In a landmark move for artificial intelligence and international collaboration, G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, SoftBank Group, and Cisco announced their partnership to develop Stargate UAE, a next-generation AI compute cluster to be located at the newly established UAE–US AI Campus in Abu Dhabi.

Read: UAE-US ties: Phase 1 of new 5GW AI campus launches in Abu Dhabi

Spanning 10 square miles, the full campus is the largest such deployment outside of the US. It will provide 5 gigawatts of AI data centre capacity and regional compute resources.

Stargate UAE will be built by G42 and operated by OpenAI and Oracle.

As part of the collaboration, NVIDIA will provide its advanced Grace Blackwell GB300 systems, Cisco will contribute zero-trust security and AI-ready networking solutions, and SoftBank Group will support the initiative as a strategic partner.

The initiative aims to deliver nation-scale compute capacity and low-latency inferencing, enabling high-performance AI solutions for an increasingly intelligent world.

The facility will be powered by nuclear, solar, and natural gas to minimise carbon emissions and it will also house a science park driving innovation, talent development, and sustainable compute infrastructure.

A 1GW Stargate UAE cluster in Abu Dhabi with 200MW is expected to go live in 2026.

Stargate UAE partners share comments

Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, said, “By establishing the world’s first Stargate outside of the US in the UAE, we’re transforming a bold vision into reality. This is the first major milestone in our OpenAI for Countries initiative — our effort to work with allies and partners to build AI infrastructure around the world. It’s a step toward ensuring some of this era’s most important breakthroughs — safer medicines, personalized learning, and modernized energy—can emerge from more places and benefit the world.”

Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, said, “The launch of Stargate UAE is a significant step in the UAE–US AI partnership. As a founding partner, we’re proud to work alongside institutions that share our belief in responsible innovation and meaningful global progress. This initiative is about building a bridge – rooted in trust and ambition – that helps bring the benefits of AI to economies, societies, and people around the world.”

Larry Ellison, CTO and chairman of Oracle, said, “Stargate pairs Oracle’s AI-optimized cloud with nation-scale sovereign infrastructure. This first-in- the-world platform will enable every UAE government agency and commercial institution to connect their data to the world’s most advanced AI models. This landmark deployment sets a new standard for digital sovereignty and demonstrates how nation states can harness the power of the most important technology in the history of humankind.”

Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, said, “AI is the most transformative force of our time. With Stargate UAE, we are building the AI infrastructure to power the country’s bold vision – to empower its people, grow its economy, and shape its future.”

Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group, said, “When we unveiled Stargate in the US with OpenAI and Oracle, we set out to build an engine for the next information revolution. Now, the UAE becomes the first nation beyond America to embrace this sovereign AI platform, proving the global nature of this vision. SoftBank is proud to support the UAE’s leap forward. Bold investments, trusted partnerships, and national ambition can create a more connected, more joyful and more empowered world.”

Chuck Robbins, chair and CEO of Cisco, said, “Cisco is proud to join Stargate UAE to advance groundbreaking AI innovation in the UAE and around the world. By embedding our secure AI-optimised networking fabric for this international deployment, we’re building smart, secure and energy- efficient networks that will turn intelligence into impact at global scale.”

US-UAE: Mutual benefits

The initiative builds on OpenAI’s unprecedented investment in US AI infrastructure announced in January with the launch of Stargate, reinforcing the company’s commitment to bolstering American capabilities while enabling allies to access transformative AI in a secure and responsible manner.

It also follows the UAE’ pledge earlier this year to invest $1.4tn in the US — a move expected to support job creation, drive economic growth, and help sustain America’s technological leadership.

OpenAI said in a statement: “Stargate UAE also represents the first partnership under OpenAI for Countries, our new initiative to help governments build sovereign AI capabilities in coordination with the US government—anchored in democratic values, open markets, and trusted partnerships.”

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb launched TOURISE, a new global platform designed to chart the future of tourism over the next 50 years on Thursday. The announcement was made during a virtual press conference attended by more than 200 journalists from around the world.

The initiative will convene public and private sector leaders across tourism, technology, investment and sustainability, aiming to unlock unprecedented deal flow and long-term transformation in the sector.

The platform, anchored by a high-level advisory board comprising global industry leaders, will support year-round collaboration and investment, extending beyond a one-off event format.

The inaugural, invite-only TOURISE Summit will be held in Riyadh from November 11 to 13, and will include a livestreamed global programme focused on four themes: AI-powered tourism, disruptive business models and investment, enhanced travel experiences, and sustainability-driven growth.

“Tourism is one of the most dynamic, connective forces in the world’s economy, supporting one in ten jobs globally. But as the world evolves, the sector must too,” said Al-Khateeb during the platform’s virtual launch. “TOURISE will be the much-needed platform to shape the future of tourism… enabling the sector to be more resilient, connected, and inclusive than ever before.”

TOURISE goes beyond a summit

TOURISE is designed to go beyond a traditional summit, operating year-round through thematic working groups, cross-sector partnerships, and the publication of white papers and global indices developed with leading international organizations.

These will cover tourism, sustainability, and economic development, aiming to set new global benchmarks.

The platform is supported by a high-profile advisory board including:

• Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
• Luis Maroto, CEO of Amadeus
• Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Heathrow Airport
• Stephane Lefebvre, president of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
• Mario Enzesberger, founder and CEO of Liberty International Tourism Group
• Mo Gawdat, founder of One Billion Happy

WTTC’s Julia Simpson said, “Public-private sector collaboration is critical to the continued success of travel and tourism worldwide. Together, we can address the challenges of today while co-creating a sustainable and innovative future for tomorrow.”

TOURISE Awards and exhibition

An Innovation Zone at the Riyadh summit will showcase cutting-edge technologies and solutions from companies of all sizes, spanning AI, sustainable mobility, and travel experience design.

Saudi Arabia’s launch of TOURISE comes as it strengthens its position as a global tourism hub. The country reached its Vision 2030 goal of 100 million annual visitors seven years ahead of schedule in 2024. Tourism now contributes nearly 5 per cent to its national GDP, second only to oil.

To further recognize excellence in the industry, the TOURISE Awards were also announced. The awards will highlight achievements in sustainability, digital transformation, inclusive tourism, cultural preservation, and workforce development.

Nominations open June 2, with winners announced at the Riyadh summit.

With support from global organisations including UN Tourism, WTTC and the World Economic Forum, TOURISE positions Saudi Arabia as a central player in shaping the future of global tourism.

Read: Saudi travel demand grows in early 2025, shows report

The UAE’s real estate sector is going to see an influx of global private capital, institutional capital, and international family offices and funds as the market matures. With strong regulatory environment that supports international capital to benefit from the opportunities, capital from all over the world is entering the UAE market.

It is expected to see a shift towards digitization with Cryptocurrency, Tokenisation, Virtual Assets, Crowdfunding, Fractional Ownership, among others.

Amit Goenka, Chairman and MD of Nisus Finance, explains why and how this is happening and how the market will benefit from the influx of new capital.

What’s driving the growing appeal of real estate funds like yours in 2025 — and how are institutional investors benefiting from the size, speed, and governance advantages they offer over traditional channels?

UAE has historically been seen as a trading hub—and not a permanent economy for international investment directly into capital assets. However, with the extraordinary vision of the Rulers, who have created future ready foundations, we see a paradigm shift.

The UAE is now more of a destination for global capital to invest and benefit from the opportunities thanks to its strong regulatory environment, progressive policies, and supportive ecosystem.

The UAE real estate market comprises almost US$680 billion worth of assets and US$ 207 billion of annual sales today. It is one of the fastest growing real estate markets globally with the highest rental yields, hospitality demand and new emergence of office, healthcare, education, and industrial assets, which are in short supply.

We see that the total amount of funding required each year to continue this pace of growth is in excess of US$100 billion.

Also traditional families are unlocking legacy assets with an estimated USD 8 billion of free hold rented assets available for sale and another USD 6 billion of GCC assets for sale. There is hence a unique opportunity for institutional funds to buy into this USD 14 billion plus basket.

Monies realized from such sales will recycle back into new age asset classes like tokenization and new real estate projects.

So we see this USD 100 billion real estate finance gap and USD 14 billion of asset sales as core value proposition. So, the need for private capital, private credit, and private equity to part-fund or buy into these developments is very critical to continue the current pace of growth.

With NiFCO deploying capital in areas like JVC and Al Furjan, how do you view the long-term investment case for affordable housing in Dubai, and how is this segment evolving?

We have a sharp focus on affordable housing. About 95 percent of the rental demand lies in the affordable housing market which is under short supply.

We have seen nearly 1000 families take up residency each day in Dubai (which makes over 90,000 residencies in the first quarter of 2025) which are prime consumers for mid income and affordable housing The rental growth has surged by over 28% y-o-y and capital value has gone up by over 20% on the back of this influx.

For investment, affordable housing is always a safe bet as demand will continue to be high for affordable housing as over 4 million people are expected to be added to the country’s population over the next few years . I don’t think the affordable housing segment will have any problem in attracting investment.

The recent announcement of Dubai Residential REIT, GCC’s first pure-play listed residential leasing-focused REIT, expected to be the GCC’s largest listed REIT, with a gross asset value (“GAV”) of AED 21.63 billion, strongly underscores our hypothesis.

The market is in the formation stage for institutional capital of participate in this high growth high yield story.

Locations like Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) and Al Furjan are the top mid income housing micro markets of Dubai. We continue to focus on such key locations like Arjan, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Barsha, Motor City, Production City, Dubai South etc and GCC locations like Mankhool which are top destinations for mid income executive housing.

With key infrastructure initiatives like Etihad Rail, the Al Makhtoum International Airport, the growth is now south bound. The rental demand in these locations are nearly 5x of supply.

Even after the new under construction projects are delivered, there will be an estimated shortage of nearly 39,000 dwelling units in Dubai basis current demand and much larger with the continued influx. Rents and capital values will hence continue to climb sharply over the next few years, delivering very high yields and appreciation to our portfolio.

How is Nisus Finance incorporating tools like AI, PropTech, or Blockchain into your asset evaluation and management processes — and what impact are you seeing on returns or operational efficiency?

Dubai Land Department (DLD) recently announced a real estate tokenisation pilot project. DLD anticipates that this initiative will drive significant growth in the real estate tokenisation sector, with its market value projected to reach Dh60 billion by 2033, representing 7 percent of Dubai’s total real estate transactions.

We obviously want to be part of this tokenisation project. Tokenisation or virtual assets are obviously the future asset class including in real estate. I think the global market itself is likely to triple from US$16 billion to about US$53 billion over the next few years.

So we’re definitely seeing a very large explosive opportunity in tokenisation in this part of the world. Regulators like Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) provide a platform for setting up blockchain-based real estate token platforms, including token markets.

The infrastructure is there but global participation has to deepen. Crowd funding is also growing rapidly with digitization of real estate title deeds and online registrations.

We actively engage proptech into our asset management. Our buildings are fully serviced through tech enablers who provide smart dashboards, predictive demand and supply analysis, tenancy management and instant financing solutions to create a real time vibrant ecosystem of satisfied occupiers.

As investors we benefit from financial savings, high ROI, intelligent MIS and analytics and future proofing our solutions.

From co-living to flexible workspaces, how is the changing lifestyle and work patterns influencing your fund’s commercial real estate strategy in Dubai and beyond?

These are new trends that are coming in the market.Lots of developers are incorporating these concepts into their master-planned communities where people would live, work, play and get entertained, without having to leave the community. I’m sure new funds will be made available to spearhead the growth of these sectors.

Student accommodations, shared accommodation for the digital nomads, coders, content creators and the creative communities are also coming up in different parts of the UAE in a big way.

A number of investors, including REITs are investing in these assets.

How is Nisus Finance integrating sustainability metrics and ESG frameworks into your portfolio, particularly in light of Dubai’s push toward greener building standards?

Buildings are a large source of emission. Sustainability is very crucial for achieving net zero targets and reducing emissions and we are focusing on sustainable developments for financing – as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

However, in order to invest in sustainable assets, we need an influx of more sustainable properties in the country. Currently between 10-15 percent of our investment are into sustainable projects.

We are investing into our assets to make them net zero, employing smart grid solutions, hydroponics, waste management and refurbishing the utilities and common areas to make them aesthetic, value added and SDG compliant.

We have as a fund house always incorporated ESG framework into our investments. Not only are we active within the community of our investments, we pride ourselves on a transparent system for stakeholders, compliance with the highest standards and incorporating IFC EDGE into our developments and assets.

Do you see innovations like REITs and fractional ownership as complementary or competitive to institutional funds like yours — and how might they evolve in the GCC?

As mentioned, Dubai Residential REIT with an estimated AED 21.6 billion in value strongly highlights and underscores our strategy and portfolio built up even while the AED 60 billion tokenization initiative of DLD is underway.

They are both strongly complementary and accelerate the engagement of global investors across socio economic and asset classes.

These are very early stages in a very large market with huge head room for mutual growth. WE are also concurrently seeing crowd funding. NFTs and other digital assets gain strong momentum backed by growing real estate appetite.

What do you believe is underpinning Dubai’s sustained appeal as a real estate investment destination — and how is your fund positioning itself to capitalise on this long-term growth story?

The UAE’s leaders, through a multi-pronged Vision 2030 road map, are leading from the front to ensure that this country remains at the forefront of sustainability, technology, economic growth and social welfare.

Dubai has created a unique ecosystem for global citizens aspiring for safety, quality of life, education, healthcare, tax friendly environment, ease of living and doing business through a paradigm shift in policies, positioning and value proposition.

Investments are directly into non-oil sectors including renewable and green energy, AI, ML and deep tech, with job creation across manufacturing, logistics, technology, construction, finance, hospitality, tourism and allied services.

The development of infrastructure is keeping the demand of 2050 in mind with automation, access and accountability at the core.

With an estimated population growth of 4 mn over the next few years and almost 1,000 new residents every day, the appeal of real estate is bound to continue leap frogging over a decade and beyond.

We see ourselves uniquely positioned to capitalize on this sustained growth story by pooling global investors and local institutions into a uniquely structured, risk mitigated investment platform within the DIFC, delivering sustained superior yields and capital gains in a diversified core plus asset basket.

The countdown to Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 has officially begun, promising an exciting season packed with entertainment, shopping, dining, and unforgettable family experiences across the city.

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Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), this year’s edition will run from June 27 to August 31, delivering 66 days of exceptional offers and thrilling activities for residents and visitors alike.

Revamped retail experience

For the first time in DSS history, the city’s retail calendar will be split into three themed shopping windows:

• Summer Holiday Offers (June 27 – July 17)
• Great Dubai Summer Sale (July 18 – August 10)
• Back to School (August 11 – 31)

Each phase will feature exclusive promotions, mall activations, raffle draws, and family-friendly events across Dubai’s top shopping destinations. The revamped format aims to elevate the shopping experience and highlight Dubai’s position as a global retail hub.

Star-studded entertainment line-up

DSS 2025 kicks off with a spectacular opening weekend from June 27 to 29, setting the stage for a packed entertainment schedule. Key events include:

• Beat The Heat DXB concert series at Dubai World Trade Centre (July 4–13), opening with Tul8te and Almas.
• Jazziyat ft. Banah at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray (June 27)
• Adnan Sami live at Coca-Cola Arena (June 29)
• Adonis at Dubai Opera (July 3)
• Shreya Ghoshal at DWTC (July 19)
• Made in Kuwaiti theatrical play at Dubai Opera (August 29–30)

Additional performances and celebrity appearances will be announced throughout the summer.

Culinary delights and staycation deals

Food lovers can look forward to Summer Restaurant Week (July 4–12), offering special menus at top restaurants. Shoppers can enjoy unbeatable flash sales, including the 12-Hour Sale and Daily Surprises, alongside staycation offers and discounts at premier hotels and attractions.

DSS 2025 promises a memorable summer with more concerts, exclusive dining experiences, and new retail activations to be revealed soon.

Partners and sponsors

Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 is presented with support from Key Sponsor Commercial Bank of Dubai, along with Strategic Partners including: Al Futtaim Malls, Al Zarooni Group, AW Rostamani Group, DHAM, Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim, Merex Investment, and Talabat.

This year’s Seamless Middle East brought “The Future of Digital Commerce” to the spotlight, highlighting innovations and challenges across sectors like e-commerce, logistics, and supply chain.

The logistics and supply chain sector in particular has experienced a significant transformation, driven by changing consumer demands, technological advancement in AI and robotics, and a growing emphasis on sustainability.

Consumer expectations have become more complex, particularly due to the rapid rise of e-commerce and hence, company warehouses are evolving urgently from traditional storage spaces into intelligent, automated fulfillment centres, striving to survive in a fast-paced, customer-centric market.

There are five key trends reshaping the landscape

First, warehousing is no longer just about storing and shipping products. The rise of e-commerce has pushed businesses to rethink fulfillment as a critical touchpoint in the customer journey. Today, customised packing and branded experiences are becoming standard, requiring greater agility and personalisation in warehouse operations.

To meet these new demands, the logistics industry is undergoing a major shift powered by artificial intelligence and robotics, particularly through intelligent software like warehouse management systems (WMS). Just like smartphones are a daily necessity, WMS is now essential in modern warehouses, helping operators track inventory in real time, manage orders and staff, and provide performance insights.

Second, smart technologies like robotics are becoming essential, helping companies process orders faster and more accurately. This is seen widely, not only in global markets but also in the Middle East, across sectors like healthcare, food, and even military logistics

Third, companies are adopting omni-channel strategies, combining e-commerce, third-party logistics (3PL), and wholesale into one system. This model is being adopted as businesses can no longer rely solely on traditional B2B or retail channels. Thus, modern warehouses are becoming central hubs capable of managing diverse order types, serving both individual consumers and businesses under the same roof.

Fourth, artificial intelligence is starting to improve warehouse operations by helping managers make faster, smarter decisions and streamline processes.

Lastly, but perhaps the most far-reaching trend is the push for sustainability in logistics. From reducing carbon emissions in transportation to adopting green packaging solutions and energy-efficient warehouse operations, companies are under growing pressure from customers as well as investors to create a sustainable path for supply chains.

Robots are gaining ground

Robots are playing a big role. Far from replacing human workers, these technologies are redefining logistics operations by taking over repetitive, time-consuming tasks and enabling people to focus on higher-value activities.

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), for example, navigate warehouse floors to transport items efficiently, reducing manual effort and boosting overall productivity. Meanwhile, autonomous case-handling robots (ACRs) specialise in precise, high-speed item picking accelerating order fulfilment while enhancing accuracy and consistency.

Drones are also changing how inventory is managed. They can scan shelves on their own, removing the need for manual checks. They even operate in the dark, which helps save on energy costs and supports sustainability.

Moreover, AI is also powering new technologies like LiDAR sensors (light detection and ranging), which allow robots to identify, track, and handle moving objects with high accuracy. Whether it’s scanning barcodes or navigating aisles, these tools ensure that automation can function efficiently alongside human workers.

Automation drives customer satisfaction

Today, great customer experience is a necessity but serving thousands or even millions of people every day takes more than just manpower; it needs smart automation.

Automation isn’t just about doing things faster; it’s about consistency, accuracy, and the ability to adapt. When systems are easy to set up and manage, businesses can quickly adapt to changing needs without sacrificing quality.

When one bad customer experience can instantly damage a brand’s image online, there’s no room for mistakes. Ultimately, automation is a strategic investment that allows businesses to fulfil promises at scale, protect their reputation, and build loyalty.

A compelling example is the recent surge in demands for ‘Dubai chocolate.’ When this trend exploded within a week, it created an unexpected strain on the pistachio supply chain, with suppliers scrambling to keep up. In such scenarios, automation becomes critical, to handle volume and adapt to sudden shifts in consumer behaviour with speed and precision.

Does automation threaten human jobs

As more companies adopt AI and robotics, there is concern that jobs, especially in warehousing, might decline. What we need to understand is that this is a cycle: when a business reaches a certain scale, automation becomes necessary to sustain growth, while also creating new roles in areas like sales and customer support.

Rather than replace people, automation takes over repetitive or physically tough tasks, allowing workers to upskill and move into careers that are more rewarding and sustainable. In our industry, automation is creating value and helping both people and businesses focus on what really matters.

The writer is the MD of Savoye Middle East.