Author: Art Ryan

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Daniel Alexandre Pinto Almeida, Co-Founder and CEO of Orbit, shared how his company is redefining enterprise decision-making through pragmatic AI during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Almeida spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke, outlining Orbit’s vision for reducing complexity and cognitive load across modern organizations. Orbit is a Portuguese AI startup building what it calls an intelligence-led platform. The solution sits on top of an organization’s existing technology stack, including productivity tools, CRMs, ERPs, and collaboration platforms, and acts as a unifying intelligence layer. “In most companies, people become the integration layer,” Almeida said.…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Sean Conaty and Ruairi Tubrid, Co-Founders of HealthStay.io, outlined how their company is transforming international patient management for healthcare providers during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. The founders spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke, reflecting on their growth journey and the role of the UAE in scaling a health technology business. HealthStay.io provides digital infrastructure that enables hospitals, clinics, and longevity centers to manage international and domestic patients across the full care journey. The platform supports every stage of the patient engagement process, from initial inquiry and onboarding to coordination, communication, and follow-up. “In…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Richard Morton, Director of the Institute of Foundation Models at the Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), shared insights on the current state and future direction of artificial intelligence during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Morton spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke following his panel appearance at the summit. Morton began by addressing widespread misconceptions around AI. While adoption and attention have accelerated rapidly, he emphasized that today’s systems remain fundamentally tools for synthesis rather than engines of true discovery. “AI today is an extraordinary calculator,” Morton said. “It allows us to…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Andrey Doronichev, CEO and Founder of Optic (formerly Bioptik), shared how artificial intelligence is reshaping the pharmaceutical industry during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Doronichev spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke, outlining the company’s vision for an AI-native operating system for pharma. Optic is an AI-native pharmaceutical platform headquartered in San Francisco, with a growing subsidiary and research presence in Dubai. The company applies artificial intelligence across the full pharmaceutical value chain, from molecular discovery to clinical trials, regulatory processes, and commercialization. “When people talk about AI in pharma, they usually focus only on…

A Chinese robotics firm seeks investors in UAE to support a major manufacturing and research project. The company, Lianhe Sowell International Group, is listed on Nasdaq. It plans to invest $200 million in a robotics industrial base in the United Arab Emirates. The facility would become the firm’s first major production and research hub outside China. The project targets global markets across multiple regions. Investment Plans and Project Scope The Chinese robotics firm seeks investors in UAE to help finance construction and operations. The planned site will integrate robot research, manufacturing, and international sales. The company is in discussions with…

Dubai cybersecurity AI smart infrastructure efforts are being strengthened to support the city’s expanding use of artificial intelligence and connected digital systems. Dubai is redesigning its cybersecurity framework to protect AI-driven services and smart infrastructure across public and private sectors. These measures align with the city’s long-term digital transformation and smart city programs. Government-led initiatives such as Smart Dubai and Dubai 10X continue to integrate AI into transportation, healthcare, utilities, and public services. Cybersecurity has become a core requirement to ensure system resilience and data protection. Secure-by-Design Framework for Dubai Cybersecurity AI Smart Infrastructure Dubai is adopting a secure-by-design approach…

Philippine film Portrait No 72 has been named one of five finalists in an international artificial intelligence film competition held in Dubai. The short film was created by Filipino filmmakers using generative AI technology. It was shortlisted under the AI Film Award category during the One Billion Summit, a large-scale event focused on digital media, content creation, and emerging technologies. The competition received thousands of entries from different countries. Only five films advanced to the final stage. Portrait No. 72 was the only Philippine entry to be selected among the finalists. Filipino Filmmakers Behind Portrait No. 72 AI Film Dubai…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Alexander Khanin, Founder of Polynome and Founder of the Machines Can See and Machines Can Think Summits, shared reflections on the evolution of the event and the state of artificial intelligence during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Khanin spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke at the summit. Khanin described the third edition of Machines Can Think as a milestone moment. Returning attendees, long term partners, and growing international participation signal sustained impact. “This year I met many people who told me this was their third time attending,” Khanin said. “That shows continuity, trust, and…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Nikita Gavrilov, Regional Head of Yango Tech Autonomy at Yango Group, shared progress on autonomous delivery vehicles during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Gavrilov spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke, outlining how pilot programs in Dubai are moving into broader deployment. Gavrilov leads autonomous delivery operations at Yango Tech Autonomy. The team focuses on sidewalk based delivery robots designed for last mile logistics in urban communities. “We reached near scale readiness,” Gavrilov said. “Pilots over the past nine months delivered strong operational results.” Yango Tech Autonomy completed pilots at Expo City Dubai and in…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Dr. Ahmed Dabbagh, Managing Director of Polynome AI Academy, outlined how leadership education and workforce readiness drive national AI ambitions during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Dr. Dabbagh shared these insights in an interview with Justin Cooke at the event. Polynome AI Academy operates in partnership with Abu Dhabi School of Management and delivers executive education and professional training programs focused on artificial intelligence. Programs target government leaders, industry decision makers, SMEs, and working professionals. Training spans agentic systems, generative AI, and core artificial intelligence fundamentals. “Our role is capacity building,” Dr. Dabbagh said. “The…

Abu Dhabi, UAE. Ahmed Gamal, Regional Director for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at VAST Data, shared insights on AI infrastructure, adoption, and regional growth during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Gamal spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke at the event. Gamal leads regional operations for VAST Data, a company delivering an AI operating system and unified data platform designed to support large scale AI projects across industries. “Machines Can Think brings together AI experts, government leaders, vendors, and system integrators,” Gamal said. “This setting helps align on real use cases and the AI roadmap for 2026…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Sonali Maheshwary, Director of Digital Marketing and Transformation and Consultant, spoke at the Machines Can Think Summit 2026 about the role of artificial intelligence in marketing, communications, and digital transformation. Maheshwary appeared in an interview with Justin Cooke during the event. Maheshwary brings more than two decades of regional experience, having lived in the UAE for 25 years. Professional roles include leadership positions at AD Ports Group, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Abu Dhabi. Current work focuses on digital marketing transformation and advisory services across public and private sectors. Maheshwary…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Valerie Hawley, Founder of SCAI, shared her perspective on the global AI landscape, investment priorities, and the UAE’s strategic role during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Hawley spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke at the event. Hawley described Machines Can Think as a content driven forum that brings global AI expertise to Abu Dhabi while reinforcing the UAE’s position on the international AI map. “This event brings together experts from around the world and feeds meaningful discussion on AI for Abu Dhabi,” Hawley said. “It places the UAE firmly on the global AI stage.”…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Walid El Zayani, CGI and VFX Director at Alwasl Media, shared a grounded perspective on artificial intelligence and creative work during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. El Zayani spoke in an interview with Justin Cooke, focusing on how AI fits into real world creative workflows without replacing human input. El Zayani brings more than two decades of experience in media, visual effects, branding, and digital production across the UAE. Originally from Benghazi, Libya, he has worked in Abu Dhabi and Dubai since 1999. His recent focus centers on integrating AI tools into established creative processes.…

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Dr. Andrew Jackson, Chief AI Officer at Core42, outlined how governments are approaching artificial intelligence at national scale during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Jackson shared these insights in an on stage interview with Katie Jensen following discussions with global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Jackson described growing urgency among heads of state to understand where AI development is heading and how sovereignty shapes national strategy. Leaders focused on AI literacy, data sovereignty, compute sovereignty, and model ownership as core priorities. “Governments want clarity,” Jackson said. “They hear a lot about AI,…

Dubai, UAE – Rami Abu Arja, Senior Innovation Marketing Manager Middle East at Yasmina, Yango Group, shared growth milestones and product direction for the region’s leading Arabic first AI assistant during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Abu Arja spoke in an on stage interview with Katie Jensen. Yasmina launched in the UAE as a voice based AI assistant designed specifically for Arabic and English speakers across the region. Development took place locally, led by regional talent with deep cultural understanding. The assistant supports Arabic in multiple dialects, starting with Khaliji, while also responding in English. “Yasmina was built by…

Dubai, UAE – Roman Axelrod, Co-Founder of XPANCEO, shared major progress updates on the company’s AI powered augmented reality smart contact lenses during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Axelrod discussed the vision, technology, and commercialization strategy in an on stage interview with Katie Jensen. XPANCEO is developing smart contact lenses designed to function as a primary interface between humans and digital systems. The lenses display visual content directly to the eye while collecting real time biological data. Current capabilities include visual output, intraocular pressure monitoring for glaucoma patients, and glucose level measurement for people with diabetes. Axelrod described the…

Dubai, UAE – Michal Valko, Chief Models Officer at a Stealth AI Startup and one of the most respected researchers in modern machine learning, offered a grounded and forward looking perspective on artificial intelligence during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. Valko shared these insights in an on stage interview with Katie Jensen following his keynote address. Valko began by addressing a common misconception around the speed of AI progress. While public attention surged in recent years, he noted that AI research spans more than seven decades, with foundational work dating back to the 1950s and reinforcement learning research emerging…

Abu Dhabi, UAE- Hassan Alnoon, Chief Operating Officer at Tahaluf, delivered a clear message on trust, talent, and national scale technology during the Machines Can Think Summit 2026. He shared these insights in an on stage interview with Katie Jensen following his panel session at the event. Alnoon addressed the complexity of building and operating systems used by millions across the UAE, including large scale national platforms such as identity infrastructure and mission critical operational systems. He emphasized system comprehension as the foundation of success. “When technology reaches national scale, technical skill alone does not solve the problem,” Alnoon said.…

Abu Dhabi, UAE — As Machines Can Think 2026 unfolds in Abu Dhabi, organizers have released an interactive 360° virtual tour of the summit stage, giving global audiences a real-time look inside the space where today’s most important AI conversations are taking place. The immersive experience is now live and allows viewers anywhere in the world to explore the main stage and venue layout as the summit happens, offering a behind-the-scenes view of the environment hosting leaders shaping AI in practice. 🎥 Explore the live 360° stage tour:https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=b7FpP7HrCuF Step Inside the Summit — In Real Time The 360° virtual tour…