Author: Art Ryan

Airports embrace AI to manage passenger traffic as global air travel continues to increase in 2026. Industry forecasts estimate 10.2 billion passengers worldwide this year. That represents a 3.9 percent rise compared with 2025. Airport operators are turning to artificial intelligence to handle congestion, staffing pressure, and operational complexity. AI systems are being introduced across terminals to improve efficiency and capacity. Passenger Flow Management Airports embrace AI to manage passenger traffic by monitoring movement inside terminals. AI-powered analytics predict congestion at security checkpoints, immigration desks, and boarding gates. These systems analyze historical and real-time data. Airports then adjust staffing and…

MBZUAI launches K2 Think V2 as a new artificial intelligence reasoning system developed in the United Arab Emirates. The model was introduced by the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. It is built on the K2-V2 foundation model, which contains 70 billion parameters. The system is described as fully sovereign and openly developed from training to evaluation. Model Design and Development K2 Think V2 integrates reasoning directly into the foundation model architecture. It does not rely on external reasoning layers. The design supports long-context processing and structured reasoning. MBZUAI states that the full development process is transparent and reproducible.…

Saudi Arabia launches SAMAI 2 workforce AI initiative to expand artificial intelligence skills across the government sector. The programme was announced in Riyadh during the International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building (ICAN 2026). The launch was presented by the Saudi Minister of Education and the President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). The initiative focuses on preparing public sector employees for AI adoption. Saudi Arabia Launches SAMAI 2 Workforce AI Initiative for Government Employees The SAMAI 2 programme is designed specifically for the government workforce. It targets civil servants working in strategic ministries. The initiative…

Key Takeaways Web Summit Qatar 2026 takes place from February 1–4 in Doha, showcasing global technology leaders. Confirmed leaders include IBM, TikTok, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, emphasizing their role in AI and digital platforms. The summit serves as a convergence point for innovation and strategic leadership discussions. Attendees will engage in keynote addresses, panels, and discussions on technology’s future impact. Web Summit Qatar is part of a global series focused on shaping the future of society and business. Doha, Qatar — Web Summit Qatar 2026 continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s most influential technology gatherings, with…

Doha, Qatar — Web Summit Qatar 2026 is honoured to announce that Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser will be joining the summit. This marks a significant moment for one of the world’s most influential technology and innovation gatherings. Furthermore, Her Highness Sheikha Moza will be representing the summit’s commitment to global change. A globally respected leader in education, social development, and innovation, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser has long been a catalyst for transformational change. Through her leadership of Qatar Foundation and her work on the international stage, she has championed initiatives that empower youth and advance education.…

Stanford CRFM collaborates with Arabic.AI to create a new evaluation platform focused on Arabic large language models. The collaboration resulted in HELM Arabic, a public leaderboard designed to measure model performance using standardized Arabic benchmarks. The project was developed by Stanford University’s Center for Research on Foundation Models (CRFM) together with Arabic.AI. The platform extends the existing HELM evaluation framework to Arabic language tasks. Stanford CRFM Collaborates with Arabic.AI on HELM Arabic The HELM Arabic leaderboard evaluates models across seven Arabic-language tasks. These tasks include AlGhafa, ArabicMMLU, Arabic EXAMS, MadinahQA, AraTrust, ALRAGE, and ArbMMLU-HT. Each benchmark measures different language capabilities.…

Egypt bans AI for Quran interpretation following a religious ruling issued by Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah. The decision restricts the use of artificial intelligence systems for explaining or interpreting the Holy Quran. The ruling applies to AI tools such as ChatGPT and similar language models. Dar al-Ifta stated that Quranic interpretation must not rely on automated systems without qualified human scholarship. Egypt Bans AI for Quran Interpretation Due to Accuracy Concerns The ruling explained that AI systems do not possess true understanding of Quranic language or context. Dar al-Ifta said AI outputs may contain errors, contradictions, or unverified references. According to…

BluWave-ai joins Team Canada AI mission at the World Government Summit 2026 in Dubai. The event takes place from February 3 to 5, 2026. The mission is coordinated by Scale AI, Canada’s artificial intelligence cluster. BluWave-ai’s participation follows a November 2025 Canadian trade mission led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, which resulted in a new Canada–UAE strategic partnership and $70 billion in UAE investment commitments to Canada. BluWave-ai Role in AI and Clean Energy Systems BluWave-ai joins Team Canada AI mission as a provider of artificial intelligence solutions for electricity grids, energy-intensive operations, and electric vehicle charging. The company holds…

The UAE ranks 9th in Global AI for Finance Competitiveness Index, according to a report released by Deep Knowledge Group. The index evaluates how countries apply artificial intelligence in financial services. The ranking places the UAE among the top ten countries globally for AI readiness and implementation in finance. The Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council participated as an observer in the index release. UAE Ranks 9th in Global AI for Finance Competitiveness Index Criteria The index assesses countries using multiple performance indicators. These include AI research output, financial AI deployment, digital infrastructure, talent availability, and investment activity. Data sources…

An AI-enabled blood test at WHX Dubai 2026 will be presented by PinPoint Data Solutions, a UK-based health technology company. The company will exhibit the test at the UK Pavilion during World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai 2026. The event is scheduled to take place in Dubai and attracts global healthcare leaders, policymakers, and technology providers. The showcase will focus on artificial intelligence applications in early disease risk assessment. AI-Enabled Blood Test Technology Overview The AI-enabled blood test at WHX Dubai 2026 is designed to assess the risk of multiple cancers using advanced data analysis. The test analyses blood biomarkers and…

Abu Dhabi hosts WCO Tech Conference on AI and trade as global customs authorities gather to discuss innovation and digital transformation. The World Customs Organization Technology Conference and Exhibition 2026 is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The event is organized by the World Customs Organization and hosted by the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security. The conference runs over three days and brings together customs and trade stakeholders from around the world. Abu Dhabi Hosts WCO Tech Conference on AI and Trade with Global Participation More than 1,400 participants are attending the…

Key Takeaways Web Summit Qatar opens in 4 days, bringing global leaders in technology to Doha from February 1–4, 2026. The event expects tens of thousands of attendees, including 1,600+ startups and hundreds of international investors. The program features keynotes, panels, and masterclasses on AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and more, focusing on real-world tech applications. AI and frontier technologies will be central, discussing enterprise adoption and governance across the summit. Doha positions itself as a strategic bridge for global tech, contributing to a diversified economy aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030. With only four days to go, it’s worth noting that…

Abu Dhabi, UAE. Prof. Mariette Awad, Director of Artificial Intelligence at the American University of Beirut, shared insights on AI governance, media innovation, and societal impact during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Prof. Awad spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke following her participation in the Women in AI Roundtable at the summit. At the roundtable, Prof. Awad joined global experts to examine how artificial intelligence transitions from research laboratories into real-world deployment. The discussion focused on policy, governance, and the uneven adoption of AI across industries. “AI is no longer experimental,” Prof. Awad said. “It is now embedded…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Anton Melnik, Managing Director for AI and Data at Databorn, shared insights into one of enterprise AI’s most persistent challenges, scaling beyond pilots, during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Melnik spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke ahead of his panel session at the summit. Melnik’s panel focused on why many organizations successfully launch AI pilots but fail to move into large scale deployment. According to industry research from Gartner, McKinsey, and other analysts, this transition remains a major stumbling block for enterprises worldwide. “Many organizations test AI successfully,” Melnik said. “But they get stuck…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Sofia Ghacham, Moroccan Ambassador of Women in AI and an industry leader in Morocco, shared perspectives on AI governance, regional readiness, and Africa’s growing role in global technology discussions during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Ghacham spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke following her participation in a dedicated AI safety roundtable at the summit. Ghacham emphasized the importance of Machines Can Think as a forum that brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and public and private sector stakeholders to examine how artificial intelligence is shaping societies and economies. “This summit puts everyone in one room…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Prof. Henrik von Scheel, Chairman of the World Economic Forum AI Committee and widely recognized as the originator of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digital Revolution, delivered a candid and far-reaching assessment of artificial intelligence during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Prof. von Scheel shared his views in an interview with Justin Cooke at the summit. Von Scheel positioned the global AI landscape firmly within a hype cycle. While expectations are high, he cautioned that most organizations are still far from realizing AI’s promised value. “We are in the hype bubble,” von Scheel said. “What…

Abu Dhabi, UAE. Alessandra Sala, Senior Director of AI and Data Science at Shutterstock and Global President of Women in AI, delivered a powerful message on trust, inclusion, and ethical responsibility during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Sala shared her insights in an interview with Justin Cooke following a landmark roundtable discussion at the summit. Sala brings a unique global perspective to AI governance and adoption. In addition to her role at Shutterstock, she leads Women in AI, a nonprofit active in more than 150 countries focused on education and inclusion. She also works closely with United Nations agencies,…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Anastasia Gusentsova, Founder and CEO of LiFT Agency, shared how artificial intelligence is reshaping personal brand building and content production during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Gusentsova spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke, focusing on AI’s role as a practical instrument for growth rather than a replacement for creativity. LiFT Agency specializes in promoting personal brands for business leaders and entrepreneurs. AI now plays a central role in the agency’s operations, supporting content creation across text, visuals, and video. “For us, AI is an instrument,” Gusentsova said. “It helps us work faster, smarter, and…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Anton Shestakov, Head of Global Marketing at Aiphoria, outlined how enterprises in highly regulated industries can safely adopt AI agents during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Aiphoria participated as a summit sponsor, with Shestakov sharing insights in an interview with Justin Cooke. Aiphoria provides an enterprise AI agent platform designed for industries where data sovereignty, privacy, and regulatory compliance are critical. The platform is deployed fully on-premise, allowing organizations to retain complete control over customer data while still benefiting from advanced AI agent capabilities. “Our mission is to help regulated enterprises adopt AI agents without…

Abu Dhabi, UAE. Lin Lu, Chairman of Jupiter E-Power Wi-Fi Technology Company, and Michael A. Bonney, Founder at Jupiter E-Power Technology, outlined their vision for AI-powered, sustainable robotics in the lawn, garden, and property maintenance sector during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. The discussion took place in an interview with Justin Cooke at the summit. Jupiter E-Power develops battery-electric, AI-enabled robotic equipment designed for large-scale lawn and garden maintenance. The company focuses on serving professional contractors, large estates, municipalities, and golf courses with tools that reduce labor dependency while improving efficiency and sustainability. “Our goal is to minimize labor…