With more than three decades of experience at the intersection of higher education, sustainability and technology, Dr Behjat Al Yousuf stands out as a key influencer in the UAE’s transition to a low-carbon, innovation-driven future.

A former interim provost of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and former EVP for Outreach and Engagement at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).

She now serves on the Selection Committee of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, bringing deep insight into how breakthrough clean-energy solutions can be scaled globally.

In our interview, she discusses why the UAE is emerging as a unique ‘living lab’ for energy innovation, how the Zayed Sustainability Prize helps identify scalable climate-tech winners, and which emerging technologies she believes will reshape energy systems both in the region and beyond.

What makes the UAE a unique testing ground for energy innovation compared to other regions?

The UAE has established itself as a global hub for sustainability by combining ambitious national strategies with strong investment in clean technologies.

Its unique geography and abundance of solar energy make it an ideal environment for piloting solutions that can withstand demanding conditions.

Just as importantly, the UAE provides a platform where government, business and academia work closely together, accelerating the path from innovation to real-world application.

How does the Zayed Sustainability Prize identify and select groundbreaking energy solutions that can be scaled globally?

Through a rigorous evaluation process, the Zayed Sustainability Prize looks at organisations assessing them for impact, innovation and inspiration. It recognises entities that address urgent energy challenges while also demonstrating scalability and adaptability across different markets.

I’m proud to be part of the Selection Committee which carefully reviews submissions to identify which organisations are delivering meaningful change and can act as catalysts for long-term global progress.

Past winners include innovators bringing solar home systems to off-grid communities and organisations pioneering mini-grid technologies to extend clean power access. One of the most recent standouts is Ignite Power (now Ignite Energy Access), a winner in 2023, which at the time had provided clean solar energy access to around two million people across four African countries.

It has since grown exponentially to become the largest distributed solar company in Africa, operating in 12 countries and providing energy access to over 15 million people, with plans to provide affordable energy access to 100 million people across the continent by 2030.

Earlier winners with significant impact include SELCO Foundation, a winner in 2018, which has scaled solar solutions for livelihood and electrification of health facilities in India and Africa resulting in improved energy and health access to over 11 million people.

Bboxx, a 2019 winner, has deployed around half a million solar home systems, providing some three million people with energy access across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Together, these projects show how the Zayed Sustainability Prize drives innovation that both advances sustainability and transforms lives.

What role do government policies and local initiatives in the UAE play in fostering innovation in the energy sector?

The UAE’s leadership has embedded sustainability in national policy, from the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 to landmark projects such as Masdar City. These frameworks create the right environment for innovators to test and scale solutions.

At the same time, universities, incubators and accelerators in the UAE provide fertile ground for new ideas, ensuring that research and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.

How is the Zayed Sustainability Prize encouraging collaboration between startups, corporates, and academic institutions in the energy space?

The Zayed Sustainability Prize brings together a diverse ecosystem of changemakers on a global stage. Finalists and winners gain access to a network of potential partners, investors and academic institutions, often leading to collaborations that help solutions grow in scale and sophistication.

In this way, it is much more than an award, it is a catalyst for partnership across sectors.

Looking ahead, which emerging energy technologies or trends do you believe will be game-changers for sustainability in the UAE and globally?

Technologies such as energy storage, sustainable aviation fuels and floating solar will be pivotal in shaping a low-carbon future We are also seeing rapid advances in renewable energy–powered carbon capture, including direct air capture solutions that could be transformative for hard-to-abate sectors.

Smarter AI-enabled grid systems with real-time balancing and the integration of microgrids and distributed energy resources will also be essential in making energy networks more adaptive and flexible. Emerging innovations such as perovskite solar for greater building integration, as well as next-generation storage like sodium-ion batteries, are further expanding the possibilities for clean energy deployment at scale.

Digitalisation through AI, data and smart systems will play a critical role in making energy more efficient and resilient. By combining these advancements with strong collaboration and investment, the UAE and the wider world can accelerate progress towards sustainable development.

Chinese artificial intelligence firm iFLYTEK has reinforced its Middle East ambitions following its showcase at GITEX GLOBAL 2025 in Dubai, where it unveiled a comprehensive multi-scenario AI ecosystem. The launch, led by chairman and CEO Dr Liu Qingfeng and VP Vincent Zhan, highlighted innovations including the iFLYTEK AINOTE 2, the world’s thinnest E-ink tablet, and AI Translation Earbuds capable of real-time Arabic, English, and Chinese translation.

The event demonstrated iFLYTEK’s commitment to localised AI solutions for individuals, enterprises, and governments. Products such as the Spark WallEX, which transforms physical spaces into interactive smart environments, and the All-in-One AI Solution, built for high-security sectors including government and finance, showcased practical applications of AI across the region.

Founded in 1999, iFLYTEK specialises in speech recognition, natural language processing, and cognitive intelligence. The company operates China’s only National Key Laboratory of Cognitive Intelligence and the National Engineering Research Center for Speech and Language Information Processing, contributing to over 200 AI-related standards globally.

The company’s Dubai office, established last year, is being upgraded to serve as its MENA headquarters, with plans for a local R&D centre and partnerships with universities and enterprises to tailor AI solutions for regional languages, dialects, and business needs.

Revenues in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have tripled year-on-year, while the AINOTE series quickly ranked No 2 in regional E-ink device sales.

Below, Vincent Zhan shares insights on iFLYTEK’s GCC strategy, product portfolio, and regional opportunities:

Tell us about iFLYTEK foray into the GCC market.

Last year, we took our first step into the GCC, opening our Dubai office and attending GITEX GLOBAL or the first time. The market is growing fast, and governments have clear long-term visions. Our revenue in the GCC tripled compared to the previous year, which encouraged us to expand further. This year, our GITEX booth area was much larger than last year, and we plan to double it next year. We’re also upgrading our Dubai office to serve as the MENA headquarters, with plans for a research center and partnerships with local universities and businesses.

Which sectors are showing the most interest in your AI products?

We see demand from both governments and enterprises. Our All-in-One AI solution allows organisations to build private, customisable AI systems. Unlike public AI models, our platform keeps data private and tailored to each client’s needs. We also offer AI training platforms, so clients can modify configurations for their business purposes.

This solution is already in use by media companies and government entities across the region and Southeast Asia.

What gives iFLYTEK an edge in the market?

Three main factors. First, history — we’ve focused on AI for 26 years, starting with speech recognition and natural language understanding. Second, R&D — we invest 20 per cent of revenue into research, higher than many global tech firms. Third, localisation — we are establishing a local R&D center to adapt our AI to Arabic dialects and regional needs, ensuring solutions truly meet local requirements.

What challenges have you faced in the GCC?

Experience was initially a hurdle; we had to learn local norms, regulations, and culture. Talent acquisition was also a challenge, but we now have a strong mix of local and Chinese experts. Supply chains and regulatory compliance are ongoing considerations, but by respecting and adapting to local frameworks, these challenges are manageable. Lastly, product localisation was key — we realised that solutions designed solely for China don’t always translate to the Middle East market.

Which markets in the GCC are priorities, and where do you see expansion next?

The UAE and Saudi Arabia are our primary markets, followed by Qatar. Dubai serves as our gateway to the wider GCC and North Africa. Beyond the GCC, we’re also active in Southeast Asia, with offices in Singapore, and have growing operations in East Asia, particularly Japan and Korea.

What are your key product categories?

Three main areas: AI infrastructure for private AI solutions, translation devices for conferences and office use, and AI solutions such as virtual humans for different scenarios. Virtual humans are particularly popular in the Middle East for enterprise and customer interaction applications.

Where can consumers access iFLYTEK products?

Through online platforms like Amazon and Shopee, as well as select retailers, including a shop in Dubai Mall. We don’t yet have standalone stores, but our retail footprint is expanding as our product range grows.

What’s next for iFLYTEK in 2026?

Our priorities are expanding the All-in-One AI solutions across the GCC and scaling the Translation Device Matrix. Recent product launches for retail partners will help us deliver more devices to local consumers.

Our long-term goal is to make iFLYTEK a bridge between AI innovation and region-specific applications, creating a smart, connected ecosystem across the Middle East.

The GCC is in the midst of a talent transformation. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 projects, the UAE’s expanding financial hub, and large-scale infrastructure investments across the region are creating unprecedented demand for skilled professionals. But with this growth comes risk. A wrong hire today is no longer a simple HR misstep; it’s an enterprise-level vulnerability.

Unlike a traditional “bad hire” who simply underperforms, a wrong hire is someone who actively misrepresents who they are, their identity, their qualifications, or their experience. In markets where regulation and trust are tightly intertwined, that distinction is critical. A single oversight could escalate into regulatory fines, reputational damage, or contract delays that affect not just HR but the entire business.

Why the GCC is more exposed

HireRight’s 2025 Global Benchmark Report reveals that more than three-quarters of businesses worldwide uncovered discrepancies during screening last year, with education and employment misrepresentations among the most common. But in the GCC, the stakes are arguably even higher. With much of the workforce recruited internationally, businesses often need to navigate fragmented verification systems across multiple jurisdictions—a complexity that can create optimum conditions for fraud.

Many of the region’s vital industries, such as financial services, healthcare, construction, and energy, are also some of the most tightly regulated. A compliance breach in any of these sectors could result not only in financial penalties but also in the loss of crucial licenses or approvals.

The cost of a wrong hire varies by role and by organisation, but as you might expect, typically the more senior — and more highly paid —the role is, the greater the expense. In addition to the tangible costs of hiring somebody unsuitable for the job, such as wasted salary and additional recruitment expenses for rehiring, other potential financial impacts can be more difficult to measure. These can include a loss of earnings, temporary contractor costs, lost productivity, damage to team morale, and a management time drain. Add to these the cost of the GCC’s hiring model itself — visa sponsorship, relocation, and onboarding — and even a single wrong hire could quickly escalate into an expensive liability.

The next wave of risk

The challenge of catching identity fraud and falsified documents in the recruitment process is intensifying. AI-generated credentials and deepfake identities are beginning to appear in global hiring, and organisations in the GCC must prepare for this new reality. The pace of regional growth means businesses often need to fill roles quickly to keep projects on track, but speed without due diligence is precisely what makes companies vulnerable.

Consider a financial institution uncovering falsified education records before onboarding, or an engineering firm flagging an unqualified candidate before they reached the site. These are not hypothetical HR wins but real-world scenarios that highlight how background screening functions as a frontline risk management tool.

In both cases, the potential consequences could have included regulatory breaches, costly project delays, or safety risks. By detecting issues early, screening prevents disruptions that can compromise compliance, profitability, and brand reputation.

What should business leaders do

For business leaders in the GCC, the lesson is clear: hiring integrity should be managed with the same seriousness as cybersecurity or financial auditing. This means positioning background screening as part of enterprise risk management rather than a back-office process. It also means moving away from one-time checks toward periodic employee rescreening and continuous monitoring, especially for roles that carry compliance or security responsibilities, leveraging the latest technologies, such as AI-enhanced verification processes and biometric identity tools, to counter increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts.

Screening policies also need to reflect regional realities. With high levels of cross-border hiring and evolving compliance regimes, GCC employers must ensure that their screening strategies are aligned with both local regulations and the global nature of their workforce.

Looking ahead

The GCC’s growth story depends on the ability to attract and retain world-class talent. But without rigorous screening, the region’s most ambitious projects are vulnerable to disruption by something as avoidable as a wrong hire. Conducting millions of checks annually across more than 200 countries, we have seen the risks evolve firsthand. The organisations that succeed are those who elevate screening from process to policy.

In a region defined by rapid transformation, the message is clear: the wrong hire is not an HR issue. It is a boardroom risk, and one that forward-looking leaders can no longer afford to ignore.

The writer is the Middle East Sales Director at HireRight.

BlackRock Saudi Arabia and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) will launch of new mutual funds through their joint platform, BlackRock Riyadh Investment Management (BRIM), marking a deepening of their collaboration to develop Saudi Arabia’s capital markets.

The new funds will target Saudi systematic active equities and MENA fixed income, and will be available to both local and global investors.

The move follows the success of BRIM, which was established in April 2024 with an initial investment mandate from PIF and aims to channel more capital into Saudi markets.

The announcement was made at the PIF Asset Management Forum, held alongside the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII9) in Riyadh.

Funds will be managed by Riyadh-based portfolio managers

BlackRock said its Saudi mutual funds build on a series of investment strategies introduced over the past year, including a Saudi systematic equity strategy launched in January and a Saudi index equity strategy announced in May following a letter of intent with PIF.

The firm said its Middle East offerings now span multiple public and private market asset classes, including infrastructure, as part of efforts to support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The funds will be managed by Riyadh-based portfolio managers, underscoring BlackRock’s commitment to strengthening local investment expertise.

Read: Aramco to acquire minority stake in AI firm HUMAIN

BlackRock’s Riyadh headcount has nearly tripled since BRIM was setup

Since the establishment of BRIM, BlackRock’s Riyadh headcount has nearly tripled, with additional investment professionals and corporate staff hired to expand operations.

The company has also extended its global graduate analyst programme to Riyadh, with its third cohort set to join in 2026.

PIF, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, has played a central role in developing Saudi Arabia’s asset management industry and deepening market liquidity as part of its broader mandate to diversify the kingdom’s economy.

BlackRock said the latest announcement is non-binding and remains subject to regulatory and internal approvals, in line with the memorandum of understanding signed between the parties in April 2024.

Digital health platform myAster said it has reached more than 2.8m downloads and impacted over 5m lives in just three years, as the GCC’s leading omnichannel app for health, wellness, and beauty expands its footprint and digital offerings.

Launched in 2022 by Aster DM Healthcare, the app connects users with 7 hospitals, 72 clinics, and over 680 doctors across 30 specialties, offering a range of services from instant GP consultations and homecare visits to diagnostics and lab testing.

Users can book virtual consultations with a general physician in as little as 10–15 minutes, with more than 50,000 video consultations completed to date.

“myAster was built on the belief that healthcare and wellness should be connected, convenient, and centered around the individual,” said Nalla Kurunaithy, CEO of Digital Health & Omnichannel at Aster DM Healthcare. “Our growth reflects a shift in how people want to experience care – seamlessly blending medical, preventive, and self-care services through one trusted platform.”

myAster App: Key features

The app has broadened its focus beyond traditional healthcare into holistic wellness and beauty. Its Health Profile feature allows users to monitor vital parameters such as blood pressure, glucose levels, and body measurements, while Lab on App consolidates prescriptions, reports, and radiology results in one place. To support mental wellbeing, the platform also includes guided breathing exercises for stress management.

In the beauty segment, myAster hosts thousands of skincare and wellness products, including a curated selection of K-Beauty brands. Its AI-powered myBeauty Lens analyses more than 18 skin metrics to deliver personalised skincare recommendations that can be purchased directly through the app.

For greater convenience, myAster has expanded its 24/7 express delivery service to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah, with delivery times of around 90 minutes.

Earlier this year, the platform launched in Saudi Arabia, introducing Arabic voice support and AI-driven symptom analysis in partnership with Google Cloud, enabling users to describe symptoms in their native dialect for more accurate and culturally relevant responses.

With its growing suite of services, myAster is positioning itself as a one-stop destination for health, wellness, and beauty in the GCC, combining medical care, lifestyle management, and e-commerce into a single digital ecosystem.