#Insights

Amazon's Rayan Karaky on how retail media 3.0 is transforming advertising in MENA

Amazon’s Rayan Karaky on how retail media 3.0 is transforming advertising in MENA

Amazon Ads’ Rayan Karaky unpacks how the rise of retail media 3.0 is transforming marketing in the region, helping brands fuse commerce, content, and measurable impact

GCC tourism report highlights from GCC STAT -Image-for-illustrative-purposes-Getty Images

GCC tourism sector projected to reach $371.2bn by 2034: GCC STAT

By 2034, the tourism industry is expected to generate around 1.3 million new jobs, reflecting its potential to further bolster employment opportunities in the region

Dr Owi S Ruivivar is the chief portfolio strategist at Bank of Singapore, on Navigating uncertainty: A new approach to portfolio construction

Navigating uncertainty: A new approach to portfolio construction

Amid 2025’s market volatility, a new strategic allocation framework by Bank of Singapore uses robust optimisation, scenario simulations, and tailored alternatives to build resilient, diversified portfolios

Sid Bhatia is the area VP and GM META at Dataiku

Five metric categories that prevent AI agents from going rogue

As AI agents drive UAE’s economic growth, businesses must track task outcomes, value, governance, and performance to ensure reliable adoption

top investors in uae property investors - stamn indexImage-by-WAM

Top foreign buyers of UAE property revealed in New STAMN Index

The top 10 includes Euro-countries such as France, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as Canada and Australia

retailers embracing omnichannel Image for illustrative purposes Getty Images

UAE retailers embrace omnichannel as 70% integrate digital tools in-store, shows survey

Despite e-commerce growth, half of the surveyed retailers plan to expand their physical footprint, with pop-up stores and in-store partnerships emerging as popular strategies to provide experiential value, the Zoho survey showed

Surge in domestic travel and lounge usage across Saudi, reports Dragonpass

Surge in domestic travel, lounge usage across Saudi, reports Dragonpass

Domestic travel in Saudi Arabia increased by 126 per cent between 2024 and 2025, more than doubling the number of domestic trips in just one year, according to Dragonpass

The circular economy takes flight: Insights on aviation’s sustainable future

The circular economy takes flight: Insights on aviation’s sustainable future

Airlines operating in a cost-constrained, post-pandemic landscape are now “sweating the asset” longer than ever — and they need dependable, certified partners to help them do it, says Aeras Aviation’s CEO

 Joy-Emma Martin is an associate and Chris Edwards is counsel at Reed Smith. They share insights on the impact of Dubai's new Contractors Law 

Building with confidence: The impact of Dubai’s new Contractors Law 

The law is scheduled to come into force on January 8, 2026 and contractors have 12 months from that date to bring their houses in order

Fragomen's Murtaza Khan on why immigration due diligence is as critical as financial scrutiny in the GCC

Insights: Why immigration due diligence is as critical as financial scrutiny in the GCC

In the GCC, where visa categories are tied to specific roles and sponsorships, a change in company structure might necessitate a complete re-evaluation of every employee’s status

Amir H. Greiss, Founder and CEO of SharpMinds on community building for future-ready cities

Designing community: Building inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready cities

Developers should prioritise designs that feel culturally familiar yet offer modern conveniences, fostering a sense of place and continuity, says Greiss

The Final Pitch's John Aguilar on why ‘where’ matters as much as ‘what’ for startups

The Final Pitch’s John Aguilar on why ‘where’ matters as much as ‘what’ for startups

Behind every bold idea lies a web of invisible forces – cultural cues, access to capital, proximity to mentors and openness to risk – all of which shape the founder’s path

Cisco outlines 5 steps to boost cybersecurity in UAE healthcare sector

Cisco outlines 5 steps to boost cybersecurity in UAE healthcare sector

The healthcare industry is a key target for cyberattacks globally due to the value of patient records, reliance on outdated systems, and human vulnerabilities

Eric Turkington - Chief Product Officer - Rain Technology on the power of voice in the OR: Bridging high tech, human realities

The power of voice in the OR: Bridging high tech, human realities

Leveraging voice assistants that are tailored explicitly for the OT empowers regional clinicians to overcome both technical and workflow-specific hurdles

Emirati Women's Day insights Image courtesy WAM

Progress and possibilities: Emirati students, professionals share their thoughts

From finance and sustainability to energy, technology and education, Emirati women are no longer just participating, but leading, turning ambition into action and influence into impact

Emirati Women's Day honours innovators, heroes, says Miral CHRO

Emirati Women’s Day honours innovators, heroes, says Miral’s CHRO

We are witnessing a powerful shift as Emirati women are demonstrating exceptional leadership and expertise in roles that once seemed unimaginable, says Al Musharrekh

These Emirati achievers exemplify strong leadership and values

Celebrating Emirati achievers and role models

Marking this year’s Emirati Women’s Day theme, ‘Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years’, startAD at NYU Abu Dhabi spotlights the women driving the UAE’s innovation journey

EtihadWE's CEO on how Emirati women are supporting UAE's energy transition

EtihadWE’s CEO on how Emirati women are supporting UAE’s energy transition

Emirati women’s leadership is critical to achieving strategic objectives and a reflection of the UAE’s vision for a sustainable future for generations to come

MBZUAI's Rawdha Almeraikhi on how Emirati women are driving innovation

MBZUAI’s Rawdha Almeraikhi on how Emirati women are driving innovation

We are no longer just part of the conversation, we are helping set the direction, says MBZUAI’s Almeraikhi

Dr Najwa Aaraj_CEO_TII

Women in AI is a strategic advantage for UAE, says TII’s Dr Najwa Aaraj

This Emirati Women’s Day is not just a celebration of what has been achieved but a reminder of what’s still at stake, says the CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute (TII)

Stuart Hunter of AGR on why talent is the real engine of the GCC’s energy transition

Why talent is the real engine of GCC’s energy transition

The private sector must be a joint driver, particularly in shaping curriculum pipelines, training programmes, and policies that match real-world demand, says Hunter

Dubai renters are rushing to buy: What it means for the market

Dubai among top 3 global prime housing markets for capital gains: Savills

Prime rental values in Dubai rose 2.9 per cent in the past six months and 13.3 per cent in the year to June, reflecting moderating yet resilient growth after a strong run

Ashish Koshy Chief Executive Officer Inception on how AI teammates will power business transformation

Inception’s Ashish Koshy on how AI teammates will power business transformation

Agentic AI can power businesses by embedding AI agents into core functions like procurement, productivity, and process automation, says Koshy

Insights: AI data centres and the Middle East advantage

Insights: AI data centres and the Middle East advantage

The Middle East is uniquely positioned to become a global AI DC powerhouse, combining strategic geography, low costs, policy momentum, and geopolitical alignment

Zoom's Mohannad AlKalash on the interplay of AI and human-centered support

Zoom’s Mohannad AlKalash on the interplay of AI, human-centered support

 The VP – METAP Region at Zoom says intelligent systems can initiate helpful communication through the customer’s preferred channel at the optimal time

Saudi Central Bank announces 4-year holiday calendar for banks

Saudi Arabia among top emerging global economies in AI readiness, shows report

In terms of investment, the kingdom has set a target to attract $20bn in AI investments by 2030, BCG stated

Engineer Amer Khansaheb, CEO and board member of Union Propertie, on GCC real estate journey

From icons to infrastructure: Union Properties CEO on GCC’s real estate evolution

Alongside physical infrastructure, digital transformation is another defining force in the real estate landscape, says Khansaheb

Cost excellence key to unlocking Saudi mining’s long-term value, shows report

Cost excellence key to unlocking Saudi mining’s long-term value, shows report

Saudi Arabia’s mining sector is backed by SAR246bn in committed investments and untapped resources valued at around $2.5tn, according to government data

How AI Is elevating aviation from operational efficiency to passenger experience by Joseph Salem,

How AI is elevating aviation from operational efficiency to passenger experience

What’s harder to engineer is the cultural shift: getting aviation leaders to see AI not as a patch or pilot, but as core infrastructure

Ben Simpfendorfer, a Partner at Oliver Wyman, based in Hong Kong, on Insights: How Dubai can soar to new heights as a global city 

Insights: How Dubai can soar to new heights as a global city 

Dubai, which serves as a destination or transit hub for more than 90 million travellers from over 270 cities around the world, is well placed to capture a big share of the growth in leisure travel from these mid-tier cities