Weather - Rain Expected in Some Areas as Temperatures Reach 38°C in Abu D…Transport - Dubai Converts Al Satwa Roundabout into Traffic Signal, Cuts Jo…Update - Emaar Founder Teases Dubai Mall Plaza as He Hints at New Landma…
Weather - Rain Expected in Some Areas as Temperatures Reach 38°C in Abu D…Transport - Dubai Converts Al Satwa Roundabout into Traffic Signal, Cuts Jo…Update - Emaar Founder Teases Dubai Mall Plaza as He Hints at New Landma…
Expatriates are not being pushed out of the UAE and Gulf, but nationalisation programmes are raising the bar for foreign professionals, according to Pedro Lacerda, senior vice president of Tasc Outsourcing. Initiatives such as the UAE’s Emiratisation, Saudi Arabia’s Nitaqat and Omanisation aim to increase citizens’ participation in private-sector jobs. However, continued economic expansion is expected to sustain demand for international talent across AI, technology, healthcare, finance, logistics, tourism, energy and advanced manufacturing. Employers will increasingly seek professionals with specialist expertise, international experience and skills that are scarce locally. Lacerda calls this an “expat upgrade cycle”, in which foreign hires must demonstrate clear value beyond capabilities that can be developed domestically. The GCC’s workforce is expected to become more blended, combining stronger national talent with international expertise where it adds value.
Mohamed Al Askar, Director General of the TAMM Program, recalled childhood experiences of carrying heavy files, making multiple photocopies and waiting in long queues while accompanying his father to government offices. Today, those memories are helping shape Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming the world’s first AI-native government by 2027, with TAMM moving beyond simply putting services online towards AI agents that can handle tasks on behalf of residents. Al Askar stressed that AI should not merely speed up inefficient processes, saying that “if you bolt AI on top of a bad process, you just make that bad process faster.” The goal is to make government services simpler by shifting the complexity from people to technology.
More than 300 banking, fintech and financial services leaders have gathered at the Banking Innovation & Technology Summit (BIT) 2026 in Dubai to examine how emerging technologies are transforming finance. Discussions are focusing on artificial intelligence, digital currencies, stablecoins, tokenised assets and mobile wallets, alongside how global capital is moving across markets and expanding access to credit. The summit highlights a shift from treating these technologies as experiments to exploring their use in real-world transactions and financial services. As digital finance evolves, AI and blockchain-based technologies could fundamentally change how money and assets move across global markets.
Schools across the UAE are rolling out the new AI curriculum through age-appropriate, play-based activities, storytelling, supervised digital tools and real-world applications. Younger children are learning about patterns, instructions and responsible technology use, while older students are exploring machine learning, neural networks, ethics and AI applications across subjects. With around 22,000 teachers and educators also set to receive AI-related training, the focus is on building not just AI skills but critical thinking, creativity and responsible digital habits.
Do you think AI education should become a core part of every child’s learning journey? Share your views with us.
The UAE Gender Balance Council has launched the National Gender Balance Survey to gather public views for the UAE Gender Balance Strategy 2027–2031. The survey is open to both UAE citizens and residents—men and women of different ages, professions, and life stages across all seven emirates—and covers topics including career development, economic participation, financial security, quality of life, caregiving, future skills, technology, and AI. It takes less than 10 minutes, is available in Arabic and English, and protects participants’ identities. Residents can participate through the survey link provided by the UAE Gender Balance Council.
What are your views? Do you think public participation in such surveys can help shape more inclusive policies and opportunities in the UAE?
As the UAE's rutab (fresh dates) season peaks in July and August, farmers are blending generations-old practices with modern technology to improve quality and extend shelf life. The process begins months in advance with hand pollination, pruning, irrigation and careful monitoring of palm trees before harvesting dates at the ideal ripening stage. While traditional sun-drying methods are still valued, many farms now use controlled drying rooms, sealing machines and deep-freezing technology to preserve freshness and reduce waste. Farmers say this combination of heritage and innovation is helping protect the UAE's date-growing traditions while meeting growing consumer demand. Do you buy fresh rutab during the season? Which variety is your favourite, and do you think traditional farming methods should always be preserved alongside modern technology?
Two Year 8 students from GEMS Founders School Dubai, Mohammed Hamdan Siddiqui and Mohammed Hamzah Siddiqui, have won first place in the Junior Team category at the 2026 MIT App Inventor Global Appathon, outperforming 2,176 participants from 141 countries. Their AI-powered app, Scenar, is designed to help emergency responders quickly access accurate scene information during critical incidents, improving decision-making when every second counts. The brothers credit their school's Advanced Learners Club, creativity-focused classroom activities, and a spirit of friendly competition for inspiring their innovation. Their achievement highlights how curiosity, collaboration and problem-solving can empower young students to create technology with real-world impact. What real-world challenge do you think students should tackle next using AI?
As hiring trends shift, developing in-demand digital and AI skills could improve job prospects in a competitive market. While traditional roles remain important, continuous learning and adaptability may help candidates stay ahead as employers increasingly seek specialised expertise.
The success of these Dubai students shows how encouraging creativity and problem-solving can lead to real-world innovation. Integrating AI and technology into education can help students develop practical skills, think critically, and create solutions that make a meaningful impact on society.
The UAE’s new child social media framework aims to make the online environment safer for children by combining safeguards such as age verification, privacy protections, and parental controls with stronger digital literacy and responsible online behaviour. Experts say the rules encourage schools, parents, technology platforms, and regulators to work together to help children develop healthy digital habits, understand online risks such as cyberbullying and misinformation, and use technology responsibly while continuing to benefit from its educational and social advantages.
