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Exelixi AI announces AI Advisory Board

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Exelixi AI is pleased to announce the establishment of its world-class Advisory Board with immediate effect. This AI advisory board unites world-renowned academic and industry leaders to provide strategic counsel our firm towards the development of responsible AI solutions and drive innovation in financial services and other verticals.

Suren Vedantham – Group CEO, Exelixi AI

“Our Advisory Board represents the pinnacle of AI and financial leadership. Their collective knowledge will help shape the future of AI in enterprise, and ensure our technology is aligned with industry best practices, client needs, and evolving regulatory expectations.” said Suren Vedantham – Group CEO for Exelixi AI.

The Advisory Board will play a vital role in guiding Exelixi AI’s strategy as it pioneers in AI innovation across financial services and other key sectors. By drawing on their deep domain expertise, the board will support Exelixi AI in developing cutting-edge AI-driven solutions that unlock’s new revenue opportunities, enhance operational efficiencies, and create transformative business outcomes for clients.

Meet the AI Advisory Board

Dr. Edward Altman

Dr. Edward Altman

Dr. Altman is the Max L. Heine Professor Emeritus of Finance at the Stern School of Business, New York University, and Director of the Credit and Fixed Income Research Program at the NYU Salomon Center. Dr. Altman has an international reputation as an expert on corporate bankruptcy and credit risk analysis. He was named Laureate 1984 by the Hautes Études Commerciales Foundation in Paris for his accumulated works on corporate distress prediction models and awarded the Graham & Dodd Scroll for 1985 by the Financial Analysts Federation for his work on Default Rates and High Yield Corporate Debt. Dr. Altman is the creator of the world-famous Altman Z-Score Model, perhaps the most popular analytic method for determining the probability of default of global corporations.

In 2005, Dr. Altman was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Finance” by Treasury & Risk Management magazine and is frequently quoted in the popular press and on network TV.

Dr. Altman has been an advisor to many financial institutions including Merrill Lynch, Salomon Brothers, Citigroup, RiskMetrics Group, (MSCI, Inc.), Paulson & Co., and Franklin Templeton. Dr. Altman was a Founding Trustee of the Museum of American Finance and was Chairman of the Board of the Interschool’s orchestras of New York, and current advisor to Golub Capital, a prominent private debt lender.

Dr Walter Gontarek – Chair

Dr. Walter Gontarek

Dr. Walter Gontarek serves as chairperson of the AI Advisory Board. Walt is the CEO/Chair of Channel Digital, the parent of a FCA regulated provider of non-dilutive capital to the innovation economy. He also serves as Chair of Wiserfunding, which provides automated data-driven underwriting, portfolio management and regulatory solutions for confident SMElending decisions. He is also on the Board of Apollo-backed Catalina Holdings UK regulated insurer. He is a visiting fellow at Cranfield University and an Honorary Professor for Fintech at the University of Aberdeen. He holds a doctorate from Cranfield University in Finance.

Gary Haase

Gary Haase

Gary brings over two decades of leadership experience in financial services. He was most recently Chief Operations Officer of CNA, a $13B publicly traded U.S. insurer. Prior to that, he spent 13 years at Apollo- backed Catalina Holdings in a range of roles, including Group COO, where he oversaw 30 completed transactions.

A Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society since 2006, Gary brings deep expertise in data and analytics, M&A and integration, and operational transformation. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA from NYU Stern, where he has also taught graduate-level courses in statistics and data analysis. He currently serves on the boardof Bermuda-based Fleming Insurance Companies and advises global insurance and technology firms on strategy, acquisition and execution.

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Thriwe Aina Launches in UAE to Redefine Customer Loyalty

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The UAE has become the launchpad for Thriwe Aina, a next-generation AI concierge designed to transform customer loyalty. Announced in Dubai, this launch marks a major step in Thriwe’s journey as it pivots from a service-driven provider to a technology-first innovator. With Aina, the company aims to deliver loyalty programs that go beyond transactions and create meaningful, intelligent lifestyle experiences.

Why the UAE Was Chosen

The UAE continues to stand out as one of the world’s fastest-growing centers for artificial intelligence. Recent studies predict the country will rank third globally, behind only China and the United States, in AI’s economic contribution. Therefore, it is no surprise that Thriwe selected the UAE as the first market to debut its new concierge. By launching Aina here, Thriwe reinforces the nation’s role as a global hub for innovation and digital transformation.

Dhruv Verma, CEO and Founder of Thriwe, emphasized the importance of the move:
“Exceptional experiences build lasting loyalty. With Thriwe Aina, we’re not just enhancing engagement but redefining how loyalty is delivered in the digital age.”

What Sets Thriwe Aina Apart

Unlike traditional loyalty programs that focus on points or discounts, Thriwe Aina leverages AI to deliver seamless and inclusive concierge services. Moreover, businesses can integrate the platform quickly with their existing systems, minimizing disruption. In addition, it reduces operational costs while creating smarter, data-driven recommendations that anticipate customer needs.

For customers, Aina provides instant assistance, personalized suggestions, and natural multilingual conversations. Consequently, interactions feel effortless, relevant, and human, no matter the market.

The Future of Loyalty is Intelligent

The launch also signals a broader shift across the loyalty landscape. Businesses now need platforms that combine efficiency with personalization. Furthermore, AI enables companies to reduce their reliance on manual systems while increasing the quality of customer engagement.

“Launching first in the UAE reflects our confidence in this market as a global innovation hub,” Verma said. “Thriwe Aina sets a new benchmark for how loyalty can be seamless, intelligent, and inclusive.”

Delivering Measurable Impact

For businesses, Thriwe Aina creates tangible results:

  • -Faster adoption with minimal operational disruption.
  • -Automated query handling that reduces costs.
  • -Data-driven insights that improve customer retention.

For customers, the platform becomes a trusted digital companion:

  • Providing 24/7 personalized support.
  • Anticipating preferences through intelligent recommendations.
  • Enabling inclusive access through multilingual features.

As a result, loyalty becomes less about transactions and more about building long-term relationships.

Looking Toward Global Expansion

The debut of Thriwe Aina in the UAE is just the beginning. Entering the final quarter of 2025, Thriwe plans to expand its AI-driven ecosystem through strategic partnerships, customized offerings, and continued investment in machine learning. Meanwhile, the company is positioning itself as a leader in hyper-personalized loyalty solutions.

The UAE’s environment — one that blends bold digital infrastructure with forward-looking regulation — provides the perfect foundation for this journey. Therefore, Aina’s launch in Dubai represents more than a local milestone. It positions Thriwe as a global innovator, ready to redefine loyalty for the next decade.

Read our previous post, Check Point Wiz Partnership Delivers Unified Cloud Security

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Check Point and Wiz Expand Partnership with Integrated Cloud Security Solution

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Cloud Security Partnership Takes the Next Step

Check Point Software Technologies and Wiz have taken their strategic partnership to the next level with the rollout of a fully integrated cloud security solution. The new platform unites Check Point’s prevention-first cloud network security with Wiz’s Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP). Building on their February 2025 announcement, the two companies are now making the solution globally available. It delivers real-time visibility, AI-powered prevention, and unified protection for enterprises facing today’s complex cloud threats.


Why This Partnership Matters for Enterprises

Paul Barbosa, VP of Cloud Security at Check Point

As enterprise networks grow more distributed, the attack surface expands. Consequently, security teams face rising pressure to protect constantly changing cloud environments. The integration between Check Point and Wiz directly addresses this challenge. By combining visibility, prevention, and risk-aware remediation, the platform helps organizations secure their operations without sacrificing agility.

Paul Barbosa, VP of Cloud Security at Check Point, explained: “This collaboration sets a new benchmark for unified cloud security. Together with Wiz, we are delivering a prevention-first model that secures organizations from code to cloud with real-time visibility.”


Real-Time Visibility and Smarter Prevention

With this integration, customers can view CloudGuard gateway configurations directly inside the Wiz platform. This visibility enables faster risk assessment and more informed action. Moreover, by including third-party firewall policies in Wiz’s analysis, teams can now reduce false positives and respond more effectively.

Oron Noah, VP of Product Extensibility and Partnerships at Wiz, noted: “We are helping teams understand their exposure and take action faster. This level of insight accelerates secure decision-making across the enterprise.”


Key Benefits of the Integrated Solution

The joint Check Point–Wiz offering provides several advantages for customers:

  • Shift to prevention-first security – threats are blocked before they cause damage.
  • Enhanced visibility and faster response – teams save both time and resources.
  • AI-powered defense against zero-day attacks – protecting against the unknown.
  • Reduced configuration risks – issues at the gateway level are identified and resolved quickly.

Furthermore, Wiz now integrates with Check Point Infinity Threat Exposure Management (CTEM). This allows companies to automate remediation flows, turning Wiz alerts into actions at the CloudGuard gateway. As a result, exposure times are reduced from hours to minutes.


Independent Validation and Market Impact

Check Point continues to demonstrate strong performance across network and cloud environments. In testing by CyberRatings.org, Check Point achieved a perfect 100% block rate with zero false positives. Meanwhile, Miercom’s 2025 benchmark report confirmed the Infinity Platform reached a 99.9% block rate against Zero+1-day malware and 99.7% prevention against phishing attacks.


A Global Solution for a Changing Threat Landscape

The new integrated cloud security solution is available worldwide as of today. By combining prevention-first network protection with CNAPP capabilities, Check Point and Wiz are offering enterprises a smarter way to defend their data, reduce risk, and stay ahead of attackers.

Check out our previous on Shure’s Middle East Growth Strategy and Audio Innovation

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BenQ home cinema projectors redefine cinematic experiences

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BenQ has introduced its latest home cinema projectors — the W5850, W4100i, and W2720i — designed to elevate home entertainment with AI Cinema technology and Solid-State Illumination (SSI). The new series delivers 4K visuals, lifelike colour accuracy, and flexible performance, making premium cinema more accessible than ever.

Innovation in BenQ home cinema projectors

“With projection technology evolving rapidly, consumers demand immersive, adaptable large-screen experiences that align with modern lifestyles, said Manish Bakshi, Managing Director of BenQ Middle East. BenQ home cinema projectors combine AI-driven image optimisation with factory-calibrated colour accuracy. This ensures Hollywood-grade visuals exactly as the directors intended.

CinematicColor™ technology guarantees 100% Rec. 709, 100% DCI-P3, and Delta E<3 accuracy. High-end models such as the W5850 achieve Delta E<2 for stunning precision. Proprietary HDR-PRO™ technology enhances contrast through multi-stage processing, supporting HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG formats for crisp detail across bright and dark scenes.

AI Cinema mode transforms streaming

The rise of streaming has shifted viewing habits, and BenQ responded with AI Cinema Mode. This feature analyses images in real time, adjusting HDR, sharpness, and saturation dynamically. As a result, compressed streaming content becomes sharper and more vibrant. Furthermore, built-in noise reduction smooths playback, allowing BenQ home cinema projectors to deliver a true cinematic feel even from online platforms.

W5850: theatre-grade projection

The W5850 is built for dedicated darkroom setups, offering 200-inch screens and professional-grade visuals. It features digital four-way lens shift, 1.6x motorised zoom, and a powerful 2600-lumen blue laser. With colour accuracy calibrated to Delta E<2, it represents the peak of BenQ’s home cinema innovation.

W4100i: versatile home AV performance

Designed for flexibility, the W4100i enhances real-time streaming content with AI Cinema calibration. Its 3200-lumen LED delivers rich HDR visuals, while built-in Android TV simplifies access to content. Additionally, its adaptable installation makes this model one of the most versatile BenQ home cinema projectors.

W2720i: cinema in the living room

The W2720i makes professional projection more accessible, incorporating ambient light adaptation to maintain consistent quality in any environment. It adjusts automatically to lighting changes, ensuring that both film buffs and casual viewers enjoy seamless cinematic experiences.

Connectivity and versatility

All three models offer HDMI 2.1, SPDIF, and eARC support for Dolby Atmos and 7.1 surround sound. Low-latency Fast Mode provides a 17.9ms response time, making it ideal for sports and gaming. Consequently, BenQ home cinema projectors cater to a wide spectrum of users, from movie enthusiasts to gamers.

Available in the UAE

BenQ’s latest home cinema range is available through Vital Technologies, the brand’s trusted UAE partner. With SSI technology, AI-driven features, and global certifications, BenQ once again sets the standard for home cinema projection.

Read our previous post, Cyber economics and the risk to critical infrastructure

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