Exclusive interview with Dhruv Verma, Founder & CEO Thriwe.

In today’s crowded loyalty and rewards ecosystem, how does Thriwe set itself apart and continue to stay ahead of the curve?

At Thriwe, we redefine loyalty by moving beyond traditional, transactional models to deliver experiences that truly matter. Our platform blends data intelligence, technology, and lifestyle insights to curate hyper-personalised rewards that resonate with today’s experience-driven consumers. From global travel assistance services like meet & greet, airport transfers, wellness, spa, luxury & premium experiences, fine dining and retail offers, every benefit is designed to add real value and relevance to our users’ lives. This experience-first approach helps brands foster authentic, lasting connections with their customers — making loyalty feel effortless, engaging, and genuinely rewarding.

With the recent launch of Thriwe Aina, how is the brand strengthening its technology-driven offerings and reshaping customer experiences?

Thriwe Aina represents the next step in our tech evolution an AI concierge that transforms customer interactions into seamless, personalised experiences. It integrates easily with existing systems, automates engagement, and provides real time, data-driven insights, empowering businesses to deliver smarter, more intuitive loyalty journeys.

Why were the UAE chosen as the launchpad for Thriwe Aina, and how does this move align with the region’s vision for innovation and technology-led solutions?

The UAE stands at the forefront of AI adoption and digital transformation. Its progressive vision for innovation makes it the ideal market to launch Thriwe Aina. By debuting here, we align with the nation’s mission to drive intelligent, tech-led solutions that enhance both business efficiency and customer experience. Post UAE we’re excited to expand our presence in KSA & Asia Pacific region as well.

You’ve spoken about the future of loyalty being “intelligent, seamless, and inclusive.” Can you elaborate on what that means for both businesses and consumers?

For businesses, Thriwe Aina delivers measurable impact by transforming routine customer interactions into meaningful, loyalty-building experiences. The platform integrates seamlessly with or replaces existing systems for faster adoption, automates query handling to reduce operational effort and costs, and provides smarter, data-driven recommendations by learning from customer history.

For customers, Thriwe Aina acts as a trusted companion, offering instant, round-the-clock assistance for managing benefits, anticipating preferences with personalized suggestions, and enabling natural, multilingual conversations to ensure inclusivity across regions.

As Thriwe expands its loyalty programs globally, what are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities you see in adapting solutions across diverse markets?

Every market has unique customer behaviours and expectations. The challenge lies in adapting while maintaining consistency. The opportunity, however, is immense, leveraging AI and data analytics to localise offerings, personalise engagement, and set new global standards in loyalty and customer experience.

Exclusive Interview with Mohammed Retmi, Vice President: Sovereign Public Cloud, Core42

How has GITEX been for Core42 this year? And, what are you showcasing at the event?

GITEX has been an incredible experience so far. The energy across the halls has been amazing, and the level of engagement with our customers, partners, and industry peers has been very strong. It is always a great platform for collaboration, and this year we can clearly feel how much interest there is in the work we are doing at Core42 and within the broader G42 ecosystem. We are taking centre stage within the G42 District in AI Hall 6, where we are highlighting our role as the digital infrastructure arm of the G42 ecosystem. G42’s Intelligence Grid vision is redefining how nations can build AI-native societies by connecting infrastructure, intelligence, and innovation within one cohesive framework. Together with our sister companies, we are bringing this vision to life and showing how it translates into tangible outcomes that strengthen the UAE’s AI leadership and set new benchmarks for secure, globally competitive digital infrastructure.

A major highlight of our showcase is the Core42 AI Cloud, a high-performance, scalable, and sovereign platform that brings every leading accelerator together under one roof. It provides a unified environment for all training, fine-tuning, and inference needs. We have recently introduced self-service capabilities within the AI Cloud that allow users to access NVIDIA accelerated compute resources within minutes, offering new levels of flexibility, speed, and accessibility for large-scale AI development.

We are also showcasing our Sovereign Public Cloud, which delivers full compliance and control for regulated sectors, our Signature Private Cloud, which is currently in Customer Preview, and our Compass generative AI platform. Our Signature Private Cloud now supports more than fifty public and private entities across the UAE, which is a major milestone for us. We are proud to be the first mover in this space and happy to be celebrating that achievement at GITEX, where we can show the real impact it is creating for our customers and for the wider ecosystem.

From your perspective, how is the digital landscape evolving, and what trends are you seeing take shape?

The digital landscape is evolving at an incredible pace, and much of that acceleration is being driven by AI. It is transforming how organizations operate, how they serve customers, and how they manage data. At Core42, we see our role as helping governments and enterprises adopt these technologies safely, responsibly, and at scale through infrastructure that is sovereign by design.

I oversee the Sovereign Public Cloud offering at Core42, which is built on Microsoft Azure and governed by Core42 Insight, our compliance and governance platform. This combination provides the scalability and flexibility of a hyperscale cloud while ensuring that all data execution, residency, and control remain fully sovereign. Customers can benefit from the performance and innovation of a global platform while operating within a framework that meets national data protection standards and regulatory requirements. It allows public and regulated entities to modernize with confidence, knowing that compliance and trust are built in from the start.

How does Core42 ensure responsible and ethical use of AI within sovereign environments?

Sovereignty is at the core of everything we do at Core42. Our mission is to give customers complete control over their data, their operations, and their technology environments. Data sovereignty means that all information stays within national borders and cannot be accessed by any external entity or foreign jurisdiction.

We also enable operational and technological sovereignty, which means our customers can run and scale their systems independently, securely, and in full alignment with local regulations. These principles are embedded across our Private Cloud and AI Cloud portfolios, where compliance and governance are built into the architecture from day one.

Responsible AI is an essential part of this approach. Through our platforms, we enable organizations to use AI within a clear, regulated, and ethical framework that aligns with national policies and international best practices. Our goal is to make sure AI adoption creates value while maintaining transparency, fairness, and trust at every level.

How is the Sovereign Public Cloud transforming the experience for your customers?

What we see is a real shift in how customers think about cloud adoption. In the past, many organizations were cautious because of data residency and compliance concerns. With the Sovereign Public Cloud, those barriers are being removed. Our customers can now benefit from all the flexibility, scalability, and performance of a global cloud environment while maintaining complete control of their data within UAE borders.

This has opened up new opportunities for innovation. Government entities, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and other regulated sectors are now able to modernize their operations with confidence, knowing that sovereignty, security, and compliance are built in from the start.

Looking ahead, how do you see cloud innovation evolving in the region?

The Middle East is moving fast toward a cloud-first, AI-native future. The focus is to adopt technology and build sovereign ecosystems that reflect local values, laws, and priorities. At Core42, our goal is to continue expanding the capabilities of the Sovereign Public Cloud, integrating more AI services, and enhancing data and workload portability across hybrid environments. We believe the future belongs to organizations that can combine global innovation with local trust, and that is exactly what we are helping our customers achieve.

The famed Tokyo ramen atelier Konjiki Hototogisu, led by Chef Yamamoto, is excited to introduce two brand-new signature ramen in Dubai, Duck Shoyu Ramen and Chicken Edamame Wonton Ramen. These additions mark a new chapter in the brand’s journey of blending Japanese craftsmanship with Dubai’s evolving dining scene.

Handpicked by Chef Yamamoto-san following strong guest demand, the two new ramen dishes continue the brand’s commitment to authentic, artfully balanced flavours.

The Duck Shoyu Ramen presents a deeply layered broth made with duck and Japanese dashi, complemented by mushroom fig sauce and truffle pistachio sauce, and finished with tender duck chashu. It showcases the chef’s meticulous attention to flavour and texture, offering a bowl that feels indulgent yet refined. In contrast, the Chicken Edamame Wonton Ramen brings a gentler harmony of flavours, combining a cloudy chicken and scallop broth with basil paste, edamame and rolled chicken chashu. Light yet satisfying, it offers a comforting warmth that highlights Konjiki’s ability to create depth even in simplicity.

Chef Yamamoto-san recently visited Dubai to mark the official opening of the new Palm Jumeirah Mall branch, located on Level 1, a milestone moment for the Michelin-recognised ramen house as it continues to expand Tokyo’s celebrated ramen culture across the UAE. The new restaurant builds on the success of Konjiki Hototogisu’s Mall of the Emirates branch, which has earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand in both 2024 and 2025.

The Palm Jumeirah Mall location reflects Konjiki’s dedication to precision and authenticity, translated into a welcoming setting that mirrors the artistry of every bowl. Guests can expect a dining experience rooted in Japanese culinary philosophy while embracing Dubai’s growing appetite for quality and creativity in gastronomy.