AnyMind Group, a BPaaS company for marketing, e-commerce and digital transformation, has expanded the reach of its AI customer service agent feature on its conversational commerce platform, AnyChat, by integrating it with WhatsApp. The feature, launched in March 2025, was previously available only on LINE.

WhatsApp’s scale makes the move significant — Meta reported in April 2025 that the platform has over 3 billion monthly active users globally, with India, Indonesia, and the Philippines among its top five markets. Businesses and online merchants in these and other WhatsApp-heavy regions, including Malaysia and Singapore, can now use AnyChat to automatically handle initial customer inquiries. Powered by large language models (LLMs), the AI customer service agent can interpret free-text messages, reducing reliance on human-only support teams.

For companies fielding thousands of inquiries daily, this integration offers potential for transformative efficiency gains. In a three-month trial between March and June 2025, global water flosser brand Waterpik used the feature on LINE and was able to automate responses to 25 per cent of customer queries.

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Unlike standard chatbots, AnyChat’s AI agent processes questions in natural language and provides responses within brand-approved guardrails, cutting operational workload while avoiding “hallucinated” answers. It can collect key customer details such as order IDs and names, enabling a smooth handover to human agents when needed. Historical chat data is stored to help brands identify recurring issues and improve templates, while product details can be updated in real time to ensure accurate responses.

“For most Indian consumers, WhatsApp is the first and often the only touchpoint with a brand,” said Aditya Aima, managing director, Growth Markets; co-MD, India and MENA, AnyMind Group. “That’s why this integration matters. It’s not about adding another tool, but about helping businesses have faster, more meaningful conversations with their customers, without overloading their teams. It’s a small shift with the potential for real, lasting impact.”

AnyChat connects enterprises to multiple chat and e-commerce platforms — including LINE, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, Shopee, and Lazada — from a single dashboard. Initially launched as a standalone platform, it is now integrated into AnyMind’s e-commerce management suite, AnyX, which provides unified tools for analytics, store management, CRM, and logistics.

With the 2025–2026 academic year on the horizon, the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) is taking proactive steps to ensure a smooth and successful return to classrooms for students in private schools across the emirate. From safety protocols and teacher training to academic policy enhancements and student wellness programs, the Authority has launched a full-scale readiness plan as part of its annual “Back to School” campaign.

The campaign reflects a broader vision to shape future-ready students equipped with skills that contribute meaningfully to society. Central to this vision is the idea that education must not only be safe and structured, but also inspiring, inclusive, and forward-thinking, a WAM report conveyed.

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“Education is the foundation of society,” said Dr Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of SPEA. “Everything we do is aimed at empowering students and teachers, making schools places that drive positive change.”

In line with this mission, SPEA has expanded its operational and academic frameworks to promote quality learning environments across the emirate. This includes regular evaluations, policy upgrades, and cross-sector collaborations to ensure that every student has access to a world-class education.

Ali Al Hosani, Director-General of SPEA, emphasized that the Authority is continuously evolving, thanks to strong support from Sharjah’s leadership. “We strive to turn challenges into opportunities for growth by focusing on our people, improving schools, and promoting a culture of excellence,” he said. “These principles are essential for building sustainable, future-focused education systems.”

Student safety front and centre

As the school gates prepare to open, student safety remains a top priority. SPEA teams will conduct thorough readiness assessments at private schools across Sharjah in the week leading up to the new term. These inspections will evaluate everything from building infrastructure to classroom safety, ensuring that all schools meet regulatory standards.

In addition, SPEA is coordinating with key government partners to safeguard students’ commutes. In partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority, the Authority will inspect school buses to confirm adherence to safety standards and transportation regulations. A separate collaboration with the Sharjah Police will manage traffic around schools, creating safer environments during morning and afternoon drop-offs.

A major pillar of SPEA’s safety framework is the “Your Children Are Safe” initiative, launched in February 2020. The digital platform monitors the transportation of students across private schools in real time. It ensures compliance with safety rules, enables fast emergency communication, and strengthens parent confidence by providing greater transparency into daily school travel operations.

“We want parents to feel that their children are in safe hands from the moment they leave home until they return,” said Al Hosani. “Technology allows us to deliver on that promise.”

Boosting quality through innovation and partnerships

Beyond safety, SPEA is introducing a host of policies and programs to raise the bar for academic quality and student well-being. Updated operational guidelines have been issued to private schools, accompanied by training sessions and professional development workshops for educators and administrative staff. These sessions focus on improving instructional practices, supporting diverse learning needs, and maintaining positive school cultures.

One of the core goals this year is to deliver a well-rounded educational experience. This involves developing policies that prioritize extracurricular activities, health, and wellness. SPEA is working closely with external organizations in the fields of health, sports, and civic engagement to launch new initiatives that promote holistic student development.

“Our aim is to make schools the heart of the community,” said Dr Al Hashimi. “By integrating academic learning with extracurricular enrichment, we help students build the life skills they need to thrive.”

The Authority also continues to support the Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence, now in its 31st edition. The award honors outstanding contributions to the education sector and promotes best practices in teaching, school leadership, and innovation. This year, SPEA has launched a new digital platform to streamline participation and increase accessibility. Updated support materials and a series of promotional events are also planned to drive greater involvement from educators and schools across the emirate.

Preparations are also underway for Sharjah’s participation in the PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) assessment—a global benchmark that evaluates the reading skills of fourth-grade students. SPEA is working with schools to prepare students for this high-stakes assessment, aiming to showcase the emirate’s academic strengths on the international stage.

Arabic language in the spotlight

A standout initiative for the upcoming school year is the revitalized focus on Arabic language education. Through its “With Arabic We Rise” campaign, SPEA is actively promoting Arabic language proficiency as a cornerstone of national identity and future readiness.

The program includes a wide array of actions: regular school visits to assess Arabic language instruction, targeted training sessions for Arabic teachers, and monthly forums to exchange effective classroom strategies. It also introduces new resources, such as the “Teach Arabic” series and an interactive digital library filled with engaging content.

To further champion the Arabic language, SPEA is organizing an international forum for Arabic teachers. This event, scheduled to coincide with Teacher’s Day, will serve as a platform to share global best practices and reaffirm Arabic’s vital role in modern education.

“Language is more than communication, it’s culture, identity, and connection,” said Al Hosani. “Through this program, we are preserving the past while preparing students for the future.”

Looking ahead

All of these efforts align with SPEA’s 2025–2028 strategic vision, which emphasizes quality education, sustainability, community collaboration, and the strengthening of Arabic language instruction. By fostering dynamic learning environments and forging strong partnerships, SPEA is positioning Sharjah as a regional leader in educational innovation.

As students across the emirate prepare to head back to class, the message is clear: the future of education in Sharjah is safe, smart, and full of promise.

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed an exclusive deal to build Sphere entertainment venues across the Middle East and North Africa for at least 10 years, a filing by US-based Sphere Entertainment Company shows.

The Sphere is a cutting-edge immersive entertainment venue, with the first one opening in Las Vegas in 2023.

The venue stands 115 metres tall, spans 157 metres wide, has a capacity of about 20,000, and features 16K-resolution wraparound screens.

Sphere Abu Dhabi announced

Last year in October, DCT Abu Dhabi announced that it would bring the second ‘Sphere’ to the UAE’s capital.

There is no official word yet on the exact location or opening date of the Abu Dhabi venue.

New agreement will see ‘Sphere’ venues set up across the region

Under the latest agreement, DCT will have the sole rights to construct and operate Sphere venues across the region, including financing construction and paying franchise and royalty fees for intellectual property and creative content licensed by Sphere Entertainment.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled a cutting-edge digital platform, “Data Drive – Clear Guide,” aimed at revolutionising traffic management in Dubai. The platform leverages historical and real-time traffic data from the past five years to deliver powerful insights that help alleviate congestion across the city.

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By analysing live traffic conditions, road speeds, congestion hotspots, recurring patterns, and times of smooth traffic flow, the platform enables faster, more informed decisions. The initiative reflects RTA’s broader strategy of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into transport infrastructure to elevate Dubai’s position as a global leader in smart mobility and sustainability, a WAM report said.

AI meets analytics for smarter roads

“Data Drive – Clear Guide” forms part of RTA’s long-term push to deploy AI and smart technologies in urban mobility. From intelligent traffic management systems to autonomous transport solutions, the platform sits within a wider digital ecosystem designed to future-proof the city’s infrastructure.

Using real-time notifications and instant updates, the system empowers traffic management teams to proactively address congestion issues and road incidents. It also enables the comparison of current traffic performance against historic trends, helping identify sudden bottlenecks or irregular speed drops.

Such capabilities significantly enhance the authority’s ability to respond quickly to changing road conditions, ultimately leading to faster commutes and improved safety for road users.

From weeks to minutes: The power of real-time insights

Previously, traffic data analysis relied heavily on manually collected reports from consultants and field teams, which delayed timely interventions. The new platform changes that paradigm. Information that once took weeks to gather and interpret can now be accessed and analysed within minutes.

The system sources traffic data from global specialist firms, processes it through intelligent analytics tools, and presents an instant, accurate overview of road conditions. This shift marks a milestone in digital transformation for RTA and supports Dubai’s ambition to be the smartest city in the world.

Supporting smarter projects and faster responses

One of the standout features of the platform is its ability to monitor and assess traffic during roadworks, diversions, or major events. The RTA teams can now evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in real time and take swift corrective action if necessary.

The system also automates report generation for before-and-after analysis of road projects, making it easier to evaluate their impact and support evidence-based decision-making. By using continuously updated and reliable datasets, the platform ensures that infrastructure planning and traffic strategies are always informed by the latest insights.

As Dubai continues its rapid transformation into a tech-driven global city, innovations like “Data Drive – Clear Guide” signal a smarter, safer, and more efficient future for all road users.

Talabat Holding, the on-demand online ordering and delivery platform in the MENA region, has reported robust pro forma financial results for the three-month and six-month period ended 30 June 2025, supported by double-digit growth across GCC and non-GCC markets.

Gross merchandise value (GMV) rose 32 per cent year-on-year to $2.4bn, or 33 per cent on a constant currency basis. Revenue increased 35 per cent to $982m (36 per cent constant currency), while adjusted EBITDA grew 31 per cent to $166m, representing 6.8 per cent of GMV. Net income climbed 33 per cent to $119 million, or 4.9 per cent of GMV. On a normalised basis, adjusting for non-recurring items, net income grew 25 per cent to $116m.

The performance was driven by strong demand in both the Food and Grocery & Retail (G&R) verticals, with growth reflecting accelerated customer acquisition and increased order frequency. Ramadan’s first-quarter impact, compared with the previous year, also contributed to the results.

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Given the momentum, talabat has revised its 2025 full-year guidance upwards. GMV growth is now forecast at 27–29 per cent on a constant currency basis (previously 17–18 per cent), revenue growth at 29–32 per cent (previously 18–20 per cent), adjusted EBITDA margin at 6.5 per cent (unchanged), net income margin at 5.0 per cent (unchanged), and adjusted free cash flow at 6.0 per cent (unchanged).

Other highlights included strong adoption of talabat pro, its subscription loyalty programme, and a shift in GMV product mix that, despite lower gross profit margins, was offset by improved cost margins. GCC markets accounted for 83 per cent of GMV, with non-GCC markets representing 17 per cent.

Tomaso Rodriguez, chief executive officer of Talabat, said: “We have achieved another strong quarter of financial and operational results, fueled by significant customer acquisition and increased order frequency. Our ongoing commitment to enhancing the consumer value proposition, expanding our Groceries and Retail vertical and fostering deeper customer loyalty is clearly yielding results. We are particularly pleased with the strong uptake of talabat pro, our premium subscription loyalty programme, across all markets, alongside strong growth in demand within our non-GCC markets.

“This growth complements the continued strength of our core GCC markets and the strong performance of our Food vertical. The UAE, our largest market, maintained its robust growth trajectory in line with the overall pace of the Group. Kuwait, our most established market, delivered impressive growth of over 20 per cent for both the quarter and the first half of the year. Likewise, our Food vertical grew more than 20 per cent year-on-year, reinforcing its strong contribution to our overall growth. With this momentum, we are confident in our outlook and are pleased to raise our full-year guidance across all metrics.”

The full set of disclosures can be found within the Investor Relations section on talabat’s website.