Milad Monshipour, the founder and CEO of AIR (AI Realtor), is no stranger to disrupting established sectors. After leading mobility app TAPSI to a historic IPO, he has now set his sights on real estate. With AIR, he is introducing an AI-native brokerage model, designed not just to digitalise, but to fundamentally restructure how property transactions work in one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets: Dubai.

“Unlike surface-level system integrations that merely layer AI-based features onto traditional systems, AIR is AI-native,” says Monshipour. “It has been designed from the ground up to employ artificial intelligence as the core engine driving the entire property journey.”

AIR comprises three proprietary tools—AIR Brain, AIR Match, and AIR Value—that guide the user journey, from discovery to closing, using Dubai-specific data sets. “AIR was trained specifically on Dubai’s real estate data with advanced algorithms, enabling a level of localisation and precision unmatched by generic global tools,” he adds.

Fixing a fragmented market

Monshipour believes real estate is the Middle East’s next big tech disruption—not fintech, not mobility. The reason is clear: property transactions across the region remain opaque, heavily manual, and fragmented. “AIR aims to fix this by streamlining discovery, automating admin-heavy tasks, and providing real-time information to both buyers and agents,” he says.

Dubai’s market conditions make it ripe for this transformation. It is highly digital, fast-growing, and backed by clear regulations and data transparency. Yet the industry still depends heavily on brokers navigating inconsistent, time-consuming workflows. “In a dynamic and fast-growing market like Dubai, it is the right time to rethink how real estate operates and to give buyers and brokers a smarter, faster, and more transparent experience.”

Built inside-out, not adapted top-down

Monshipour argues that startups in the region must build with local DNA. “In markets like the UAE, and Dubai in particular, the nuances are too complex for imported models to succeed without significant adaptation,” he says. “Dubai is, in many ways, ahead of the curve globally, with advanced regulation, data transparency, seamless digital processes, and a property market that far exceeds its population size in scale and dynamism.”

AIR’s foundation reflects that philosophy. “Our data models are trained exclusively on Dubai-specific datasets, making the platform naturally attuned to local demand, legal frameworks, and customer behaviour.”

That grounding in local insight doesn’t mean AIR lacks global ambition. The startup plans to expand to other markets, but only after proving itself in Dubai. “Our first focus is to perfect the Dubai model within 6–9 months,” he says. “From there, we see strong parallels in other high-growth, high-transparency real estate markets within the GCC region, and regulatory advanced markets—Australia and the UK.”

Not replacing brokers—empowering them

Unlike narratives around AI eliminating jobs, AIR is positioning itself as a broker-enablement platform. “AIR is designed not to replace brokers, but to supercharge them,” says Monshipour. “Our AI assumes control for tasks that machines can do best… so that agents can focus on where they deliver the most value: negotiations, personalised advice, and human connection.”

He explains how AIR dynamically adjusts its involvement. “The system steps back when a human touch is needed and steps in when efficiency is paramount.”

A smarter customer journey

AIR isn’t just about flashy tech. Its tools are built for utility. AIR Brain tracks user preferences from the first point of contact. AIR Match recommends listings in real time, and AIR Assistant manages follow-ups, CRM inputs, and even viewing schedules. Meanwhile, AIR Value helps agents negotiate with real-time pricing logic.

“All this happens in the background, ensuring a seamless experience journey for the client, while the agent stays focused on relationship building and strategy,” he says.

Consumers, Monshipour notes, are rarely resistant to such innovation. “They’re actively craving better experiences and are quick to recognise when a product like AIR delivers that.”

Lessons from TAPSI

As a second-time founder, Monshipour has approached AIR with a refined playbook. “At AIR, we’re building with global scalability in mind and not limiting ourselves to traditional growth trajectories—speed and ambition matter,” he says.

“Another key shift is rethinking conventional approaches. The real estate industry is full of legacy practices, and we’re intentionally challenging those by leveraging technology in new ways.”

He’s also more deliberate about team building. “I know that having top-tier talent from the outset can significantly accelerate execution and innovation.”

Enabling a new infrastructure layer

Monshipour is clear that AIR isn’t aiming to become just another listing platform or brokerage. “We’re not just building a unicorn; we’re reimagining the entire real estate ecosystem,” he says.

“Agents will remain essential, but their roles will evolve and be significantly augmented by AI. A few high-performing, tech-enabled firms will emerge as dominant players, delivering consistent, transparent, and superior customer service, often at lower costs.”

He envisions a future where listing platforms and brokerages blur, and AIR operates as the connective tissue powering both. “That’s where the real disruption lies… becoming a unicorn is simply the starting point.”

Why Dubai?

For AIR, Dubai isn’t just a launchpad—it’s the ideal testbed. “The real estate market is large, fast-moving, and supported by some of the most advanced regulations anywhere in the world,” Monshipour says.

Read: Dubai PropTech Hub launches at DIFC Innovation Hub

He also credits the UAE’s investment climate and growing appetite for tech talent. “From an investment perspective, the success of companies like Souq, Careem, Noon, and more recently, Tabby and Huspy, has shifted investor confidence towards tech ventures.”

AIR hopes to play a role in attracting top-tier AI talent to the UAE. “Our current team reflects that ambition, and we expect this trend to accelerate as the ecosystem continues to evolve.”

Qatar is setting its sights on becoming a key player in global tokenisation frameworks as the market heads towards a potential $16tn by 2030.

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) has unveiled a new report, produced with Global Stratalogues and the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), outlining the regulatory and infrastructure priorities needed to unlock the potential of tokenising real‑world assets.

The projection for a $16tn market comes from Boston Consulting Group and ADDX, which estimate tokenisation could represent around 10 per cent of global GDP by the end of the decade.

Drawing on insights from the inaugural Digital Assets Policy Roundtable held in Doha alongside the Qatar Economic Forum earlier this year, the report, entitled From Regulation to Realisation: Shaping the Future of Digital Assets, captures consensus among regulators, financial executives and industry experts from across multiple jurisdictions.

The findings highlight five priorities: align cross‑border regulations, invest in core infrastructure, embed financial inclusion, coordinate AI‑blockchain governance and establish public‑private “tokenisation labs” to validate real‑world use cases.

“Tokenisation can unlock real value by making assets more accessible and easier to transfer,” said Yousuf Mohamed Al‑Jaida, CEO of the QFC.

“To realise this potential, we need a clear system that combines robust regulation, secure custody and practical application. This will create a trusted environment that enables institutional adoption and drives sustainable market growth.”

Pragmatism before perfection

The report urges a measured, infrastructure‑first approach to tokenisation.

“Tokenisation must serve a purpose,” said Henk J. Hoogendoorn, QFC’s chief financial sector officer.

“It should democratise access and create real‑world value. Qatar is committed to making tokenisation of real‑world assets a success.”

Maha Al‑Saadi, head of regulatory Affairs at QFC and moderator of the roundtable, added: “Regulatory clarity is not a luxury, it is a prerequisite for scalable tokenisation. Our goal is to bridge global standards with local implementation to ensure digital assets can operate within a trusted and secure environment.”

Co‑author of the report and founder of Global Stratalogues, Oscar Wendel, said: “This report distils the collective intelligence of global thought leaders, financial experts and regulators. It is designed to help lay the policy foundations for inclusive and interoperable digital asset markets worldwide.”

Regional momentum

The Gulf is emerging as a testbed for tokenisation innovation.

In Dubai, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has introduced a regulated framework for asset‑referenced virtual assets, enabling tokenised real estate offerings. One recent example saw Prypco Mint sell out a Dh1.75 mn tokenised villa in under five minutes. The home was tokenized by 169 investors from 40 nationalities, with an average investment size of Dh10,355.

In January, Dubai‑based DAMAC Group signed a $1bn deal with blockchain platform MANTRA to tokenise real estate projects. Both initiatives reflect a broader shift in the region towards regulated, institution‑ready tokenisation models.

The QFC’s report, available online, positions Qatar to lead regional efforts in setting digital asset standards.

With a focus on clear rules, strong infrastructure and inclusion, Doha is making a play to turn tokenisation’s promise into a lasting pillar of Gulf and global finance.

India’s ruling party and main opposition condemned on Tuesday a threat by US President Donald Trump to raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases, in a show of political unity as a trade rift deepens with Washington.

Trump had already in July announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian imports, and US officials have cited a range of geopolitical issues standing in the way of a US-India trade accord.

Manish Tewari, a member of parliament and leader of the opposition Congress, said Trump’s “disparaging remarks hurt the dignity and self-respect of Indians”.

“The time has come to call out this constant bullying and hectoring,” he added.

BJP Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda quoted Henry Kissinger — the most powerful US diplomat of the Cold War era — in a post on X: “To be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal.”

India’s Foreign Ministry said the country was being unfairly singled out over its purchases of Russian oil, and highlighted continued trade between Moscow and both the United States and the European Union, despite the war in Ukraine.

“It is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia,” it said in a statement issued late on Monday.

“It is unjustified to single out India,” the ministry said.

It said the EU conducted 67.5 billion euros ($78.02bn) in trade with Russia in 2024, including record imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) reaching 16.5 million metric tons.

The United States, the statement said, continues to import Russian uranium hexafluoride for use in its nuclear power industry, palladium, fertilisers and chemicals. It did not give a source for the export information.

The US embassy and the EU’s delegation in New Delhi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Both the United States and EU have sharply scaled back their trade ties with Russia since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In 2021, Russia was the EU’s fifth-largest trading partner, with goods exchange worth 258 billion euros, according to the EU executive European Commission.

SUDDEN RIFT

India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia, importing about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil from January to June this year, up 1 per cent from a year ago, according to data provided to Reuters by trade sources.

It has faced pressure from the West to distance itself from Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine. New Delhi has resisted, citing its longstanding ties with Russia and economic needs.

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is likely to travel to Russia this week on a scheduled visit, two government sources said. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is expected to visit in the coming weeks.

The sudden rift between India and the US has been deepening since July 31, when Trump announced the 25 per cent tariff on goods being shipped to the US and for the first time threatened unspecified penalties for buying Russian oil.

Trump has said that from Friday he will impose new sanctions on Russia as well as on countries that buy its energy exports, unless Moscow takes steps to end the war with Ukraine.

The trade tensions have caused concern about the potential impact on India’s economy.

The equity benchmark BSE Sensex .BSESN closed down 0.38 per cent, while the rupee dropped 0.17 per cent versus the dollar.

TOURISE, the bold new global tourism platform, has announced the formation of its cross-sector Advisory Board, a 14-member body of renowned industry leaders tasked with shaping the platform’s strategic direction and guiding the agenda of its inaugural global summit, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from 11–13 November 2025.

Positioned as a new global force in tourism, TOURISE aims to foster cross-sector convergence, creating a space where thought leaders, innovators, and visionaries can collaborate to define the future of the sector. The platform’s Advisory Board brings together influential figures from across tourism, technology, aviation, entertainment, education, sustainability, and media, making it one of the most deliberately cross-sector boards in the tourism space today.

Chaired by His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, the Advisory Board has been created to support TOURISE’s long-term vision and elevate tourism’s position as a driver of innovation, investment, and sustainability on the global stage.

“TOURISE is driving cross-sector global collaboration, and the formation of the Advisory Board ensures we are uniting diverse perspectives from representatives across the global tourism ecosystem,” said His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb. “Their visionary thinking and deep expertise will be essential in transforming TOURISE from ambition into action, ensuring the platform becomes a catalyst of innovation, investment, and sustainability in tourism for decades to come.”

The newly appointed Advisory Board includes:

• Julia Simpson, president and CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council

• Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council

• Luis Maroto, CEO, Amadeus

• Blake Chandlee, former President of Global Business Solutions, TikTok

• Neil Jacobs, founder of Wild Origins and former CEO, Six Senses

• Stephane Lefebvre, president, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group

• Jordi Carnes, president, Leitat Technological Center and CTECNO; former director general, Turisme de Barcelona

• Mario Enzesberger, founder and CEO, Liberty International Tourism Group

• Patrick Andersen, CEO, Carlson Wagonlit Travel

• Mo Gawdat, founder, One Billion Happy

• Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Heathrow Airport

• Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority and Vice Chair, TOURISE

• Fabien Fresnel, CEO, Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality

• Jean-Philippe Cossé, International Events Specialist

Commenting on her appointment, Julia Simpson, president & CEO of WTTC, said: “TOURISE is more than a summit; it’s a catalyst for global transformation in tourism. I joined the Advisory Board because I believe in the power of cross-sector collaboration to drive sustainable growth, foster innovation, and set new standards for responsible travel.”

In the lead-up to the November summit, the Advisory Board will meet regularly to provide strategic input on TOURISE’s programming. Their involvement ensures that the platform reflects diverse global perspectives and tackles the sector’s most pressing challenges. More than a one-time event, TOURISE is being positioned as a lasting global movement to reshape the tourism landscape.