Drawing on feedback from patients across the globe, Starkey highlighted that accelerating AI adoption in hearing health is already transforming daily life for people with hearing challenges, improving how they hear, connect and participate with greater confidence. Starkey addressed UAE’s leading audiologists, clinic owners and industry stakeholders from across the Middle East and Africa, led by Dr. Achin Bhowmik, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Engineering.

The session focused on Starkey’s blueprint for AI-led hearing performance for patients in UAE and wider Middle East region, anchored by Omega AI, and detailed how the platform is advancing real-world speech clarity in challenging noisy environments, listening comfort and spatial awareness today, while setting the architecture for next-generation sound processing.

“At Starkey, sound quality is always, and will remain, job number one. Hearing is essential for how people connect, work, and participate in everyday life. When people delay action, outcomes suffer and quality of life and cognitive ability can decline unnecessarily,” said Dr. Achin Bhowmik, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Engineering, Starkey. “Omega AI is built to bring people closer to natural hearing in real environments, using an industry-first 360-degree deep neural network processing and generative AI designed to dynamically adapt as listening conditions change and assist the patient in all environments. Hearing aids are high tech multifunction devices.   The next step is accelerating adoption, so these capabilities reach more patients in the UAE who can benefit from them.”

During the session, Starkey highlighted how Omega AI advances the shift from conventional amplification toward intelligent hearing systems designed for clarity, comfort and usability. Omega AI includes new connectivity features including Auracast assistant and Google Fast Pair, fall detection and a special AI assistant.  Starkey is setting the new standards for the industry.

The briefing took place against a backdrop of hearing loss emerging as a major global health and societal challenge. The World Health Organization projects that by 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people will have some degree of hearing loss, with more than 700 million expected to require hearing rehabilitation. The WHO also estimates the annual global cost of unaddressed hearing loss at almost US$ 1 trillion, reinforcing why prevention, early checks, and access to care matter.

The roadmap also emphasized connectivity and ecosystem design, including features intended to reduce friction for wearers, support faster fitting and follow-up, and enable a smoother clinical experience for hearing care professionals.

“Audiologists and clinic leaders in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey can rest assured that the new OMEGA AI platform will give them confidence and speed in treating their patients,” said Giscard Bechara, Director, Starkey MEA. “This briefing was designed to align the professionals on a larger point – hearing care is the need of the hour. Starkey has the technology today to service our patients better than any time before and we will waste no effort to educate and bring it here to our patients in the UAE and the Middle East.”

Starkey Middle East and Africa will continue engaging hearing care professionals and partners through professional education, technology briefings and clinical enablement initiatives, supporting evidence-based hearing care practices and helping translate the latest hearing innovation into improved patient outcomes.

The Nemetschek Group, one of the world’s leading software providers for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AEC/O) industry, announced a strategic partnership with Ingram Micro, a business-to-business (B2B) platform company for the global technology ecosystem, to jointly explore new business opportunities and accelerate digital transformation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The strategic partnership brings together Nemetschek’s cutting-edge software portfolio with Ingram Micro’s extensive regional reach, ecosystem enablement capabilities and deep market expertise. As part of the collaboration, both companies will work closely on joint market development initiatives, including coordinated marketing campaigns, industry events and customer engagement activities aimed at increasing awareness and adoption of Nemetschek’s solutions across the region. The collaboration also outlines a strong focus on sales enablement and training, equipping Ingram Micro’s teams with the technical, product and commercial expertise required to effectively promote, demonstrate and support Nemetschek technologies.

In addition, the partnership will support customers throughout their digital transformation journey through pre-sales collaboration, post-sales support and long-term account growth strategies. It is designed as a progressive onboarding framework, with Ingram Micro expected to be gradually onboarded across Nemetschek’s portfolio on a brand-by-brand basis as the partnership evolves.

Yves Padrines, Chief Executive Officer of the Nemetschek Group, noted that partnerships are a cornerstone of Nemetschek’s strategy to scale innovation and drive digital transformation globally. “The Middle East and North Africa region offers immense opportunity, defined by ambitious infrastructure programs and a clear commitment to digitalization. By collaborating with Ingram Micro, we are strengthening our ability to deliver open, connected and future-ready solutions that empower our customers to design, build and operate more efficiently and sustainably.”

Commenting on the partnership, Muayad Simbawa, Managing Director of Nemetschek Arabia, said: “This collaboration represents a strategic step forward in our mission to enable meaningful digital transformation across the built environment in the Middle East and North Africa. Ingram Micro’s strong regional footprint, ecosystem-driven approach and proven ability to scale technology adoption make them an ideal partner as we continue to empower architects, engineers and construction professionals with innovative, open and interoperable solutions. Together, we are laying the foundation for a more connected, efficient and sustainable future for the industry.”

Shaikh Mohammed Ahmed, Managing Director, Ingram Micro KSA, added: “At Ingram Micro, we see digital transformation as a collaborative journey built on strong partnerships and shared expertise. Our collaboration with Nemetschek reinforces our commitment to enabling our customers and partners with world-class technologies that address the evolving needs of the AEC sector. By combining Nemetschek’s industry-leading solutions with our regional capabilities and enablement services, we aim to unlock new growth opportunities and deliver tangible value across the MENA region.”

Ingram Micro is a leading global technology distributor and services provider, playing a critical role in the IT ecosystem by connecting technology manufacturers with solution providers and end customers. Through its extensive portfolio, digital platforms and value-added services, Ingram Micro enables businesses to scale, innovate and transform in an increasingly digital world.

The partnership underscores both companies’ shared vision of driving innovation, accelerating technology adoption and supporting regional ambitions for smarter infrastructure, sustainable development and digitally enabled economies.

Embryology 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence Lead Conference Discussions

The First Saudi Conference on Gynecology and Fertility (GFS) concluded its proceedings in Jeddah under the patronage of His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi Al Saud, Governor of Jeddah. The conference brought together more than 40 experts and speakers from a distinguished group of local and international specialists, marking a new milestone in the transformation of specialized healthcare in the Kingdom. This scientific event gathered leading global medical experts under an academic platform organized by Dr. Ayman Oraif, Consultant and Director of the IVF Center and Reproductive Surgery at King’s College Hospital London – Jeddah.

A Scientific Platform for Women’s Health

Held from January 29 to 31, 2026, the conference reaffirmed the Kingdom’s leading role in keeping pace with the latest global medical advancements and supporting women’s and family health, in alignment with the objectives of the healthcare transformation program and Saudi Vision 2030. The scientific program featured specialized sessions and hands-on workshops addressing the future of fertility treatment, surgical precision, innovation in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, and the evolution of women’s healthcare across different stages of life.

Participants reviewed the latest surgical innovations in gynecologic oncology, endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures, and reproductive surgery, within the context of the growing trend toward integrating advanced medical technologies to enhance quality of care and treatment outcomes.

Embryology 4.0… An Artificial Intelligence Revolution

Discussions highlighted the concept of Embryology 4.0, which integrates medical expertise with advanced digital technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence in embryo selection and assessment, in vitro maturation (IVM) techniques, embryonic mosaicism, as well as the development of accreditation standards for fertility laboratories and the enhancement of outcome quality.

Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building

In turn, Dr. Ayman Oraif, Consultant and Director of the IVF Center and Reproductive Surgery at the hospital, affirmed that the conference delivered highly specialized scientific content reflecting the rapid advancements in infertility treatment and assisted reproductive technologies. He noted that the Kingdom has become well positioned to adopt these technologies and innovate new solutions to improve fertility outcomes.

Stem Cells, A New Hope for Fertility

Within the scope of the discussions, Dr. Oraif pointed out that the use of stem cells in the treatment of infertility and premature ovarian insufficiency represents a promising scientific horizon in the field of regenerative medicine. He referred to the study he presented on premature ovarian insufficiency, noting that this condition affects approximately 1% of women before the age of forty and may benefit from treatment using mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow or menstrual blood. Preliminary studies have demonstrated these cells’ potential to improve ovarian function and enhance fertility indicators in patients.

According to the study, clinical trials showed encouraging results, including the resumption of menstruation, improved hormone levels, and increased pregnancy rates, without significant reported complications. The discussions also highlighted complementary protocols, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which has demonstrated improvements in oocyte quality and pregnancy rates reaching approximately 20% in some studies.

A Forward-Looking Vision for Saudi Medicine

As the first conference of its kind to be held in the Kingdom, this event represents a qualitative addition to the path of specialized medical education and the support of research and development programs, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional hub for medical innovation. It also reflects the success of King’s College Hospital London – Jeddah in attracting leading global scientists and providing a platform for specialized scientific dialogue in women’s health and fertility research.

The conference is expected to contribute to establishing frameworks for research collaboration between Saudi and international institutions, while exploring the future of regenerative medicine and artificial intelligence in the treatment of gynecologic diseases and infertility. With the emergence of promising results in stem cell research, hopes are rising that the coming decade will deliver practical solutions for a wide range of fertility disorders, supported by institutional backing and a national vision that aims to place the Kingdom at the forefront of the global medical landscape.