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Artificial Intelligence in the UAE: Keeping Pace with Progress in the Service of Humanity

The success of the United Arab Emirates is not confined to a single sector or a specific field. What we are witnessing is not a fleeting boom, but rather sustainable development and growth, an ideal investment environment, and a way of life that makes every resident a valued individual with access to the foundations of well-being—particularly in light of the remarkable scientific progress achieved in the field of artificial intelligence, an area in which the UAE has become one of the world’s leading adopters.The United Arab Emirates has placed artificial intelligence at the heart of its national development strategy and digital economy, with a clear objective of becoming a global leader in the adoption and use of smart technologies across various sectors.Since the announcement of the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, government and private-sector initiatives have accelerated to deploy smart solutions and expand their adoption in education, healthcare, industry, and digital government.Recently, the government launched the “Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index,” a system that measures the readiness of federal entities to adopt and use AI efficiently. The results showed a 97% rate of AI usage across federal government institutions, indicating a strong and widespread integration of smart technologies in public services.This step reflects the UAE’s transition from the experimental phase to large-scale practical implementation, strengthening smart capabilities in public administration and decision-making.The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced that the number of companies operating in the artificial intelligence sector in the emirate has reached 673, representing a 61% growth in just one year (between June 2023 and June 2024). This highlights unprecedented expansion in the sector and strong momentum in the establishment of AI-driven projects.In addition, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that AI-specialized companies are operating in Dubai, supported by advanced infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation and investment in technology.Initiatives have also been launched to train one million people in AI skills, in an effort to build strong human capital in this field, further reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for advanced digital skills.Moreover, the UAE has strengthened its international presence through major partnerships and investments in artificial intelligence amounting to billions of dollars, alongside a government commitment to invest more than $100 billion in AI technologies, according to recent economic reports.The UAE has also announced global initiatives such as “AI for Development,” valued at $1 billion, to support artificial intelligence projects in Africa, reflecting its ambition to export technological expertise to countries of the Global South.It is worth noting that the UAE relies on artificial intelligence to improve essential services, such as:Smart energy solutions and the management of electricity and water networks, enhancing the efficiency of vital sectors.The development of proprietary and local AI models, along with advanced analytical tools used to improve urban planning and government services.These steps confirm that the UAE does not view AI merely as a technological tool, but as a central pillar in building smart and sustainable cities. The UAE has also been ranked among the advanced countries globally in terms of the quality of artificial intelligence skills, making notable progress in the education and training of citizens and specialized professionals compared to previous years.This advanced standing reflects the UAE’s success in transitioning from a technology adopter to an influential global player in the field. Over recent months, the development of artificial intelligence in the UAE has gone beyond increasing the number of tech projects to include its integration into government services, the development of human capabilities, the strengthening of international partnerships, and investment in smart infrastructure. All of these factors make the UAE a model regionally and globally in adopting and applying artificial intelligence as a driving force for growth and innovation.

30-01-2026 22:06

French City Asks Madonna to Lend It a Painting Lost in 1918

Marine Strauss wrote this article in Reuters:The mayor of Amiens, northern France, has asked Madonna to lend the city a 19th-century painting lost during World War One which it believes may be have been bought by the singer, to help its chances of becoming European Capital of Culture.The "Diana and Endymion" painting by Jerome-Martin Langlois, which depicts Roman goddess Diana looking lovingly at the handsome Endymion, was once on display in an Amiens museum but was lost after Germany bombed the city in 1918.French daily Le Figaro reported that the painting, or a nearly identical one, went on sale at an auction in New York in 1989 where Madonna paid $1.3 million for it.There was no immediate reply from a spokesperson for Madonna to an emailed request for comment.Amiens, where French President Emmanuel Macron was born, is a candidate to be European Capital of Culture in 2028."We do not dispute in any way the legal acquisition that you have made but we are candidates to be European Capital of Culture in 2028. So I would like that on this occasion, this year, you could lend us your painting," Amiens mayor Brigitte Foure said in a video posted on Facebook.The painting was commissioned by French King Louis XVIII for the Diane room in the Versailles palace and bought by the State in 1873.Foure said the painting was probably lent to the Amiens museum by the Louvre before World War One, after which Amiens lost trace of it.Madonna has just announced European dates for her "The Celebration Tour" where she will perform in Paris - less than two hours by train from Amiens - on Nov. 11-12, 2023.

18-01-2023 16:34

China Lifts Apparent Ban on Marvel Movies after Four Years

The Independent published this article:China has ended its de facto ban on Marvel films after four years.According to reports, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania are scheduled for a surprise release in the East Asian nation.The films will be released in February, after the lunar new year, marking the first Marvel releases in the Chinese market since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.In the past, the Chinese film board has never explained why Marvel movies were blocked from screening in the country.However, the apparent ban began at a time when tensions between the US and China reached a high amid a trade war.Films such as Black Widow, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Eternals, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Thor: Love and Thunder have all been denied a release in China.However, the Marvel films that were released in China before 2019 ended up beig box-office hits.The first Black Panther earned $105m in China in 2018, while Ant-Man and the Wasp grossed $121.2m that same year.The removal of this ban comes amid recent talks between the US and China.The US treasury secretary Janet Yellen reportedly sat down with her Chinese counterpart on Wednesday (18 January) in the highest-ranking contact between the two countries since their presidents agreed to look for ways to improve relations that have grown increasingly strained in recent years.Black Panther: Wakanda Forever crossed the threshold of $3bn at the global box office in 2022.It marked the 14th time that the Marvel studio has made over $3bn at the box office in one year. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ $955m and Thor: Love and Thunder’s $761m contributed to it.

18-01-2023 14:12

Avatar Sequel Hits Great $2 Billion Box Office This Weekend

Forbes published this article:Movie history will be made this weekend as Avatar: The Way of Water does what most said was impossible - the sequel will hit $2 billion at the box office, likely sometime on Friday or Saturday.Earlier this week the Avatar sequel replaced Marvel Studio’s Spider-Man: No Way Home as the 6th highest grossing movie of all time. The MCU sequel took a massive $1.9 billion worldwide to become the studio’s fourth title in the top 10 all-time list.Avatar: The Way of Water is already only the second franchise to have multiple films in the top 10, and once it inevitably replaces Avengers: Infinity War for the #5 spot on the chart, the Avatar franchise will be the only film series with two entries in the top 5 biggest grossers.James Cameron is currently the only filmmaker with three movies in the top 10, and one of only two sets of filmmakers - the others being the Russo Brothers with Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame - who have multiple movies in the top 10 at all. Besides Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water, Cameron of course also directed Titanic. He will be the only director with multiple films in the top 5 once his newest movie outgrosses Infinity Wars (which currently makes the Russos the only filmmakers with multiple films in the top 5).

20-01-2023 12:21

Stars are ‘Disappearing from the Night Sky’, Astronomers Warn

The Independent published this article:Stars are disappearing from the night sky in front of our eyes, astronomers have warned.Every year, the sky gets as much as 10 per cent brighter, according to a major new study. That means that vast numbers of stars that were once visible are now hidden from astronomers and the public.A child born under 250 visible stars, for instance, would only be able to see 100 of them by the time of their 18th birthday, the scientists warn.The light pollution that is blocking out those stars is growing far more rapidly than we have realised, even despite attempts to limit it. And it could have drastic results, not only for the visibility of the night sky but for the environment, with affects on the biological systems of animals and humans, and more.Those are the findings of a major new study that analysed more than 50,000 observations from citizen scientists around the world, taken between 2011 and 2022. It aimed to fully understand the scale of the problem of “skyglow”, or the diffuse light of the night sky that is caused by human-made pollution.Until now, the changes in the brightness of the sky have been little documented, because there is no easy way of gathering information from across the globe. To address that, scientists used information taken from an app that collects the view from places around the world and gathers it together.That data can be used to gather data on the “naked eye limiting magnitude”, which measures the minimum brightness that an object in the sky must have if it can be seen. As the night sky brightens with pollution, those objects must be ever brighter if they are to be seen - otherwise they will disappear from the sky.Those measurements suggest that the sky has increased in brightness by 9.6 per cent each year. Previous estimates gathered from satellites suggested that the brightness was increasing by only 2 per cent.Satellites have been used to estimate the scale of the problem but suffer because there are none monitoring the whole Earth that are ale to account for the ways that humans see the sky. They are also less likely to see light that comes out horizontally, such as from windows, but those sources significantly contribute towards light pollution as seen by people on the ground.An article on the findings, ‘Citizen scientists report global rapid reductions in the visibility of stars from 2011 to 2022’, is published in the journal Science.In their conclusion, the researchers note the importance of citizen scientists in providing such data. But they also urge that the data is used by policymakers, noting that existing attempts to limit the problem of light pollution are not stopping the issue from getting worse.

20-01-2023 11:59

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Artificial Intelligence in the UAE: Keeping Pace with Progress in the Service of Humanity

The success of the United Arab Emirates is not confined to a single sector or a specific field. What we are witnessing is not a fleeting boom, but rather sustainable development and growth, an ideal investment environment, and a way of life that makes every resident a valued individual with access to the foundations of well-being—particularly in light of the remarkable scientific progress achieved in the field of artificial intelligence, an area in which the UAE has become one of the world’s leading adopters.The United Arab Emirates has placed artificial intelligence at the heart of its national development strategy and digital economy, with a clear objective of becoming a global leader in the adoption and use of smart technologies across various sectors.Since the announcement of the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, government and private-sector initiatives have accelerated to deploy smart solutions and expand their adoption in education, healthcare, industry, and digital government.Recently, the government launched the “Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index,” a system that measures the readiness of federal entities to adopt and use AI efficiently. The results showed a 97% rate of AI usage across federal government institutions, indicating a strong and widespread integration of smart technologies in public services.This step reflects the UAE’s transition from the experimental phase to large-scale practical implementation, strengthening smart capabilities in public administration and decision-making.The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced that the number of companies operating in the artificial intelligence sector in the emirate has reached 673, representing a 61% growth in just one year (between June 2023 and June 2024). This highlights unprecedented expansion in the sector and strong momentum in the establishment of AI-driven projects.In addition, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that AI-specialized companies are operating in Dubai, supported by advanced infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation and investment in technology.Initiatives have also been launched to train one million people in AI skills, in an effort to build strong human capital in this field, further reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for advanced digital skills.Moreover, the UAE has strengthened its international presence through major partnerships and investments in artificial intelligence amounting to billions of dollars, alongside a government commitment to invest more than $100 billion in AI technologies, according to recent economic reports.The UAE has also announced global initiatives such as “AI for Development,” valued at $1 billion, to support artificial intelligence projects in Africa, reflecting its ambition to export technological expertise to countries of the Global South.It is worth noting that the UAE relies on artificial intelligence to improve essential services, such as:Smart energy solutions and the management of electricity and water networks, enhancing the efficiency of vital sectors.The development of proprietary and local AI models, along with advanced analytical tools used to improve urban planning and government services.These steps confirm that the UAE does not view AI merely as a technological tool, but as a central pillar in building smart and sustainable cities. The UAE has also been ranked among the advanced countries globally in terms of the quality of artificial intelligence skills, making notable progress in the education and training of citizens and specialized professionals compared to previous years.This advanced standing reflects the UAE’s success in transitioning from a technology adopter to an influential global player in the field. Over recent months, the development of artificial intelligence in the UAE has gone beyond increasing the number of tech projects to include its integration into government services, the development of human capabilities, the strengthening of international partnerships, and investment in smart infrastructure. All of these factors make the UAE a model regionally and globally in adopting and applying artificial intelligence as a driving force for growth and innovation.

30-01-2026 22:06

Watch: Free Solo Climber Conquers One of the World’s Tallest Buildings

For 92 minutes on a clear Sunday morning in Taipei, thousands of spectators with jittery nerves stared upwards, while people across the world were glued to their screens, as famed climber Alex Honnold made a death-defying attempt to scale one of the tallest skyscrapers on Earth.He clambered up the last inch of the metal spire atop Taipei 101 at 10:43 am local time and stood on the 1,667-foot (508-meters) summit with a grin, waving to the cheering fans below – a sight that will undoubtedly become an iconic moment in climbing folklore.He’s the first known climber to free solo Taipei 101, meaning an ascent without ropes, safety nets, or other equipment – just his bare hands and a chalk bag to help with grip.“It’s amazing, I’m sure I’ll be glowing for days, it’s incredible,” Honnold said in a news conference after finishing the climb. “You spend so long thinking about it and imagining it’s possible, but then to actually do it always feels different.”Honnold, 40, has been a recognized figure in the climbing community for nearly two decades – rising to prominence in his early 20s for successful free solo climbs of challenging routes.But he became a household name worldwide after becoming the first person to free climb El Capitan, a vertical rock formation at Yosemite National Park, in 2017 – a nail-biting ascent that was captured in the award-winning documentary “Free Solo.”Since then, he has continued climbing and setting new records. Despite having had his eyes on Taipei 101 for more than a decade, the opportunity never materialized until it was pitched to Netflix, which live-streamed his ascent. Honnold called it “the biggest urban free solo climb ever.”The climb was meant to happen Saturday morning local time, but was rescheduled due to poor weather. Sunday dawned sunny and clear with blue skies and little wind, allowing the climb to go ahead.“For me, personally, the biggest challenge was staying calm. Having the crowd, having the whole experience, having all the people around just made it feel a little more intense,” he added. “But as I climbed, I relaxed more and more, like, ‘Oh, this is so fun, this is why I do it.’”He’s not the first person to climb Taipei 101: French climber Alain Robert summited the building in 2004, but with ropes. Robert had been invited to climb it as part of the building’s official public opening, but conditions were far worse that day, with rain and heavy winds – making his climb four hours long, compared to Honnold’s one and a half hours.Both Robert and Honnold described the ascent as not overly challenging or complicated compared to the usual rock formations and mountains they climb. For instance, Honnold wasn’t holding onto the sheer slippery glass of the skyscraper – he had metal structures, ledges and beams to hold onto.There were several more technically difficult moves toward the top. But Honnold cleared those without much difficulty, moving up the building at a rapid pace. At points, he stopped on balconies to take a break and wave at the crowd below.His nervous wife Sanni McCandless was watching from inside Taipei 101, waving to her husband on the other side of the glass as he passed her floor on his way up. After he summitted, she met him at a balcony below the spire, embracing him and joking: “I was basically having a panic attack the entire time.”When it opened in 2004, Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world – a title it held until it was usurped by Dubai’s 2717-foot (828-meter) Burj Kalifa. Ten other buildings taller than Taipei 101 have since been built, including New York’s One World Trade Center, but it remains a spectacle in Taipei as it is the tallest building in the city.Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te was quick to congratulate Honnold on his “truly nerve-wracking” spectacle. He hoped the event would allow the world to see “the warmth of the Taiwanese people and the island’s beautiful hills and landscapes,” he said.After the climb, Honnold said he hoped people watching could be inspired by his climb to pursue their own challenges or goals. And, in his signature matter-of-fact way, he summed up his achievement with few words:“It’s so great. What a nice day.”

25-01-2026 10:19

Gen Z predict this name will be the Millennial version of 'Karen'

The name "Karen" has been widely adopted by the internet to describe a stereotypical demanding, nosey middle-class, middle-aged baby boomer or Gen X, white woman with a short, choppy bob style haircut who complains and always asks to "see the manager."This term was widely adopted back in 2020, when a woman called the police during a disagreement over the requirement for her dog to be leashed in an area of Central Park.Since then, in similar viral videos, women have been dubbed as "Karens," but some have noted how the term, in certain circumstances, can be misogynistic, with one judge at an employment tribunal calling the “pejorative” slang term "borderline racist, sexist and ageist."Now there's a new name Gen Z is using to describe the Millennial equivalent - but what name has been chosen?Well, after much debate online with suggestions such as Jennifer, Ashley, Lisa, and Amanda, the name was ultimately decided as the Karen successor is... Jessica.The two names share a similar trend in that Karen was the third and fourth most popular girls' name in both the UK and the US back in the 1960s, and meanwhile, two to three decades later, Jessica was a popular name in the 1980s and 90s when Millennials were born.Although, this is a question that has been making the rounds online for the past few years, with people questioning which name will take the unfortunate baton.TikToker @wouldyakindly predicted that Jesscia would be chosen, as she showed the US baby name charts with Jessica, along with Lisa and Jennifer being popular in the decades after the 60s."I'm guessing it is going to be Jessica because I don't know I feel like Jen seems nice, if she goes by Jennifer, probably not that nice. Jessica will mess you up, Jess is gonna fight somebody if she gets angry," the creator said.But another question is, what would be the male Baby Boomer, Gen X and Millennial equivalent?There is one clear standout if we're looking at popular baby boy names through the decades, as Michael tops the list from the 60s to the 90s, with Christopher in second place.Elsewhere from Indy100, 'David' takes over 'Karen' as the UK's biggest complainer, and Woman sobs over $300 haircut that makes her look like a ‘Karen’.

20-01-2026 12:46

Italian Fashion Designer Valentino Dies at 93

Italian fashion legend Valentino Garavani, whose elegant evening gowns were favored for decades by some of the world’s most glamorous women, has died at 93, according to his foundation. He “peacefully passed away today at his residence in Rome, surrounded by the love of his family,” a statement posted to Instagram said.Born in the northern town of Voghera, Italy, in 1932, Valentino — who was popularly known by his first name — learned his trade in the haute couture ateliers in Paris before founding his own line in Rome in 1959. Early on, he became known for his red dresses, in a rich scarlet shade that became his signature color to the extent that it was known within the industry as “Valentino red.”In 1960, he met his long-time business partner (and, for 12 years, romantic partner) Giancarlo Giammetti, then a young architecture student. Together, the pair turned Valentino SpA into an internationally recognized brand.One of Valentino’s first famous customers was the actress Elizabeth Taylor, whom he met while she was filming “Cleopatra” in Rome in the early 1960s. Other glamorous followers — and buyers — of Valentino’s work in the early years of his career included Begum Aga Khan, Queen Paola of Belgium, the actresses Audrey Hepburn and Joan Collins and Jacqueline Kennedy, who even wore a Valentino gown to wed Greek shipping giant Aristotle Onassis in 1968.His popularity would continue as the decades progressed. Valentino spent much of the 1970s in New York, surrounded by a wide circle of friends that included the artist Andy Warhol and Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. In the 1990s, he became a favorite of the decade’s supermodels, including Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell.His creations also featured regularly on the red carpet. At the Oscars alone, noteworthy Valentino ensembles over the years have included the heavily-beaded gown Jane Fonda wore in 1981 when she accepted the Best Actor prize for her father, Henry; the vintage black-and-white gown Julia Roberts wore in 2001; the pastel mint caftan-style gown Jennifer Lopez wore in 2003 and the sunshine yellow gown Cate Blanchett wore in 2005. (Both Roberts and Blanchett won Oscars in those respective years.) At the 2011 Academy Awards, Anne Hathaway walked the red carpet in an ornate Fall 2002 Valentino couture gown, accompanied by the designer himself.In more recent years, Zendaya, Carey Mulligan and Gemma Chan have been among fashion plate Oscars attendees wearing the label to much acclaim.With his precision tailored suits, suntan and perfectly coiffed hair, Valentino was every bit the quintessential Italian gentleman. He was an avid collector of Chinese antiques and indulged his love of flowers and topiary in the landscaped grounds of his 17th century Chateau Wideville, outside of Paris, which he bought in 1995. He also had homes in London, Paris, New York, Spain and Gstaad, Switzerland.He was passionate about his pug dogs and at one time owned six of them: Milton, Monty, Maude, Margot, Maggie and Molly.“I don’t care about the collection,” he memorably proclaimed in the 2008 documentary “Valentino: The Last Emperor.” “My dogs are more important.”In 1998, Valentino sold his company to the Italian conglomerate HdP for some $300 million, although he continued to work for the company. Valentino retired from the industry in 2008, after more than 45 years, marking the end of one of the longest careers in fashion. The occasion was marked with a star-studded fashion show at the Musée Rodin in Paris. For the finale, models donned identical “Valentino red” gowns.The designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli were appointed as Valentino’s creative directors that year. In 2016, Chiuri was named artistic director at Christian Dior; Piccioli stepped down in 2024 and was appointed creative director at Balenciaga last year. Following Piccioli’s departure, Alessandro Michele has helmed Valentino’s design for nearly two years amid a wider industry reshuffling.For many, Valentino’s passing represents the end of a generation of old-world fashion maestros. And it seems he knew this too. When he was asked, in the 2008 documentary about his life, about others’ claims that he was irreplaceable, Valentino replied with a wry smile: “After me, the deluge.”

19-01-2026 19:52

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