The Return of the Dry-Clean-Only Wardrobe
Organza blouses, cashmere overcoats and tailored skirt suits: Fashion’s Paris forecast signalled an end to washable WFH-wear
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PARIS—With the frisson of a downturn in the air, designers at fashion week here better known for drama battened down the hatches, sending out streams of polished, functional blouses, jackets, skirts, pants and pumps.
Above all, however, they sent coats. Some highlights: strictly cut propositions at Givenchy and Alexander McQueen, luxe puffers at Schiaparelli, and today’s belted, no-tricks camel-coloured overcoats at Louis Vuitton. Liane Wiggins, head of womenswear at British retailer MatchesFashion, praised Paris Fashion Week’s notably beautiful coats in an interview and rated them the “number-one investment” for customers who, in a change from their usual habits, might be choosing between luxuries this year.
And those buying habits are indeed changing. At a dinner for his independent Vienna-based brand, Petar Petrov told me that his clients are no longer searching for the comfort-forward attire of post pandemic life. Instead, women are again craving silk dresses and blouses, things to be worn to appear soignée at work, dinner, on dates (and then dry-cleaned… unthinkable in 2020).
Button-up blouses, a neutral palette, androgynous coats—if it sounds familiar, that may be because Lydia Tár pretty much foretold the fall collections. Although Cate Blanchett’s problematic composer in the Oscar-nominated movie “Tár” was not exactly an aspirational figure, her impeccably tailored wardrobe resonated well beyond the film.
Ms. Wiggins said this season was all about “more tailoring, cleaner looks and what I always call ‘real clothing’—but with added value and details that mean you will have it in your wardrobe forever, and it won’t feel too trend-heavy.”
Here, five brands that made persuasive cases for “real clothing”:
Loewe: Where ‘innovation’ is not just a buzzword
Jonathan Anderson, the designer behind Spanish LVMH brand Loewe, is one of the rare designers who uses innovative techniques and materials to make clothing that is supremely wearable. Without last season’s dependence on surreal elements such as exaggerated anthurium-flower tops, the fall collection focuses on more realistic pieces, like long leather coats and proper trousers.
That realism was imbued with tireless experimentation—the kind that people who love clothing will want to pay for. The seemingly simple silk printed dresses were printed with faded images of dresses from decades past, giving the contemporary pieces a sense of history. Shearling coats were moulded into hourglass shapes. Cropped leather jackets and skirts were vacuum-stiffened into firmness.
Mr. Anderson also excels when he considers and updates familiar and functional pieces—like last season’s Barbour jackets, or this season’s work boot. The Loewe representative who took me around the showroom said that the house’s employees—both men and women—were all excited to wear fall’s comfortable work boot, with its large toe box and nubbly texture.
Balmain: An approachable elegance
In recent seasons, the Balmain show has been an over-the-top spectacle bringing together thousands in stadium-style shows, often with live music. Last season, a raised runway showcased nearly 100 looks, Cher sang and there was a hamburger stand. The styles—as befits a brand beloved by Beyoncé and the Kardashian sisters—prioritised drama, including wide hats and sculpted pieces in unorthodox fabrics like banana leaf. But the show was late and chaotic, and attendants complained (a Vogue reviewer bemoaned his soggy bottom).
So this season the brand swung back to basics, or as close to basics as Balmain gets. In an interview, creative director Olivier Rousteing stressed the importance of looking to the house’s founder Pierre Balmain’s “legacy, and the power of the distinctive tailoring, structure and spirit behind his ‘New French’ style.” The term “New French” was coined by Gertrude Stein’s partner Alice B. Toklas after seeing the brand’s first collection in 1945. It’s a moment—as crystallised by a famous Horst photograph of Stein with her poodle Basket and a Balmain model—that Mr. Rousteing referenced with this collection.
That resulted in a collection full of elegance, like jackets with nipped waists, capes, full skirts and reworked tuxedos. Many looks were worn with simple black velvet cropped pants, the kind of piece that could augment any wardrobe. One guest—74-year-old model Maye Musk (Elon’s mom)—nodded her head in approval.
The Row: Creature comforts, from cashmere to chocolate
The Row, the American design house founded by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, has found a spiritual home in Paris, where it has an office. Like the Japanese brands Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake, both of which show their collections in the French capital, the Row’s pure and formally inventive clothing makes sense when seen against the backdrop of Haussmannian moldings and herringbone floors.
This collection did not stray from the brand’s specialties: Lydia Tár-like suits, shirting and Serious Coats, spare evening wear, elbow-length gloves, flat boots perfect for city walking. But it felt particularly right in the context of a season of realistic, investment-grade fashion—as if the world synced up to the Row than vice versa.
At the show’s conclusion, young men proffered green juice, green tea, perfectly ripe pears and hunks of dark chocolate. Along with great knitwear and flat shoes, these are the keys to many women’s affection.
Balenciaga: A postscandal return to ‘the art of making clothes’
The most hotly anticipated show this season was Balenciaga’s, but not for the usual reasons. With a hint of schadenfreude, editors gossiped about how creative director Demna would react (or not) to the uproar around the brand’s recent campaigns that some interpreted as endorsing child pornography. Demna has apologised for featuring children in the campaign, and Balenciaga’s owner François Pinault last month said “we’re allowed to make mistakes in a group like Kering.”
In his show notes, Demna declared a return to the purity of design: “Fashion to me can no longer be about entertainment, but rather as the art of making clothes.” That manifested as elemental forms and silhouettes, starting with sweeping black lace dresses punctuated by crested shoulders. Blazers, denim jackets, overcoats and trenches were all oversize, dwarfing their wearers. Demna applied his contemporary touch to ladylike Balenciaga signatures like bows and florals.
But under the designer, Balenciaga has always been about far more than clothes. Stunt shows commenting on current events, a Simpsons collaboration and Kim Kardashian mummified in danger tape made it a part of the zeitgeist. Are clothes alone—even ones as thoughtful as this—enough?
Saint Laurent: A powerful vision of business-not-very-casual
When was the last time you saw someone wearing a proper skirt suit—outside of a retro movie or TV show? Chances are, you’re scratching your head, but if Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent show has anything to do with it, the skirt suit will be on the ascendant come fall.
The show’s vision of a powerful businesswoman—albeit one who still values comfort and sex appeal—began Paris Fashion Week with a slap of chicness. Some fashion obsessives on Twitter used the occasion to compare Mr. Vaccarello’s early work—characterised by micro party dresses and lots of leather—to his sophisticated forays of recent years. The brand has grown up with him.
Although the extreme shoulder of the blazers and the deep décolleté of the camisoles will not be for everyone, the pinstriped wool suit separates and blanket coats are future classics. And Ms. Wiggins of MatchesFashion pointed to the show’s organza blouses, with their dramatic streaming neck ties, as the perfect tops for a dinner date.
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Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
Infobip has partnered with Oracle to offer omnichannel services, including an Omnichannel Messaging Adapter for Oracle Integration, which reduces time to market and offers low or no-code solutions, enabling AI innovation.
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Global cloud communications platform Infobip today announced that it has enhanced its partnership with Oracle to bring conversational experiences to businesses and brands globally. The new integration enables Infobip and Oracle customers and partners to access Infobip’s omnichannel services through Oracle Integration.
Customers increasingly expect omnichannel communications, but integrating and managing new channels can be time-consuming, requiring complex development, deployment, and organizational processes. Infobip’s new Omnichannel Messaging Adapter for Oracle Integration addresses this challenge by enabling all types of businesses to work with and manage omnichannel messaging channels involving Oracle and third-party solutions, including WhatsApp and RCS. The solution deploys quickly, reducing time to market.
In addition, Infobip has provided a prebuilt use case – or Accelerator – for Oracle’s contact center solution, Oracle B2C Service. This Accelerator is a flexible solution that allows consumers to connect with a company’s support team via SMS and WhatsApp, delivering a streamlined two-way communication experience. Both the Omnichannel Messaging Adapter and Accelerator offer low or no-code solutions, benefiting Oracle’s customers and partners.
Oracle Integration provides secure, highly scalable connectivity regardless of the applications an organization is connecting with or where the applications reside.
“Our new collaboration with Infobip will help enterprises simplify connectivity and provide integration between the Infobip messaging platform and any applications using our unified integration platform as a service, Oracle Integration,” said Deepak Arora, Vice President, Product Management, Oracle. “This partnership builds on our vision of fueling AI innovation for more businesses by integrating any apps, data, and services anywhere.”
“The Omnichannel Messaging Adapter for Oracle Integration enables Infobip and Oracle customers to tailor our omnichannel solutions to their specific needs using the same platform with just a few clicks,” said Veselin Vuković, Chief Alliances Officer, Infobip, “The solution is flexible and works for a broad range of sectors and industries.”
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
The study proposes five innovative technologies to tackle climate change in hyper-arid regions, including AI systems, IoT-based sensors, biochar production, localized composting, and genetic engineering.
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As climate pressures intensify globally, countries in hyper-arid zones such as the Gulf are facing some of the most acute environmental challenges. Land degradation and desertification threaten food security, water availability, and ecosystem stability. The report emphasizes that while these issues are global, their impact is often more severe in regions like the GCC, and require coordinated, technology-led solutions to address effectively.
“In hyper-arid regions, innovation and the scale-up of greening technologies are no longer optional, they are essential to effectively combat desertification, restore degraded lands, and secure long-term food and water resilience. Beyond environmental benefits, these technologies unlock significant socio-economic gains by revitalizing rural livelihoods, creating green jobs, and strengthening climate adaptation capacity.” said Marielli Bou Harb, Partner at Arthur D. Little.
The study identifies five transformative technologies: AI systems for precision land management, IoT-based sensors enabling real-time environmental feedback, biochar production for soil regeneration, localized composting for organic nutrient cycling, and genetic engineering where socially and culturally appropriate. These technologies are distinguished not only by their ecological promise but also by their alignment with region-specific conditions such as extreme heat, limited freshwater, and fragile soils. They have been evaluated through Arthur D. Little‘s proprietary foresight framework, connecting global research trends with on-the-ground applicability.
“Real impact lies not just in identifying technologies, but in prioritizing those that are both promising and practical rooted in strong scientific research, adapted to the harsh realities of hyper-arid environments, and backed by growing investment and market momentum. We focus on solutions with the greatest potential to scale where they are needed most and when urgency can no longer be postponed” added Marielli Bou Harb.
Across the GCC, national greening campaigns and restoration targets are gaining traction. Saudi Arabia’s 10 billion-tree pledge and its leadership role in the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) – aiming to restore 200 million hectares – are major drivers of experimentation and innovation. Yet progress is not isolated. The UAE, Qatar, and others are advancing pilot programs that provide models for cross-border replication and scale.
“Innovation thrives when minds unite entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, government, and communities, fueling green technologies that root deep in Middle Eastern soil, growing a sustainable future for generations to come,” said Juan Moreno, Principal at Arthur D. Little.
Concrete results are emerging, including AI-driven irrigation improving water efficiency by 40 to 50 percent, biochar reducing reliance on traditional water inputs, composting increasing yields in nutrient-poor soils, and sensor networks streamlining restoration efforts through predictive data.
To maximize impact, the study calls for urgent action around four key levers: align policy and investment across GCC and neighboring countries under initiatives like MGI, expand R&D ecosystems to localize emerging global tech, create regional centers for innovation exchange and upskilling, and enable blended finance models to drive scale through public-private partnerships.
“With climate pressures accelerating, the region must move from pilot projects to scalable transformation,” Juan Moreno emphasized. “This report is a practical guide for policymakers, investors, and innovators committed to reversing land degradation and building long-term resilience.”
Arthur D. Little concludes that sustainable land management in hyper-arid regions is no longer a future ambition, it’s a present-day economic, environmental, and geopolitical imperative. The time to act is now.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Interior designer Thomas Hamel on where it goes wrong in so many homes.
Qualcomm Technologies and Aramco Digital are collaborating to develop and commercialize advanced AI industrial IoT technologies for Saudi Arabia’s key industries, leveraging Aramco Digital’s 5G network for device connectivity.
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Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and Aramco Digital announced their intent to enter into a strategic collaboration to develop, deploy and commercialize state-of-the-art edge AI industrial IoT technologies and solutions, which will drive the digital transformation of key industries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The collaboration also covers the development of AI industrial use-cases and service offerings.
Aramco Digital will aim to develop and commercialize a range of advanced edge AI industrial devices and end-to-end solutions powered by products and services from Qualcomm Technologies. These solutions will help meet the specific requirements of various industry sectors in the Kingdom, and are designed to increase efficiency and productivity, enhance safety and sustainability, and enable new innovations in industrial-based services, from worker assistants to predictive maintenance, visual anomaly detection, asset management and more.
The collaboration is intended to utilize Aramco Digital’s 450 MHz 5G industrial network to connect intelligent edge devices powered by solutions from Qualcomm Technologies—including smartphones, rugged industrial devices, robots, drones, cameras, sensors, and other IoT devices. Aramco Digital and Qualcomm Technologies also plan to develop the capabilities to deploy, manage, and update AI models on Aramco Digital’s edge AI devices.
“Through this MoU with Qualcomm Technologies, Aramco Digital further demonstrates its intent to contribute to the digital transformation of Saudi Arabia’s industrial sectors, in alignment with Vision 2030. By combining cutting-edge AI and 5G technologies, we not only aim to enable smarter solutions but also lay the foundation for a safer, more efficient, and sustainable future for industries across the Kingdom. This MoU highlights Aramco Digital’s continued efforts to shape Saudi Arabia’s digital landscape and reinforce its leadership in industrial innovation,” said Nabil A. Al Nuiam, chief executive officer, Aramco Digital.
“Our collaboration with Aramco Digital underscores our shared vision of accelerating innovation in advanced edge AI technologies and 5G. Combining our expertise in on-device AI, wireless connectivity and power-efficient computing with Aramco Digital’s 5G 450 MHz industrial network and extensive experience in the energy industry will enable rapid development of advanced industrial IoT solutions to drive the next wave of digital transformation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Cristiano Amon, president and chief executive officer, Qualcomm Incorporated.
The two companies agreed on this strategic cooperation during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, taking place as part of the official visit of President of the United States Donald Trump to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Following the devastation of recent flooding, experts are urging government intervention to drive the cessation of building in areas at risk.
Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN plans to invest $5 billion in a strategic partnership to build an AI Zone, utilizing AWS AI infrastructure, servers, UltraCluster networks, Sagemaker, Bedrock, and Amazon Q, aligning with its Vision 2030 and 2024 pledges.
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Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company (NASDAQ: AMZN), and HUMAIN, Saudi Arabia’s newly created company responsible for driving AI innovation across the Kingdom and globally, today announced plans to invest $5 billion-plus in a strategic partnership to build a groundbreaking “AI Zone” in the Kingdom. This first-of-a-kind AI Zone will bring together multiple innovative capabilities, including dedicated AWS AI infrastructure and servers with world-class semiconductors, UltraCluster networks for faster AI training and inference, AWS services like Sagemaker and Bedrock, and AI application services such as Amazon Q to advance Saudi Arabia’s mission to be a world leader in AI.
AWS previously announced and is currently building an AWS infrastructure region in Saudi Arabia that will become available in 2026. Amazon is investing US$5.3 billion (approx. 19.88 billion Saudi riyal) in Saudi Arabia to develop this new region for AWS. The new AI Zone announced today is an additional investment to grow global and local demand for advanced AI services in the Kingdom, and is part of AWS’s long-term commitment to bring its world-class infrastructure and services to Saudi Arabia.
This collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and builds upon the Kingdom’s pledge in 2024 to invest in building an AI-powered economy, representing a significant step towards realizing Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a global AI leader. AWS will bring to Saudi Arabia its advanced server and network infrastructure capabilities, as well as its artificial intelligence and machine learning services – including Amazon Sagemaker AI, Amazon Bedrock and Amazon Q, fully managed services for building and scaling generative AI (genAI) applications. With Amazon Bedrock in Saudi Arabia, businesses and government organizations can access high-performing models from leading AI companies to develop genAI applications with security, privacy, and responsible AI. Amazon Q is the world’s most capable coding assistant, and also enables organizations to build genAI-powered assistants to answer questions, provide summaries, generate content, and complete tasks based on enterprise data.
Through this collaboration, HUMAIN plans to develop AI solutions using AWS technologies for its end customers. Further, HUMAIN will work with AWS on the development of a unified AI agent marketplace, simplifying the discovery, deployment, and management of AI software for the Saudi Arabia government. The collaboration also intends to spur the growth of Large Language Models (LLMs), including Arabic Large Language Models (ALLaM), while spearheading wide adoption of AI in organizations and industries across the Gulf Region and beyond.
Key sectors, such as government, energy, healthcare, and education, will be able to accelerate their transformation, envisioning AI-powered tools that can personalize learning experiences for students, help provide early disease diagnoses for patients, and unleash productivity across core upstream and downstream processes for government administration. Use cases such as these will be accelerated via the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center, in partnership with HUMAIN, enabling customers – from the fastest-growing startups and largest enterprises, to government agencies – to amplify genAI roadmaps and workloads, leading to equitable and efficient delivery of vital services for greater societal impact.
“We thank AWS for doubling down on their long-term partnership with the Kingdom. This new collaboration with HUMAIN lays the foundation for the intelligent era, accelerates our innovation momentum, grows our talent, and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global partner of choice in the age of AI,” said His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology.
Fueling Saudi Arabia’s vibrant startup sector with AI-powered innovation
AWS and HUMAIN will also work together to advance an AI-powered startup sector in the Kingdom, providing access to the broadest and deepest set of cloud technology tools and programs, including AWS Activate, and helping Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious founders and entrepreneurs scale their businesses.
AWS has helped more than 330,000 startups globally bring their business ideas to life. Its scalable, secure, low-cost cloud solutions and AI-powered services, combined with HUMAIN’s deep support network, will help supercharge Saudi’s startup scene. According to MAGNiTT, Saudi Arabia startups secured US$750 million venture capital funding in 2024, the highest share of capital deployed across the Middle East and North Africa last year.
“This collaboration to build an AI Zone in Saudi Arabia will enable innovations across all industries using AWS’s advanced AI offerings, and reflects our commitment to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030,” said Matt Garman, CEO, Amazon Web Services. “Together, we will empower customers with cost-effective and secure cloud technologies, fuel innovation and economic growth across the nation, and enable HUMAIN to appeal to customers globally.”
Accelerating talent development for a vibrant Saudi tech industry
As part of its long-term commitment to fast-track cloud adoption in Saudi Arabia, AWS is scaling its training and certification programs focused on genAI skills-building in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 digital transformation goals. Working with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), AWS has committed to train 100,000 citizens from the Kingdom in cloud computing and genAI, focusing on the two newest AWS genAI certifications: AWS AI Practitioner and AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate Certifications. Training will be delivered by the Amazon Academy. Launched in 2023, the Amazon Academy is the largest talent development program of its kind in the Middle East. It provides transformative training and certifications, free of cost to participants, to elevate in-demand competencies and equip Saudi talent for jobs of the future. The program is designed to empower the next generation of Saudi youth, entrepreneurs, and professionals at any stage of their career to achieve success across in-demand skills, such as cloud computing, logistics, and leadership.
In addition, to help accelerate Saudi Arabia’s goal of empowering women to increase participation in the workforce, AWS in 2024 also launched an upskilling program, “AWS Saudi Arabia Women’s Skills Initiative,” in partnership with Skillsoft Global Knowledge. AWS has committed to train 10,000 women on AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials, at no charge, through classroom trainings with AWS-certified professionals.
Supercharging HUMAIN’s AI ambitions
Saudi Arabia is forecast to hold the lion’s share of AI’s estimated economic impact across the Middle East in the coming years. According to PwC, AI will contribute $130 billion to Saudi’s economy by 2030, comprising more than 40 percent of the estimated $320 billion of AI value for the entire Middle East.
The Kingdom is also at the forefront of a regional drive to transform both public sector services and enterprises with AI-powered innovation built in the cloud. PwC estimates that nearly 70 percent of Middle East companies plan to migrate most of their operations to the cloud within the next year, while a 2023 report by Telecom Advisory Services predicts public cloud adoption to unlock US$733 billion in economic value by 2033 across the Middle East and North Africa.
“HUMAIN’s partnership with AWS is a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become a global leader in AI,” said Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN. “By leveraging AWS’s world-class cloud infrastructure and AI expertise and HUMAIN’s full-stack AI capabilities, we are creating an offering that will attract global investment and talent, thereby driving our digital transformation agenda forward.”
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
ICOM Dubai 2025 has launched a Grant Programme for the MEASA region, aiming to promote inclusion, accessibility, and regional impact. The program offers 140 grants for in-person and digital participation, covering travel, accommodation, visa fees, and conference admission. The initiative focuses on safeguarding intangible heritage, youth power, and new technologies.
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The Organizing Committee of ICOM Dubai 2025, in collaboration with ICOM UAE, has officially launched its Grant Programme for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, reinforcing its commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and regional impact as it prepares to host the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) this November in Dubai.
Taking place for the first time in the MEASA region, ICOM Dubai 2025 will convene thousands of museum professionals, cultural leaders, academics and students under the theme The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities. To ensure the conference remains accessible and representative of the region’s diversity and dynamism, the Grant Programme will offer 140 grants — 70 for in-person participation and 70 for digital access.
The in-person grants will cover travel, accommodation, visa fees (where applicable), and full admission to the conference, while digital grants will offer complimentary access to the virtual program for those unable or opting not to travel. The initiative is designed not only to facilitate participation but to nurture voices that will actively shape the discourse on the future of museums — particularly those aligned with the conference’s three pillars: the safeguarding of intangible heritage, youth power, and the rise of new technologies.
Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Chairperson of ICOM Dubai 2025 Organizing Committee, said: “At ICOM Dubai 2025, we are nurturing a legacy built on inclusion, opportunity, and shared purpose. This Grant Programme reflects our belief that the future of museums must be shaped by a diversity of voices. By welcoming professionals from across the MEASA region, we are inviting a variety of perspectives to join the global dialogue and co-create the cultural narratives of tomorrow.”
With this announcement, ICOM Dubai 2025 continues to champion inclusive cultural dialogue, regionally grounded practice, and equitable access to global platforms. As the countdown to November begins, the Grant Programme stands as a powerful step toward shaping a conference that truly reflects the future it aims to inspire.
To apply for the ICOM Dubai 2025 Grant Programme and be part of this landmark cultural event, visit https://dubai2025.icom.museum/grants; applications must be submitted by 31 May 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity to help shape the future of museums.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Sprinklr and Aramex are partnering to improve the digital customer experience in over 65 countries. The partnership aims to enhance efficiency, improve last-mile delivery, and provide 24/7 customer support through Sprinklr’s Case Management, Sprinklr Voice, and Conversational AI.
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Sprinklr, the unified customer experience management (Unified-CXM) platform for modern enterprises, today announced an expanded partnership with Aramex, a global leader in logistics and transportation. Aramex and Sprinklr are partnering to revolutionize digital customer experience for Aramex customers across more than 65 countries. This collaboration marks a significant step in Aramex’s commitment to delivering seamless, AI-driven customer interactions at scale, through leveraging Sprinklr’s Case Management, Sprinklr Voice, and Conversational AI.
Since 2022, Aramex has modernized its customer experience with Sprinklr Service by leveraging AI-driven automation and a WhatsApp integration to enhance efficiency, improve last-mile delivery and provide always-on customer support at scale. In doing so, Aramex ensures delivering world class customer experience with AI-powered contact center as a service (CCaaS) and 24/7 customer care.
Francoise Russo, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Aramex, said: “Aramex is deeply committed to customer-centric innovation, as seen with our smart lockers, automated AI-powered robotic sorting system, autonomous delivery robots, and electric vehicles. As e-commerce reshapes customer expectations, the need for instant, personalized service across digital channels has never been greater. We are evolving beyond legacy systems to embrace AI-driven customer engagement. As a key partner in this transformation, Sprinklr is helping us scale seamless, real-time interactions while boosting operational efficiency.
Amjad Al Sabbah, Group Vice President for the Middle East and Africa at Sprinklr, said: “Sprinklr is revolutionizing how companies across the world connect with, support, and understand their customers through digital channels, and Aramax is one of the customers leading the way. We are excited to be part of Aramex’s transformative journey and look forward to continuing our success with our outstanding teams and building on the momentum we’ve gained in the region and the world.”
Since launching the partnership, Aramex has automated 99% of cases and saved over a million agent hours annually. This transformation reduces case resolution delays, boosts customer satisfaction, and optimizes operational costs, helping to ensure a more efficient and seamless customer support experience.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Kilow, a leading digital health and weight management solution, has closed its $2.5 million seed funding round, led by Sanabil Venture Studio and Stryber, showcasing its AI-powered, personalized solutions and seamless health data integration.
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Kilow, a leading digital health and weight management solution, has successfully closed its $2.5 million seed funding round led by Sanabil Venture Studio (a subsidiary of Sanabil Investments) in partnership with Stryber.
This investment comes at a time of rapid growth for Kilow, as the company continues to revolutionize the weight loss experience through AI-powered, personalized solutions and seamless health data integration. By leveraging technology, Kilow aims to help users achieve their health goals more efficiently and sustainably.
Driving Innovation in Digital Healthcare
Since its inception, Kilow has been committed to building a comprehensive digital ecosystem that empowers users through:
– Personalized treatment plans designed by expert healthcare professionals
– Real-time health tracking through seamless integration with smart devices
– At-home lab testing for accurate health insights without the need for clinic visits
– Specialized medical consultations to support users on their weight loss journey
Fahed Al-Essa, CEO of Kilow, stated:
“This investment strengthens our vision of delivering highly personalized and efficient digital health solutions. Our goal is to transform the way individuals approach weight loss by offering a smart, integrated experience that enables long-term success.”
Rayan Aebi, CEO of Sanabil Venture Studio, and General Partner of the Fund, added: “We’re proud and excited to support Kilow as they redefine digital health. Our investment towards their innovative approach reflects our commitment to back impactful, tech-driven ventures, and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by advancing health and innovation.”
Strategic Partnership for Growth and Expansion
Sanabil Venture Studio’s participation in this round reflects its confidence in Kilow’s potential to lead the digital healthcare space in the region. With this funding, Kilow plans to expand operations, develop new features, and enhance user experience – with a strong focus on AI-driven insights and smart health analytics to improve user outcomes.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
The Saudi Food Show 2025, organized by KAOUN International and dmg events, has opened at Riyadh International Convention Centre, attracting 1,300+ exhibitors and fostering trade relationships with Saudi Arabia.
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H.E Dr. Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, Advisor to the Royal Court Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, inaugurated the opening of the Saudi Food Show 2025 exhibition today (Monday) at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Riyadh Front. He was accompanied by His Excellency Eng. Majed bin Rafid Al-Argoubi, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), and distinguished guests as they toured the exhibition.
The Saudi Food Show, organized by KAOUN International and dmg events, and held in strategic partnership with MODON, is running until Wednesday. It has attracted 1,300+ exhibitors from around the world, designed to to accelerate the growth of the F&B industry.
The first day saw the signing of several food industry and logistics contracts worth of investments exceeding SAR 600 million with Kudu and Yousef Abdul Latif Jameel Group among the organizations to put pen to paper, reaffirming the strategic importance to the Kingdom’s economy and boost the sector.
In the Saudi Food Summit, His Excellency Eng. Majed bin Rafid Al-Argoubi took to the stage, stating the Saudi Food Show is an important platform for expanding a key sector. He said the Kingdom’s efforts to localize the food industry sector and ensure food security reflect its commitment to contributing to global food security, by empowering research, development, and innovation, and strengthening supply chains – positioning Saudi Arabia as a vital partner and global role model in securing food for the world.
He added the number of food manufacturing facilities within MODON’s cities has surpassed 1,400 factories, covering a total area of 12 million square meters, contributing to the creation of over 90,000 job opportunities.
In a special ministerial panel session, H.E. Eng. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Salem, President of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah and H.E. Dr. Hisham bin Saad Aljadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), discussed the importance of enhancing food safety.
They agree the Kingdom is quickly establishing itself as a food-producing nation with now more than 1,000 food factories being launched – varying from entrepreneurial initiatives to large-scale production with advanced technologies at the heart of food manufacturing while also attracting investment.
Away from the stage, the opening day also attracted several country ambassadors from around the world including New Zealand, Malaysia, and Italy, reflecting their full support in fostering deeper trade relationships with Saudi Arabia.
Charles Kingston, New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, emphasized the importance of the Saudi Food Show for both New Zealand and Saudi Arabia, saying: “New Zealand produces safe, high quality and sustainable food and there is absolutely a huge potential for the country to play a role in Saudi Arabia’s future in food security – both through selling our products and also collaborating with the country in the market to fill that gap. The Saudi Food Show gives us an opportunity to showcase the story of our world-class quality to consumers, distributors and importers in Saudi.”
Carlo Baldocci, Ambassador of Italy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressed the Saudi Food Show is a vital opportunity to accelerate the growth of the food industry and strengthen ties with the Kingdom.
He stated: “There are many initiatives which are taking place including the Saudi Food Show, which will boost the relationships of both countries. We believe this is the beginning of a new start as the food sector is one of the crucial industries and one that will make our collaboration stronger. Italy and Saudi Arabia share many of the same values, having been cooperating for decades and have avenues ahead of them to be very successful.”
Visitors also explored the six exhibition halls and hundreds of thousands of products from different exhibitor brands from around the world, interacting with companies launching new products, while showcasing their culinary expertise and engaging in commercial trade deals.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
US President Trump plans to visit Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states for his first official foreign visit, focusing on regional security, energy, defense, and economic cooperation.
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Air Force One will land in the Saudi capital Riyadh, carrying US President Donald Trump on the first official foreign visit of his second term in the White House. This visit is an indication of the advanced geopolitical position that Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states now enjoy, not only as a pivotal player in the region’s stability, but also due to their economic weight and reformist tendencies.
Trump will meet Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on the first day of his visit and is then expected to attend a summit of Gulf leaders, before travelling to Qatar that same day, and then ending his three-day trip in the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia was also the first country that Trump visited during his first term of office, going against the modern practice of US presidents to start overseas trips with visiting the United Kingdom, Canada or Mexico.
Ten major topics are expected to be figured on top of the agenda in the summit meeting between Trump and the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. These include regional security, energy, defense, and economic cooperation. Washington seeks to strengthen its strategic partnership with its Gulf partners in light of accelerating international changes.
The US State Department affirms that President Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states highlights the importance the United States places on its relations with its partners in the Middle East, noting that coordination with Saudi Arabia is a key element in addressing issues that transcend regional borders.
Speaking to Al-Arabiya.net, Richard Weitz, director of the Center for Political-Military Analysis at the Hudson Institute, noted that Trump’s second visit to Riyadh reflects a growing awareness of Saudi Arabia’s pivotal global role, noting that Riyadh today is not only the capital of regional decision-making, but has become a magnet for international investment and a key player in global stability.
Weitz believes the visit represents a recalibration of the American compass in the Gulf, after relations witnessed some tension during the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden. He notes that Trump seeks to make a greater effort to strengthen the partnership with Saudi Arabia, particularly with regard to combating terrorism, controlling energy prices, and confronting challenges related to China and Russia.
Saudi researcher Munif Amash Al-Harbi said that the partnership between Riyadh and Washington is a strategic one with political, economic, security, and intelligence dimensions. He explains that the United States remains the Kingdom’s primary security partner, and that bilateral understandings enhance common interests and contribute to consolidating regional and international stability.
For his part, American researcher at the Atlantic Council Tom Warrick, believes that Trump’s visit represents an important opportunity for direct dialogue that will enhance understanding on key issues, adding that the two countries can push for effective participation in regional security, especially with regard to reconstruction and achieving lasting peace in the Gaza Strip.
The American news website Axios revealed that the Gulf-US summit in Riyadh will witness the US President presenting his country’s vision for Middle East issues, while also presenting a clear vision of his administration’s foreign policy priorities for the coming years. The issues on the table for Trump and the Gulf leaders include the Ukrainian crisis, the situation in Gaza, consolidating the truce in Yemen, strengthening Syrian unity, and mechanisms for cooperation in the fields of defense, investment, and energy.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
eToro and Google are launching a Veo 2 advertising campaign on TV and YouTube, utilizing artificial intelligence to promote short-term lifestyle goals and milestone moments.
2 min
eToro, the trading and investing platform, has partnered with Google to launch one of the first TV and YouTube advertising campaigns fully created using Veo 2, the advanced video generation technology from Google DeepMind. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the use of generative AI for large-scale brand storytelling.
Veo 2, which was recently released to the public, enables cinematic-quality video generation guided by text and visual prompts. This one-of-a-kind technology uses artificial intelligence to simulate real-world physics and produce human-like expressions and performances. The eToro campaign is among the first in the advertising world to be executed entirely using Veo 2.
At the creative helm alongside eToro’s marketing and creative team was world-class AI video creation expert László Gaál, known for his groundbreaking work in AI-generated video. László brought a distinctive blend of artistic vision and technical expertise, helping to redefine the boundaries of visual storytelling through AI and bringing eToro’s vision to life in two 30-second videos.
Yannay Politi, VP of Brand Marketing at eToro, said: “Innovation is in eToro’s DNA – not only in how we build our product, but in how we bring our brand to life. With this campaign, we’ve fully embraced the power of generative AI to tell our story in a bold and dynamic way. Veo 2 proved to be the perfect fit for eToro’s brand strategy, offering a next-level solution to produce compelling localized videos, providing realistic motion and high-quality output at a remarkable speed. Partnering with a pioneer like Google and collaborating with leading AI creators has allowed us to move beyond traditional advertising and explore what’s possible at the intersection of technology and creativity. This is more than a media campaign; it’s a statement about the future of marketing.”
The campaign was first developed to resonate with the Italian market with the support of marketing agency Marketing Arena. According to a survey by ACRI, 28% of Italians under 44 save primarily for travel and leisure, and 20% for purchasing durable goods, highlighting a focus on short-term lifestyle goals. Only 10% report saving to build long-term wealth. Reflecting this mindset, the campaign’s AI-generated ads depict milestone moments like cruising through Tuscany in a sports car or hosting a lavish wedding on Lake Como, dreams that align with these near-term aspirations. The result is a powerful combination of cultural storytelling and cutting-edge technology, all reinforcing the campaign’s central message: Invest in your future.
The campaign is now live in Italy across multiple online and traditional platforms, including YouTube, television, CTV, and outdoor channels, with plans to expand into additional markets where eToro operates.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Qatar’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, met with Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, discussing joint natural gas projects, energy infrastructure cooperation, and expanding production capacity in Egypt.
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Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi met with Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi and explored ways to accelerate the implementation of joint natural gas projects, according to a statement.
The two sides discussed the signing of long-term contracts to supply natural gas from Qatar to meet local needs. This is in addition to enhancing cooperation in the energy infrastructure to achieve common interests, given the potential of both countries in the field of liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading as well as liquefaction and regasification activities.
They also touched upon boosting cooperation in research and exploration to expand production capacity from QatarEnergy’s concession areas in Egypt, considering the Qatari company as a key member of the Egypt Exploration and Production Gateway (EUG).
They also discussed the latest developments of QatarEnergy’s drilling plans, particularly the Nefertari, Cairo, and Masry in Egypt’s Mediterranean Sea in partnership with ExxonMobil.
For his part, Al-Kaabi expressed QatarEnergy’s interest in expanding its operations and increasing its investments in research and exploration in Egypt.
This was recently demonstrated by the agreement between QatarEnergy, the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), and Chevron, whereby QatarEnergy will acquire a stake in Chevron’s shares in the North El-Dabaa offshore block.
Meanwhile, Badawi reviewed the available investment opportunities in the oil, gas, and value-added petrochemicals sectors, in which the Qatari side may explore participation.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Dubai Taxi Company reported a 23% year-on-year decline in Q1 2025, with a net profit of 83.6 million UAE dirhams ($22.8 million). EBITDA decreased to AED 154.4 million, while revenue increased 5%.
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Dubai Taxi Company has reported a net profit of 83.6 million UAE dirhams ($22.8 million) for the first quarter of 2025, indicating a 23% year-on-year decline, which the DFM-listed company said was a result of the promotional discounts offered as part of the launch campaign of ride-hailing service Bolt.
DTC’s EBITDA decreased to AED 154.4 million, down 9% year-on-year, while revenue for the quarter increased 5% year-on-year to AED 588.3 million, which DTC said was driven by fleet expansion across segments and the “strong performance” of its taxi and delivery bike operations.
An increase in trip numbers saw revenue for the taxi segment rise 7% year-on-year to AED 515 million, with DTC bringing the total of taxis to 6,200 vehicles by the end of March, 250 of which are fully electric.
Revenues dropped in the bus segment, with DTC citing contractual changes for the 14% year-on-year decline to AED 31.6 million.
DTC’s results showed a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 1.2x and a cash balance of AED 287 million as of 31 March 2025, including Wakala deposits.
Shareholders approved final dividend of AED 122.3 million for the second half of 2024, distributed in April 2025
During the quarter, DTC signed a five-year partnership with Dubai Airports, to continue to be the exclusive provider of taxi services at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), with revenues projected to reach AED 2.5 billion over the period, DTC said.
DTC said it has a positive outlook across all its business segments.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Alexandre de Betak and his wife are focusing on their most personal project yet.
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry visited Spain to strengthen academic and training partnerships, promote expertise exchange, and enhance national talent and leadership competencies.
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The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), represented by its Sharjah Training and Development Centre (STDC), successfully concluded its official visit to the Kingdom of Spain.
The tour aimed to strengthen academic and training partnerships and broaden avenues of cooperation in empowering national talent and enhancing leadership and management competencies. The initiative also focused on promoting expertise and knowledge exchange with distinguished Spain-based academic and research institutions.
The Chamber’s delegation was led by Maryam Saif Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for the Support Services Sector at SCCI, and comprised Amal Abdullah Al Ali, Director of STDCl, as well as senior officials and representatives from both entities.
The visit culminated in the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with the University of Navarra, one of Europe’s leading institutions in management, communication, and academic research.
The agreement aims to develop joint academic and training programs, facilitate expert and academic exchange visits, and support the international accreditation of STDCl’s offerings, thereby elevating program quality and aligning with global trends in leadership development.
The partnership agreement was formally signed by Maryam Saif Al Shamsi and Jaime García del Barrio, General Director of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) at the University of Navarra, during an official signing ceremony held at the university’s headquarters in Madrid.
The signing was attended by Amal Abdullah Al Ali; Khaled Maqlad, President of Future Academy and STDCl’s Academic Advisor; and H.E Ibrahim Ali Al Nuaimi, Head of Political Affairs, Media, and Public Diplomacy at the UAE Embassy in Spain. Also present were Elena Belzunce, Director of Development at ICS; and Ramzi Jazmati, Director of Development for the Middle East and North Africa at the University of Navarra.
The Sharjah Chamber delegation also signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Salamanca, one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious universities.
The partnership aims to enhance joint academic and training programs, facilitate the exchange of expertise and scholarly visits, and strengthen the international accreditation of STDCl’s programs, in line with the Centre’s vision to become a global hub for leadership development and institutional innovation.
In her remarks, Maryam Saif Al Shamsi said that the Sharjah Chamber’s visit to Spain comes as part of its ongoing and dedicated efforts to enhance the global accreditation of the Sharjah Training and Development Centre and elevate the international quality benchmarks of its academic and training programs.
She highlighted the cooperation agreement with the University of Navarra as a strategic milestone that supports STDCl’s initiatives and reflects the Sharjah Chamber’s strong commitment to empowering national talent with global competencies and world-class expertise to lead future development agendas.
For her part, Amal Abdullah Al Ali stated that the partnership agreement signed by Sharjah Training and Development Centre with the University of Navarra aligns with the Centre’s mission and ambitious vision to train and develop human capital across public and private sector institutions in the UAE.
She emphasized STDCl’s commitment to delivering world-class training programs and courses that cover the latest skills in advanced management, effective communication, and impactful leadership.
As part of its visit program, the Sharjah Training and Development Centre organized a training workshop titled “Design Thinking”, held within SCCI’s Strategic Business Leadership program at the University of Granada.
The workshop was part of a series of field training initiatives regularly implemented by the Centre to strengthen executive leadership and enhance institutional transformation capabilities through cutting-edge leadership methodologies.
The session explored design thinking principles and tools as a user-centered framework and effective methodology for addressing complex business challenges, fostering empathetic thinking, generating innovative ideas, and iterative problem-solving. It featured strong participation from senior executives, who demonstrated high engagement through applied exercises and hands-on activities that reflected real operational scenarios.
The visit also included a high-level meeting with H.E Ibrahim Ali Al Nuaimi, Head of Political Affairs, Media, and Public Diplomacy at the UAE Embassy in Spain. The meeting highlighted STDCl’s strategic efforts to secure international accreditation for its training and academic programs, underscored by recently concluded agreements with four distinguished Spanish institutions.
These partnerships are designed to facilitate the exchange of expertise and support the delivery of internationally accredited programs, reinforcing the Centre’s position as a key hub for leadership development, organizational innovation, and institutional excellence in the UAE.
During the meeting, Al Nuaimi praised the efforts of the Sharjah Chamber and the Sharjah Training and Development Center in building impactful international partnerships the reflect the UAE’s ambitious vision in leadership education, training, and cross-border knowledge exchange.
Furthermore, the Sharjah Chamber delegation conducted a field visit to the main campus of the University of Granada, one of the oldest universities in Spain and Europe, with the aim of strengthening knowledge partnerships and fostering global leadership collaborations.
During the visit, the delegation met with several university officials with whom they explored advanced academic experiences and research practices in the fields of leadership and strategic management.
Delegation members welcomed the visit as a strategic milestone in advancing academic and training cooperation between academic institutions and training centers, highlighting its potential to foster cross-border collaboration in leadership development. They stressed the importance of leveraging international experiences and global best practices in driving institutional transformation and cultivating future leaders.
The Sharjah Chamber’s tour concluded with a site visit to the University of Granada’s Archaeological Restoration Center, in addition to the Alhambra Palace in Granada city, one of the world’s most iconic historical landmarks.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Sydney’s prestige market is looking up, here’s three of the best on the market right now.
Dubai’s real estate market experienced a 61% increase in residential sales transactions in April, with commercial rental activity also thriving. Dubai’s strong position as a global capital magnet is expected to continue.
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Dubai’s real estate market posted exceptional results in April, with residential sales transactions reaching 17,447—an impressive 61% increase compared to the same month last year—while commercial rental activity surged, including a 22.4% rise in average office rents and a sharp 40.8% jump in warehouse rates. These figures, published in the April 2025 report from Engel & Völkers Middle East, a leader in premium residential and commercial real estate services, underscore Dubai’s continued strength as a magnet for global capital, even amid wider economic uncertainty and shifting investor sentiment worldwide.
In the residential sector, transaction volumes not only outpaced April 2024 but also exceeded the monthly average of Q1 2025 by over 20%, highlighting strong underlying demand. A softer US dollar improved affordability for overseas buyers, further fueling interest in both off-plan and secondary markets. International investors remain drawn to Dubai’s combination of lifestyle, high returns, and relative value compared to other global cities.
Commercial real estate echoed this momentum, supported by sustained population growth and an increasingly diversified economy. Core business districts such as Business Bay and Jumeirah Lake Towers saw strong absorption and limited new stock, pushing average office rents up more than 22% compared to April 2024. In parallel, the logistics and industrial sector is experiencing an unprecedented surge, with warehouse rents climbing nearly 41% year-on-year—a result of surging demand from e-commerce, manufacturing, and trade sectors seeking well-located, high-specification space.
“Dubai continues to set itself apart on the global real estate stage,” said Daniel Hadi, CEO of Engel & Völkers Middle East. “Buyers and investors are responding to the city’s unique combination of quality lifestyle, competitive yields, and policy stability. This performance underscores Dubai’s growing appeal to global investors, developers, and end-users seeking long-term growth and value in a secure, well-managed environment. The momentum reflects strong demand fundamentals and increasing recognition of Dubai as a safe haven and long-term growth market.”
Residential activity remained broad-based, with both established and emerging communities seeing sustained demand. Jumeirah Village Circle remained the city’s highest transacting area, appealing to end-users and investors drawn to its relative value. DAMAC Islands gained momentum, meeting the growing demand for affordable waterfront villas and townhouses. Meanwhile, Business Bay and Dubai Marina remained among the top-performing apartment markets, combining strong lifestyle appeal with consistent investor interest.
While overall prices are still trending upward, Engel & Völkers noted early signs of stabilization in mature communities—an indicator of a more balanced, sustainable market. Strong fundamentals, investor-friendly policies, and a transparent regulatory environment continue to support Dubai’s long-term growth trajectory.
On the commercial side, top-performing areas for transaction activity included Business Bay, Motor City, JLT, and Barsha Heights—all offering strong fundamentals and strategic advantages for businesses across sectors. The limited availability of Grade A office space, coupled with a steady influx of companies establishing regional headquarters in Dubai, is expected to keep upward pressure on rents through the second half of the year. Meanwhile, warehouse operators continue to compete for space near trade corridors, free zones, and last-mile delivery hubs, driving sustained rental growth across key industrial clusters.
As Dubai cements its position as a gateway between East and West and as a magnet for innovation and investment, Engel & Völkers Middle East forecasts continued momentum through the remainder of 2025. With strong market fundamentals, resilient buyer sentiment, and record levels of global interest, the city’s property market is on track to deliver another record-breaking year.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
GISEC Global 2025, the world’s largest cybersecurity event, aimed to redefine the industry by leveraging AI for secure infrastructures, attracting 750 companies and 25,000 visitors.
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Leveraging AI to help build secure and resilient infrastructures and redefining the future of the cybersecurity industry were among the key topics explored at GISEC Global 2025 as the world’s third-largest cybersecurity event got underway today.
Held under the theme of ‘Securing an AI-Powered Future,’ the annual event has attracted more than 750 of the world’s foremost cybersecurity companies, 450 global CISOs and futurists and 25,0000 visitors from over 160 countries.
With the global cybersecurity market anticipated to be worth $298.5 billion by 2028, according to Markets and Markets, the 14th edition’s opening day saw several panel discussions, workshops and roundtables take place, focusing on the power of AI and how it’s changing the cybersecurity landscape.
H.E. Dr Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, delivered a powerful speech on the importance of harnessing AI, navigating geopolitical tensions and securing the Digital Future.
He revealed an alarming statistic: the UAE is facing more than 200,000 daily cyberattacks, with government entities being the most targeted. Robust measures are being taken, he said, and with the advent of the fifth industrial revolution, cybersecurity must evolve to tackle the threats posed by AI tools. He highlighted human-data interfaces, autonomous systems and AI governance and digital ethics as key areas that the industry needs to rapidly review.
He said: “Cybersecurity has become an integral part of everything that we do, and the UAE is already moving towards becoming an AI-nation in cybersecurity. There are so many great pillars as part of our UAE National Cybersecurity Strategy that focus on governance, innovation, defence and protection – all of which remain vital [for the future].”
Renowned cybersecurity expert and entrepreneur, Eugene Kaspersky, CEO and founder of Kaspersky, was among the speakers to take to the stage. Addressing the audience, he described AI as a tool that is benefiting both cybercriminals and businesses, but emphasized that greater efforts need to be implemented by organizations to help build a safe AI-driven future.
He said: “We are living in a world where it’s very much AI vs AI – defense against attack.”
“With that said, the world is interconnected through digitalization and is part of every aspect of our everyday lives. Using AI will only take that to the next level and will make things faster and better.
“However, unfortunately, we are facing issues with cybercrime, and that can stop us from using AI globally, but the good news is that cybersecurity companies are investing and working on immunity that will make future systems impeccable and secure, which can help us take the next stage.”
Attendees also gained a fascinating insight into Dubai’s ongoing commitment to protecting the emirate digitally at a time when it is accelerating its efforts to become a ‘smart’ city.
During his presentation, Faisal Abdulaziz, Director of the Cybersecurity Threat Center of Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC), highlighted the work the organization is doing to embed cybersecurity into every layer of Dubai’s digital transformation, safeguarding the city’s smart services, critical infrastructure and digital economy – with a key focus on talent development.
Another speaker to address the audience was Aarti Borkar, CVP of Security, Customers Success and Incident Response at Microsoft. She revealed that 80 per cent of leaders cited leakage of sensitive data as their main concern, while 88 per cent of organizations are concerned about indirect prompt injection attacks, emphasizing the importance of secure and resilient infrastructure.
“Success in AI is defined by your practical techniques and security must come above all else,” she said.
“[When it comes to building safe systems], you must plan the final stage as a perfect solution that you can use and then create milestones on how you get there. Then work on the thing that will hurt the most first, and then gradually the next element. Every day, you have to move towards the next step of being safe and staying compliant, so we can use AI safely and efficiently.”
The event has brought together some of the leading players in the industry, including Huawei, AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud Security, CISCO, Deloitte, Kaspersky, Check Point, Cloudflare and Honeywell, alongside groundbreaking cybersecurity companies Spire Solutions, CPX, CyberKnight, LinkShadow, OPSWAT, Qualys, CrowdStrike and StrikeReady.
GISEC Global 2025, which is hosted by the UAE Cyber Security Council, supported by DESC, the UAE Ministry of Interior and Dubai Police, will continue on Wednesday with more engaging panel discussions and thought-provoking debates on AI’s pressing issues from weaponized large language models (LLMs) to next-gen AI-powered defenses.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Self-tracking has moved beyond professional athletes and data geeks.
