The Technology Express Magazine

Dubai’s Cashless Endgame: 90% Digital by 2026

Why Global Tech Leaders Prefer UAE

Worldwide AI Spending to Total $2.5 Trillion in 2026

AI Output Quality: Where is the Time Going?

January 2026

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The Great GenAI Budget Shift

UAE’s Stellar Year in Orbit and Beyond

Dubai’s Cashless Endgame: 90% Digital by 2026

Why Global Tech Leaders Prefer UAE

Worldwide AI Spending to Total $2.5 Trillion in 2026

AI Output Quality: Where is the Time Going?

January 2026


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“By 2026 and beyond, the UAE’s focus is clear: technology must

operate as trusted national infrastructure: secure, scalable, and

human-centric, enabling governments, businesses, and societies

to grow with confidence and resilience.”

— Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence,

Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, UAE

As we step into 2026, one truth is unmistakable:

technology is no longer something organisations

adopt, it is something they operate within. Looking

back at 2025, the inflection point becomes clear. Tech

stopped behaving like a standalone sector and began

functioning as national infrastructure. Across the UAE, AI

moved from pilots to production, cloud became a utility, and

digital platforms embedded themselves into government,

finance, mobility, and energy. Our cover story explores this

shift in depth, how tech dissolved into systems, and why

2026 marks the beginning of an era defined by invisible,

execution-led technology.

This edition brings together the forces shaping that

reality. We examine Dubai’s accelerated march toward a

cashless economy, unpack why global technology leaders

increasingly choose the UAE as their base, and explore how

the nation is building an AI-led workforce fit for a systemsdriven

future. From Abu Dhabi’s large-scale AI deployments

to Digital Dubai’s predictive, citizen-centric services, and

the growing importance of AI ethics and governance,

these stories reflect a region where ambition is matched

by operational depth.

Our external insights extend the lens further. We delve

into the evolution of SME credit infrastructure, analyse the

implications of global AI spending crossing $2.5 trillion,

and assess what 2026 holds for enterprise AI and output

quality. Together, these perspectives reinforce a powerful

message: the future of technology is not louder, flashier,

or more visible, it is more foundational, trusted, and

consequential. As 2026 unfolds and the horizon beyond

comes into view, the UAE stands not just as a consumer

of technology, but as an architect of how modern digital

economies are built.

MCFILL MEDIA &

PUBLISHING GROUP

TECH

8

24

Fintech:

Dubai’s Cashless Endgame:

90% Digital by 2026

Drive to the Future:

Genesis GV90

(EV SUV)

22

26

And Beyond

Interview:

Beyond Credit Scores: The New SME

Credit Infrastructure in the UAE

Cover Story:

2026: How Tech is Becoming

Ubiquitous

40

54

Insights:

Worldwide AI Spending to

Total $2.5 Trillion in 2026

App Rankings:

The 7 Productivity

Apps 2026

50

60

Launch Express:

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

Copilot+ PC

Insights:

AI Output Quality: Where is the

Time Going?

INSIDE

Fintech

Dubai’s Cashless Endgame:

90% Digital by 2026

Legacy payment rails face imminent disruption as open APIs

and crypto integration reshape finance

Beyond mere convenience, Dubai’s accelerated

shift to a cashless economy

represents a structural dismantling

of traditional banking monopolies,

creating an AED 8 billion annual opportunity

for agile fintech challengers

who can bridge fiat and blockchain

worlds.

The headline goal is ambitious:

by 2026, 90 percent of all

transactions in Dubai, both

public and private, are expected

to be digital. Behind this target is

a comprehensive transformation

reshaping the financial landscape.

Dubai is systematically breaking

down the “walled gardens” of legacy

banking by implementing mandatory

open API frameworks. These rules

require traditional financial institutions

to open their data and payment

systems to third-party developers,

creating a level playing field.

8 \ January 2026


This regulatory approach enables

fintech startups to develop specialized,

high-value services, such as

instant micro-loans or automated

VAT filing, directly on top of existing

banking infrastructure without

becoming banks themselves. For

incumbent banks, this represents a

fundamental shift. The era of earning

revenue from static transaction fees

is coming to an end.

New payment rails, built on open

banking standards, bypass traditional

card networks and settlement

systems, reducing transaction costs

for both merchants and consumers.

Fintechs leveraging this open ecosystem

can offer lower prices while

delivering superior user experiences.

The resulting efficiency gains and

creation of new services are projected

to generate an annual economic

impact of AED 8 billion. By combining

regulatory foresight with technological

innovation, Dubai is establishing

a digital payments ecosystem

that is faster, more competitive, and

inclusive, setting a benchmark for

financial modernization globally.

Bridging the Divide: Crypto as a

Payment Rail

Dubai is not merely digitizing fiat. It

is integrating the crypto economy

into the national payments grid

through pragmatic regulation and

testing. Unlike jurisdictions that

ban or isolate digital assets, Dubai’s

regulatory sandboxes are experimenting

with crypto-to-fiat bridges.

Stablecoins and blockchain networks

are treated as settlement rails because

they are faster, cheaper, and

programmable.

Fintech firms are rushing to launch

hybrid wallets that let users hold digital

assets while paying merchants

in dirhams instantly. For the 2026

target, this integration is essential.

By treating blockchain settlements

as a backend rail that is invisible to

consumers but efficient for processors,

Dubai combines crypto speed

with dirham stability. Startups that

can manage regulatory compliance

for hybrid transactions and mask

blockchain complexity from end

users stand to gain the largest share

of this market that captures trust,

scales operations, and integrates

with banks rapidly. Early movers will

About 97 per cent

of Dubai government

transactions in

2023 were digital...

innovations in digital

payments are

central to the Dubai

Cashless Strategy.”

— H.E. Abdulrahman Al Saleh,

Director General,

Department of Finance

set standards for interoperability,

compliance, and consumer protections

across regional and global

payment networks.

The Regulator’s Mandate: Adapt or

Obsolesce

Regulators are explicitly encouraging

this disruption. The message

from the Department of Finance and

Digital Dubai is clear: legacy institutions

must partner or perish. The

strategy requires digital payments

to be accepted at every point of sale,

from luxury malls to neighborhood

groceries, creating a ubiquity that

cash can no longer match.

To survive, incumbents are shifting

toward utility roles, supplying li-

censed balance sheets and regulatory

capital while ceding the customer

interface to agile fintech partners.

This Banking as a Service model lets

startups deploy branded financial

products in weeks rather than years.

The change reduces barriers to market

entry and accelerates product

iteration.

For fintech founders, the opportunity

is to solve the last-mile problems

of a cashless economy. Priority areas

include seamless B2B settlements,

automated cross-border remittances

for the expatriate workforce, and

loyalty-driven payment experiences

that cash cannot replicate. Success

will depend on operational resilience,

regulatory compliance, and partnerships

that scale trust.

The window to establish these

platforms is immediate. By 2026, the

digital rail is poised to become the

default. Those who build reliable rails

and capture user trust will emerge as

the new incumbents of the cashless

era. Timing and execution will determine

leadership.

Building the Infrastructure of Trust

No digital payments revolution can

succeed without trust as its foundation.

Dubai’s transition to a fully

digital economy is therefore being

reinforced by parallel investments

in cybersecurity, digital identity, and

data protection infrastructure. The

Dubai Electronic Security Center

(DESC) and the Digital Dubai Authority

are jointly rolling out advanced

encryption and zero-trust authentication

protocols for every transaction

layer.

Key to this trust layer is the “Unified

Digital Identity” system, which

links users securely across financial

and government platforms through

verified credentials, eliminating the

need for repetitive KYC checks. This

interoperability of identity not only

expedites onboarding for fintech

services but also fortifies anti-fraud

measures, ensuring that every digital

transaction is traceable, auditable,

and compliant.

These infrastructure pillars complete

the ecosystem required for

Dubai’s 2026 vision. They guarantee

that the shift to cashless transactions

is trusted, resilient, and globally

replicable.

January 2026 / 9

fintech News

HSBC UAE and Presight

Partner to

Expand AI Across Fintech

HSBC UAE and Presight have

signed a memorandum of understanding

to accelerate artificial

intelligence integration across

financial services. Announced at Abu

Dhabi Finance Week, the partnership

focuses on improving risk intelligence,

compliance, operations, and

client insights. Joint AI workstreams

will support smarter decision-making,

executive analytics, and sustainable

growth.

Tabadulat Launches

UAE’s First Regulated

Halal Global Trading

Platform

Tabadulat has secured full regulatory

approval from ADGM’s

FSRA, becoming the UAE’s first

regulated halal trading platform. Backed

by $3.3 million in committed capital, the

platform enables compliant investing

across global markets. It offers continuous

Shariah screening, real-time

compliance updates, and transparent

fees, allowing Muslim investors to

access stocks and ETFs across the U.S.,

Europe, GCC, and Asia.

MBZUAI and AWS

Partner to Accelerate

Applied AI Research

and Innovation

MBZUAI has entered a multi-year

partnership with Amazon Web

Services to advance applied

artificial intelligence research, skills

development, and startup growth

across the UAE and the wider region.

The agreement strengthens links between

academic research and industry

use, aligning with the UAE’s National

Strategy for Higher Education 2030.

Under the collaboration, both sides will

launch a Strategic Research Program

focused on priority AI areas, combining

MBZUAI’s faculty expertise and laboratories

with AWS cloud infrastructure,

datasets, and technical mentorship.

The partnership also supports student

exposure to real-world projects through

applied training, hackathons, and the

new GenAI Academy. In addition,

MBZUAI startups will gain access to

AWS Activate credits, training, and

business support.

Dubai’s Digital Strategy Urges Campaigns and

Initiatives Helping Business Become Cashless

Dubai plans to become largely

cashless by 2026, targeting

digital payments for 90% of all

transactions across government and

private sectors. Launched in 2024,

the strategy promotes AI-driven,

contactless, and fintech solutions

to boost convenience and economic

growth. Officials estimate the shift

could add over AED 8 billion annually,

supported by partnerships, awareness

campaigns, and initiatives helping

businesses and consumers adopt

seamless digital payment systems.

Ottu and Mastercard

Partner to Expand

Seamless Digital Payments

Across GCC

Ottu has signed a strategic partnership

with Mastercard to accelerate

digital payments across

the GCC, expanding access to seamless

commerce for regional businesses.

Through the agreement, Ottu will integrate

Mastercard Merchant Cloud,

a platform connecting more than 200

acquirers and over 110 million merchant

locations worldwide. The collaboration

enables companies in Kuwait, Qatar,

Bahrain, and Oman to accept local

and international payment methods

through a single integration. Mastercard

Merchant Cloud also provides security

features such as network tokenisation,

fraud detection, and authentication

tools. By combining Ottu’s regional

expertise with Mastercard’s global

infrastructure, the partnership aims to

simplify payments, reduce operational

complexity, and support secure, scalable

growth for enterprises.

10 \ January 2026

Crypto.com and e&

money Partner to

Strengthen UAE Digital

Asset Ecosystem

Crypto.com has partnered with

e& money to expand the UAE’s

digital asset ecosystem through

platform integration and crypto-enabled

services. Under the agreement, e&

money will explore Crypto.com’s cryptoas-a-service

solution, allowing digital

assets to be embedded into treasury

operations and customer offerings.

The initial phase focuses on trade

execution, offering single-point access

to global liquidity through the Crypto.

com Exchange. Subject to regulatory

approval, the collaboration may later

extend to custody and cryptocurrency

payment solutions. Executives said the

partnership aims to improve accessibility,

security, and real-world use of

digital assets. By combining Crypto.

com’s global infrastructure with e&

money’s regional reach, the initiative

seeks to deliver compliant, scalable

services that support innovation.

ADGM Attracts 11

Global Firms Representing

$9 Trillion in

Assets

Abu Dhabi Global Market has

added 11 major global financial

institutions representing more

than $9 trillion in assets under management,

reinforcing its position as a

leading international financial centre.

Announced during ADFW 2025, the

new commitments span banking, asset

management, infrastructure, and

fintech. ADGM also marked progress

in digital assets, granting Binance a

comprehensive global license.


FAB Partners With

Presight to Expand

AI-Driven Banking

Analytics

First Abu Dhabi Bank has partnered

with Presight to deploy AI-driven

analytics that enhance customer

insights and resource planning. Using

Presight’s Applied Intelligence framework,

the collaboration integrates

economic, sectoral, and geospatial data

to identify high-potential clients and

guide commercial teams. The agreement

also supports smarter branch and

ATM planning, helping FAB improve

efficiency, and decision-making.

botim Money and

Binance Explore Regulated

Digital Asset

Access in the UAE

botim Money has signed a memorandum

of understanding with

Binance to explore providing safe

and regulated access to digital assets for

users in the UAE. The agreement was

signed during Binance Blockchain Week

in Dubai and supports botim’s transition

from a communications platform into

a broader fintech ecosystem. Under

the MoU, both companies will study

ways to integrate Binance’s digital

asset expertise with botim Money’s

payment and transfer services. The

collaboration focuses on regulatory

compliance, security, and responsible

adoption within the UAE framework. It

also aims to improve financial inclusion

by offering simplified digital asset

access to underserved communities.

Executives said the partnership reflects

growing regional demand for trusted

crypto services that connect everyday

finance with the digital economy.

DIFC Joins Global Cross-Border Privacy Forum,

Strengthening Data Protection Standards

Dubai International Financial Centre

has joined the Global Cross-Border

Privacy Rules Forum, becoming

the first member outside the APEC

region. The move strengthens DIFC’s

role in advancing trusted, interoperable

data protection frameworks and secure

cross-border data flows. Membership

also supports Dubai’s digital economy

ambitions, reinforcing global privacy

standards while enabling responsible

data use across international businesses

and emerging technologies, including

artificial intelligence.

January 2026 / 11

Global

Why Global Tech

Leaders Prefer UAE

A pro-innovation policy engine, global connectivity, and rapid

execution make the UAE lucrative

From talent visas to regulatory sandboxes, the UAE has

engineered an ecosystem where global tech firms can

launch faster, scale across regions, and partner with

government on next-generation digital infrastructure.

12 \ January 2026

Global tech leaders are not

choosing the UAE by accident,

they are choosing it by design.

The country has built a national

operating system for innovation: fast

market entry, predictable regulation,

world-class digital infrastructure,

and a deliberate strategy to attract

talent and capital. For multinationals

under pressure to deploy AI, cloud,

and fintech solutions quickly, the

UAE offers something rare: speed

without instability. It is a place where

boardroom strategy can translate

into policy-enabled execution, and

where government is not a blocker

but an accelerator. The result is a

competitive environment that turns

pilots into platforms, and regional

ambitions into global outcomes.

Policy That Removes Friction

The UAE’s most powerful advantage

is its ability to convert strategic

intent into practical, investable

mechanisms. Through programs like

NextGenFDI, the country is explicitly

courting digitally enabled companies

and high-skilled talent, pairing


Large and SME businesses from across the

world are approaching us and asking how

they can relocate their talent, ideas and

high-growth ventures to the UAE.”

— H.E. Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi,

Minister of State for Foreign Trade,

UAE Ministry of Economy

ambition with “hyper-practical

measures” designed to make relocation

and market entry painless.

These measures include rapid

incorporation processes, bulk visa

issuance, banking facilitation, and

commercial and residential lease

incentives, an integrated package

that reduces time-to-launch for

new ventures and new regional

headquarters.

This policy-first approach matters

because global tech companies

operate on tight deployment

cycles. If licensing takes months,

talent mobility is uncertain, or

banking is slow, strategy stalls. By

treating speed as a national KPI,

the UAE has positioned itself as

one of the easiest places to operationalize

innovation at scale.

A Region-Scale Platform

Beyond market entry, global tech

leaders choose the UAE because

it functions as a launchpad into

the wider Middle East, Africa, and

South Asia corridor. The ecosystem

is designed not only for local

consumption, but for regional

scale. In practical terms, that

means dense clusters of customers,

partners, and infrastructure,

free zones, financial centres, logistics

corridors, and digitally mature

government services, operating as

one interconnected platform.

This platform effect extends to

talent as well. National initiatives

explicitly aim to attract and retain

high-skilled professionals, including

developers, data scientists, and

engineers, creating an environment

where firms can recruit, relocate,

and build teams with speed.

When talent and capital can move

predictably, companies can make

longer-term bets, building not

just sales offices, but engineering,

cloud delivery, and product localization

teams that serve multiple

markets from a UAE base.

The UAE’s positioning as a stable,

globally connected business hub

further strengthens its value as a

regional headquarters. It offers access

to customers and regulators

in one geography, allowing tech

companies to operate closer to the

end-user while maintaining global

governance standards. This is the

difference between “presence” and

“platform”, and it is why the UAE

increasingly becomes the default

regional anchor for global technology

players.

Talent, Capital, And Credibility

The global AI and cloud race is

ultimately a talent race. The UAE’s

strategy acknowledges this by

treating talent attraction and ecosystem

credibility as two sides of

the same economic agenda. Next-

GenFDI, for instance, targets the

attraction of digitally enabled companies

and highly skilled talent,

while aligning with a broader push

to establish new digital companies

and expand investment into startups.

The goal is not simply to host

innovation, but to compound it, by

concentrating builders, capital, and

market access in one place.

For global firms, this concentration

reduces risk. A mature ecosystem

means fewer unknowns: proven

partners, reliable infrastructure,

and a government that signals its

priorities clearly. It also creates

“network momentum,” where new

entrants benefit from the density

of already-established players.

That momentum is visible in how

quickly international firms integrate

into local programs, accelerators,

and public-private initiatives

that connect innovation to real

demand.

Crucially, the UAE is competing on

execution credibility. The country’s

message to tech leaders is consistent:

if a company has a strong

idea, the UAE wants to see it materialize,

and will streamline the path

from incorporation to scaling. In

a world where many jurisdictions

market innovation but struggle to

operationalize it, the UAE stands

out by building the rails that make

innovation repeatable.

January 2026 / 13

International News

Apple and Google

Rush Emergency Fixes

After Sophisticated

Zero-Day Attacks

Apple and Google issued emergency

software updates after

discovering zero-day attacks

actively exploiting security flaws.

Google patched Chrome vulnerabilities,

including one already used by

hackers, while Apple released fixes

across iPhones, Macs, and other devices.

Both companies linked the exploits

to highly sophisticated attacks,

potentially involving state-backed

actors, underscoring growing risks.

Cloudflare Restores

Services After Brief

Outage Disrupts Major

Global Websites

Cloudflare resolved a brief outage

that disrupted major global websites,

including LinkedIn, Coinbase,

and Substack. The company said it

implemented a fix within minutes

and monitored recovery as services

returned. Shares initially fell before

stabilizing once systems improved.

Although short-lived, the incident

highlighted how heavily businesses

rely on Cloudflare’s infrastructure and

why rapid response is critical.

Electronic Arts Shareholders

Approve $55

Billion Sale to Saudi

PIF

Electronic Arts shareholders have

approved a $55 billion takeover

by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment

Fund, clearing the final hurdle

for the deal. Investors backed the

$210-per-share offer, formally ending

EA’s run as a publicly traded company.

Founded more than four decades ago,

EA is best known for franchises such

as EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, and The

Sims. For PIF, the acquisition fits into a

broader push to expand Saudi Arabia’s

footprint in gaming and interactive

entertainment as part of its economic

diversification strategy. Taking EA

private is expected to give studios

greater flexibility to pursue long-term

development without quarterly market

pressure. Supporters argue the deal

enables sustained investment into

funding newer games and projects,

while critics debate the fund’s influence

globally, with some unsure.

Ford Shifts Battery Strategy Toward Grid-Scale

Energy Storage Systems

Ford is expanding into the grid

battery storage market by

repurposing electric vehicle

battery capacity for energy storage

systems. The company plans to ship

grid-scale batteries starting in 2027,

using lithium iron phosphate technology

to support data centers and stabilize

power demand. With $2 billion

in planned investment, Ford aims to

leverage existing facilities and extend

the value of its battery manufacturing

beyond vehicles, opening

up avenues for new product lines.

Uber and Lyft Plan UK

Robotaxi Trials With

Baidu’s Autonomous

Vehicles in 2026

Uber and Lyft have announced

plans to trial Chinese-made robotaxes

in the UK in 2026 through

partnerships with Baidu, pending regulatory

approval. The trials are expected

to begin in London and will use Baidu’s

Apollo Go autonomous vehicles, which

already operate across dozens of cities

in China, Hong Kong, and Dubai. UK

transport officials welcomed the announcement

as support for Britain’s

self-driving ambitions, though public

skepticism remains strong. Uber and

Lyft already run limited autonomous

ride services in parts of the United

States, while Lyft said its UK pilot

would start with dozens of vehicles and

later scale to hundreds. Critics caution

that robotaxes raise concerns around

safety, congestion, privacy, and public

trust. Surveys show many UK residents

remain uncomfortable, with delayed

widespread acceptance.

14 \ January 2026

Netflix Strengthens

Warner Bros Bid by

Refinancing $59 Billion

Bridge Loan

Netflix has refinanced part of the

$59 billion bridge loan supporting

its proposed acquisition of Warner

Bros. Discovery, strengthening the

deal’s financing structure. The company

secured a $5 billion revolving credit facility

and two delayed-draw term loans

totaling $20 billion, replacing higher-cost

short-term borrowing. About $34 billion

of the original bridge loan remains to be

syndicated. The refinancing supports

Netflix’s $82.7 billion bid for Warner

Bros.’ studio and streaming assets,

which has sparked a bidding battle

with Paramount Skydance. Warner

Bros.’ board has urged shareholders

to back Netflix’s offer, calling the rival

proposal inferior. Despite board support,

the deal faces regulatory and political

scrutiny, including criticism from

Senator Elizabeth Warren. The move

highlights Netflix’s investment-grade

credit profile.

Google Translate Adds

Real-Time Headphone

Translations for Live

Conversations

Google has introduced a beta Google

Translate feature that delivers

real-time spoken translations

through headphones, enabling easier

multilingual conversations. The tool

preserves speakers’ tone, emphasis,

and cadence while working with any

headphones. Rolling out on Android in

select regions, it supports more than

70 languages. Google plans to expand

availability to additional countries and

iOS devices in 2026.


Half-Life 3 Rumored

for Spring 2026

Launch Alongside New

Valve Hardware

Fresh reports suggest Half-Life

3 could launch in spring 2026,

potentially alongside Valve’s

next-generation Steam Machine and

new hardware. Sources claim the

long-awaited sequel is playable from

start to finish, signaling advanced

development. Valve has not confirmed

the project, and rising hardware costs

may be slowing announcements. Still,

recent Half-Life 2 anniversary updates

have reignited optimism among fans.

Nigeria in Advanced

Talks With Google on

New Undersea Cable

Project

Nigeria is in advanced talks with

Google to build a new undersea

cable aimed at strengthening the

country’s digital resilience. Officials say

Nigeria relies heavily on existing cables

linking Europe along similar routes,

creating a single point of failure during

outages. A new cable would improve

redundancy as demand for internet

access, cloud services, and computing

power rises across Africa. Google confirmed

discussions are at an advanced

stage but declined further comment,

noting broader plans to expand African

infrastructure. Nigeria is also engaging

other technology companies as part of

a wider digital strategy. The government

hopes stronger connectivity will

support artificial intelligence adoption,

attract investment, boost economic

activity, and help position Africa’s most

populous nation, Nigeria, as a regional

digital hub.

YouTube Secures Exclusive Oscars Streaming

Rights, Ending Network Television Era

YouTube has secured exclusive

rights to stream the Oscars

starting in 2029, ending decades

of broadcast television coverage by

ABC. The agreement will run through

2033 and marks a major shift toward

streaming-first distribution for major

live events. The ceremony will stream

live and free worldwide on YouTube,

with U.S. access via YouTube TV, expanding

the Academy’s reach to billions

of global viewers. This unexpected but

widely requested move is set to change

TV viewing for the forseeable future.

January 2026 / 15

Talent

How UAE is Building a

Smarter, AI-led Workforce

The UAE is reshaping the workforce by embedding AI literacy,

specialized skills in today’s education system

Beyond standard coding bootcamps,

the UAE’s strategic pivot creates a

tiered talent pyramid from millions

of literate prompters to elite strategistscementing

its position as a global

exporter of future-ready human

capital.

The global technology sector

faces a paradox: while

demand for AI capabilities

soars, traditional education systems

struggle to produce job-ready talent

at scale. The UAE’s response is the

“One Million AI Talents” initiative,

a coordinated national framework

that dismantles the conventional

“one-size-fits-all” approach to upskilling.

By structuring training into

four distinct pathwaysFoundation,

Professional, Specialist, and Leadership

program acknowledges that AI

adoption requires a diverse ecosystem

of skills, not just a surplus of

16 \ January 2026


data scientists. The Foundation track

alone targets 900,000 residents for

AI literacy, ensuring that the broader

workforcefrom marketers to government

clerkscan effectively collaborate

with generative AI tools, rather

than fearing displacement by them.

This tiered structure creates a sustainable

talent pyramid. At the base,

mass literacy ensures widespread

adoption and productivity gains

across non-technical sectors. Moving

up the pyramid, the initiative targets

80,000 professionals for applied

AI roles and 20,000 specialists for

deep-tech domains like computer

vision and robotics. At the apex, a

focused cohort of 10,000 leaders is

being trained to govern and strategize

AI integration, preventing the

“strategic drift” often seen when

organizations adopt technology

without executive clarity. This segmentation

ensures that investment

is allocated efficiently, building a

balanced workforce capable of both

innovation and implementation.

Partnerships Over Procurement

Unlike traditional government

programs that rely on outsourced

vendors, the UAE’s model is built on

deep public-private integration. The

initiative leverages a network of over

50 partners, including global tech

giants like Microsoft and Google,

alongside sovereign entities and

academic institutions. This is not a

vendor relationship but a co-creation

model; partners gain early access to

a certified talent pool while the government

benefits from a curriculum

that evolves at the speed of industry.

For example, the “One Million

Prompters” program, overseen by

the Dubai Future Foundation, specifically

targets prompt engineering,

a skill set that didn’t exist five years

ago but is now critical for extracting

value from large language models.

This ecosystem approach extends

to the “One Million Prompters” championship

and similar hackathons,

which gamify learning and identify

elite talent globally. By turning

skill acquisition into a competitive

and social activity, the UAE attracts

high-potential individuals from

around the world, effectively reversing

the “brain drain” that plagues

many emerging markets. Winners

and top performers are often fasttracked

for Golden Visas and employment,

turning training programs

into direct recruitment pipelines for

the national economy.

Redefining “Tech Training”

The initiative fundamentally differs

from standard coding bootcamps

by prioritizing “AI fluency” over pure

syntax. The focus on prompt engineering

and generative AI literacy

reflects a forward-looking understanding:

the future workforce needs

to know how to direct and audit AI,

not just how to build it from scratch.

This democratizes access to tech

careers, allowing creative professionals,

linguists, and domain experts

to enter the AI economy without a

computer science degree.

Furthermore, the integration of

an accredited certification frame-

We want to be the

most future-ready

city and to continue

preparing for the AI

era by developing

expertise and skills

that support global

technological transformation.”

— Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed

bin Rashid Al Maktoum,

Crown Prince of Dubai

work ensures that these new skills

carry currency in the labor market.

By standardizing competencies for

emerging roles like “Prompt Engineer”

or “AI Ethics Officer,” the UAE is

helping to define the global professional

standards for the AI era. This

moves the country beyond being a

consumer of technology to becoming

a standard-setter for the human

capital that powers it. The result is a

workforce that is not just technically

proficient but adaptively resilient,

ready to navigate a labor market

where the only constant is algorithmic

change.

Measuring National Impact

The true strength of the “One Million

AI Talents” initiative lies not in its

scale but in its measurable outcomes.

Early data suggests that

AI-certified participants are driving

productivity boosts of 20–30%

within their respective organizations,

particularly in sectors such

as retail, logistics, and government

services. Small and medium enterprises

(SMEs), often excluded from

high-level transformation programs,

have also gained access to subsidized

AI toolkits and mentorship

support. This inclusion ensures that

digital transformation trickles down

to the grassroots of the economy

rather than remaining confined to

large corporations or state entities.

The UAE is also deploying performance

analytics to continuously

refine its AI talent funnel. Integrated

dashboards track course completion

rates, employment outcomes, and

industry demand signals in real time,

ensuring that training content adjusts

dynamically. This data-centric

approach transforms the program

into a self-learning system, one that

evolves as technology and industry

applications shift. By leveraging anonymized

data, the government can

forecast labor requirements in critical

sectors, aligning training supply with

market demand months in advance.

By transforming AI education into

an adaptive ecosystem, the UAE is

doing more than cultivating talent; it

is constructing the human foundation

of a digitally sovereign nation.

Through foresight, inclusivity, and

measurable accountability, it has

enhanced skill-building.

January 2026 / 17

Investment News

Coursera and Udemy

Merge in $2.5B Deal

to Boost AI Learning

Coursera and Udemy have agreed

to a $2.5 billion all-stock merger,

combining two major online

learning platforms into one company.

Expected to close next year pending

approvals, the deal aims to scale

operations and accelerate AI-driven

education. Both firms see the merger

as a way to strengthen investor confidence,

expand AI-powered products,

and better meet growing global

demand for workforce-ready digital

skills.

ElevenLabs Hits $6.6B

Valuation as CEO

Shifts Focus Beyond

Voice

ElevenLabs has surged to a $6.6

billion valuation, evolving from

a small dubbing-focused startup

into a profitable global synthetic audio

company. A recent $100 million tender

offer drew major investor support.

CEO Mati Staniszewski says voice

models will soon be commoditized,

pushing ElevenLabs to pivot toward

conversational AI agents, multimodal

experiences, and tools for authenticity,

and deepfake detection.

Ziina Launches

UAE’s First Live Open

Finance Payment

under CBUAE

Ziina, a UAE-based payments

platform, and Lean Technologies

have launched the country’s first

live customer-initiated Open Finance

payment under the Central Bank of the

UAE’s framework. Users can now make

instant, account-to-account transfers

directly from the Ziina app to bank accounts

via regulated APIs—bypassing

manual processes for faster, transparent

transactions. This marks the practical

debut of Open Finance in production,

proving regulated connectivity can

support real-world payment flows.

The service leverages Lean’s infrastructure

for secure API connections

and resilience, while Ziina handles

the seamless customer experience.

Faisal Toukan, Ziina’s CEO, called it “an

important step for the UAE’s financial

ecosystem,” highlighting how policy

shapes everyday finance, enabling

reliable Open Finance payments at scale.

Global Digital Economy to Surge in 2026 as AI

Fuels Growth

The global digital economy is

projected to grow 9.5 percent

in 2026, reaching an estimated

$28 trillion and accounting for

22 percent of global GDP. Fueled by

advances in artificial intelligence and

emerging technologies, growth is

expected to far outpace the broader

economy. Experts highlight cybersecurity,

ambient intelligence, and

converging frontier technologies as

key drivers shaping near-term impact

and long-term value creation boosting

the global digital economy.

SpaceX Plans Record

$1.5 Trillion IPO as

2026 Timeline Emerges

SpaceX is planning to go public

in mid-to-late 2026, targeting

a valuation of about $1.5 trillion

and aiming to raise roughly $30 billion,

according to recent reports. If completed,

the offering would surpass Saudi

Aramco’s record-setting 2019 IPO. The

plan marks a strategic shift, as SpaceX

previously considered spinning off its

Starlink satellite unit while keeping

core operations private. Additional

details surfaced after reports revealed

a recent secondary share sale for employees,

implying a valuation above

$800 billion. Employees are expected

to sell nearly $2 billion worth of shares

priced at $420 each. This transaction

has helped shape investor expectations

and signal market readiness. Together,

these developments indicate SpaceX is

positioning itself for a historic IPO for

both institutional investors and retail

participants seeking exposure.

18 \ January 2026

Mal Raises $230

Million to Launch

AI-Driven Islamic Digital

Bank in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi-based Islamic digital

bank Mal has secured a landmark

$230 million strategic investment

round, marking one of the largest recent

fintech deals in the UAE. Led by BlueFive

Capital with participation from global

strategic investors and family offices,

the funding will support product development,

licensing, and market entry

ahead of Mal’s planned 2026 launch.

Founded by fintech entrepreneur Abdallah

Abu-Sheikh, Mal is building an

AI-driven, mobile-first Islamic digital

bank targeting underbanked communities

with a smart, ethical, and inclusive

financial platform. Headquartered in

Abu Dhabi, the startup will roll out first

in the UAE before expanding across

the Middle East and Asia, supported

by a leadership bench featuring former

Revolut and Nubank executives,

underscoring growing confidence in

the UAE’s fintech ecosystem.

Netflix Strikes $72

Billion Deal to Acquire

Warner Bros Discovery

Studios

Netflix has agreed to acquire

Warner Bros Discovery’s studios

and streaming division in a $72

billion deal, marking a major shift

in Hollywood’s power balance. The

acquisition transforms Netflix into a

full-scale studio with access to iconic

franchises like Harry Potter, DC, and

Game of Thrones. While regulatory scrutiny

is expected, the move strengthens

Netflix’s global content strategy amid

accelerating industry consolidation.


Nvidia Confirms $100

Billion OpenAI Investment

Deal Remains

Unfinalized

Nvidia has confirmed that its

proposed investment of up to

$100 billion in OpenAI is still

not finalized, with key terms under

negotiation. Speaking at a technology

conference, executives said no definitive

agreement has been reached.

The potential partnership, involving

massive AI infrastructure deployment,

has drawn industry attention as Nvidia’s

AI bookings and strategic influence

continue, raising concerns.

Waymo Targets $15

Billion Funding as

Robotaxi Expansion

Accelerates

Waymo is in discussions to raise

more than $15 billion in new

funding early next year, a

round that could value the autonomous

driving company at up to $110 billion.

The talks reportedly involve Alphabet

and outside investors and would mark

a major jump from earlier financing.

In October 2024, Waymo raised $5.6

billion at a $45 billion valuation, with

Alphabet committing $5 billion. The new

funding reflects growing confidence as

Waymo accelerates robotaxi expansion

across the United States. The company

operates or tests services in 26

markets and offers paid rides in cities

including Phoenix, San Francisco, Los

Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta. In 2025,

Waymo served about 14 million trips

and reached roughly 450,000 weekly

paid rides while intensifying competition

with rivals and positioning itself as a

long-term infrastructure layer.

Roomba Maker iRobot Files for Bankruptcy,

Moves Toward Manufacturer Buyout

iRobot, the company behind the

Roomba robot vacuum, has filed for

Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it prepares

to go private through a buyout by its

primary manufacturer, Picea Robotics.

The filing follows mounting pressure

from cheaper competitors, shrinking

margins, rising tariffs, and heavy debt.

Despite financial restructuring, iRobot

says operations, customer support, and

product services will continue without

disruption as leadership outlines a

turnaround plan focused on innovation,

and renewed global competitiveness.

January 2026 / 19

GADGET REVIEWs

ONEPLUS 13

ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE FLAGSHIP

OnePlus has pushed the boundaries of smartphone innovation

with the OnePlus 13, announced in October

2024 and now available globally. This flagship device

is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, marking

it as one of the most powerful Android phones on the market.

The processor features an octa-core architecture with

dual cores running at 4.32 GHz paired with six cores at 3.53

GHz, built on TSMC’s advanced N3E process for exceptional

efficiency and performance.

The display is a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED curved screen

with QHD+ resolution (3168 × 1440 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh

rate, delivering crisp visuals and smooth scrolling. The phone

features a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, ensuring excellent

visibility even in direct sunlight. The device is housed in

either a premium glass back or vegan leather, with flat sides

replacing the curved design of its predecessor, offering a

more modern aesthetic.

Camera excellence is central to the OnePlus 13’s appeal,

featuring a triple-camera system co-developed with Hasselblad.

The main camera uses the Sony LYT-808 sensor with

a 1/1.4-inch size and f/1.6 aperture, paired with optical and

electronic image stabilization. A 50MP telephoto lens with

3X optical zoom captures detail from a distance, while the

50MP ultra-wide camera covers a 120-degree field of view.

The front 32MP camera handles selfies and video calls. Video

recording reaches impressive specs with 8K at 30fps and

4K at 60fps across all cameras.

The standout feature is the massive 6,000 mAh silicon

carbon battery delivering exceptional longevity without

compromising thinness. Charging is equally impressive, with

100W Super VOOC wired charging achieving a full charge in

approximately 27 minutes, alongside 50W wireless AirVOOC

charging. The device runs OxygenOS 15 based on Android

15, offering a clean, fluid user experience. Available with

12GB to 24GB RAM and storage up to 1TB, the OnePlus 13

provides flagship performance at a competitive price point.

20 \ January 2026


APPLE VISION PRO

REVOLUTIONISING SPATIAL COMPUTING

The Apple Vision Pro represents a paradigm shift in computing,

introducing what Apple calls “spatial computing,

“a revolutionary category of device that blends digital

content seamlessly with your physical environment. Available

now with the advanced M5 chip (updated October 2025),

this revolutionary headset starts at $3,499 for the 256GB

model, with 512GB and 1TB configurations also offered.

Technically, the Vision Pro is a mixed-reality headset featuring

dual custom micro-OLED displays delivering over 4K

resolution to each eye combined 23 million pixels that surpass

any 4K television. The M5 upgrade renders 10 percent more

pixels than the original M2 model while supporting refresh

rates up to 120Hz, resulting in crisper text and reduced motion

blur. The device houses 12 cameras and five sensors

that track hand gestures, eye movements, and map your

surroundings in real-time, streaming images to the displays

within 12 milliseconds for virtually lag-free interaction.

The new Dual Knit Band addresses previous comfort criticisms,

featuring two 3D-knitted strapsone over the top of

the head and another behind with tungsten counterweights

for balanced weight distribution. Users control the device

through intuitive eye-tracking, hand gestures, and voice

commands; simply look at an app and pinch your fingers to

open it. The external “EyeSight” display shows your persona’s

eyes to others, indicating whether you’re immersed or

available for interaction.

Battery life improved with the M5 to 2.5 hours of general

use and up to three hours of video playback, powered by

an external battery pack. The device runs visionOS, derived

from iPadOS frameworks, enabling floating windows you can

arrange in 3D space. The headset excels at entertainment with

over 150 3D titles through Apple TV+, spatial video capture

for reliving memories in 3D, FaceTime with realistic digital

personas, and Mac integration where Vision Pro serves as

a 4K personal theater display. While the price point remains

premium and some reviewers found limited daily-use cases,

the M5 variant represents performance gains, making now

an ideal time to experience the future of spatial computing.

January 2026 / 21

Interview

MANOJ SUREKA

CEO & Managing Partner,

Synergy Fin. Consulting

Beyond Credit Scores: The New

SME Credit Infrastructure

in the UAE

Manoj Sureka, CEO & Managing Partner at Synergy Fin. Consulting, 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.

22 \ January 2026


Exclusive Interview

Q: The UAE has been at the forefront

of digital transformation in financial

services. How has SME credit assessment

evolved over the past few years?

Lending in the UAE has evolved significantly.

Where banks once relied mainly

on financial statements, collateral, and

guarantees, they now leverage digital

footprints and alternative data from utility

and telecom payments to e-commerce

transactions to assess creditworthiness.

This approach is expanding access to

finance for SMEs while allowing banks

to manage risk more effectively.

Q: There is a significant discussion

around the alternative data in SME

lending. What does this actually mean

in practice for businesses in the UAE?

Alternative data is the digital footprint

businesses create through daily operations

like paying telecom or utility

bills, processing customer transactions,

or using digital payments. For SMEs,

consistent patterns in these activities

signal financial discipline and operational

stability, offering a real-time view

of creditworthiness beyond traditional

financial statements.

Q: How is alternative data incorporated

into lending decisions in practice,

and what processes operate behind

the scenes?

The process is straightforward: SMEs

give consent for lenders to access data

like telecom bills, utility records, or payment

gateway transactions via secure

APIs. This data feeds credit models that

analyse patterns, consistent payments

signal stability, rising transaction volumes

indicate growth, and timely telecom

payments show financial discipline.

Open banking regulations ensure this

happens securely and with customer

consent.

Q: How are AI and machine learning

specifically applied in data-based SME

lending?

AI converts alternative data into forward-looking

lending decisions. Unlike

traditional credit scoring, it analyses

SME payment behaviour, utility usage,

and e-commerce trends to predict risk

Alternative data and digital behaviours

are transforming how

UAE SMEs access finance, making

trust measurable and lending

more inclusive.”

more accurately and price credit with

confidence.

Post-disbursement, AI monitors

real-time data to flag early warning

signs such as declining transactions

or irregular payments, enabling proactive

engagement. It also strengthens

fraud detection by quickly identifying

mismatches between reported revenue

and actual digital activity.

Q: What should SMEs do to prepare for

this data-driven lending environment?

SMEs need to think about data readiness

as seriously as financial readiness. The

practical reality is that building a digital

footprint matters now. Using business

payment gateways, maintaining an

e-commerce presence where relevant,

ensuring utilities and telecoms are in

the company name, and every formal

digital transaction strengthens your

credit profile.

When advising SMEs on fundraising

now, the conversation has shifted to

preparing data narratives alongside financial

stories. If revenue dipped but

operations remained consistent, the

data tells that story. The SMEs winning

in this environment are those treating

data as a strategic asset rather than an

administrative detail.

Q: What opportunities and challenges

does alternative data present for

fintechs and lenders?

Alternative data opens access to UAE

SMEs with limited financial histories,

allowing fintechs to automate underwriting,

offer revenue-based financing,

and adjust credit dynamically, creating a

competitive edge over traditional banks.

Challenges remain, including variable

data quality, privacy and consent management,

complex API integration, and

the need to validate AI models over full

credit cycles.

Q: How is the UAE regulatory environment

supporting this ecosystem?

The Central Bank’s progressive stance

through sandboxes and open banking

guidelines enables fintechs to experiment

with alternative data while protecting

consumers. Standardised data

formats and deeper credit bureau integration

are still evolving, but overall,

UAE regulation supports SME-focused

innovation under careful oversight.

Q: What trends do you see shaping

the next few years?

Embedded finance becomes standard

where SMEs access credit directly within

platforms they already use. We’ll see

real-time credit products that adjust

automatically, where credit lines increase

when sales grow and tighten

when transactions decline.

Q: What is your advice for SMEs and

fintechs navigating this revolution?

SMEs should think like data-native

businesses, choosing payment and

e-commerce platforms with credit in

mind, sharing data transparently, and

maintaining strong financial hygiene.

Fintechs must innovate responsibly,

build ecosystem partnerships, combine

credit and data expertise, start

with niche verticals, and scale proven

models for a competitive edge.

January 2026 / 23

DRIVE TO THE FUTURE

GENESIS GV90:

Luxury Redefined Through Electric Innovation

24 \ January 2026

Powertrain and Performance Excellence

Genesis offers dual, distinct powertrains catering

to different driving philosophies. The dual-motor

all-wheel-drive configuration delivers approximately

500 horsepower with 0-100 km/h in 4.5

seconds and an estimated range exceeding 560

kilometers. For performance enthusiasts, a triple-motor

variant generates over 600 horsepower,

accelerating from 0-100 km/h in an exhilarating

4.5 seconds.

Both variants leverage 800-volt architecture,

achieving ultra-rapid charging to 80% capacithetechnologyexpress.com

The 2026 Genesis GV90 represents Hyundai’s

luxury division’s boldest statement: that

electric SUVs can transcend performance

specifications to deliver true automotive majesty.

As the flagship three-row EV launching production

in June 2026, the GV90 combines groundbreaking

technology, refined aesthetics, and transportation

innovation that challenge industry assumptions

about luxury’s definition.

ty in under 25 minutes, a critical advantage for

busy lifestyles across modern urban centers.

This charging prowess is complemented by vehicle-to-load

(V2L) capability, enabling the GV90 to

power external devices, transforming the vehicle

into a mobile power station.

Landmark Design and Interior Innovation

The GV90’s dramatic coach doors open opposite-hinged

for theatrical presence while enhancing

rear-seat access. Inside, a revolutionary

25-inch curved OLED dashboard powered by Samsung’s

Exynos Auto V920 chip delivers seamless

infotainment integration, with an optional secondary

passenger display for navigation and entertainment

shielded from driver distraction.

Advanced biometric access, night vision capabilities,

and swivel front seats that rotate toward the

cabin elevate executive comfort. The three-row

configuration provides genuine seven-seat accommodation

while maintaining a luxury perception

throughout all seating positions.

Suspension and Driving Dynamics

Adaptive air suspension with electronically controlled

damping ensures comfort during highway

cruising while maintaining composed body

control during spirited cornering. The advanced

all-wheel-drive system dynamically distributes

torque between front and rear wheels, optimizing

traction across diverse road surfaces and weather

conditions.

Autonomous Driving and Safety

Standard safety features include automatic emergency

braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive

cruise control. Optional Level 3+ autonomous

capabilities provide semi-autonomous highway

driving, reducing driver fatigue during extended

journeys essential for luxury-segment expectations.

The GV90 emerges as a paradigm shift: a threerow

electric SUV that eschews compromises,

delivering performance, range, technology, and

unmistakable presence simultaneously. Starting

from an estimated $100,000-$120,000, it redefines

luxury EV expectations for discerning drivers

worldwide.

4.5 s

0–100 km/h

500 hp

Horsepower

600 Nm

Torque

January 2026 / 25

COVER STORY

COVER

STORY

26 \ January 2026


HOW THE UAE TURNED DIGITAL CAPABILITY

INTO A NATIONAL SYSTEM POWERING GROWTH,

RESILIENCE, AND COMPETITIVENESS

January 2026 / 27

COVER STORY

THE YEAR TECH

DISSOLVED INTO

EVERYTHING

In 2025, technology in the UAE stopped behaving like a sector and began operating

as national infrastructure. From AI and cloud to identity and climate systems, invisible

platforms now underpin economic resilience, public services, and long-term

competitiveness.

28 \ January 2026


In 2025, the UAE’s tech story took a different

turn. Progress did not slow, fracture, or get lost

in exaggerated promises; instead, technology

stepped out of the spotlight while becoming more

decisive than ever. Tech sectors no longer appeared

as separate programmes or headline projects. They

were absorbed into the core fabric of operations and

services, functioning as built‐in capabilities. Success

was no longer counted in startups, pilots, or

new apps, but in how seamlessly and reliably these

systems supported the country’s digital ambitions.

It was measured in megawatts of compute, GDP

contribution, cross-sector integration, and national

resilience. Under the UAE National Strategy for Artificial

Intelligence 2031 and aligned digital government

agendas, AI moved decisively from experimentation

to production. By 2031, AI is expected to contribute

approximately AED 335 billion to the national economy,

a figure that reframes AI not as innovation, but

as an economic engine.

The transformation of 2025 revealed a deeper

truth: the most important technology systems are

the ones citizens rarely notice. The platforms coordinating

healthcare, mobility, energy, finance, and

security now operate beneath the surface, shaping

This is the era of invisible

tech, and the foundation

for the UAE’s next decade of

growth.”

outcomes without demanding attention.

From Sector To System

For years, technology was discussed as a vertical,

alongside energy, finance, or real estate. In 2025,

that distinction collapsed. Government technology

strategies no longer asked what tech to deploy, but

what systems the nation must run better.

AI, cloud, and data platforms were embedded

directly into policy execution, operational performance,

and public service delivery. Government AI

initiatives moved from pilots to scaled production

across ministries, supported by governance frameworks

designed for real-world complexity. Rather

than isolated tools, these deployments functioned

as shared infrastructure, reusable across sectors.

This systemic approach explains why GovTech

and Digital Public Infrastructure emerged as the

highest-impact domain of 2025. AI-native govern-

ment services, national data platforms, and digital

identity frameworks are now treated as long-term

state assets, aligned not only to AI Strategy 2031,

but to Centennial 2071 goals. Technology became

inseparable from governance itself.

The Rise Of Invisible Infrastructure

The most critical investments of 2025 were not consumer-facing.

They were structural. Cloud and data

centres evolved into national utilities, underpinning

AI inference, sovereign data control, and cross-sector

digital services.

The UAE’s data-centre market, valued at approximately

USD 1.26 billion in 2024, is projected to

exceed USD 3.3 billion by 2030. More than 350 MW

of live capacity and roughly 500 MW under development

have repositioned the country as a regional

data-sovereignty anchor. These facilities are not

simply hosting workloads; they are enabling policy,

security, and economic strategy.

This infrastructure-first mindset reflects a broader

shift: growth is now built on platforms rather than

products. When cloud, compute, and data become

reliable and sovereign, innovation accelerates on

top of them, quietly, efficiently, and at scale.

AI Moves Inside Operations

In 2025, AI stopped trying to impress and started

trying to work. The ambition to build universal

enterprise agents gave way to domain-specific

deployment. AI embedded itself into operations —

optimising logistics, improving service performance,

and supporting decision-making across government

and regulated industries.

Rather than replacing workflows, AI became an

invisible optimisation layer. National AI programmes

focused on efficiency, compliance, and reliability,

supported by governance, risk, and audit structures

built directly into production systems. This operationalisation

of AI explains why its impact is now

measured in GDP uplift and service performance,

not demos or proofs of concept.

This shift mirrors a broader realisation: the value of

AI emerges not from scale alone, but from precision.

When aligned to clear objectives and embedded into

existing systems, AI becomes durable infrastructure.

Finance, Trust, And The New Digital Spine

Fintech’s evolution in the UAE during 2025 reinforced

the infrastructure narrative. The focus moved

away from consumer apps toward regulated rails,

payments, compliance, identity, and open banking

frameworks that support the broader economy.

Digital payments and real-time settlement systems

now underpin e-commerce, remittances, and public-sector

fee collection. Open-data and open-banking

initiatives are treated as economic enablers,

January 2026 / 29

Trend Lines

In 2025, technology in the UAE didn’t just grow,

it dissolved into everything.

Government AI has clearly moved from pilots to scaled production under the UAE AI Strategy 2031. By 2031,

AI is expected to add roughly AED 335 billion to the UAE economy, shifting AI from

‘innovation project’ to core growth engine.

TOP-PERFORMING TECH DOMAINS

BY REAL IMPACT

1. GovTech & DPI

95

90

85

8 nat'l objectives met

5+ sectors integrated

AED 335bn AI pipeline

Impact Index

92

2. Cloud & Data

Centres

85

80

95

>350 MW live

AI/cloud mandates

USD 3.3bn by 2030

Impact Index

86

3. AI in Operations

88

85

80

26% GDP uplift

ops across ministries

prod-scale rollouts

Impact Index

85

4. Fintech

Infrastructure

75

78

82

45% digital GDP target

payments/open rails

regtech embedded

Impact Index

85

30 \ January 2026


5. Cybersecurity

Resilience

82

75

78

national resilience tie-in

AI-cyber fusion

hundreds MW secured

Impact Index

85

Gov Adoption: 45% + Cross-Sector Reach: 35% + Infra Commitments: 30% =

Impact Index:

100%

1GovTech & Digital Public Infrastructure 2

From smart services to AI-native government

UAE National AI Strategy 2031 drives AI across

healthcare, transport, energy, education and

government services.

Government AI moves from pilots to production,

aligned to an AI contribution to the economy in

the hundreds of billions of dirhams by 2031.

3AI in Operations 4

AI as the invisible optimisation layer

AI is being integrated into public services, logistics

and essential services under the National

AI Strategy, with sector-wide deployments rather

than isolated pilots.

Government AI programmes focus on performance

and efficiency at all levels, not just front-end

experiences.

Cloud & Data Centre Expansion

Cloud and compute as national utilities

UAE data centre market forecast to more than

triple to about USD 3.3 billion by 2030.

Market value roughly USD 1.26 billion in 2024,

growing at close to 18% CAGR, with large new

capacity across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Fintech Infrastructure

Payments, compliance and open rails

Regulated digital payments and real-time rails

underpin e-commerce, remittances and public-fee

collection.

Open-data and open-banking frameworks are

treated as enablers for new financial products and

SME access to capital.

5Cybersecurity & National Resilience

The security perimeter becomes national

Cybersecurity is framed as a pillar of national resilience, integrated with AI, cloud and data localisation

policies.

Data centres and critical infrastructure deployments are designed to meet both performance and security

mandates.

Key Insight:

2025 marked the shift from tech as ‘innovation activity’ to tech as national

infrastructure — measured in data-centre megawatts, AI contribution to GDP and

cross-sector platforms, not just app downloads or startup counts.

January 2026 / 31

COVER STORY

expanding SME access to capital and accelerating

product innovation. Crucially, regulation is embedded

by design, not layered on later.

At the same time, cybersecurity reframed itself

as national resilience. Security is no longer perimeter-based;

it is systemic. Data centres, AI platforms,

and identity systems are designed to meet

performance and sovereignty requirements simultaneously.

Secure digital identity and trusted data

governance are prerequisites for scaling AI-native

government services, not optional enhancements.

Looking ahead, the fastest-growing

technology

markets will not be the

most visible. They will be

the most strategic.”

from innovation: it must work reliably under stress.

By 2030, the UAE aims not only to host one of the

world’s largest AI campuses, but to operate one of

the most integrated digital ecosystems globally. The

goal is not technological self-isolation, but sovereign

capability that interoperates confidently with global

partners.

The Quiet Advantage

The most powerful technology stories are rarely

loud. In 2025, the UAE demonstrated that real

advantage comes from systems that fade into the

background while delivering measurable outcomes.

Tech stopped being something the country did, and

became something the country ran on.

The next five years will be built on this invisible

foundation. And those who understand it will understand

where growth truly comes from.

The Next Growth Markets Are Structural

Sovereign AI and national data platforms are positioned

as the backbone of future services,

supported by long-term capital commitments and

international partnerships. Hyperscale data centres

and sovereign cloud infrastructure will ensure AI

inference, government services, and regional digital

exports remain secure and scalable.

Digital identity and trust infrastructure will enable

frictionless public–private interaction, while AI-enabled

urban systems will transform transport, utilities,

and planning through real-time orchestration.

Climate tech, paired with AI, will optimise energy

systems and emissions reduction, aligning Net Zero

ambitions with operational reality.

These markets share a common trait: they are not

built for headlines. They are built for endurance.

Execution, Not Experimentation

The defining characteristic of the UAE’s technology

strategy entering 2026 is execution at national

scale. Mandates are clear. Infrastructure investments

are committed. Public–private models align

capital, expertise, and governance into delivery

engines rather than discussion forums.

AI, cloud, and climate systems are no longer

framed as optional accelerators. They are designed

as shock absorbers, platforms that allow rapid adaptation

to economic, environmental, and geopolitical

change. This is what distinguishes infrastructure

The UAE’s focus is no longer

on experimenting with

technology, but on operationalising

it as national

infrastructure that delivers

measurable economic and

societal outcomes.”

— H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama,

Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital

Economy & Remote Work Applications

Government of the United Arab Emirates

32 \ January 2026


FUTURE-FACING TECH

MARKETS BY STRATEGIC

IMPORTANCE

The Next Five Years Will Be Built on Invisible Tech

Sovereign AI & National

Data Platforms

Cloud Sovereignty & Hyperscale

Data Centres

USD 100B+ USD 3.3B 11M+

Digital Identity & Trust

Infrastructure

Government-backed AI investment

vehicles

Projected data‐centre market growth

by 2030

Users on UAE PASS

AI-enabled Urban

Systems

25%

of Trips to be Autonomous by 2030

ClimateTech &

Sustainability

AED 200B

Investment in clean-energy and

efficiency projects by 2030

Moving Forward:

The UAE’s next growth phase is not

about experimentation, it is about

execution at national scale, turning AI,

cloud and climate tech into invisible

infrastructure that underwrites competitiveness

and resilience.

January 2026 / 33

Artificial Intelligence

Abu Dhabi’s AI Pivot:

100+ Live Deployments

How the Government has accelerated the transition from experimental

sandboxes to production-scale AI operations

By embedding artificial intelligence into core civic infrastructure,

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Government

Enablement has established a repeatable blueprint for

deploying sovereign, secure, and scalable AI solutions

that proactively serve millions.

Abu Dhabi has successfully

breached the “pilot purgatory”

that stalls digital transformation

in many public sectors

globally. By the close of 2025, the

Department of Government Enablement

(DGE) confirmed the operational

deployment of over 100 distinct

AI use cases across more than 40

government entities. This shift

represents a fundamental maturity

in the emirate’s digital posture:

moving beyond isolated experiments

to integrated, mission-critical

systems. The deployed solutions are

not merely back-office optimizers

but citizen-facing engines driving

tangible outcomes, from predictive

compliance monitoring that instantly

analyzes business activities to

proactive social services that trigger

benefits based on life events without

requiring applications.

The scale of this rollout is underpinned

by a departure from fragmented

procurement. Instead of

individual agencies reinventing compliance

and infrastructure wheels,

34 \ January 2026


the DGE established a unified

digital backbone. This centralized

approach allowed diverse entities—from

municipal planners to

social support agencies to leverage

shared, pre-validated AI architectures.

Consequently, agencies

could focus on domain-specific

logic rather than foundational tech

stacks, dramatically compressing

the time-to-deployment for complex

systems like real-time workforce

optimization and multilingual

service interfaces supporting over

15 languages.

Infrastructure as a Sovereign

Asset

Scaling AI across sensitive government

functions required a rigorous

answer to data sovereignty. Abu

Dhabi’s strategy creates a “sovereign

cloud” environment that

ensures critical government data

remains within jurisdictional control

while accessing global-grade

compute power. The partnership

with global tech leaders to build

this local cloud infrastructure handles

more than 11 million daily interactions,

proving that sovereignty

need not come at the expense

of performance or scalability.

This infrastructure supports the

“AI-Native” vision, where intelligence

is woven into the fabric of

the network rather than bolted on

as an afterthought. High-performance

computing resources are

now accessible to all 40+ entities,

democratizing access to the massive

computational power required

for large language models (LLMs)

and predictive analytics. This centralized

compute capacity ensures

that even smaller government

departments can deploy sophisticated

AI tools, such as automated

license renewal systems or

intelligent fraud detection, without

needing to build independent

data centers or hire vast technical

teams.

Governance and the Human-inthe-Loop

Rapid scaling introduces significant

risk, which Abu Dhabi

mitigated through a formalized

governance layer. The emirate

mandated the appointment of

Chief Data and AI Officers (CDAOs)

within every government entity.

These officers serve as the critical

bridge between central strategy

and local execution, responsible

for ensuring that AI adoption

aligns with ethical frameworks and

data privacy standards. This distributed

leadership model ensures

accountability sits close to the

application, preventing the “black

box” problem where algorithms

operate without local oversight.

Simultaneously, the “AI for All”

training initiative has upskilled

thousands of civil servants,

shifting the cultural mindset from

fear of displacement to capability

augmentation. By training staff

to work alongside AI, using it to

handle routine queries or analyze

complex regulatory texts, the government

has improved efficiency

while retaining the “human touch”

in complex decision-making. This

dual focus on rigorous governance

structures and broad-based human

capital development provides

a replicable template for other

nations: technology scales only as

fast as the institutions and people

ready to manage it.

Measurable Impact and the Road

Ahead

Beyond short-term impact,

the DGE’s approach is setting

the foundation for an adaptive,

self-evolving government ecosystem.

By balancing innovation with

public accountability, Abu Dhabi is

positioning itself as both a regional

and global reference for digital

governance. The next phase will

focus on cross-border collaboration

and exportable AI governance

frameworks, allowing Abu Dhabi’s

model of efficiency, inclusion, and

sovereignty to inform the global

discourse on responsible AI.

The Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy

2025-2027 reflects our leadership’s vision

of being an AI-native government, seamlessly

integrating AI across all government

systems for a future that is proactive and

agile.”

— H.E. Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab,

Chairman,

Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi

January 2026 / 35

ai News

Adobe Integrates Photoshop

and Acrobat

Tools Directly Into

ChatGPT

Adobe has integrated Photoshop,

Acrobat, and Adobe Express

directly into ChatGPT,

letting users create, edit, and manage

content without leaving the interface.

Tools are accessed via the

menu or by name, with free use but

required Adobe login for some apps.

An adaptive Photoshop UI simplifies

editing, while MCP-based integration

offers guided workflows with oneclick

access to full web apps.

Ring Launches

Controversial AI

Facial-Recognition

Feature for Doorbells

Amazon’s Ring is rolling out a

facial-recognition feature called

Familiar Faces to U.S. doorbell

users, allowing identification of frequent

visitors and personalized alerts. While

the company says data is encrypted and

optional, the tool has sparked backlash

from privacy advocates and lawmakers.

Critics cite surveillance risks, past

security issues, and law-enforcement

ties, fueling calls for stronger oversight

as AI expands in smart-home devices.

OpenAI Moves to

Acquire Neptune to

Strengthen AI Training

Infrastructure

OpenAI has agreed to acquire

Neptune, a startup known for

tools that track and monitor AI

model training, as it expands its development

capabilities. Reports indicate

the stock-based deal is valued at under

$400 million, although financial terms

were not officially confirmed. Neptune

counts major clients including Samsung,

Roche, and HP, and OpenAI has relied

on its platform to debug and evaluate

GPT training workflows. The company

originated as an internal tool at Deepsense

before becoming independent

in 2018, later raising more than $18

million in funding. The acquisition follows

OpenAI’s rapid growth, including

a $500 billion valuation reached in

October. While an IPO is not imminent,

the move underscores OpenAI’s focus

on improving reliability and streamlining

evaluation processes of potential

startups.

ChatGPT Image Generation Accelerates With

Global Rollout of GPT Image 1.5

OpenAI has launched GPT Image

1.5 for ChatGPT Images,

delivering faster and more precise

AI-powered image creation and

editing. This much-awaited update

offers up to four times quicker generation,

improved instruction accuracy,

and stronger preservation of image

details. Available globally across

ChatGPT and the API, it also lowers

image costs by 20 percent, supporting

more efficient creative, marketing,

and design workflows, smoothly

integrating into other systems.

Researchers Jailbreak

Gemini 3 Pro in Minutes,

Raising Safety

Alarms

Researchers have reportedly jailbroken

Google’s Gemini 3 Pro in

just minutes during a controlled

red-teaming exercise, raising serious

concerns about the model’s safety

systems. The test, conducted by Aim

Intelligence using prompt-based, non-invasive

techniques, encountered little

resistance when bypassing safeguards.

After gaining deeper access, researchers

said the model generated detailed

instructions for creating dangerous

materials, including smallpox, sarin gas,

and homemade explosives. The team

also demonstrated the model’s ability

to produce hazardous websites and

satirical content highlighting its own

weaknesses. Experts warn that newer

AI systems can develop self-generated

methods to evade restrictions, making

detection harder. AI-enabled cyberattacks

call for stronger safeguards,

faster mitigation, and clearer oversight.

36 \ January 2026

Pebble Founder

Launches AI Smart

Ring Focused on Private

Note-Taking

Pebble’s founder has introduced Index

01, an AI smart ring designed

for fast, intentional note-taking

rather than constant AI interaction.

The stainless steel ring activates only

when its side button is pressed, ensuring

recordings remain deliberate and

private. Voice notes sync directly to a

smartphone through the Pebble app,

with no subscriptions or cloud storage

required. Built for everyday wear, it is

water-resistant for rain or hand-washing

but not suitable for swimming. The

device avoids health, fitness, and sleep

tracking, focusing solely on capturing

thoughts when phones are inconvenient.

Index 01 supports brief recordings,

offers a battery lifespan measured

in years, and reflects Core Devices’

sustainable, self-funded approach.

The ring is available for preorder in

multiple sizes and finishes, supporting

note-taking in a new format.

Disney Makes Major

OpenAI Investment to

Reimagine Content

Creation

Disney is investing $1 billion in

OpenAI through a three-year

partnership aimed at reshaping

entertainment content creation. The deal

allows OpenAI to use licensed Disney

characters for AI-generated video while

excluding real actors’ likenesses. Disney

plans to integrate generative tools

into Disney+ and studio workflows,

improving production efficiency as

the industry debates AI’s impact on

creativity, and copyright.


Google Confirms Gemini-Powered

Smart

Glasses Launch

Planned for 2026

Google has confirmed plans to

launch Gemini-powered AI smart

glasses in 2026, featuring both

display-equipped and audio-focused

models. Developed with multiple

hardware partners, the glasses aim

to balance lightweight design with

advanced functionality. Alongside this,

Google previewed XR headset upgrades,

including travel mode stabilization,

PC display mirroring, and new avatar

tools, moving into AI-driven wearables.

G42 Unveils NAN-

DA 87B, Advancing

Open-Source Hindi

Language AI

Abu Dhabi–based G42 has introduced

NANDA 87B, the largest

open-weight language model

focused on Hindi to date. Built on Llama-3.1

and trained using more than 65

billion Hindi tokens, it supports formal

Hindi, conversational Hinglish, and

practical real-world tasks. Developed

with MBZUAI, Inception, and Cerebras,

the model aims to broaden regional

language AI access for India’s rapidly

expanding digital population. The model

is designed to power applications such

as customer service chatbots, educational

tools, and government service

interfaces tailored to Hindi speakers,

while enabling enterprises to fine-tune

domain-specific versions securely on

regional infrastructure. It also reinforces

Abu Dhabi’s position in open-weight AI,

offering an alternative to closed Western

models, improving collaboration

between the UAE and India.

Intel Nears $1.6 Billion Acquisition of AI Chipmaker

SambaNova in Talks

Intel is nearing a roughly $1.6 billion

acquisition of AI chip startup SambaNova

Systems, including debt,

according to people familiar with the

talks. Negotiations are advanced, and

a deal could be finalized as soon as

next month, though timing and terms

may still change. SambaNova has also

signed term sheets with other investors,

leaving room for alternative outcomes.

Founded in 2017 in Palo Alto by Stanford

University professors, SambaNova

designs custom AI processors intended

to compete with Nvidia.

January 2026 / 37

DRIVE TO THE FUTURE

KIA EV2:

Affordable Compact Crossover Comes to MENA

38 \ January 2026


The Kia EV2, set to make its global debut at the

Brussels Motor Show on 9 January 2026, represents

a watershed moment for affordable

electric mobility in the Middle East. This compact

B-segment electric SUV is expected to arrive in MENA

markets by late 2026 to early 2027, bringing genuine

EV accessibility to price-conscious consumers who previously

viewed electric vehicles as luxury commodities.

Practical Performance Architecture

Kia’s strategy with the EV2 prioritizes real-world

usability over exuberant horsepower. The single

front-mounted electric motor delivers a sensible 205

horsepower with 285 Nm of torque, enabling respectable

0-100 km/h acceleration in 8.6 seconds, sufficient

for urban commuting and highway merging. This measured

approach preserves battery efficiency and driving

range, the two metrics that actually matter for practical

daily transportation.

The EV2 deploys Kia’s proven 400-volt E-GMP platform,

shared across its expanding EV lineup. Battery

options include a 42 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP)

unit delivering approximately 300 kilometers of range,

and a 62 kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese (NMC) pack

achieving up to 480 kilometers of genuine all-day capability

for Middle Eastern driving patterns.

Charging Convenience

Ultra-rapid charging addresses range anxiety comprehensively.

The EV2 achieves 10-80% charge in approximately

30 minutes using 400V DC fast charging infrastructure

increasingly deployed across MENA. This

practical charging speed makes weekend getaways

and regional road trips genuinely feasible without excessive

waiting periods.

Intelligent Compact Design

Despite measuring under four meters in length, the

EV2’s engineering maximizes interior space through

clever packaging. Rear-hinged doors eliminate the cen-

ter pillar, providing intuitive access for rear passengers.

Folding second-row seats transform the cabin into a

spacious cargo area essential for practical family use

and commercial applications.

Technology Integration

Kia equips the EV2 with modern connectivity, including

Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, allowing the battery

to power external devices directly, invaluable during

power outages common in extreme heat conditions.

Over-the-air software updates ensure continuous feature

enhancements throughout vehicle ownership.

Advanced Level 2 ADAS systems incorporate adaptive

cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and emergency

braking, critical safety features for congested MENA

urban environments. The large touchscreen infotainment

system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

integration seamlessly.

MENA Market Positioning

Expected pricing around AED 80,000–100,000

($21,800–$27,200) positions the EV2 competitively

against budget compact cars while delivering superior

efficiency and technology. This affordability democratizes

electric mobility, enabling mainstream consumers

to transition from petrol-powered compact SUVs.

The EV2’s robust construction and thermal engineering

specifically address Gulf climate challenges, with

superior cooling systems managing extreme summer

temperatures exceeding 50°C. Kia’s 7-year warranty

and growing service network across MENA provide

ownership confidence.

The Kia EV2 represents authentic transportation democracy,

delivering credible electric capability without

premium pricing or automotive compromise. For Middle

Eastern consumers seeking practical, efficient urban

transportation, the EV2 emerges as a genuinely compelling

proposition that makes electric mobility attainable

for ordinary families.

Upto 750kg

Towing Capacity

~30 mins

Charging 10-80%

403L

Boot Space (4-seat)

January 2026 / 39

Insights

Worldwide AI Spending to

Total $2.5 Trillion in 2026

The AI opportunity is no longer about who experiments the fastest, but who

builds the strongest foundations

$2.52T 44%

Forecasted AI expenditure in 2026

Year-on-year increase in AI expenditure

$589B

Expenditure in AI services in 2026

50%

Projected growth in AI system spend

40 \ January 2026


Global spending on artificial intelligence is

entering a decisive new phase. According to

Gartner, worldwide AI expenditure is forecast

to reach $2.52 trillion in 2026, representing

a 44% year-on-year increase. While the headline

number signals confidence, the underlying story

is more nuanced: the next wave of AI growth is

being driven less by experimentation and more

by foundational infrastructure, operational maturity,

and predictable returns on investment.

This shift marks a turning point for enterprises

and governments alike. AI is no longer viewed primarily

as a futuristic capability or a series of pilot

projects. Instead, it is increasingly treated as core

infrastructure, comparable to cloud computing or

enterprise software platforms a decade ago.

From Ambition to Readiness

Gartner analysts point out that AI adoption is no

longer constrained by funding alone. The determining

factors are now human capital readiness

and organizational processes. Enterprises that

have invested in skills, data governance, and

operational frameworks are prioritising solutions

that deliver measurable outcomes rather than

speculative innovation.

This dynamic is reflected in how AI is being

purchased. Gartner expects AI to remain in the socalled

“Trough of Disillusionment” through 2026,

meaning it will increasingly be bundled into existing

enterprise software and infrastructure stacks

rather than acquired as standalone, high-risk

initiatives. For decision-makers, this translates

into more predictable ROI, but also a greater need

for long-term planning.

Infrastructure Becomes the Largest AI Bet

The most striking insight from Gartner’s forecast

is the scale of spending on AI infrastructure. By

2026, infrastructure alone is expected to account

for approximately $1.37 trillion, making it the

single largest category of AI investment. This represents

a sharp increase from 2025 and reflects a

broader industry push to build the computational

backbone required for advanced AI workloads.

AI-optimised servers, in particular, are driving

this surge. Spending on these systems is projected

to grow by nearly 50%, accounting for around

17% of total AI expenditure. In addition, technology

providers are expected to invest an extra $401

billion to build out AI foundations, including data

centres, accelerators, and networking capabilities.

For markets such as the UAE, where data centre

expansion, cloud sovereignty, and AI readiness

are national priorities, this trend reinforces the

strategic importance of infrastructure-led growth

over short-term application wins.

Services, Software, and Security Follow Close

Behind

While infrastructure dominates, other segments

are also expanding rapidly. AI services, which

include consulting, integration, and managed services,

are projected to reach nearly $589 billion in

2026, reflecting enterprise demand for implementation

expertise. AI software spending is forecast

to exceed $452 billion, driven by enterprise platforms,

analytics, and embedded AI capabilities.

Cybersecurity is another fast-growing area.

Spending on AI-powered cybersecurity solutions is

expected to more than double between 2025 and

2026, reaching over $51 billion, as organizations

seek to protect increasingly complex and automated

digital environments.

What This Means for Business Leaders

The message from Gartner’s outlook is clear: the AI

opportunity is no longer about who experiments

the fastest, but who builds the strongest foundations.

Enterprises that invest in infrastructure,

skills, and governance today are more likely to

scale AI effectively tomorrow.

For CXOs, this means reframing AI strategy

around operational readiness rather than isolated

use cases. For policymakers and ecosystem

leaders, it underscores the importance of supporting

data centres, cloud ecosystems, and AI talent

pipelines as national assets.

AI adoption is fundamentally

shaped by the

readiness of both human

capital and organizational

processes, not merely by

financial investment.”

— John-David Lovelock,

Distinguished VP Analyst,

Gartner

January 2026 / 41

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STARTUP Spotlight

TABBY

Tabby has rapidly emerged as one

of the Middle East’s most successful

fintech startups, redefining how

consumers shop and pay. Founded in

2019 by Hosam Arab and Daniil Barkalov,

Tabby was created to address a

major gap in regional financial accessibility,

helping consumers enjoy flexible

purchasing options without taking on

debt or paying interest. Recognising that

many Middle Eastern shoppers avoid

interest-bearing loans for cultural or

religious reasons and that credit card

penetration remains relatively low, the

founders built Tabby as an ethical, Sharia-compliant

alternative to conventional

credit systems.

The platform’s seamless “buy now,

pay later” (BNPL) service allows purchases

to be split into four equal, interest-free

payments. Customers can

link debit or credit cards or use a Tabby

virtual card to pay at checkout, both

online and in-store. The first payment

is made instantly, while the rest are

automatically charged monthly. With

an extensive network of over 40,000

retail partners, including giants like

Amazon, Noon, and IKEA, Tabby has

made installment shopping effortless

and accessible across Saudi Arabia, the

UAE, and Kuwait.

Since its inception, Tabby has drawn

strong investor confidence. In February

2025, it raised $160 million in Series E

funding, bringing its valuation to $3.3

billion and marking it as the region’s

first fintech unicorn. With over 15 million

registered users, Tabby’s success reflects

the founders’ vision to make credit-free,

digital-first payments the norm.

As BNPL adoption accelerates globally,

Tabby continues to lead the shift

toward a cashless, inclusive, and technology-driven

digital economy—empowering

consumers through transparency,

flexibility, and financial empowerment

across the MENA region, underscoring

the growing influence of homegrown

fintech in driving the transition toward

smarter, more accessible digital finance.

CO-FOUNDERS:

HOSAM ARAB, DANIIL

BARKALOV

STAGE:

SERIES E (LATE

STAGE)

FOUNDED:

2019

INDUSTRY:

FINTECH: BUY NOW,

PAY LATER (BNPL)

44 \ January 2026


TENDERD

CO-FOUNDERS:

ARJUN MOHAN

STAGE:

SERIES A ($30M)

FOUNDED:

2018

INDUSTRY:

INDUSTRIAL TECH

Tenderd is transforming the way

heavy industries manage, monitor,

and optimise equipment fleets

through its AI-powered telematics platform.

Founded in 2018 by Arjun Mohan,

Tenderd was created to address a

critical inefficiency within sectors such

as construction, mining, logistics, and

manufacturing, where machinery data

on fuel, diagnostics, and utilisation remains

scattered across manual logs,

OEM systems, and spreadsheets. Mohan,

who previously worked in engineering

and technology, recognised that this

lack of unified visibility caused costly

downtime, unnecessary emissions, and

resource waste, inspiring him to build

a single intelligence layer for industrial

operations.

Tenderd’s platform aggregates information

from IoT sensors, GPS trackers,

and manufacturer APIs into an intuitive

dashboard, giving companies a real-time,

comprehensive view of all their heavy

equipment. Its AI analytics translate this

data into actionable insights, helping

contractors track idle time, optimise operations,

predict maintenance needs, and

cut fuel waste by up to 10%. By detecting

early signs of mechanical issues and

enabling predictive servicing, Tenderd

enhances safety, and asset longevity.

In June 2024, the company raised $30

million in Series A funding, propelling

its expansion into new markets across

the Middle East, North America, and

Asia. The investment also accelerated

Tenderd’s AI model development and

OEM integration capabilities, cementing

its status as one of the region’s most

promising industrial tech ventures. Today,

more than 300 companies worldwide,

including major construction firms,

energy operators, and government infrastructure

projects, rely on Tenderd to

make operations smarter and greener.

At its core, Tenderd’s mission is to

digitise and decarbonise the heavy

equipment ecosystem, helping industries

worldwide reduce emissions, and

boost productivity.

January 2026 / 45

Digital Dubai

Predicting Your Needs

Before You Realise It

The Digital Authority aims for early 2030s AI platforms that

anticipate citizen needs

By integrating data across silos and deploying advanced

predictive algorithms, Dubai is shifting governance

from reactive bureaucracy to proactive service

delivery, fundamentally redefining the citizen-state

relationship.

46 \ January 2026

Imagine a city where you never

apply for a driving license renewal,

a residency visa extension, or a

school registration. Instead, the government

notifies you that the process

is already complete, or prompts

you with a pre-filled option just as

the need arises. This is the core

promise of Dubai’s predictive public

services platform, a massive digital

infrastructure project currently in development

and slated for full rollout

in the early 2030s. Moving beyond

simple digitization, where paper

forms become digital ones, this

initiative leverages AI to analyze life

events and data patterns, effectively

rendering the concept of “applying”

for routine services obsolete.

The platform creates a unified

“Life Journey” model. For instance,

when a child is born, the system’s

integrated data architecture triggers

a cascade of automated actions:

birth certificate issuance, Emirates

ID application, and even preliminary

school catchment suggestions based

on the family’s residence. Similarly,

healthcare data could trigger preven-


It will use integrated data and AI to anticipate

citizen needs, from automated license

renewals to preventive healthcare notifications,

reducing friction in service delivery.”

— Matar Al Hemeiri,

Chief Executive,

Digital Dubai Government Establishment

tive notifications alerting a citizen

to schedule a check-up based on

their specific risk profile or family

history, long before symptoms appear.

This shift from reactive to anticipatory

governance is designed

to eliminate bureaucratic friction,

saving millions of hours annually

in administrative tasks.

Data Architecture: The Hybrid

Sovereignty Model

Building a system that “knows”

what people need requires vast

data integration and raises serious

privacy and security questions.

Dubai proposes a hybrid model

of data sovereignty. Rather than

strict localization or a fully decentralized

model, it keeps sensitive

citizen data under emirate jurisdiction

with strong sovereignty laws,

while permitting consent-based,

audited sharing between approved

entities through the UAE

PASS digital identity platform.

To train predictive algorithms

without exposing personal

records, the Digital Authority is

investing in synthetic data frameworks.

These frameworks let developers

test AI models on artificial

datasets that replicate population

statistics but contain no real individuals.

The sandbox environment

allows startups and government

teams to simulate complex scenar-

ios such as citywide traffic flows,

disease outbreaks and service

demand, while remaining fully

compliant with data protection

rules. It also accelerates testing

by offering reusable, controlled

datasets for validation, audit and

benchmarking.

Taken together, these measures

aim to balance rapid innovation

and robust protection. They enable

scalable model development and

interagency collaboration without

compromising privacy, and they

form a governance example other

cities may consider when building

anticipatory services.

Regulatory Guardrails and the

Human Factor

Anticipatory services pose a

distinct regulatory challenge: what

happens when AI predictions

are incorrect? For example, if a

driver’s license is automatically

renewed despite ineligibility, or a

social benefit is triggered in error,

the questions of liability become

highly complex. To address these

risks, Dubai is establishing binding

ethical guidelines for AI in government,

ensuring that all automated

decisions are both explainable

and reversible. The “human-inthe-loop”

principle remains central,

with critical approvals, particularly

those involving legal or financial

consequences, retaining oversight

until the system demonstrates

near-perfect accuracy.

Dubai’s regulatory sandboxes

are actively testing these integration

points. Startups and

innovators are piloting a variety of

applications. Fintech companies

are trialing automated entitlement

checks for social benefits while

health-tech firms are refining

algorithms that deliver preventive

care notifications. These programs

allow regulators and developers

to identify potential pitfalls, adjust

safeguards, and validate the reliability

of predictive systems under

real-world conditions.

Pilot Initiatives Setting the Foundation

for the Vision

These pilot initiatives form the

foundation for Dubai’s broader

2030 vision of anticipatory

governance. By rigorously testing

AI-driven services in controlled

environments, the city ensures

that when its predictive platforms

are deployed at scale, they will not

only function effectively but also

maintain public trust, adhere to

legal standards, and provide socially

responsible outcomes. This

approach blends innovation with

accountability, setting a benchmark

for predictive AI governance

worldwide.

January 2026 / 47

UAE News

Abu Dhabi Launches

AI-Powered Smart

Project to Improve

Water Efficiency

Abu Dhabi has launched the

Smart Metre Project in Al

Wathba to boost water efficiency

using AI and digital monitoring.

Led by energy and agriculture

authorities, the initiative improves

farm-level oversight and supports

sustainable farming. Smart meters

connect to the AD.WE platform, enabling

real-time data, accurate measurement,

and smarter water use.

DEWA and Dell Expand

AI Collaboration to

Advance Smart Utilities

DEWA and Dell have agreed to

expand their collaboration on

AI-driven solutions for utilities

following high-level discussions in

Dubai. The partnership focuses on using

AI, big data, IoT, and advanced digital

infrastructure to improve efficiency,

reliability, and sustainability across

power and water systems. Both sides

highlighted predictive maintenance,

smart grids, as priorities supporting

Dubai’s smart city ambitions.

MBRSC and Firefly

Complete New Tests

on Rashid Rover 2 in

the US

Dubai has advanced its lunar

ambitions as MBRSC and Firefly

Aerospace completed new tests

on Rashid Rover 2 in the United States,

supporting preparations for the Emirates

Lunar Mission. The rover is set to

launch in 2026 aboard Firefly’s Blue

Ghost Mission 2, targeting the Moon’s

far side. Engineers conducted electrical,

software, mechanical, and wireless

interface tests with the Blue Ghost

lander to ensure reliable integration and

communication. Deployment and driveoff

trials confirmed the rover’s ability to

safely disembark and operate on the

lunar surface. Once deployed, Rashid

Rover 2 will study plasma conditions,

geology, thermal behavior, soil properties,

and surface temperatures. The

mission includes payloads and follows

Firefly’s widely successful commercial

lunar landing in March 2025, setting a

positive precedent.

Dubai Customs Partners With Binance to

Upgrade Digital Trade Infrastructure

Dubai Customs has signed a

memorandum of understanding

with Binance to modernize

digital trade infrastructure and payment

systems. The partnership enables

the use of crypto-assets in commercial

and logistics transactions,

aiming to cut processing times and

costs. Officials say the move supports

SMEs, streamlines import–export

procedures, and strengthens Dubai’s

position as a global hub for technology-driven

trade and next-generation

financial services.

Olympus Opens New

META Service Training

Centre to Strengthen

Regional Support

Olympus has inaugurated a new

Middle East, Turkey, and Africa

Service Training Centre at Dubai

Science Park, marking a $1 million

investment to strengthen regional

healthcare support. The purpose-built

facility will serve partners across more

than 33 countries, improving technical

readiness and service consistency.

It offers hands-on product training,

demonstrations, and technical workshops

covering a wide range of medical

and surgical equipment. The centre also

includes a modern service and repair

workshop and a dedicated spare-parts

warehouse to enhance supply chain

reliability. Two fully equipped training

rooms can train up to 150 engineers from

partner organisations. By establishing

Dubai as a central service hub, Olympus

aims to improve response times, raise

service quality standards, and support

skills development.

48 \ January 2026

UAE President and

Jeff Bezos Discuss

Advancing Future Tech

Collaboration

UAE President His Highness

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al

Nahyan met with Jeff Bezos in

Abu Dhabi to discuss strengthening

cooperation in innovation, advanced

technology, and artificial intelligence.

The discussions highlighted the UAE’s

ambition to reinforce its position as a

global hub for emerging technologies

through strategic international partnerships.

Leaders emphasized how

collaboration with influential technology

figures can support long-term economic

growth and social development. Sheikh

Mohamed stressed the importance

of integrating advanced technologies

across key sectors, including education,

healthcare, and the wider economy, to

build a knowledge-based society. The

meeting also reflected the UAE’s broader

strategy to attract global expertise and

shape future-focused initiatives for

technology-driven progress.

Dubai RTA Deploys

Drones to Clean Traffic

Signals in Pilot Initiative

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority

has launched a pilot using

drones to clean traffic signals,

replacing manlifts to improve efficiency

and safety. The drone-based method

reduces risks from working at heights,

lowers costs, and cuts fuel and water

use. Early trials showed cleaning times

fell up to 50 percent and costs dropped

by 15 percent, supporting broader smart

mobility and sustainability goals and

efficiency in operations.


Dubai SME Partners

With Google to Boost

Emirati Digital Business

Growth

Dubai SME has partnered with

Google to enhance the digital

capabilities of Emirati-owned

small and medium-sized enterprises.

The initiative addresses growth barriers

such as limited budgets and marketing

expertise. A pilot programme will support

ten high-potential businesses with

advanced advertising tools, credits, and

mentorship. Results will guide future

expansion, aligning with Dubai’s D33

to build a tech-driven SME ecosystem.

UAE Launches Largest

AI-Powered Diagnostic

Laboratory to

Transform Healthcare

Abu Dhabi has inaugurated

the UAE’s largest AI-powered

diagnostic laboratory, marking

a major milestone in healthcare

innovation. The seven-storey facility

spans 70,000 square feet and can

process more than 30 million samples

annually, with capacity for future expansion.

It uses artificial intelligence,

robotics, and advanced automation to

enable real-time quality management

and integrate with over 140 globally

accredited laboratories. Operating

around the clock, the center delivers

more than 1,800 diagnostic tests

across pathology, molecular genetics,

infectious diseases, and environmental

analysis. A multidisciplinary team

of 1,300 specialists supports daily

operations, ensuring clinical accuracy

and data security. The laboratory also

serves as a national hub for newborn

screening, and disease surveillance.

Lumo Launches Premium Autonomous Robotaxi

Fleet in Abu Dhabi Partnership

Lumo has unveiled a premium

autonomous robotaxi fleet in

Abu Dhabi through a partnership

with Mercedes-Benz and Momenta.

The service uses Momenta’s Level 4

autonomous driving system integrated

into Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles,

aiming to scale luxury robotaxi services.

Commercial operations are expected

to begin next year, positioning Abu

Dhabi as a key testing ground for highend

autonomous mobility and future

smart transportation solutions in the

Middle East.

January 2026 / 49

Launch express

Microsoft Surface

Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC:

The Fastest, Most

Intelligent ARM Laptop

Microsoft’s first ARM-powered flagship redefines Windows productivity. The Surface Laptop

7 merges Apple-tier efficiency with Windows flexibility, delivering on-device AI that actually

matters. Starting at $799.99 with availability now, this is the wake-up call Intel laptops needed.

50 \ January 2026


Key Specifications & Tech Specs

+ +

256GB / 512GB / 1TB UFS 4.0

Design

Ultra-durable tri-fold chassis

with reinforced Armour

Aluminium

Main Display

7.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED

2X (unfolded), 120Hz refresh

rate

Cover Displays

Dual 4.1-inch outer screens

for quick access

Processor

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 /

Exynos equivalent (region

dependent)

RAM

Up to 16GB LPDDR5X

Storage

Battery

4,800mAh dual-cell with

45W fast charging

Software

One UI 7.0 with advanced

multi-window & Flex Mode

Cameras

50MP main sensor

12MP ultra-wide

10MP telephoto (3x zoom)

Pros

Legendary Battery Life: Up to 20-22

hours demolishes competitors (20%

better than MacBook Air M3)

Performance Beast: 50% faster than

Surface Laptop 5; outperforms MacBook

Air M3 by 58% in multithreaded work

AI-First Design: 45 TOPS NPU enables

on-device Recall, Cocreator, voice commands—no

cloud dependency

Cons

ARM Compatibility Risk: Older software

requires emulation; niche apps may not

work (Parallels workaround available)

Feature Rollout Delay: Recall coming later

via Windows Update; other Copilot+

features staggered across platforms

Premium Pricing Skepticism: Consumers

resist $800+ entry price without clear AI

benefits vs traditional laptops

The Verdict

Surface Laptop 7 is Microsoft’s definitive answer to competitors, and it wins on efficiency, battery life, and AI potential. The

45 TOPS NPU is industry-leading, delivering on-device AI that justifies the “Copilot+” brand. Early battery tests confirm

19-22 hours of real-world usage, beating competitors decisively. Launch availability starting May 2025 with broad stock

by December 2025 makes this the safest ARM Copilot+ bet. Ideal for: creative professionals, remote workers, developers

who value battery life over GPU power, and anyone ready to bet on Windows’ AI future. Skip if: you need software compatibility

with legacy apps or game-level graphics performance. Rating: 9/10—The laptop that makes ARM on Windows

finally make sense.

January 2026 / 51

Insights

What 2026 Holds for

Enterprise AI

Enterprise AI in 2026 shifts from experimentation to precision, driven by focused

automation, and measurable business outcomes across the Middle East

$232B 95%

Projected GDP Contribution through AI by

2035

Companies gained no meaningful

value from broad AI rollouts

69%

Middle East businesses plan to increase AI

investment next year

9/10

Respondents in the Middle East

say AI has transformed their work

52 \ January 2026


AI adoption globally is attracting serious

investment and leadership attention. In

growth markets such as the Middle East,

AI is projected to add more than $232 billion to

GDP by 2035, supported by national strategies

that prioritise skills, infrastructure, and industry

partnerships. This momentum shows how quickly

organisations across the region are shifting from

curiosity to practical execution. Against this backdrop,

Alteryx, Inc. has outlined predictions on how

AI will evolve in 2026 and what leaders should

expect as the technology matures.

Refocusing AI: from big agents to practical automation

The ambition to build all-knowing enterprise

agents is losing steam. Many organisations

discovered that sweeping deployments produced

little return, a pattern confirmed by MIT research

showing that 95% of companies gained no meaningful

value from broad, carte blanche AI rollouts.

In 2026, the market will move back toward

precision. Instead of attempting to replace entire

workflows, leaders will concentrate on automating

specific processes such as finance operations,

procurement, or customer support. Targeted

agents built for domain-level tasks will drive

clearer outcomes, and companies will embed

these capabilities into existing systems rather

than rebuild their entire stack. This shift reflects a

broader understanding that practical automation

produces faster, more defensible impact than

speculative AI moonshots.

Empowering the line of business and the democratization

of the AI mandate

The balance of influence in AI strategy is changing.

Over the past few years, IT teams absorbed

much of the AI budget, yet business units often

struggled to translate those investments into

measurable gains. In 2026, line-of-business

leaders will regain ownership of AI decision-making.

CEOs will encourage CFOs, sales leaders, and

operations heads to identify issues that directly

affect their function and secure the tools that

solve them. As a result, AI spending will follow

those priorities, moving to teams that are closest

to the problems and most accountable for results.

This shift is reinforced by regional attitudes: 69%

of Middle East businesses plan to increase AI

investment next year, reflecting a broader confidence

that AI can deliver value when responsibility

sits with those who understand the operational

context.

Chief Data and Analytics Officers must become

more pragmatic

The role of the CDAO will shift from building the

perfect data environment to enabling progress

with the data that exists today. For years, data

leaders argued that disjointed systems and

inconsistent structures blocked meaningful insight

generation. In 2026, those expectations will

change. The winning approach will be grounded in

pragmatism, prioritising action over perfection and

helping the business generate insights without

waiting for flawless organisation. The mandate

will evolve from “fix everything first” to “drive outcomes

now,” accelerating how quickly teams can

test, validate, and scale solutions.

Regional talent programs,

including the UAE’s 1 Million

AI Talents initiative,

are strengthening this

foundation and enabling

organisations to scale multidisciplinary

teams with confidence.”

Shift toward mission-driven AI squads

In 2026, organisations will prioritise smaller,

specialised AI teams focused on high-value use

cases rather than broad experimentation. These

mission-driven groups will work on areas such as

agentic AI and composite AI, pairing business experts

with data specialists and engineers to ensure

solutions reflect real operational needs. Alteryx

research shows that nine out of ten respondents

in the Middle East say AI has transformed their

work in the past year, and 94% of analysts globally

report that their role now influences strategic

decisions.

AI in 2026 will shift from ambition to precision,

with progress led by empowered business units,

pragmatic data leaders, and specialised teams

focused on measurable outcomes.

January 2026 / 53

app rankings

THE

Productivity Apps

TICKTICK

4.9/5

Powerful task manager with calendar, reminders,

and habit tracking.

Pros: Cross-platform sync, affordable

Cons: Limited free version features

Available on: iOS, Android & Web

MONDAY.COM

4.8/5

Highly customizable project management

platform for teams.

Pros: Cross-team views, deep automation

Cons: Pricey for small teams, steep learning


NOTION

4.8/5

All-in-one workspace combining notes, databases,

and AI.

Pros: Ultra-flexible, AI-powered workspace

Cons: Steep learning curve, can feel slow

Available on: iOS, Android, Web, Mac

54 \ January 2026


TODOIST

4.8/5

Intuitive to-do list with natural language & AI

task breakdown.

Pros: Affordable pro plan, 80+ integrations

Cons: Free limits, no native time tracking

Available on: iOS, Android, Web, Mac, Win

ASANA

4.7/5

Enterprise-grade project management with

visual planning.

Pros: Intuitive drag-and-drop, excellent team

Cons: High pricing


MICROSOFT TO DO

4.7/5

Simple task manager perfectly integrated

with Microsoft 365.

Pros: Completely free

Cons: Too basic for projects

Available on: iOS, Android, Web, Win, Mac

GOOGLE KEEP

4.6/5

Lightweight note-taking app with voice &

image transcription.

Pros: 100% free, instant voice/image capture

Cons: Basic formatting, no live editing

Available on: iOS, Android, Web, Chrome

January 2026 / 55

AI Ethics & Governance

AI in the Ring? Decrypting

the Code

What is behind UAE’s dual strategy of cultural alignment and

post-quantum defense

By instituting rigorous reliability testing and culturally

sensitive benchmarking, the UAE is constructing

a governance architecture that treats AI not just as a

tool for economic growth, but as a critical infrastructure

requiring sovereign oversight.

The United Arab Emirates has

introduced a mandatory assurance

framework to govern

artificial intelligence as it becomes

central to vital sectors such as energy

and healthcare. The new National

Encryption Policy shifts the nation’s

approach from voluntary guidance to

stringent, enforceable standards. At

its core are four essential pillars: AI

reliability, software reliability, hardware

reliability, and signal reliability.

This framework recognises that an

AI system cannot be judged on its

algorithms alone. The strength of the

data it receives, the integrity of the

hardware it runs on, and the resilience

of the communication signals it

exchanges are equally important to

safe, dependable operation. Organisations

in both the public and private

sectors that deploy mission-critical

AI must now subject their systems

to comprehensive technical accreditation.

Accreditation goes beyond filling

out forms. Systems are subjected to

rigorous testing designed to expose

56 \ January 2026


weaknesses under real-world

pressures. Engineers deliberately

introduce adversarial inputs

to see whether models produce

unsafe outputs. They interfere

with signals to check how systems

respond under stress. They probe

hardware for latent faults. Only

those systems that demonstrate

stable performance under scrutiny

can be certified.

By law, entities must meet these

standards before they can operate

critical AI applications. The policy

aims to reduce the risk of unexpected

failures, protect infrastructure,

and strengthen trust in AI

across the UAE’s growing digital

economy.

The “AI in the Ring” Cultural

Benchmark

While reliability ensures an AI

functions correctly, the UAE has

placed equal emphasis on how

it reasons. In a pioneering move,

the Artificial Intelligence Office

launched “AI in the Ring,” an

index designed to evaluate how

well large language models align

with Emirati culture, values, and

history. The initiative confronts

a persistent gap in the global AI

landscape: leading models are

often trained on Western datasets

and can produce outputs that are

culturally tone-deaf or historically

inaccurate in Arab settings. The index

assessed eleven major global

models, including Google’s Gemini

and OpenAI’s GPT-4o, against four

hundred culturally specific questions

covering Emirati dialect, poetry,

etiquette, and social norms.

Gemini ranked first. Beyond that

single result, the broader signal

matters more: the UAE is signaling

that cultural intelligence will

be a condition of market access.

By treating national identity as a

measurable performance metric

alongside speed and accuracy,

regulators are compelling developers

to fine-tune models for

local nuance rather than supply

one-size-fits-all systems. The

project reframes the alignment

problem: success now means not

only avoiding harm and bias, but

producing language and knowledge

faithful to a nation’s history,

values, and lived experience. This

approach establishes clear expectations

for cultural competence.

The Post-Quantum Horizon

The governance framework extends

decades into the future with

the National Post-Quantum Migration

Program. Recognizing that

quantum computers could soon

render current encryption obsolete,

the UAE has begun a proactive

migration of its sensitive data

to quantum-safe cryptographic

standards.

This is a defensive necessity.

“Harvest now, decrypt later”

attackswhere adversaries steal

encrypted data today to unlock

it once quantum technology

maturespose an existential threat

to national security. The UAE’s

migration plan prioritizes vulnerable

assets across government and

critical infrastructure, establishing

a clear timeline for phasing out

legacy encryption protocols.

Partnerships with specialized

firms like QuantumGate are accelerating

this transition, moving

the country from strategy to

large-scale implementation. This

places the UAE among the first

nations globally to operationalize

a comprehensive post-quantum

defense, ensuring that its digital

economy remains resilient even as

the fundamental rules of computing

are rewritten.

By combining deep technical

verification with cultural alignment

and future-proof encryption, the

UAE is crafting a governance model

that is as sophisticated as the

technologies it seeks to regulate.

It is a blueprint that says innovation

must be fearless, but never

reckless. In doing so, the UAE positions

itself as a global architect of

values-driven AI governance.

Our approach is clear: anticipate, not react.

The UAE is building quantum-safe defenses

today to ensure our critical infrastructure

remains secure the moment quantum decryption

becomes possible.”

— H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti,

Head of Cyber Security,

UAE Government

January 2026 / 57

Crypto News

Binance Appoints Yi

He as Co-CEO as User

Base Approaches 300

Million

Binance announced Yi He’s appointment

as co-CEO during its

annual blockchain event, marking

a leadership shift as the platform

nears 300 million users worldwide.

The move underscores a long-term

strategy centered on scaling operations,

improving user experience,

strengthening regulatory alignment,

and expanding community trust. Executives

say the transition will accelerate

innovation.

Binance Secures First

Global FSRA License,

Advancing Regulated

Crypto Markets

Binance has become the first crypto

exchange to obtain a global FSRA

license from ADGM, enabling

its main platform to operate within a

respected regulatory framework. The

approval advances its strategy for

compliant growth, expands access to

international markets, and reinforces

trust. Operations are structured across

licensed trading, clearing, and brokerage

entities, aligning digital-asset services

with traditional market standards.

Tether Restricts Share

Sales While Seeking

$20 Billion Funding

Round

Tether Holdings is seeking up to

$20 billion in fresh funding while

restricting existing shareholders

from selling stakes that could undermine

its targeted $500 billion valuation. Executives

intervened after at least one

investor explored a discounted sale,

prompting the company to reaffirm

that any divestment must follow a

structured process led by major global

banks. To address future liquidity,

Tether is considering post-deal share

buybacks and tokenizing its equity on a

blockchain. The stablecoin issuer, whose

USDT supply stands near $186 billion,

expects roughly $15 billion in profit this

year and continues deploying capital

beyond crypto, including expanded

investments in Juventus Football Club.

The company has not provided a timeline

for an eventual public listing but

has the likelihood of occuring in the

forseeable future.

DMCC and Crypto.com Partner to Advance

Commodities Tokenization and Digital Trade

DMCC has partnered with Crypto.com

to accelerate commodities

tokenization and modernize

global digital trade infrastructure.

The collaboration will examine blockchain

use to reduce settlement friction,

improve transparency, and

broaden access across metals, energy,

diamonds, and agriculture. Partners

will also assess tokenized listings,

custody models, liquidity, and

education initiatives, reinforcing Dubai’s

position as a hub for compliant,

next-generation trade.

Dubai Launches New

and Updated Crypto

Token Framework in

DIFC

Dubai has introduced a significant

update to its Crypto Token Regulatory

Framework within the

Dubai International Financial Centre

(DIFC), shifting responsibility for token

suitability assessments from regulators

to licensed firms. This move aims to

accelerate compliant product launches

while maintaining market integrity. The

framework clarifies standards for exchanges,

custodians, and token service

providers, reinforcing Dubai’s position

as a global crypto hub. Combined with

VARA’s oversight and federal Payment

Token Services Regulation, the changes

support stablecoin innovation and

attract institutional players seeking

clear rules and tax advantages. This

regulatory evolution underscores

the UAE’s commitment to balancing

rapid digital asset growth with robust

investor protections, creating a more

secure crypto environment.

58 \ January 2026

Ondo and LayerZero

Launch Cross-Chain

Bridge for Tokenized

Securities

Ondo Finance and LayerZero have

launched a new cross-chain

bridge enabling transfers of

tokenized stocks and exchange-traded

funds between Ethereum and BNB

Chain. Announced on Dec. 17, the bridge

supports more than 100 assets at launch

and maintains one-to-one backing as

tokens move across networks. Built on

LayerZero’s messaging infrastructure,

the system replaces Ondo’s earlier

asset-specific bridges, allowing faster

deployment to additional EVM-compatible

chains. Ondo said integrations can

now be completed in weeks rather than

months. Since launching Ondo Global

Markets, the platform has surpassed

$350 million in total value locked and

$2 billion in cumulative trading volume.

The bridge strengthens Ondo’s push

into compliant on-chain securities

following the recent closure of a U.S.

SEC investigation.

DIFC Courts Introduce

Digital Custody and

Blockchain Intelligence

Services

DIFC Courts have approved digital

custody and blockchain intelligence

services for complex digital

asset disputes. The initiative aligns with

the Growth Strategy 2026–2030 and

allows approved third party providers

on a case by case basis. Zodia Custody

will secure disputed assets, while Crystal

Intelligence provides blockchain tracing

and analytics, enhancing transparency,

security, procedural integrity, and

efficiency across judicial proceedings.


e& UAE Explores Stablecoin

Payments

Using Central Bank

Licensed AE Coin

e& UAE and Al Maryah Community

Bank signed an agreement to enable

AE Coin stablecoin payments

across selected channels. Customers

will use the Central Bank licensed,

AED backed token for telecom bills and

digital transactions. Integration into e&

UAE’s payment infrastructure supports

instant, secure, regulated blockchain

payments, advancing cashless adoption

and strengthening the UAE’s digital

economy strategy.

MetaMask Introduces

Native Bitcoin Support,

Expanding Wallet

Capabilities

MetaMask has added native

Bitcoin support, allowing users

to manage Bitcoin alongside

Ethereum, Solana, and Sei within a

single wallet. Users updating to the

latest version automatically receive a

Bitcoin address through MetaMask’s

multichain accounts. The wallet supports

Bitcoin’s SegWit derivation path,

with Taproot compatibility planned in

a future update. Users can buy Bitcoin

using local currencies, swap from EVM

networks or Solana, and send or receive

BTC from exchanges or other wallets,

though confirmations may take longer.

The update follows MetaMask’s

recent launch of in-wallet prediction

markets powered by Polymarket and

the introduction of MetaMask USD,

a wallet-native stablecoin pegged to

short-term U.S. Treasury bills, reinforcing

MetaMask’s broader push into multichain,

financial services integration.

Coinbase Doubles Down on Prediction Markets

with Deal for The Clearing Company

Coinbase announced it will acquire

prediction markets startup The

Clearing Company, marking its

tenth acquisition this year as it expands

beyond core crypto trading. Prediction

markets allow users to trade contracts

linked to real world outcomes, boosting

engagement. The move follows Coinbase’s

recent platform launch and

stock trading plans, helping diversify

revenue amid intensifying competition

and increasing regulatory scrutiny

across global digital markets, expanding

access to futures.

January 2026 / 59

Insights

AI Output Quality: Where is the

Time Going?

Nearly 40% of AI Time Savings Are Lost to Fixing Low-Quality Output. AI

Delivers Greater ROI When Leaders Invest in Both People and Technology

40% 25–34

AI time savings lost to fixing low-quality output

Aged Employees deal with AI rework

14%

Employees consistently get positive net outcomes

from AI

66%

Leaders cite skills training as a top

priority

60 \ January 2026


Workday, Inc (NASDAQ: WDAY) released

new global research showing that while

AI is delivering productivity gains, many

organizations aren’t fully capturing its value. Employees

are saving meaningful time with AI tools,

but too often those gains are being absorbed by

rework – fixing mistakes, rewriting content, and

double-checking outputs from generic tools –

leaving significant value on the table.

The report, “Beyond Productivity: Measuring

the Real Value of AI,” reveals what separates

leaders from laggards: the most successful

organizations don’t just deploy AI – they reinvest

the time it saves into their people. By building

skills, redesigning roles, and modernizing how

work gets done, these companies turn speed into

sustained business impact.

“Too many AI tools push the hard questions

of trust, accuracy, and repeatability back onto

individual users,” said Gerrit Kazmaier, president,

product and technology, Workday. “At Workday,

we’ve spent years delivering AI as simple, human‐centered

solutions – not raw technology – so

customers aren’t left to wire things together and

fact‐check every answer on their own. Our philosophy

is that AI should do the complex work under

the hood so people can focus on judgment, creativity,

and connection. That’s how organizations

turn AI‐powered speed into durable, human‐led

advantage.”

• Training gaps persist: While 66% of leaders

cite skills training as a top priority, only 37% of

employees experiencing the highest amount of

rework say they’re getting access to it – revealing

a clear disconnect between leadership

intent and employee experience.

• Jobs haven’t kept up with AI: In most organizations

(89%), fewer than half of roles have been

updated to reflect AI capabilities. Employees

are using 2025 tools inside 2015 job structures,

and they’re left to reconcile faster output with

unchanged processes or systems.

Reinvesting AI Gains Into the Workforce

Most organizations agree AI gains should benefit

employees – but today, reinvestment still skews

elsewhere. Companies are more likely to put AI

savings back into technology (39%) than into employee

development (30%).

Organizations realizing the greatest value from AI

treat saved time as a strategic resource, reinvest

in upskilling their teams, and improving collaboration.

The biggest opportunity is helping employees

learn how to use AI effectively – especially in areas

that require judgement, creativity, and decision-making.

The research makes one thing clear:

reinvesting in people is the fastest way to reduce

rework, improve outcomes, and turn AI speed into

lasting business value.

The AI Productivity Paradox

AI is delivering meaningful time savings, but

that speed doesn’t always translate into better

outcomes. While 85% of employees report saving

one to seven hours per week using AI, much

of that time is offset by rework on low‐quality

AI‐generated content – creating a false sense of

productivity and ROI. AI is doing its part by increasing

capacity – but too often, roles, skills, and

processes haven’t evolved to turn that capacity

into consistently better results.

Key findings include:

• Nearly 40% of AI time savings are lost to

rework, including correcting errors, rewriting

content, and verifying outputs from one-sizefits-all

AI tools. Only 14% of employees consistently

get clear, positive net outcomes from AI.

• Frequent users feel the most strain: Employees

who use AI every day are overwhelmingly

optimistic – more than 90% believe it will help

them succeed. But they also carry the biggest

burden: 77% review AI-generated work just as

carefully as work done by humans, if not more.

• Younger employees bear the biggest burden:

Employees aged 25–34 make up nearly half

(46%) of those dealing with the most AI rework.

Despite being seen as the most tech-savvy,

they spend the most time checking and

fixing AI output.

Too many AI tools push

the hard questions of

trust, accuracy, and repeatability

back onto individual

users.”

— Gerrit Kazmaier,

President, Product and Technology,

Workday

January 2026 / 61

Gulfood 2026

The world’s largest food & beverage trade expo is expanding to two mega-venues for 2026. With 8,500+ exhibitors

from ~195 countries and over 1.5 million products showcased, Gulfood brings together the global food community

– from government delegations and retail chains to foodtech startups and investors. Attendees can explore frontier

innovations (AI-driven logistics, alt-proteins, smart packaging, etc.), form supply-chain partnerships across 130+ countries,

and witness live demos of the latest culinary technologies (like AI-designed recipes and zero-waste kitchens).

Why This Event Matters

Gulfood’s Food 4.0 zone showcases UAE’s agritech/foodtech leadership,

aligning with national food security goals and AED 133 billion F&B sector

targeting 14% tech-driven growth by 2030.

What to Expect

5,500+ exhibitors; 100,000+ buyers from 190+ countries across 26 halls

Food 4.0 zone: robotics, AI supply chain, blockchain traceability, alt-proteins

400+ speakers; 125+ live cooking demos; 180+ masterclasses; USD 3.5B+

deals pipeline

Who It’s For

F&B tech CXOs, agritech founders, food supply chain digital leads, Halal

export strategists

Date:

26 - 30 Jan 2026

Venue:

Dubai World Trade

Centre, Expo City Dubai

Time:

10:00–18:00 GST

Why Attend

To source new products, track global trends, and network across the entire

food ecosystem – a must for anyone in retail, hospitality, agritech or food

innovation.

visit: www.thetechnologyexpress.com

Scan To Register

62 \ January 2026


She Innovates 2026

A new one-day conference by The Technology Express, bringing in diverse voices, with the first edition focusing on

tech-driven lifestyle and consumer sectors. This inaugural edition gathers women founders, industry leaders and investors

to share insights on building tech-enabled brands and innovation. Attendees will hear success stories, engage

in curated panels on topics like branding and digital transformation, and network in a supportive community.

Why This Event Matters

Underpins UAE Gender Balance Council targets with women-led tech innovation,

supporting 47% female STEM graduates driving sovereign AI/data

platforms and smart Dubai initiatives.

What to Expect

200+ women founders pitching across AI, fintech, healthtech, climate tech

50+ investors committing AED 100M+ to women-led scaleups onsite

40+ fireside chats with unicorn founders + masterclasses on funding/scale

She Innovates Awards celebrating 20 category winners

Who It’s For

Women tech founders, female C-suite execs, diversity VC partners, gov

women-in-STEM officers

Why Attend

For women tech entrepreneurs and allies, it’s a chance to learn strategies for

scaling consumer-tech businesses, gain mentorship from established leaders,

and build your network in Dubai’s growing startup scene.

Date:

28 Jan 2026

Venue:

Dubai Silicon Oasis DTEC

TechnoHub 1

Time:

09:00–13:00 GST

visit: www.thetechnologyexpress.com

Scan To Register

January 2026 / 63

With

Gulfood

2026

THE FOOD UNIVERSE

Has Become Limitless

26-30

JANUARY 2026

ORGANISED BY

DUBAI WORLD

TRADE CENTRE

DUBAI EXHIBITION

CENTRE

REGISTER NOW

GULFOOD.COM

Discount Your Invoices

and Receivables Now

APPLY ONLINE!

info@ifundfactoring.com

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The Technology Express Magazine | Edition: January 2026

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The Technology Express Magazine | Edition: January 2026

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