Author: Emirates Insight
AI companies are clustering around healthcare and fast. In just the past week, OpenAI bought health startup Torch, Anthropic launched Claude for healthcare, and Sam Altman-backed MergeLabs closed a $250 million seed round at an $850 million valuation. The money and products are pouring into health and voice AI, but so are concerns about hallucination risks, inaccurate medical information, and massive security vulnerabilities in systems handling sensitive patient data. Watch as Equity podcast hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Sean O’Kane dig into why the AI world is suddenly obsessed with health care, what other products can expect an AI-makeover, and more. Subscribe to Equity on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also…
Elon Musk is seeking up to US$134 billion from OpenAI and Microsoft, arguing he deserves the “wrongful gains” that they received from his early support of the artificial-intelligence startup. According to a federal court filing on Friday, Musk said OpenAI gained between US$65.5 billion and US$109.4 billion from the billionaire entrepreneur’s contributions when he was co-founding OpenAI from 2015, while Microsoft gained between US$13.3 billion and US$25.1 billion. OpenAI, Microsoft and Musk’s lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comments outside business hours. OpenAI has called the lawsuit “baseless” and part of a “harassment” campaign by Musk. A Microsoft lawyer has said there…
Dubai is famous for its malls and shopping festivals, but the future of retail lies in smart technology and immersive experiences. The city’s leadership recognizes that shopping must evolve to meet the expectations of digital‑savvy consumers, and it has invested in projects that combine innovation, personalization, and entertainment. Smart retail begins with personalization. AI platforms analyze customer preferences, recommending products and tailoring promotions. Mobile apps provide real‑time updates on sales, while augmented reality allows shoppers to visualize products before purchase. Virtual fitting rooms and AI‑driven stylists ensure that shopping is both convenient and engaging. Experiential shopping is another cornerstone. Malls…
Mashreq, a leading financial institution in the Middle East, has officially launched digital home loan pre-approval, a groundbreaking innovation poised to redefine the mortgage landscape in the region. The new service currently enables expatriate residents in the UAE meeting eligibility requirements to obtain a quick, reliable assessment of their home loan eligibility based on verified data. Mashreq’s new fully digital, browser-based home loan pre-approval – accessible via the Home Loans page of the Mashreq website – allows mortgage-eligible salaried customers with a minimum income of AED15,000 to determine their borrowing capacity with confidence before committing to a property purchase. Byvalidating…
PI seems stuck. What can get it out of its winter hibernation? The cryptocurrency markets experienced a wild start to the new year, with BTC surging by almost ten grand to a two-month peak of $98,000 before it was stopped. Many altcoins posted even more impressive gains mid-week but have failed to double down. Pi Network’s native token, though, cannot say the same. It has been stuck in consolidation for several weeks, without any clear indication whether it will be able to break out of the $0.20 and $0.22 range. As such, we decided to ask ChatGPT what is…
The UAE capital has launched the Abu Dhabi Quality Policy, part of the Government’s vision to strengthen the emirate’s position among the world’s leading cities in terms of quality of life, innovation, and economic competitiveness. The policy, formulated by the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC), also aims to empower the industrial and technology sectors to access global markets with efficiency and reliability. The launch of the Abu Dhabi Quality Policy provides an integrated framework to coordinate roles across regulatory and supervisory authorities, ensuring the alignment of efforts to improve performance efficiency, support innovation, and increase the contribution of the…
Database provider ClickHouse secured $400 million at a $15 billion valuation, Bloomberg reported, representing about a 2.5x increase from its $6.35 billion valuation last May. The round was led by Dragoneer Investment Group, the startup said, with participation from investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, GIC, Index Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Lightspeed Venture Partners. ClickHouse, which spun out from Russian search giant Yandex in 2021, develops database software designed to process the massive datasets required by AI agents. The company competes with Snowflake and Databricks. The company also announced the acquisition of Langfuse, a startup that helps developers track and evaluate…
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced the return of Sikka Art & Design Festival for its 14th edition, held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture. The festival will take place from 23 January to 1 February 2026 at Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood, with more than 450 creatives and artists participating from the UAE, the region, and around the world. Under the theme ‘Imagining Dubai: Identities of the Future,’ Sikka brings together a wide range of art forms, celebrating established and emerging creatives from the UAE…
When it comes to digital projects, many brands still view the process merely as writing code, launching a website, or developing an application. However, true digital success represents much more than technical outputs alone. Code is only the visible part of the journey; what truly makes the difference is the thinking, strategy, and vision behind that code. This is exactly where Cyber Gear’s core approachwhat separates it from ordinary digital agenciesbegins: thinking before coding and handling the project as a strategic whole from start to finish. In this article, let’s take a closer look at how Cyber Gear thinks in…
Dubai’s rise as one of the world’s most influential gastronomic capital will be on full display at Dubai World Cuisine, the flagship culinary platform hosted within Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 26 – 30 January 2026 byGulfood. Uniting over 70 chefs shaping Dubai’s culinary identity, from more than 30 nationalities, the programme will see these iconic figures take to the stage to demonstrate their signature dishes live, engage directly with industry audiences and open new commercial conversations. Marking Dubai’s evolution from a world-class dining capital to global flavour influencer, Dubai World Cuisine by Gulfood 2026 unites Michelin-starred chefs and…