Arabic-language artificial intelligence could soon become a more familiar part of everyday working life across the Middle East under a new partnership between Microsoft and Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN.

The two companies have announced plans to bring HUMAIN’s ALLAM Arabic-language AI models into Microsoft’s technology ecosystem, potentially allowing businesses to access them through platforms including Microsoft Foundry and Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Rather than having to build specialist Arabic AI systems from scratch, developers and employees could eventually gain access to technology designed to understand both the language and regional context through Microsoft platforms they already use.

The agreement marks the first milestone in a long-term collaboration between Microsoft and HUMAIN, the artificial intelligence company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Under the plans, ALLAM would be made available through Microsoft Foundry, enabling developers and enterprises to build, customise and deploy applications and AI agents designed around Arabic-language and regional business requirements.

The companies also plan to integrate ALLAM with Microsoft 365 Copilot, allowing organisations to create specialised AI agents for workplace and business tasks.

“This collaboration begins with plans to bring ALLAM to a number of key Microsoft AI solutions, and this is just the first step,” said Tareq Amin, chief executive officer of HUMAIN.

Amin said Microsoft and HUMAIN planned to introduce a broader range of capabilities over the coming months, with further developments expected to be presented at LEAP, Saudi Arabia’s flagship technology event, which takes place in Riyadh from 31 August to 3 September.

Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, said the partnership was intended to help organisations develop AI that better understands local language and context while meeting the security and governance requirements of businesses and the public sector.

“AI delivers the greatest value when it becomes part of the way people work every day,” Smith said.

Microsoft and HUMAIN said the initial agreement could eventually expand further, with the companies exploring cooperation across AI models, infrastructure, devices and productivity technology, as well as joint commercial initiatives across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East and Africa.

Emirates Skywards will change the way members’ Miles expire from June 1, 2027, replacing the current system based on a member’s birth month with a standard three-year validity period linked to the date of flight or partner activity.

Under the new policy, Skywards Miles will be valid for three years from the flight or partner activity date, rounded to the end of the month. The change will apply to Skywards Miles earned from June 1, 2027 and will not affect Miles already held in members’ accounts.

Read more: From free flight changes to more miles: Emirates and Etihad roll out big benefits for travellers

Emirates said the update is designed to create a consistent Miles expiry period for all members. The company said this will improve fairness and make it easier for members to track the validity of their Skywards Miles.

A shift away from birth-month expiry

The current approach can result in different expiry dates for Miles earned on the same day, depending on a member’s birth month. Under the existing rules, Miles expire three years after the relevant date, rounded to the end of the member’s birth month.

The examples provided by Emirates illustrate the difference. Skywards Miles earned on 10 May 2024 by a member with a July birthday have an expiration date of July 31, 2027. Meanwhile, Skywards Miles earned on 10 May 2024 by a member with a March birthday have an expiration date of March 31, 2028.

The updated approach is intended to remove that variation by using the flight or partner activity date rather than the member’s birth month as the basis for determining validity.

For Miles earned under the updated approach, the information provided by Emirates gives an example in which Skywards Miles earned on May 10, 2024 have an expiration date of May 31, 2027 for all members, regardless of their birth month.

How Members Earn Skywards Miles

The expiry change comes within the wider framework governing Emirates Skywards membership and Miles earning. Membership is open to individuals who are at least two years old. Corporations, firms, partnerships and other entities are not eligible to become Members.

Applicants must provide all information required in the Emirates Skywards enrollment form. Applications for Members under 18 must be signed and/or consented to by a parent or guardian. Emirates Skywards may accept or reject an application at its absolute discretion.

Members with active Accounts can earn and accrue Skywards Miles by taking Qualifying Flights and by availing themselves of or purchasing qualifying Emirates or Partner services, goods or products.

Members can begin earning and accruing Miles from their Account registration date. Qualifying Flights taken no more than two months before registration can also be eligible for Miles, provided the Member contacts Emirates and claims them within six months of the Account registration date. Other transactions completed before registration are not eligible for earning or accruing Miles.

All Miles earned from Qualifying Flights can be viewed through the Member Statement on the Website and the Emirates App.

Membership details matter when earning

To earn Miles, Members must produce a digital membership card, link their accounts or provide their membership number when required by Emirates or the relevant vendor. This applies at reservation or check-in for Qualifying Flights and when paying for or subscribing to other qualifying Emirates or Partner goods or services.

Miles can generally be earned for only one loyalty programme for each flight or transaction unless Emirates or an applicable Partner states otherwise. Members participating in other Partner loyalty programmes must select their preferred loyalty programme at the beginning of their journey.

A Member may change the loyalty number at check-in before the first flight begins, but not afterward. Miles can be earned against one seat and one extra seat purchased per Qualifying Flight.

Miles may take eight weeks or more to be credited to an Account following an earning activity. Once credited, Miles may be used or redeemed by the Member in accordance with the Programme Rules.

Everyday spending also earns miles

Skywards Miles can also be earned through Skywards Everyday via Earning Partners and Destination Partners at Participating Outlets listed on the Skywards Everyday App.

Members earn one Skywards Mile for every Dhs3 spent across Participating Outlets, except grocery stores and pharmacies. At Participating Outlets in the grocery and pharmacy category, Members earn one Skywards Mile for every Dhs5 spent.

The policy change therefore introduces a single, activity-based framework for the future expiry of Skywards Miles, while leaving Miles already in members’ accounts unaffected. For members, the key change from June 1, 2027 will be the move away from birth-month calculations toward an expiry period tied to the relevant flight or partner activity date.

UAE-based artificial intelligence and geospatial intelligence company Stellaria has raised Dhs25m in seed funding from a group of angel investors, valuing the company at Dhs420m.

The Dubai-based company said the funding would be used to develop its AI operating system for geospatial intelligence, expand its technical capabilities and workforce, and accelerate the deployment of its technology in the UAE and international markets.

Stellaria, formerly known as Farmin, is developing a platform that combines satellite imagery and other geospatial data with AI models and analytical tools to generate intelligence about activity in the physical world.

Its capabilities include AI-powered satellite imagery analytics, super-resolution technology, automated target recognition, maritime and port intelligence, satellite-derived bathymetry and environmental monitoring. The company also operates its proprietary Stella platform.

“This funding marks an important milestone in Stellaria’s journey and reflects the confidence our investors have placed in our technology and the team behind it,” founder and CEO Dr Ali AlHammadi said.

Homegrown startup

“We have grown from a UAE startup into a company building an AI operating system for geospatial intelligence, bringing together satellite data, AI and advanced analytics within a unified platform.”

AlHammadi said the investment would allow Stellaria to invest further in its technology, strengthen its team and develop scalable products capable of competing internationally.

“Our ambition is to build globally relevant space and AI technology from the UAE and contribute to the country’s growing position as a hub for advanced innovation,” he added.

Stellaria’s technology has applications across government, defence, maritime and ports, infrastructure and environmental monitoring.

The company is also an alumnus of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund’s Innovation Accelerator Program, through which it received mentorship, strategic guidance and access to ecosystem connections.

Read: MBRIF’s Shaker Zainal on fixing the financing gap holding back industrial startups

The latest investment will focus on strengthening UAE-developed technology, attracting specialised talent and taking Stellaria’s products into new regional and international markets.

Dubai Police have warned residents against fraudulent advertisements offering work, residency and visit visas in exchange for money, urging the public to deal only with authorised entities when applying for visas.

The warning was issued by the Anti-Fraud Centre at Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation as part of its ongoing “Be Aware of Fraud” awareness campaign.

According to the authority, scammers are using social media platforms and messaging apps to promote fake visa services by impersonating official entities or using the names of unlicensed companies and offices to deceive victims and steal their money.

Dubai Police urged residents to complete all visa-related transactions only through the relevant government authorities or legally approved service providers and to avoid intermediaries or unverified parties.

The authority also stressed the importance of verifying the authenticity of any visa offer or application process through official channels before making payments or sharing personal information.

The Anti-Fraud Centre said awareness and verification remain the first line of defence against financial fraud and urged the public not to be misled by false promises of jobs or visa approvals through illegal means.

Dubai Police called on members of the public to report suspected fraud or attempted scams immediately through the Dubai Police smart app, the eCrime platform for cybercrime reports, or by calling 901.

Sharjah Civil Defence has urged schools, parents and students to strengthen fire safety measures ahead of the new academic year, calling for greater preparedness to ensure a safe learning environment across the emirate.

The authority said safety should become part of everyday school practices, with administrations ensuring fire alarm systems, firefighting equipment and extinguishers are fully operational and regularly inspected.

Schools have also been instructed to keep emergency exits, evacuation routes and corridors free from obstructions and to address any safety concerns immediately. Fire protection equipment should not be blocked, disabled or covered, the authority said.

Sharjah Civil Defence also highlighted the importance of electrical safety, urging schools to avoid overloading power sockets, stop using damaged electrical wiring or equipment showing signs of overheating, and ensure flammable materials are stored away from heat sources and electrical appliances.

The authority called on schools to maintain up-to-date evacuation plans, familiarise staff and students with emergency exits and assembly points, and conduct regular evacuation drills throughout the academic year.

Teachers were encouraged to strengthen students’ awareness of fire safety and provide organised assistance during emergencies, particularly for pupils requiring additional support.

Students were also reminded not to tamper with fire alarms, extinguishers or other safety equipment and to immediately report any signs of smoke, burning smells or other potential hazards to teachers or supervisors.

Sharjah Civil Defence also stressed the importance of school bus safety, urging operators to check vehicles after every trip to ensure no student is left onboard.

Parents were encouraged to reinforce safety awareness at home and encourage children to report potential hazards encountered at school or while travelling on school buses.

The authority said preventing fires and minimising the impact of emergencies requires the collective commitment of the entire school community, calling for continued cooperation to foster a culture of prevention and ensure a safe start to the new academic year.