Fortes Education, a global leader in delivering world-class, holistic education, has announced the appointment of Dr. Sreejit Chakrabarty as the Group Head, Technology, AI & Innovation, further strengthening its vision to integrate cutting-edge digital technologies into education and investments.

This appointment comes at a time when the UAE is accelerating its national agenda around AI adoption, digital learning, and future-ready skills development. With schools across the country being encouraged to embed technology into learning, Fortes Education aims to lead the way in shaping a progressive academic ecosystem that equips students with the tools of tomorrow.

Dr. Chakrabarty, a globally recognised voice in EdTech and emerging technologies, brings an exceptional academic and professional background. Holding a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, an MBA in Systems, and a Bachelor’s in Electronics Engineering, he has spearheaded transformative initiatives across K-12 education and beyond. His pioneering contributions include setting up laboratories on AI, robotics, extended reality, smart farming, and autonomous systems in schools, as well as leading one of the world’s first K-12 blockchain-based pilots for issuing digital passports and micro-credentials.

Speaking about his appointment, Dr. Sreejit Chakrabarty said, “I am deeply honoured to take on this role at Fortes Education. The UAE has demonstrated bold leadership in placing AI and digital learning at the core of its future vision, and I look forward to advancing this mission within Fortes Education. My focus will be on creating impactful innovations that will prepare students for the future and bridge the gap between technology and real-world problem-solving.”

His thought leadership has been showcased on CNN International, and he has been honoured with titles such as CIO of the Year and Education Influencer of the Year. As a sought-after keynote speaker, Dr. Chakrabarty has addressed global audiences at FORBES 30 Under 30, GITEX, GESS, BETT, and the World AI Show, cementing his reputation as a trailblazer at the intersection of innovation and education.

Commenting on the key appointment of the year, Dr. Neil Hopkin, Director of Education, Fortes Education said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Chakrabarty to the Fortes family. His global expertise, pioneering initiatives, and forward-looking mindset align seamlessly with our mission to nurture learners who are future-ready. With his leadership, we are confident of advancing our technology and AI-driven education strategies, empowering students and teachers alike to thrive in the digital age.”

With this appointment, Fortes Education reaffirms its commitment to being at the forefront of educational innovation, echoing the UAE’s national drive to champion AI, robotics, and digital transformation across sectors.

IBM and nybl have announced a major collaboration to deliver AI-powered industrial solutions across energy, utilities, and critical infrastructure. Revealed in Dubai, the partnership integrates IBM’s WatsonX platform and Maximo suite with nybl’s proprietary AI expertise, marking a new milestone for the adoption of enterprise-grade artificial intelligence.

A New Approach to Industrial AI

At the heart of the collaboration lies Nybl’s n.vision platform, now combined with IBM’s WatsonX AI and governance capabilities. Together with IBM Maximo, the platform equips enterprises with secure and intelligent asset management. As a result, companies can reduce costs, increase reliability, and improve safety outcomes while maintaining compliance with international standards.

IBM’s Watsonx.Governance provides transparency, lifecycle management, and regulatory alignment, ensuring that AI adoption remains both responsible and effective. Meanwhile, Nybl brings deep sector knowledge, making the solutions highly adaptable to the complex needs of industries such as energy, water, and utilities.

Visual Intelligence in Action

A key component of the new solution is IBM Maximo Visual Inspection (MVI). When combined with Nybl’s n.vision, the platform analyzes large volumes of imagery from drones and cameras. Consequently, organizations can detect faults earlier, predict equipment failures, and recommend prescriptive actions that minimize downtime.

By automating quality checks and defect detection, the approach not only enhances safety but also streamlines workflows. Furthermore, it ensures that industries can uphold high operational standards without overburdening their teams.

Empowering Smarter Decisions

The collaboration also introduces two powerful modules within the NYBL ecosystem. Director powers real-time analytics and decision-making, while Stage provides intuitive visualizations for rapid response. Together, these tools enable leaders to make smarter operational choices and drive efficiency at scale.

According to IBM, this partnership reflects its vision for the future of enterprise AI. “At IBM, we believe the future of industry is AI-powered,” said Zaidoun Arbad, VP – Ecosystem, IBM Middle East and Africa. “By combining Nybl’s domain-specific innovation with IBM’s enterprise capabilities, we are enabling clients to transform operations and make smarter decisions in real time.”

Building AI with Purpose

For NYBL, the collaboration amplifies its mission to build AI grounded in science and ethics. Noor Alnahhas, Founder and CEO of NYBL, explained: “Our mission is to solve critical challenges across energy, agriculture, healthcare, and beyond. This partnership with IBM significantly scales our ability to deliver measurable impact while exporting innovation from the Middle East to the world.”

By focusing on purposeful AI, the partnership ensures that industrial innovation is not just efficient but also sustainable. Moreover, it highlights the importance of ethical AI development, with Alnahhas serving as a member of Dubai’s AI and Ethics Advisory Board.

Strengthening Global Technology Leadership

The agreement also allows IBM to integrate nybl’s innovations into its global portfolio, while supporting nybl’s ambition to position Middle Eastern technology on the world stage. Consequently, this collaboration strengthens the region’s influence in shaping the future of industrial AI.

Together, the two companies are creating an ecosystem where advanced, purpose-built AI drives real-world improvements. Whether preventing equipment failure, optimizing workflows, or enhancing safety, the combined capabilities of IBM Nybl AI solutions deliver measurable business value.

Looking Ahead

As industries worldwide face rising demand, increasing complexity, and tighter sustainability targets, AI-driven solutions are becoming indispensable. With this collaboration, IBM and NYBL demonstrate how trusted platforms like watsonx and Maximo can be combined with local innovation to create powerful, globally scalable solutions.

The launch in Dubai also reflects a growing trend: Middle Eastern companies are no longer just adopters of global technologies but exporters of innovation that impacts industries worldwide. With IBM Nybl AI solutions, the future of industrial operations looks not only smarter but also more resilient and ethical.

Check out our previous post on Thriwe Aina Launches in UAE to Redefine Customer Loyalty

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.

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