networks spanning
approximately 16,000 kilometers
across Dubai. SCADA systems,
initially deployed for water transmission
in 2014, have expanded to
provide real-time remote control
and monitoring across integrated
electricity and water networks.
DEWA’s digital infrastructure now
monitors and controls operations
24/7, enabling proactive maintenance
and predictive interventions
aligned with anticipated demand
patterns and network conditions.
Dubai Municipality complemented
this utility-focused deployment by
launching DANA—an integrated
smart digital system announced
at GITEX Global 2025—combining
Geographic Information Systems
and artificial intelligence to visualize
and analyze geospatial data
for building management, infrastructure
planning, and regulatory
compliance operations across the
emirate.
Iot-Enabled Services and Citizen
Engagement Platforms
Integration of IoT infrastructure
with citizen-facing services reflects
the broader UAE Digital Government
Strategy 2025, targeting
transformation of government
services to 100 percent digital
accessibility across all federal and
emirate-level services. DEWA’s
Smart Response service accessible
through web and mobile
applications allows customers to
diagnose electricity and water
interruptions, streamline reporting
processes, and receive technical
assistance, reducing response
times and enhancing service accessibility
for customers.
The DEWA Store on the smart
app lists approved maintenance
companies offering exclusive
discounts, creating ecosystem
benefits beyond core utility
services. The Roads and Transport
Authority similarly leverages
sensors embedded in traffic
signals and road infrastructure to
gather real-time traffic flow data
feeding into AI-powered traffic
management systems, enabling
dynamic routing optimization and
congestion mitigation across the
transportation network.
Economic implications of comprehensive
smart infrastructure
appear substantial according to
forward projections. The Dubai
Future Foundation indicated Smart
Dubai initiatives will save AED 5.5
billion annually through operation-
al efficiencies powered by IoT and
artificial intelligence technologies.
These projections reflect value
created from reduced infrastructure
downtime, optimized energy
consumption, efficient waste
management systems, automated
government service delivery, and
improved workforce productivity.
However, these represent forward-looking
projections requiring
verification through Dubai Municipality
and utility annual performance
reports tracking actual
savings achievement.
Global Positioning and Strategic
Significance
Dubai ranks fourth in the IMD
Smart City Index 2025, reflecting
global recognition of its integrated
IoT, artificial intelligence,
and governance capabilities. The
city’s positioning as regional and
global smart city model reflects
systematic investment in data
collection infrastructure, analytical
platforms, and services integration
rather than isolated point
solutions implemented without
ecosystem coordination. This
creates comprehensive architecture
supporting UAE Vision 2050
objectives for sustainable development,
digital leadership, and
quality of life enhancement across
the emirate and broader region.
We work in line with wise leadership to
provide sustainable, reliable services
while enhancing readiness and resilience
through advanced digital infrastructure and
smart systems.”
— Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer,
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer,
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
November 2025 / 49

INFOGRAPHIC
Connected Cities,
Smarter Lives
How IoT & AI Power Dubai &
Abu Dhabi's Smart Ecosystems
Global Smart City Rankings
10 th 12 th Leading the Middle
East in digital urban
transformation
Globally
Abu Dhabi
Globally
Dubai
and citizen-centric
innovation.
IoT Integration Across Urban Systems
Transport:
Parking:
Energy:
Utilities:
AI-powered traffic
systems reduce
congestion by 23%
through dynamic
signal control.
IoT-enabled
parking sensors
show real-time
availability,cutting
emissions
from idling cars.
Smart streetlights
save 60%
in power
onsumption.
DEWA’s smart
grid monitors
energy use,
predicts spikes,
and prevents
blackouts.
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Sustainability & Efficiency Highlights
Masdar City:
The Middle East’s first sustainable city — a living lab for green innovation.
Clean Energy Target:
UAE aims for 75% clean power by 2050.
Waste Management:
IoT-linked bins and AI-driven routing cut fuel usage in collection fleets.
5G Coverage:
100% in key districts like JLT and DMCC, enabling real-time IoT communications.
AI for Urban Safety
Smart surveillance networks boost public safety
with 35% faster emergency response times.
Integrated data systems enhance situational
awareness for law enforcement and rescue teams.
Takeaway Insight
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are redefining
urban life — where IoT, AI, and sustainability
converge to create cleaner, safer, and more efficient cities.
November 2025 / 51

investment NEWS
Electronic Arts Set for
$55B Acquisition by
Saudi Fund and Kushner’s
Firm
Electronic Arts is being acquired
for $55 billion by Saudi Arabia’s
Public Investment Fund, Jared
Kushner’s Affinity Partners, and Silver
Lake, marking the largest leveraged
buyout in history. EA shareholders will
receive $210 per share, representing
a 25% premium. Expected to close
by mid-2026, the deal will take EA private
after 36 years, with CEO Andrew
Wilson remaining in charge to lead the
organisation to future growth.
OpenAI Completes
$6.6 Billion Share
Sale at $500B Valuation
OpenAI has finalized a $6.6 billion
secondary share sale, valuing the
company at $500 billion and making
it the world’s most valuable private
firm, surpassing SpaceX. About twothirds
of authorized shares were sold,
reflecting strong internal confidence.
The sale allowed long-term employees
to cash out equity, boosting retention
and morale amid intense competition
for AI talent and industry growth in this
fast-paced environment.
UAE Commits $12
Billion to Accelerate
Growth in Space
Industry
The UAE has invested AED44 billion
($12 billion) to strengthen its
space sector, marking a significant
milestone toward deeper private
participation and global collaboration.
The industry is transitioning from government-led
initiatives to a balanced
ecosystem where private companies,
including SMEs, play a growing role. At
the Dubai Airshow, SME participation
doubled, reflecting national efforts to
empower local enterprises and enhance
global competitiveness. Emirati firms are
increasingly expanding internationally,
supported by partnerships with global
space agencies. Many now leverage
AI and data analytics for applications
in urban planning, environment, and
groundwater monitoring. Backed by the
UAE Space Agency’s supportive framework,
the country aims to become one
of the world’s top ten space innovation
hubs by 2031.
MGX, AIP, and BlackRock GIP to Acquire
Aligned Data Centers for $40B
MGX, the Artificial Intelligence
Infrastructure Partnership
(AIP), and BlackRock’s Global
Infrastructure Partners will acquire
Aligned Data Centers for $40 billion,
marking AIP’s first major investment.
Expected to close in early 2026, the
deal strengthens global AI and cloud
infrastructure. Aligned, led by CEO Andrew
Schaap, operates 50 campuses
worldwide and specializes in efficient,
sustainable data center solutions supporting
next-generation AI growth
across sectors.
UAE Empowers Students
with Free
Access to Google’s
Gemini Pro AI Tools
University students across the UAE
can now enjoy a free, one-year
subscription to Google’s Gemini
2.5 Pro, supporting the nation’s National
AI Strategy and digital literacy goals.
The initiative empowers students aged
18 and above to explore AI-driven creativity,
research, and productivity tools,
with registration open until December
9, 2025. Gemini Pro provides access
to Google’s most advanced AI model,
Deep Research for information synthesis,
and NotebookLM for note organization.
Students also gain Veo 3 for short video
generation and 2 TB of cloud storage.
This collaboration strengthens AI integration
in higher education, enabling
learners to create interactive materials,
enhance coursework, and prepare for
an increasingly technology-driven future
where AI proficiency is vital for innovation
and employability at an earlier stage in
their careers.
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Apple Nears $4 Trillion
Valuation as iPhone
17 Demand Surges to
New Heights
Apple’s shares climbed 4.2% to
$262.9, lifting its market capitalization
to nearly $3.9 trillion
as soaring demand for the iPhone 17
drove record performance. Counterpoint
Research reported sales 14% higher
than the iPhone 16 during the first ten
days in the U.S. and China. Analysts
at Evercore ISI added Apple to their
Tactical Outperform List, citing strong
December-quarter expectations. The
new iPhone lineup, including the slimmer
iPhone Air, maintained prices despite
tariff pressures. Earlier challenges from
Chinese competition and trade uncertainty
have eased following Apple’s $100
billion U.S. investment plan, boosting
market confidence. With shares up
over 5% this year, Apple’s momentum
underscores renewed optimism and
solidifies its top position among the
world’s most valuable technology and
innovation companies.
Coinbase Invests in
India’s CoinDCX at
USD 2.45 Billion Valuation
Coinbase has invested in India’s
crypto exchange CoinDCX, valuing
it at $2.45 billion and strengthening
its engagement with India’s digital
asset market. The move follows prior
investments by Coinbase Ventures,
including a $135 million round in 2022.
CoinDCX reported $141 million in annualized
revenue and $1.2 billion in
assets, reflecting steady growth amid
rising investor interest and regulatory
government scrutiny.
Google to Invest €5.8
Billion in Belgium’s AI
and Sustainable Energy
Expansion
Google will invest €5.8 billion ($5.8
billion) in Belgium to expand its
AI technologies and data center
campuses, creating 300 new jobs. The
plan includes support for new onshore
wind farms to advance renewable
energy. This initiative is expected to
drive economic growth and reinforce
Belgium’s role as a European innovation
hub for sustainable technology and artificial
intelligence, boosting its standing
amongst European rivals.
Google Commits $15
Billion to Build AI
Data Centre in Andhra
Pradesh, India
Google will invest $15 billion
over five years to construct a
large-scale AI data centre in
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, its
biggest project in India. The facility
will start with a 1-gigawatt capacity and
expand to multiple gigawatts, forming
part of Google’s global AI infrastructure
network across twelve countries. The
investment, revised upward from $10
billion, is expected to create 188,000
jobs and significantly enhance India’s
digital and technological capabilities. As
part of Google’s $85 billion global data
centre expansion, the move underscores
India’s strategic role in the AI ecosystem.
Despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny involving
YouTube and Android, Google’s
initiative reflects strong confidence in
India’s digital economy and its central
role in advancing global AI development,
especially in a developing technology
region like India.
Oura Raises $900 Million to Advance Smart
Rings and Global Expansion
Finnish health tech company Oura
has secured $900 million in new
funding led by Fidelity Management,
ICONIQ, Whale Rock, and Atreides,
valuing it at $11 billion. The investment
will accelerate AI-driven innovation, new
health features, and international growth.
Having sold over 5.5 million rings, Oura
dominates the smart ring market and
is expanding into personalized health
services through its integrated Health
Panels platform, a feature cherished
by fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious
users.
November 2025 / 53

In a world racing toward a digital future,
the UAE called upon its brightest young
minds…and more than 500 students
from 25 universities answered. This
was the Innovation Hackathon 2025.
56 \ November 2025

The energy was unreal. Hallways
flooded with students, ideas,
laptops, adrenaline. Government
leaders and industry pioneers
set the tone: ‘Create. Collaborate.
Transform.’ And the journey began.
November 2025 / 57

58 \ November 2025

Then came the knowledge firestorm:
curated panel discussions which
featured voices of experience lighting
the way. Every sentence sparked
inspiration. Every question opened a
world of possibilities.
November 2025 / 59

60 \ November 2025
And then, the students prepared for
battle mode. Ten tracks. Hundreds
of problems. Zero limits. Teams
turned caffeine into code, ideas into
prototypes, and competition into
collaboration.

November 2025 / 61

62 \ November 2025

Banking Beyond
Cyber Guardians
Fintech Frontiers
Future Builders
Industry 5.0
November 2025 / 63

Innovation came in every language: AI, fintech, logistics, sustainability, ethics. And
the next wave of winners proved the UAE’s future is in brilliant hands.”
64 \ November 2025

Innovate in Emirates
Intelligent Enterprise
Responsible Innovation
Unicorn Club
Zero Limits Logistics
November 2025 / 65

66 \ November 2025

November 2025 / 67

350+
YOUNG INNOVATORS
10
WINNING TEAMS
40+
EXPERT SPEAKERS
25
UNIVERSITIES UNITED
3
DAYS OF INNOVATION
15
MENTORS
1
NATION-WIDE TECH
MOVEMENT
10
TRACKS
30+
HOURS OF NONSTOP
CREATION
15+
JURY MEMBERS
68 \ November 2025

To Every Partner,
Mentor, Jury Member,
Sponsor And
Student—Thank You
For Building
The Future With Us.
November 2025 / 69

Edge Computing
The Edge Micro Data
Centers are Providing
How telcos are building distributed intelligence at network
edges
Telecommunications operators across the UAE are strategically
deploying micro data centers at cell tower
sites to support ultra-low latency applications, autonomous
vehicles, and industrial IoT, fundamentally
reshaping infrastructure economics.
70 \ November 2025
The UAE telecommunications
sector is undergoing fundamental
transformation as
du and e& —accelerate micro data
center deployment at cell tower
sites. This shift addresses a critical
imperative: processing data close
to where it is generated rather than
routing through distant centralized
facilities. Driven by 5G rollout and
artificial intelligence applications,
telcos position computing power at
network edges to enable autonomous
vehicles, smart city infrastructure,
and industrial IoT solutions.
This represents a strategic pivot
from conventional cloud computing,
fundamentally altering infrastructure
service delivery across enterprise
and government sectors throughout
the region.
Edge deployment economics favor
distributed models over centralization.
Distributed micro data centers
cost approximately $4.05 per watt
compared to $6.98 per watt for
traditional centralized facilities when
leveraging existing infrastructure.
Micro facilities deploy within con-

thetechnologyexpress.com
Our infrastructure enables rapid flow of
data into AI systems, allowing us to deploy
them faster than others.”
— H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama,
Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence,
UAE Ministry of AI and Digital Economy
ventional building spaces where
power, cooling, and real estate represent
sunk costs rather than capital
expenditures. This advantage,
combined with dramatic latency
reductions, edge computing delivers
1 to 20 milliseconds versus 50
to 200 milliseconds for centralized
cloud makes distributed architecture
essential for mission-critical
applications. Autonomous vehicles
require millisecond-level response
times; a 50-millisecond delay
translates to several meters of
uncontrolled vehicle movement,
unacceptable for mobility applications.
Ultra-Low Latency Enabling
Autonomous and Intelligent
Systems
Both du and e& architect edge
strategies around mission-critical
use cases requiring ultra-low
latency. E& UAE partnered with
Space42, developing Vehicle-to-Everything
technologies
for autonomous mobility, combining
5.5G connectivity with
edge computing and secure
communication protocols supporting
connected and autonomous
vehicles throughout the UAE. This
represents comprehensive sovereign
autonomous mobility infrastructure,
with pilot projects and
regulatory frameworks enabling
safe vehicle automation across
urban environments. Du pursues
5G-Advanced deployment with
latency targets of 20 milliseconds
for gaming and 50 milliseconds for
conversational AI, demonstrating
how edge computing serves multiple
performance requirements
across diverse applications.
Edge infrastructure at cellular
towers offers specific advantages
for telecommunications operators.
Rather than retrofitting new
centralized data centers, telcos
leverage existing tower real estate,
power infrastructure, and backhaul
connectivity embedded within
networks. This enables rapid
computing capacity proliferation
across geographies with minimal
permitting complexity and reduced
deployment timelines. The
architecture supports modular,
scalable expansion aligned with
network rollout phases as 5G coverage
expands, edge computing
capacity extends proportionally,
serving emerging demand from
autonomous systems and localized
AI inference.
Industrial Iot and Smart City Applications
Are Driving Adoption
Smart city and industrial IoT applications
represent primary drivers
for edge computing investment by
UAE telecommunications opera-
tors. E& UAE’s collaboration with
ADNOC demonstrates this imperative,
involving private 5G network
deployment spanning 11,000
square kilometers across ADNOC
operations, expected to generate
$1.5 billion in value over initial fiveyear
operations. Edge computing
throughout ADNOC facilities
enables real-time monitoring and
predictive maintenance. Localized
processing filters up to 90 percent
of IoT data locally, transmitting
only relevant information to
centralized systems, substantially
reducing wide-area network costs
while preventing backhaul congestion
and supporting time-sensitive
operational decisions.
The global 5G edge computing
market is projected to expand from
$18.5 billion in 2025 to $186.6
billion by 2035, representing 26
percent compound annual growth
driven by telecommunications
infrastructure modernization. The
UAE positions itself as a regional
leader through du and e& investments
in distributed computing
infrastructure aligned with
national AI ambitions and digital
transformation targets. These deployments
establish foundational
infrastructure for 6G technology
emerging by 2030, creating organizational
capacity necessary for
next-gen connectivity.
November 2025 / 71

DRIVE TO THE FUTURE
OMODA
E5
Affordable Electric Mobility Meets Modern Technology
The Omoda E5 emerges as Chery’s strategic entry into the competitive electric crossover
segment, offering a compelling blend of contemporary styling, practical functionality, and
accessible pricing that targets environmentally conscious consumers seeking value-oriented
electric mobility. This battery-electric variant of the popular Omoda 5 crossover demonstrates
significant engineering refinement while maintaining cost competitiveness against established
electric vehicle competitors.
72 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
Introduced at Auto Shanghai in April 2023 and subsequently
launched across multiple international markets,
including Indonesia, Australia, and Europe throughout
2024, the Omoda E5 showcases Chery’s commitment
to global electric vehicle expansion. The vehicle adopts
distinct design elements differentiating it from its petrol-powered
sibling, featuring revised front-end styling
that eliminates traditional grille requirements while incorporating
aerodynamic enhancements that contribute to
its respectable 0.281 drag coefficient.
Measuring 4,424 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width, and
1,588 mm in height with a 2,630 mm wheelbase, the E5
provides generous interior space for five occupants. The
cabin emphasizes modern technology with dual 12.3-
inch curved displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android
Auto connectivity, wireless smartphone charging with
50W capacity, and an SONY eight-speaker audio system.
Updated 2025 models feature improved screen integration
with displays curved toward the driver for enhanced
visibility and ergonomics.
The E5’s electric powertrain centers on a front-mounted
permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 150
kW (204 horsepower) paired with a 61 kWh lithium iron
phosphate (LFP) battery supplied by BYD. This frontwheel-drive
configuration prioritizes efficiency and practicality
while delivering spirited performance that satisfies
everyday driving requirements.
Range capabilities reach 430 km under WLTP testing
protocols, providing sufficient autonomy for typical daily
commuting patterns and weekend excursions without
range anxiety. Energy consumption registers at 15.5 kWh
per 100 km, demonstrating efficient power management
that maximizes the 61 kWh battery capacity. The
advanced motor design incorporates flat wire winding
technology that achieves 96% efficiency while simultaneously
reducing operational noise for a refined driving
experience.
Charging infrastructure compatibility spans both AC
and DC standards. AC charging supports up to 9.9 kW
three-phase input, enabling full charges in approximately
6.75 hours. DC fast charging capability reaches 80 kW,
facilitating rapid 30-80% charges in just 28 minutes at
compatible charging stations. Recent updates for 2025
models have increased DC charging rates to 130 kW
and AC rates to 10.3 kW, significantly reducing charging
duration.
Safety credentials include a 5-star Euro NCAP rating
supported by seven airbags and comprehensive advanced
driver assistance systems featuring adaptive
cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane
departure warning, and traffic sign recognition. The
structural integrity benefits from MacPherson strut front
suspension and a multi-link rear configuration that balances
comfort with handling precision.
Pricing strategies vary across markets but consistently
emphasize value positioning. In Australia, the E5 starts
at AUD $42,990, while European markets see pricing
from approximately €33,065 with equipment-dependent
variations. The vehicle includes comprehensive warranty
coverage featuring seven-year unlimited-kilometer warranties
in select markets, demonstrating manufacturer
confidence in long-term reliability.
204 PS
Horsepower
(201 bhp)
340 Nm
Torque
7.2 s
0-100 km/h
November 2025 / 73

Sovereign Cloud
Sovereign Cloud
Architecture Evolution
Data localization requirements forcing all hyperscalers to build
critical regional infrastructure
GCC data sovereignty regulations mandate significant
local infrastructure investments by AWS, Microsoft,
and Oracle. Analysis of the $2 billion du-Microsoft
partnership and parallel cloud ecosystems reshaping
enterprise compliance costs and vendor strategies
across regulated sectors.
Data localization and sovereignty
regulations across the
Middle East are fundamentally
reshaping cloud architecture,
forcing hyperscalers to invest billions
in regional infrastructure. The UAE
Personal Data Protection Law, combined
with sector-specific mandates
from the UAE Cybersecurity Council
and Telecommunications and Digital
Government Regulatory Authority,
establishes strict requirements that
sensitive data remain within national
borders. These regulations have
triggered unprecedented infrastructure
investments, with AWS, Microsoft
Azure, Oracle Cloud, Alibaba
Cloud, and e& building parallel cloud
ecosystems independent from global
regions. The resulting two-tier cloud
environment creates increased
complexity and operational costs for
enterprises operating across regulated
sectors globally.​ Google Cloud has
launched regional partnerships while
preparing dedicated UAE region
infrastructure. Each provider tailors
sovereignty guarantees to address
local requirements.
74 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
The du-Microsoft Partnership as
a Catalyst
The AED 2 billion hyperscale data
center partnership between du
and Microsoft, unveiled during
Dubai AI Week in April 2025, represents
a watershed moment in
sovereign cloud investment. Fahad
Al Hassawi, du CEO, described
the deal as “a pivotal leap in our
strategic goal to revolutionise the
digital ecosystem of the UAE.”
Microsoft will serve as the primary
tenant, with du constructing
and operating the facility across
multiple phases. The partnership
reflects Microsoft’s broader Middle
East commitment, including its
AED 13 billion sovereign cloud implementation
with Abu Dhabi and
Core42, establishing comprehensive
infrastructure for AI-powered
government services across the
entire region.​
AWS Sovereign Launchpad and
Regional Expansion
Amazon Web Services launched
the UAE Sovereign Launchpad in
May 2025, developed in collaboration
with e& and endorsed by the
UAE Cybersecurity Council. The
platform runs on AWS Middle East
(UAE) Region infrastructure located
within UAE borders, with e&
managing security and sovereignty
controls aligned with UAE Cloud
Security policies. AWS Outposts
extend services on-premises,
meeting specific data residency
requirements across government
agencies, healthcare, financial
services, education, space, oil and
gas, and non-profit sectors. AWS
announced plans to invest $5.3
billion in the Saudi Arabia Region
launching in 2026, cementing
strategic commitment across the
GCC region.​
Regulatory Mandate Creating
Compliance Complexity
Banking data must remain onshore
under UAE Central Bank
regulations, with cross-border
transfer requiring approval and
customer consent. Healthcare data
faces localization requirements
under Federal Law No. 2 of 2019.
Internet of Things data related
to government institutions and
critical infrastructure is similarly
restricted. Non-compliance carries
severe penalties including fines,
business license suspension, and
criminal prosecution. This regulatory
environment has created unprecedented
compliance complexity,
forcing enterprises to maintain
separate architectures for sensitive
and non-sensitive workloads.
Hybrid cloud models combining
on-premises, colocation, and
public cloud infrastructure have
become standard deployment
patterns for regulated sectors.​
Economic Impact and Compliance
Costs
Data residency requirements
increase infrastructure costs
significantly. Enterprises cannot
leverage global cloud economics
or distribute workloads optimally.
Instead, they maintain multiple
regional instances, sovereign platforms,
and local partnerships with
specialized providers. Compliance
auditing becomes complex, requiring
expertise in multiple jurisdictions
and regulatory frameworks.
Organizations must contract with
UAE-registered cloud service providers
for government data, creating
limited vendor choices available.
The parallel cloud ecosystem
prevents workload portability
across regions effectively.​
Future Trajectory and Regional
Leadership
The UAE’s regulatory framework
has positioned it as a model for
digital sovereignty across the
Middle East region. Saudi Arabia,
Qatar, and Kuwait have adopted
similar data localization requirements,
extending sovereign cloud
mandates across the GCC region,
signaling acceptance of data sovereignty
as a permanent feature.
Data sovereignty is not just a regulatory
requirement, it is a strategic asset that protects
our digital future.”
— H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti,
CHead of the UAE Cybersecurity Council
November 2025 / 75

VISIONARY Spotlight
PENG XIAO
GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
G42
Peng Xiao is the Group Chief Executive
Officer of G42, the Abu Dhabi-based
global technology leader
driving innovation in artificial intelligence
and advanced digital infrastructure.
Since assuming his role in 2018, Xiao
has shaped the company’s strategic direction
and global expansion, overseeing
its diverse portfolio spanning smart
cities, healthcare, energy, education,
and finance. Under his leadership, G42
has become a bridge between global AI
ecosystems, delivering transformative
solutions in artificial intelligence, big data
analytics, cloud computing, and mobile
technology for enterprises, governments,
and consumers.
Before leading G42, Xiao served as
Chief Technology Officer and Chief
Information Officer at MicroStrategy,
where he oversaw product research
and development and led teams of over
1,000 engineers focused on business
intelligence, secure identity, and mobile
commerce. Later, as CEO of Pegasus,
a DarkMatter company, he deepened
his expertise in data-driven analytics
and smart city platforms, experiences
that laid the foundation for his future
work at G42.
At G42, Xiao has steered groundbreaking
projects that have reshaped the AI
landscape. Among them is Stargate UAE,
a one-gigawatt AI supercomputing cluster
developed in partnership with OpenAI
and Oracle, designed to power largescale
AI innovation across industries.
The company has also made significant
global investments, including a $1 billion
commitment to Kenya’s digital infrastructure
through a state-of-the-art green
data center. Championing linguistic and
cultural inclusivity in technology, Xiao
has led the development of multilingual
large language models.
SALIM ABDULLAH AL
AWADHI
DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
AL OMANIYA FINANCIAL SERVICES
SAOG
Salim Abdullah Al Awadhi is the Deputy
Chief Executive Officer of Al
Omaniya Financial Services SAOG,
Oman’s largest non-banking financial institution
with assets exceeding RO 136
million. Working closely with the CEO, Al
Awadhi provides strategic leadership and
oversees operations across the company’s
three core verticals: retail asset
finance, corporate lending solutions, and
personal loans for consumer goods. His
guidance supports a diverse portfolio
serving more than 100,000 customers,
including individuals, SMEs, transport
operators, and large corporations across
all major sectors of the Omani economy.
In addition to his executive responsibilities
at Al Omaniya, Al Awadhi holds
several key directorships across leading
Omani and regional enterprises. He has
served as Chairman of Dhofar Poultry
Company SAOG since 2012 and as an
Independent Non-Executive Director
at Dhofar International Development &
Investment Holding Company SAOG. He
has also sat on the board of Al Salam
Bank BSC in Bahrain as an Independent
Director since 2018. Further, he serves
as Vice Chairman of Omani Vegetable
Oils & Derivatives Co. LLC, Chairman
of Rital Travel LLC, and Director at Al
Madina Financial & Investment Services
Co. SAOC, Tilal Development Co. SAOC,
and Dhofar International Energy Services
Co. LLC.
Al Awadhi’s influence extends across
Oman’s financial and business ecosystem.
His strategic focus emphasizes developing
personalized financial solutions
that differentiate non-banking institutions
from traditional banks while upholding
fiscal prudence, customer trust and
sustainable growth.
76 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
RIYADH AL-
BALUSHI
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DECREE
Riyadh Al-Balushi is the Chief Executive
Officer of Decree, an Omani
legal technology company that operates
Qanoon. Omm and Decree. Two of
the most important digital resources for
accessing legal information in Oman. In
his role, Al-Balushi leads the company’s
strategic vision to modernize how legal
professionals, government bodies, and
citizens engage with Omani legislation.
Before co-founding Decree, Al-Balushi
spent over 16 years as a government
lawyer in the Ministry of Legal Affairs and
later the Ministry of Justice and Legal
Affairs. During his tenure, he advised
on government contracts, treaties,
and constitutional and administrative
law, building deep expertise in Omani
legal systems. His transition from public
service to legal technology marked a
defining shift toward innovation in the
legal information ecosystem.
Under Al-Balushi’s leadership, Decree
has transformed access to legal data in
Oman. The company’s platforms provide
an integrated ecosystem for legislation,
case law, and legal intelligence. Decree
Legislation offers a comprehensive
database of royal decrees, ministerial
decisions, and regulations; Decree Intel
delivers legal research tools and case
summaries; Decree Lex AI introduces
advanced AI-driven research capabilities;
and Decree Risk, launched in 2024,
enables organizations to track company
liquidations, capital changes, and
mergers, enhancing risk management
and debt recovery operations. Today,
Qanoon. Om serves as the definitive
online reference for Omani laws, used
daily by judges, lawyers, government
officials, and the general public.
Al-Balushi has played a pivotal role in
shaping the future of legal technology
in the region.
ZHANG PING’AN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO, HUA-
WEI CLOUD COMPUTING BU
Zhang Ping’an, Executive Director
of Huawei and CEO of Huawei
Cloud Computing Business Unit,
has been with Huawei since 1996. Over
nearly three decades, he has advanced
through numerous leadership positions,
gaining extensive experience across enterprise
technology, cloud computing,
and AI infrastructure. In his current role,
Zhang leads Huawei Cloud’s business
vision, overseeing its development teams
in AI computing, cloud infrastructure,
and intelligent transformation across
industries.
Zhang’s career at Huawei reflects
a steady progression through pivotal
technical and strategic roles, including
Product Line President, COO of the Enterprise
Business Group, CEO of Huawei
Symantec, and President of the Consumer
Cloud Service Department. This
breadth of experience has enabled him
to shape Huawei Cloud into one of the
fastest-growing global cloud providers.
In 2025, Zhang led a major restructuring
that established Huawei Cloud’s
“3+2+1” frameworkthree foundational
layers (computing, intelligent computing,
and storage), two platform layers (AI
PaaS and databases), and one security
core designed to streamline innovation
and strengthen performance.
Under his leadership, Huawei Cloud
achieved major milestones despite global
market restrictions. The company reported
a 250% year-over-year increase
in AI computing power, reaching 300
PFlops through its Ascend cluster, capable
of training over 1,300 large-scale AI
models simultaneously. In 2025, Zhang
launched the AI Token Service powered
by CloudMatrix384, a breakthrough that
simplified AI computing for users by delivering
ultra-low latency, three to four
times faster than competitors.
November 2025 / 77

Cloud Infrastructure
Abu Dhabi Dominates
the Data Race
How Abu Dhabi is winning the region’s data center
competition
Abu Dhabi accounts for nearly 45 percent of planned
UAE data center capacity through 2028, signaling
a strategic shift from Dubai’s traditional dominance
driven by energy advantages, sovereign cloud requirements,
and hyperscale AI projects like Stargate UAE.
78 \ November 2025
The UAE data center market
is undergoing a significant
geographical rebalancing. Abu
Dhabi, historically positioned behind
Dubai in infrastructure development,
is now commanding nearly 45 percent
of planned capacity expansion
through 2028, according to October
2025 research by ResearchAnd-
Markets. This represents a fundamental
shift in regional technology
infrastructure strategy. The existing
UAE data center capacity stands at
approximately 414 megawatts, with
planned additions exceeding 1.4
gigawattsrepresenting more than
threefold growth over the coming
years. Abu Dhabi’s share of this expansion
reflects deliberate strategic
positioning by government entities,
state-linked operators including
Khazna Data Centers (holding 59
percent market share), and international
cloud giants including Microsoft,
AWS, and Oracle, establishing
operations in the emirate rather than
exclusively in Dubai.
This rebalancing carries significant
economic implications. Abu Dhabi’s

thetechnologyexpress.com
data center assets are valued at USD
1.23 billion, substantially exceeding
Dubai’s USD 815 million despite
Dubai hosting 18 data centers compared
to Abu Dhabi’s 16 operational
facilities. This value differential reflects
hyperscale infrastructure quality
and investment intensity rather
than facility count, indicating capital
concentration in larger, more sophisticated
facilities aligned with hyperscale
cloud and artificial intelligence
workloads. More than USD 10 billion
in new investments are expected to
flow into UAE data center development
through 2027, with Abu Dhabi
capturing disproportionate allocation
reflecting sovereign cloud mandates
and energy infrastructure advantages.
Energy Infrastructure and Competitive
Advantage
Energy infrastructure represents the
primary competitive factor enabling
Abu Dhabi’s data center growth
acceleration. Abu Dhabi’s access to
Barakah nuclear baseload power,
Masdar’s solar generation assets,
and gas-fired facilities provides
reliable, cost-competitive electricity
essential for hyperscale operations.
Minister Al Mazrouei emphasized
at the May 2025 World Utilities
Congress that data center power
demand is “overwhelming, even
for a country like us,” highlighting
the acute infrastructure requirements.
The five-gigawatt UAE-US AI
Campus, anchored by Stargate UAE
with its initial 200-megawatt phase
operational by 2026, specifically
selected Abu Dhabi locations for
energy security and long-term power
procurement certainty aligned with
hybrid nuclear-solar-gas generation
strategies.
Dubai, by contrast, relies more
heavily on natural gas and desalinated
seawater for cooling, creating
different operational and cost profiles.
Abu Dhabi’s sovereign energy
infrastructure ownership through entities
including TAQA (investing USD
10.9 billion in transmission upgrades)
provides direct control over power
planning, pricing, and allocationcritical
advantages for hyperscale
tenants requiring multi-year power
purchase commitments and grid-priority
status.
Sovereign Cloud Requirements Driving
Infrastructure Localization
The UAE’s government digital
transformation mandates, formalized
through the Digital Government
Strategy 2025 and Abu Dhabi’s
2025-2027 transformation roadmap,
explicitly require public sector
cloud infrastructure within national
borders. This sovereignty imperative
drove Microsoft’s AED 2 billion
partnership with G42, specifically in
Abu Dhabi, supporting the deployment
of 11 million daily government
Demand is growing
and growing very
strongly, with more
power required for
data centers. It’s
overwhelming, even
for a country like
us.”
— Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei,
Minister of Energy and Infrastructure,
Government of United Arab Emirates
interactions across citizen services
platforms. These requirements
fundamentally privilege Abu Dhabi
development over Dubai options, as
government procurement mandates
and digital residency requirements
create demand certainty for Abu
Dhabi-based facilities.
Hyperscaler Strategies and Competitive
Dynamics
Microsoft, AWS, Alibaba, and Oracle
all significantly expanded Abu Dhabi
operations through 2025. AWS
operates multiple zones, Microsoft
anchors sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure,
Oracle co-leads Stargate
UAE development, and Alibaba completed
its second UAE data center in
Dubai simultaneously with expanding
Abu Dhabi engagement through
cloud services partnerships. This
multi-cloud, multi-emirate strategy
reflects market saturation recognition
premium colocation rack pricing
remains highest in Dubai Silicon
Oasis due to constrained supply and
regulatory density. Abu Dhabi’s 45
percent share of upcoming capacity
creates pricing relief and competitive
alternatives for enterprise and
hyperscale customers, potentially
compressing Dubai colocation pricing
by 10-15 percent through 2027
while establishing Abu Dhabi as the
region’s hyperscale hub for GPU-intensive
artificial intelligence training
and inference workloads.
Abu Dhabi’s emergence as the
UAE’s new data center frontier
signifies a decisive phase in the
nation’s digital infrastructure evolution.
Backed by sovereign energy
strength, hyperscale investment,
and cloud localization mandates,
the emirate’s rise reshapes national
capacity balance and global positioning.
As AI and sovereign cloud
demand converge, Abu Dhabi stands
poised to anchor the UAE’s transformation
into a high-performance,
energy-secure digital economy serving
both government and hyperscale
ecosystems, defining the region’s
future digital competitiveness.
November 2025 / 79

APP EXPRESS
BUBLUP - VISUAL CLOUD STORAGE
SOLUTION
3.4/5 | 100K+ DOWNLOADS
Bublup revolutionizes traditional cloud storage by transforming
boring file organization into a vibrant, visual
experience that makes finding content effortless. Unlike
conventional storage platforms that rely on mundane folders
and lists, Bublup saves every item with an attached image,
creating an intuitive organizational system that feels more
like browsing a personalized Pinterest board.
The platform excels at handling diverse content types in
unified spaces, allowing users to combine links, documents,
photos, videos, and notes within the same folder. This approach
proves invaluable for research projects, creative portfolios,
and collaborative work where different media types need to
coexist logically. Professional teams particularly benefit from
real-time collaboration features, including comments, emoji
reactions, and selective sharing capabilities.
Free accounts receive 3GB of file storage plus unlimited web
links, with referral bonuses extending capacity up to 100GB.
Premium subscriptions starting at $2.99 monthly unlock 1TB
storage and advanced features like AI content curation, custom
landing page creation, and Google Analytics integration. The
platform maintains robust security with encryption protocols
protecting data both in transit and on servers.
Cross-platform synchronization ensures seamless access
across iOS, Android, and desktop browsers, while the intuitive
drag-and-drop interface requires minimal learning curve. Small
businesses and individual creators particularly appreciate
Bublup’s ability to replace multiple specialized apps with
one comprehensive solution for team project management.
ENDEL - AI-POWERED PERSONALIZED
SOUNDSCAPES
4.3/5 | 1M+ DOWNLOADS
Endel represents a groundbreaking approach to audio
wellness, utilizing patented AI technology to generate
real-time personalized soundscapes that adapt to individual
circadian rhythms and environmental factors. Unlike
static playlists or predetermined tracks, Endel’s core Pacific
AI engine continuously analyzes contextual inputs, including
time of day, weather conditions, location, and biometric data
from connected wearables, to craft unique audio experiences.
The platform offers five scientifically-backed modes targeting
specific needs: Focus enhances productivity by maintaining
engagement without distraction, Sleep provides gentle
sounds that evolve as users relax, Relax creates calming
environments for stress reduction, Recovery helps lower
anxiety levels, and Study optimizes concentration during
learning activities. Each soundscape generates continuously,
ensuring no two sessions are identical while maintaining
therapeutic effectiveness.
Scientific validation underpins Endel’s methodology, incorporating
neuroscience principles, psychoacoustics research,
and biological rhythm studies. Regular users report
7x improved focus and 3.6x reduced stress levels according
to company data. The technology has attracted significant
investment, including a $15 million Series B funding round.
80 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
COMPARIFY - SMART PRICE
COMPARISON TOOL
4.1/5 | 50K+ DOWNLOADS
Comparify addresses the modern shopping dilemma of
price hunting across multiple platforms by consolidating
real-time fare and price comparisons into a single, efficient
application. Developed by Bengaluru-based full-stack
developer Akshat Kejriwal, this innovative tool eliminates the
tedious process of switching between apps to find the best
deals on rides and groceries.
The application’s dual functionality covers transportation
and grocery shopping comprehensively. For ride comparisons,
Comparify integrates with Uber, Ola, Rapido, and Namma
Yatri, displaying personalized fares based on users’ actual
account details, including active coupons, wallet credits, and
promotional offers. Location-based pricing ensures accuracy,
while direct booking functionality pre-fills pickup and drop
locations in the selected ride app.
Grocery price comparison spans Blinkit, Instamart, and
Zepto platforms, featuring intelligent product matching that
recognizes identical items across different naming conventions.
The system calculates per-gram and per-milliliter pricing
for accurate cost analysis, helping users identify genuine
value regardless of package size variations. Shopping cart
functionality allows users to compile complete grocery lists
and compare total costs across platforms before purchasing.
User feedback highlights the app’s practical value, with
customers discovering products unavailable on their preferred
platforms and achieving significant savings through systematic
price comparison. The clean, straightforward interface
focuses on functionality over aesthetics.
REMIND ME - TASK
REMINDER APP
4.3/5 | 1L+ DOWNLOADS
Remind Me transforms task management through intelligent
reminder systems designed to prevent missed
appointments, forgotten medications, and overlooked
deadlines. The application combines simplicity with powerful
customization options, making it accessible to users ranging
from students managing study schedules to professionals
juggling multiple projects.
Core functionality centers on versatile reminder creation
supporting both one-time events and recurring tasks with
flexible interval options, including hourly, daily, weekly, monthly,
and yearly repetitions. Advanced scheduling allows exclusion
of specific days or months, such as skipping Sundays
in daily reminders or avoiding certain months in yearly notifications.
Voice recognition capabilities enable hands-free
reminder creation by converting spoken instructions directly
into scheduled alerts.
Customization options ensure reminders suit individual
preferences and contexts. Users can assign specific ringtones,
adjust vibration patterns, set custom ring durations,
and organize reminders into personalized categories. The
alarm functionality provides full-screen notifications at scheduled
times, ensuring important reminders receive appropriate
attention even during busy periods.
November 2025 / 81

International NEWS
Threads Introduces
Topic-Based Communities
to Drive Depth
Meta’s Threads app, now exceeding
400 million monthly
users, has introduced Communities
over 100 topic-based groups
spanning books, basketball, K-pop,
and television. Each community includes
a themed emoji, visible topic
tags, and ranked posts for discovery.
Unlike X, Threads’ communities are
created by Meta, encouraging open
participation while rewarding active
contributors with badges, personalized
tools, and improved engagement
across interests.
SanDisk Unveils Creator
Series Storage
Devices for Content
Professionals in India
SanDisk has launched its new
Creator Series in India, offering
high-performance storage solutions
designed for content creators. The
lineup includes a MagSafe-compatible
SSD for iPhones, microSD and SD UHS-II
cards, USB-C flash drives, and a dual
Lightning-USB-C Phone Drive. Priced
from Rs 1,809, these devices support
up to 6K recording and include free
Adobe Lightroom or Creative Cloud
trials for ease of use.
Apple Launches M5
Chip Powering Faster
iPad, MacBook, and
Vision Pro
Apple has launched its powerful
new M5 chip, debuting in the
latest iPad Pro, MacBook Pro,
and Vision Pro. Delivering over four
times the GPU performance of the M4,
the M5 marks Apple’s next leap in AI
computing. The iPad Pro gains up to
3.5× faster AI processing, 5.6× improved
speed over the M1, and upgraded connectivity
through the C1X modem and
N1 chip. Meanwhile, the new MacBook
Pro offers 1.6× better graphics, faster
storage, and 24-hour battery life. Vision
Pro now achieves a 10% display boost,
50% faster AI functions, and longer battery
life with its Dual Knit Band design.
All devices are available for preorder,
shipping from October 22 worldwide,
featuring a third-generation 3-nanometer
build, up to 10-core CPU, 16-core
Neural Engine, and 153GB/s memory
bandwidth for next-level multitasking
efforts and graphics quality.
NBA Returns to China Through Strategic Partnership
with Alibaba and Sands
The NBA has returned to China for
the first time since 2019, forming
a multi-year partnership with
Alibaba and hosting two pre-season
games in Macau under a five-year
deal with Sands China. The collaboration
leverages Alibaba Cloud’s AI and
computing to enhance fan engagement.
Macau’s debut NBA games also
support the region’s diversification
efforts, blending sports, culture, and
entertainment innovation, ultimately
inviting a new crowd to enter the
sports scene in China.
Samsung Unveils Galaxy
XR Headset with
Google and Qualcomm
AI Power
Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy
XR, a $1,799 mixed-reality headset
developed in collaboration with
Google and Qualcomm. Powered by Qualcomm’s
Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip and
running on Android XR, it combines real
and virtual environments using advanced
multimodal AI. The headset interprets
gestures, gaze, and surroundings to
deliver contextual information across
YouTube, Google Maps, and Photos.
Samsung plans lighter eyeglass-style
versions with Warby Parker and Gentle
Monster. Buyers receive one year of AI
Pro tools, YouTube Premium, and Google
Play Pass. Positioned as a direct competitor
to Apple’s Vision Pro, the Galaxy
XR highlights Samsung’s decade-long
XR research and ambition to pioneer
immersive, AI-driven wearable computing
that enhances creativity, productivity,
and entertainment worldwide, creating
a truly versatile product.
82 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
Salesforce Unveils
Agentforce 360 to
Transform Enterprise
AI Tools
Salesforce has launched Agentforce
360, the latest evolution of its
AI agent platform, ahead of the
Dreamforce 2025 conference. The
platform introduces enhanced text-based
instructions, unified agent-building tools,
and upgraded Slack integration. A key
addition, Agent Script, enables “if/then”
logic for adaptable AI behavior, while new
reasoning models allow deeper contextual
understanding before responses.
Salesforce also unveiled Agentforce
Builder, a single environment for creating,
testing, and deploying agents,
plus Agentforce Vibes for enterprise
customization. Slack integration expands
with core apps like Sales, IT, and HR appearing
directly within chats. Positioned
against Google’s Gemini Enterprise and
Anthropic’s Claude Enterprise, Agentforce
360 strengthens Salesforce’s lead, now
serving over 12,000 customers in the
growing enterprise AI market.
Firefox Adds Perplexity
AI, Google Lens, and
Profiles for Smarter
Browsing
Mozilla’s newest Firefox update
integrates Perplexity AI as
a search option, delivering
conversational answers with verified
citations while maintaining user privacy.
The release also introduces browser
profiles, allowing effortless switching
between personal, work, or school setups
for better organization. Additionally,
Google Lens visual search now enables
users to identify products, landmarks,
and images directly from the browser.
Netflix and Spotify
Unite to Stream Exclusive
Video Podcasts
from 2026
Netflix has partnered with Spotify
to stream popular video podcasts
starting in early 2026, including
The Bill Simmons Podcast, Conspiracy
Theories, and The Ringer’s sports shows.
Launching first in the U.S., the rollout will
later expand globally. The collaboration
enhances cross-platform engagement,
combining Spotify’s audio strength with
Netflix’s visual storytelling to deliver
richer, ad-free viewing and listening
experiences for global audiences.
Mattel Partners with
OpenAI to Transform
Creative Design Using
Sora 2 Model
Mattel has joined forces with OpenAI
to experiment with Sora 2,
an advanced AI video generation
model designed to accelerate creative
design and prototyping. Announced
during a recent developer conference,
the collaboration allows designers to
transform sketches into vivid, shareable
video concepts using AI visualization.
Through API integration, Mattel’s design
teams can rapidly test product ideas,
refine visual storytelling, and shorten
development timelines. The partnership
highlights how AI is reshaping creative
workflows by merging human imagination
with computational precision. As
industries increasingly adopt generative
technologies, Sora 2 represents a major
shift toward faster, visually engaging
innovation. Despite investor concerns
over AI market volatility, the initiative
showcases growing confidence in AI’s
potential.
Google Unveils New Nest Cams, Doorbell, and
AI-Powered Home Speaker
Google has introduced new smart
home devices, including the Nest
Cam Indoor (3rd gen), Nest Cam
Outdoor (2nd gen), Nest Doorbell (3rd
gen), and the Google Home Speaker.
Powered by Gemini for Home, they
offer 2K HDR video, AI-based alerts,
and advanced recognition. The speaker
delivers 360-degree sound and voice
control, creating a smarter, more
connected home experience across
supported regions, including North
America, Europe, and looking to enter
more regions soon.
November 2025 / 83

Events
Showcasing UAE’s Tech
Leadership at GITEX 2025
How GITEX Global 2025 demonstrated the emirate’s digital
leadership
GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai drew
over 6,800 exhibitors and 180,000
attendees from 180 countries during
October 13-17, reinforcing the UAE’s
position as a global technology hub
through major AI partnerships, sovereign
cloud initiatives, and cybersecurity
dialogues.
The 45th edition of GITEX Global
concluded at the Dubai World
Trade Center, setting new
records in global participation and
reinforcing the UAE’s position as a
leading technology convergence
hub. Held from October 13-17, the
event hosted 6,800 exhibitors and
over 180,000 attendees from 180+
countries, marking an all-time high
since its inception in 1981. Nearly
70% of visitors were C-level executives,
emphasizing GITEX’s evolution
into a strategic global forum
for shaping digital transformation
agendas.
84 \ November 2025

thetechnologyexpress.com
India made a strong impact with its
largest-ever delegation of 237 exhibitors
spanning electronics, software,
telecom, and IT services. Led by
ESC, Kerala IT Parks, and NASSCOM,
India’s unified participation showcased
deepening UAE–India digital
economy partnerships and the UAE’s
role as a gateway to Middle East and
African tech markets.
Strategic Technology Partnerships
and Sovereign Ai Infrastructure
GITEX Global 2025 became a key
stage for unveiling landmark partnerships
driving the UAE’s digital
transformation and AI leadership.
Ericsson and e& signed a memorandum
of understanding to deploy
private 5G networks using Ericsson
Private 5G solutions, accelerating
enterprise connectivity across logistics,
industrial operations, and smart
cities. The initiative emphasizes rapid
service rollout while ensuring on-site
data sovereignty and compliance, an
essential factor for regulated sectors
such as finance, healthcare, and
critical infrastructure.
Dell Technologies and Emirates
NBD announced a strategic collaboration
to advance AI adoption in
financial services, targeting improvements
in fraud detection, risk management,
and operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, Oracle and Google Cloud
expanded their multicloud frameworks
to enhance data interoperability,
enabling UAE enterprises to avoid
vendor lock-in and optimize workload
distribution. Ajman Bank also
partnered with Oracle to modernize
its digital infrastructure, showcasing
how smaller institutions use cloud
platforms to achieve competitive
agility.
The event also featured a virtual
address from OpenAI CEO Sam
Altman, joined by G42 Group CEO
Peng Xiao and Microsoft executives,
discussing sovereign AI ecosystems
and governance frameworks. Their
dialogue underscored the UAE’s
focus on data sovereignty, ethical AI
deployment, and workforce transformation
crucial pillars as global AI
markets.
Cybersecurity Imperatives and
Threat Landscape
Cybersecurity commanded substantial
attention throughout GITEX
2025, with dedicated programming
examining threat landscapes,
defense strategies, and governance
frameworks. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti,
Head of Cybersecurity for the
UAE Government, revealed that the
country thwarted millions of cyber
threats during 2025, with 71 million
attacks detected in the first quarter
alone, emphasizing the acute threat
environment facing Gulf financial
hubs and critical infrastructure operators.
He identified artificial intelligence
as a “game-changer”, enabling
early threat detection and proactive
defense postures previously impossible
with human-centric security
Hosting GITEX
GLOBAL 2025 reflects
the UAE’s
global leadership in
digital and tech sectors,
showcasing our
visionary approach
to artificial intelligence
and technological
advancement.”
— Dr. Mohamed Hamad Al Kuwaiti,
Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE
Government,
Cybersecurity Council
operations center models.
GITEX Cyber Valley hosted specialized
programming, including live
hacking demonstrations by ethical
hackers, sessions with Santiago
Lopez, the world’s first million-dollar
hackerand presentations from Brett
Johnson, formerly on America’s
Most Wanted list and now a leading
cybercrime expert. These sessions
provided unprecedented insights
into adversary tactics, techniques,
and procedures while demonstrating
how organizations can transform
cybersecurity from a cost center to
a competitive advantage through
strategic investments and cultural
transformation, prioritizing security-first
approaches.
Government-Led Innovation Is
Shaping The Next Transformation
Wave
The ministerial dialogues, strategic
partnership announcements, and
sovereign technology frameworks
unveiled at GITEX 2025 establish
foundations for the UAE’s next digital
transformation wave. The convergence
of AI infrastructure, sovereign
cloud platforms, advanced cybersecurity
capabilities, and 5G private
networks creates a comprehensive
technology stack enabling government
entities to deliver AI-powered
services while maintaining data
sovereignty and security standards
required for citizen trust and regulatory
compliance. This integrated
approach positions the UAE as a
model for how nations can harness
transformative technologies while
preserving sovereignty, security, and
strategic autonomy in an increasingly
digital global order.
GITEX Global 2025 reaffirmed
the UAE’s leadership in shaping
the world’s digital future. Through
sovereign AI initiatives, advanced
cybersecurity, and transformative
public–private partnerships, the
nation demonstrated how strategic
innovation and policy alignment
can drive sustainable technological
growth, enhance global competitiveness,
and solidify its role as the
epicenter of digital transformation
across emerging markets, setting
global benchmarks for digital governance,
AI readiness and digital
transformation.
November 2025 / 85

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