Author: Sam Allcock

As businesses around the world ramp up their artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, a strategic approach is proving essential for success. According to the BCG AI Radar 2025, one in three companies plans to invest more than $25 million in AI technologies this year—highlighting the growing urgency for IT leaders to implement AI with precision and purpose. This urgency is echoed in SAP Concur’s CFO Insights 2025 survey, where 58% of finance leaders, especially those managing travel and expense (T&E) functions, confirmed plans to invest in AI. Yet, for these investments to translate into meaningful outcomes, a disciplined approach to deployment…

Henkel Consumer Brands Middle East & Africa (MEA) has won the Gold Award for Sustainable Brand Owner of the Year at the Prime Awards MEA 2025, held in Dubai. The prestigious accolade celebrates Henkel’s regional leadership in sustainable packaging, particularly its efforts to scale circularity and reduce plastic waste across the beauty and personal care sector. The award recognizes Henkel’s Gliss recycled PET initiative, which introduced shampoo bottles made from 50% recycled PET across MEA markets. The rollout marks a significant leap in promoting responsible consumption and strengthening infrastructure for circular packaging in a region where sustainability efforts often face…

As part of its participation in the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair, the American University of Beirut Press (AUB Press) hosted a thought-provoking discussion titled “The Arabic Language: Its History, Present, and Future.” The event featured renowned Arabic linguist Professor Ramzi Baalbaki in dialogue with scholars Malek Chaker and Amina Sleiman, and was supported by the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Chair in collaboration with AUB’s Center for Arts and Humanities. Held before a diverse audience of political figures, scholars, and linguists from across the Arab world, the conversation explored the evolution of the Arabic language, from its…

ASUS, in collaboration with technology partner MarsSys, successfully concluded ‘The Tech Social’, a forward-looking event dedicated to innovation and the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. Held at the Grand Sheraton Hotel in Dubai, the event brought together key decision-makers, educators, and tech influencers to explore how AI is reshaping learning environments across the UAE and beyond. Focusing on AI’s transformative impact on education, the event highlighted ASUS’s commitment to providing robust, enterprise-grade technology solutions tailored for modern classrooms. From All-in-One (AiO) devices to Chromebooks, ASUS showcased its diverse product ecosystem aimed at enhancing digital learning experiences for…

In a major stride toward environmental responsibility, Atlantis Dubai has officially eliminated all single-use plastic water bottles across its entire destination, marking the fourth anniversary of its Atlantis Atlas Project with a significant sustainability milestone. The initiative, launched in 2021, is the resort’s long-term environmental commitment, built around four core pillars: Responsible Operations, Conservation & Animal Welfare, Education & Awareness, and People & Culture. The complete phase-out of plastic water bottles has led to the elimination of approximately 3.7 million bottles annually. Key to this achievement was the installation of 18 filtered, chilled water dispensers across guest-facing areas including pools,…

Premium Motors, the official dealer for Audi in Oman, successfully concluded the Audi Open Haus, a five-day retail event held from June 18 to 22, which drew strong interest from customers and enthusiasts across the Sultanate. Hosted at the Audi showroom, the event showcased a wide selection of the brand’s latest vehicles, including performance, luxury, and electric models, alongside a curated lineup of certified pre-owned Audi Approved Plus cars. Visitors were given personalized walk-throughs and expert consultations from Audi product specialists, allowing them to explore features, performance, and financing options tailored to their needs. The display featured popular models such…

stc Bahrain has signed a strategic partnership with global tech giant Huawei to co-develop next-generation 5G-Advanced (5G-A) and AI-powered digital services, marking a significant milestone in Bahrain’s digital transformation journey. The agreement aims to enhance network capabilities, drive monetization, and position Bahrain as a leader in the TechCo era. The partnership will focus on joint research and development, enterprise digital solutions, and the rollout of Mobile Private Networks (MPNs), all powered by advanced 5G and artificial intelligence technologies. Through a shared roadmap, the collaboration will enable innovation across industries and expand Bahrain’s digital ecosystem. Eng. Khalid Al Osaimi, CEO of…

As part of its commitment to empowering youth and fostering sustainability through education, Burgan Bank welcomed students from the ‘Academy X’ program for an immersive field visit at its headquarters. The initiative aimed to enhance financial literacy, introduce students to the banking sector, and highlight career opportunities—particularly in technology and digital banking. Organized in collaboration with CODED Academy, the visit gave students an up-close look at the inner workings of the bank. They were introduced to a range of departments, customer-focused services, and Burgan’s innovative digital offerings that align with its digital transformation strategy. The tour was also a key…

In a symbolic act of solidarity, Boursa Kuwait lit its building in blue to commemorate World Refugee Day, reaffirming its commitment to humanitarian causes and its ongoing partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The initiative, now in its fifth consecutive year, reflects Boursa Kuwait’s strategic focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s global theme, “Solidarity with Refugees,” urges both the international community and the private sector to demonstrate tangible support for forcibly displaced people. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Naser Al-Sanousi, Boursa Kuwait’s Senior Director of…

Four early-career biomedical scientists have successfully completed the 2025 cycle of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar’s (WCM-Q) Biomedical Research Training Program (BRTP) for Nationals, gaining essential skills and experience in scientific research. The program’s latest cohort includes Raghad Rabie El Ghali, Hadeel Alashwal, Maryam Ali, and Sara Muhamed Saleh, all recent graduates of universities in Qatar, China, and Malaysia. Their graduation was marked by a special ceremony in recognition of their dedication over the 10-month training period. Now in its 13th year, the BRTP was launched in 2011 to offer Qatari nationals and long-term residents structured exposure to research methods, laboratory techniques,…