Tech News
62% OF SAUDI LEADERS ARE FAILING TO USE THEIR DATA EFFECTIVELY, NEW CLOUDERA REPORT FINDS

Cloudera, the only company bringing AI to data anywhere, today released its latest global survey, The Data Readiness Index: Understanding the Foundations for Successful AI, examining how prepared enterprises are to support AI at scale. Surveying more than 300 IT leaders in the EMEA region, including strong insights from Saudi Arabia, the report finds that while AI adoption is growing, most organizations still lack the data foundation needed for success.
The findings highlight a sharp contrast in how effectively organizations track their data. Nearly 9 in 10 EMEA IT leaders claim complete visibility into where all their data resides, compared to just 32% of respondents in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, 62% of Saudi respondents cite data access restrictions as a major roadblock to effective data use.
This gap highlights an emerging ‘AI readiness illusion’: the belief that organizations are prepared to scale AI even as critical data challenges remain unresolved.
“Enterprises aren’t struggling to adopt AI, they’re struggling to operationalize it beyond experiments,” said Sergio Gago, Chief Technology Officer at Cloudera. “AI is only as effective as the data that fuels it. Without seamless access to all their data, organizations limit the accuracy, trust, and business value that AI can deliver. You can’t do AI without data.”
AI Adoption is High, but ROI Remains Elusive
While AI is now deeply embedded across the enterprise, achieving consistent returns on investment remains difficult due to a sharp geographical divide in implementation hurdles. Across EMEA, the struggle is largely centered on the inputs, with data quality issues (18%) and cost overruns (16%) cited as the primary causes of lackluster ROI. However, Saudi Arabia presents a different challenge focused on execution. In the Kingdom, weak integration into workflows is the overwhelming barrier at 29%, nearly doubling the concern over data quality, which sits at 15%.
These regional nuances are further tangled by significant infrastructure limitations. Around 65% of respondents in KSA report that performance constraints have hindered operational initiatives, highlighting the immense difficulty of scaling AI across fragmented environments.
Bridging The Data Gap
At the core of these challenges is a significant disconnect between data optimism and operational reality.
The report highlights that 95% of KSA respondents are highly confident in their data, but only 32% of that data is currently fully governed. While this outpaces the broader EMEA region, where only 26% of data is governed despite 91% confidence, it highlights a critical execution gap that organizations are now racing to fill.
The Kingdom is uniquely positioned to bridge this divide with 100% of Saudi respondents ready to adopt new governance frameworks, and 79% being extremely willing to transform their operations. This regional commitment suggests that Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach will likely outpace its peers in the race toward AI and digital maturity.
Strategic Alignment and the Accountability Gap
While leadership in both the EMEA and KSA regions understands the necessity of data infrastructure, the execution and accountability frameworks are worlds apart. More than 90% of EMEA respondents report a well-defined data strategy tied directly to business objectives, while only over half (53%) of Saudi Arabian respondents feel the same level of alignment.
Accountability and internal culture further widen this divide. In EMEA, 69% of leaders hold the CIO or CTO chiefly responsible for data readiness, whereas in Saudi Arabia, only 35% place ultimate responsibility on this role, indicating a more emerging ownership structure.
Beyond accountability and alignment, respondents in Saudi Arabia face a unique internal hurdle: 50% struggle with insufficient data literacy, while nearly a third (32%) cite a lack of executive sponsorship.
Data Readiness Will Define the Next Phase of Enterprise AI
As enterprise AI shifts from experimentation to execution, data readiness is emerging as the defining factor separating leaders from laggards.
Organizations able to fully access and govern all their data, wherever it resides, are far better equipped to deliver trusted, scalable AI. Notably, every respondent in the report indicated their organization is willing to adapt existing frameworks to support true data readiness.
As enterprises confront the limits of the AI readiness illusion, the path forward is clear: unlocking AI’s full value will require more than ambition; it will demand genuine data readiness. Those that close this gap will be best positioned to drive lasting impact and lead the next era of intelligent business.
Tech News
The Limited-Edition ROG XBOX Ally X20 Bundle Is Now Available in the UAE
ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced that the limited-edition ROG XBOX Ally X20 Bundle is now available in the UAE for AED 10,999 through the ASUS UAE eShop and participating retailers. Celebrating two decades of ROG, the collection brings together an upgraded gaming handheld, a wearable virtual display and coordinated protective accessories in a complete setup designed to move from home to wherever players choose to game.
A new chapter for an anniversary handheld
The ROG XBOX Ally X20 combines a translucent black chassis with gold-accented internal details and an exclusive 20th anniversary badge. The design offers a glimpse inside the device while giving the collection a distinctive identity for ROG enthusiasts and collectors.
A 7.4-inch ROG Nebula HDR OLED display delivers rich contrast, a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,400 nits of peak HDR brightness. Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, with 24GB of memory and 1TB of storage, the handheld brings PC gaming into a portable format. TMR joysticks designed to resist drift, a transforming D-pad and refined face buttons provide greater flexibility and control across different game styles.
A big screen experience that travels with you
The included ROG XREAL R1 Edition 20 Gaming AR Glasses connect directly to the handheld through a single USB-C cable, creating a virtual screen of up to 171 inches viewed from four metres away. Micro-OLED displays and sound by Bose bring games closer, whether players are relaxing at home or travelling. The glasses support a 240Hz refresh rate with Frame Rate Boost enabled, while Follow Mode and Anchor Mode allow the virtual screen to move with the player’s head or remain fixed in place.
Matching black-and-gold accents connect the glasses to the anniversary design, while Command Center integration provides convenient access to their settings from the handheld.
Designed to carry the whole experience
The custom dbrand Killswitch adds everyday protection, a kickstand, ROG-branded joystick grips and an exclusive skin featuring a circuit pattern inspired by the handheld’s internals. A custom Pelican Protector Case, finished with ROG-red latches and a 20th anniversary badge, keeps the device and accessories together during travel. A 68W adapter completes the bundle.
Availability and pricing
The limited-edition ROG XBOX Ally X20 Bundle is available now for AED 10,999 through the ASUS UAE eShop and participating retailers including Geekay, Virgin Megastore, Sharaf DG, Amazon UAE, Emax, Jumbo and Carrefour. Stock and availability may vary by retailer.
UAE gamers can also join the ROG Elite Program to take part in activities, earn points and explore rewards while staying connected to the ROG community.
Tech News
Regional strength, global impact: ADIPEC 2026 brings the energy world to Abu Dhabi
The Middle East’s unparalleled influence on global energy security, investment and industrial development will take centre stage at ADIPEC 2026, as Abu Dhabi welcomes regional and international energy leaders from 2-5 November.
Long established as a cornerstone of global energy supply, the region will help shape the next phase of energy development through major investments in infrastructure, technology and industrial capacity. Against a backdrop of rising energy demand and geopolitical uncertainty, ADIPEC will connect this regional strength with international expertise, capital and markets to advance the partnerships and decisions needed to secure energy today and power future growth.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and hosted by ADNOC, ADIPEC 2026 will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, with an expected 239,000 attendees from more than 170 countries, over 2,250 exhibiting companies, 1,800 speakers and 30 country pavilions.
Reflecting the continued growth of the event and strong demand for exhibition space, this year’s Opening Ceremony will be held at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre, creating additional exhibition capacity at the ADNEC Centre while providing a dedicated forum for ADIPEC’s opening leadership programme.
Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy, Chair of ADIPEC, said: “This year’s ADIPEC comes at a defining moment for the global energy industry. We face the challenge of a more disrupted and exposed system, meeting a more energy intensive economy. But, while shocks and conflicts disrupt the system, the world needs more energy, in more forms, delivered more reliably to meet rising demand. And we need the investment, advanced technology and partnerships to make that happen. That is the agenda for action at ADIPEC 2026.
“The continued growth of ADIPEC also reflects confidence in Abu Dhabi as a trusted destination for business, investment and international engagement. At a time when uncertainty is creating challenges across markets, bringing people together to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships build partnerships and conduct business has never been more important.”
Confirmed regional government and institutional speakers, at ADIPEC 2026, include H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; H.E. Eng. Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; H.E. Saleh Kharabsheh, Jordan’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources; H.E. Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Bahrain’s Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs; H.E. Joseph Al-Saadi, Lebanon’s Minister of Energy; H.E. Dr Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas; and H.E. Jassim Alshirawi, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum. They join ministers from around the world, including HE Katharina Reiche, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany; HE Dr Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Türkiye; and HE Takagi Kei, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan.
The region’s energy and industrial leadership will also be represented by major companies including ADNOC, XRG, Masdar, TAQA, Mubadala Energy, AIQ, Borouge, Fertiglobe, and Bapco Energies. They will join international organisations including Shell, bp, TotalEnergies, Eni, Equinor, SLB, Baker Hughes, Siemens Energy, GE Vernova and Microsoft.
Advancing investment and energy security
The UAE’s expanding international energy investments reflect the region’s important role. Through companies such as ADNOC, XRG, Masdar and Mubadala Energy, the country is extending its global reach across natural gas, chemicals, renewable energy and energy infrastructure, strengthening international partnerships and developing projects that connect regional capabilities with global demand.
As energy security becomes increasingly central to economic stability and industrial competitiveness, sustained investment will be essential to strengthen reliability, expand capacity and build the energy systems needed for future growth.
Mohamed Al Aryani, President, International Gas at XRG, said: “Building secure, resilient energy systems takes more than capital. It requires partnerships that connect resources, infrastructure and customers across markets and geographies. At XRG, we bring financial discipline, long-term capital and deep energy expertise to investments across gas, chemicals and energy infrastructure, working alongside experienced local and international partners. That is why ADIPEC is more important than ever as a forum for the industry to unlock investment and forge the partnerships needed to strengthen energy security and support global growth.”
On the exhibition floor, ADIPEC’s expanded AI Zone, co-hosted by AIQ, will showcase how artificial intelligence, robotics and digital technologies are moving from concept to commercial deployment across the energy sector.
Bringing together technology innovators, energy operators and project owners, the Zone will feature real-world applications spanning reservoir modelling, autonomous upstream operations, infrastructure inspection, grid management and subsea robotics. Exhibitors including Honeywell, EY, Gecko Robotics, Stone Ridge Technology and Sinaha will demonstrate how intelligent technologies are helping improve operational performance, enhance reliability, optimise asset management and accelerate decision-making.
Strong global participation ahead of ADIPEC 2026
Thomas Löffler, Executive Vice President, dmg events, said: “ADIPEC brings together a unique combination of energy producers, investors, technology leaders and industrial companies at a scale few events globally can match. At a time of rising demand and significant investment requirements, those conversations and partnerships have never been more important.
“The level of industry participation this year shows just how important ADIPEC has become as a global platform for energy. We’re seeing strong commitment from across the Middle East and internationally, with leaders coming to Abu Dhabi to discuss shared priorities, explore new opportunities and build partnerships. That’s what makes ADIPEC so valuable, particularly at a time when the industry needs to work more closely together.”
Across 13 conference programmes and more than 380 sessions, ADIPEC will address priorities including energy security and resilience, investment, infrastructure, natural gas and LNG, AI and advanced technologies, and industrial growth.
The exhibition will span 16 halls and four specialised industry zones, providing a global marketplace for technology, projects and commercial partnerships.
Tech News
Starkey takes intelligent hearing to the next level in the Middle East with the launch of Omega AI+
Starkey today announces the regional introduction of Omega AI+, its most advanced hearing technology family ever. Powered by Starkey’s proprietary Quad deep neural network (DNN) Architecture and revolutionary G4 Gen AI Neuro Processor, Omega AI+ introduces the world’s first DNN Dual Compressor, an all-new feedback management system and expanded AI-powered performance across more products and adds new wellness and connectivity capabilities. Omega AI+ will be available through Starkey’s authorized partners.
At the core of Omega AI+ is Starkey’s G4 Gen AI Neuro Processor, with neural network intelligence built directly into the silicon. Featuring Starkey’s proprietary, breakthrough Quad DNN Architecture, Omega AI+ uses four specialized deep neural networks that work in concert to analyze, interpret, and optimize sound in real time. Inspired by how multiple neural systems in the human brain process information, the architecture enables faster, more natural hearing while maintaining exceptional power efficiency.
“The human brain relies on multiple neural systems working together to make sense of the world of sound,” said Achin Bhowmik, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Engineering at Starkey. “Omega AI+ applies that same principle through our proprietary brain-inspired Quad DNN Architecture, where four specialized deep neural networks continuously work together to optimize speech understanding, environmental awareness, sound quality, and listening comfort. The result is faster, more intelligent, and more natural hearing.”
“Omega AI+ reflects where Starkey is taking hearing technology, and our vision for what it can become,” said Giscard Bechara, Managing Director, Starkey MEA FZCO. “We are not simply building better hearing aids. We are creating intelligent technology that understands, adapts, and responds more like the human brain itself. By bringing together our most advanced AI, exceptional sound quality, seamless connectivity, and health and wellness technology, Omega AI+ moves hearing technology beyond better hearing, helping people connect more naturally, live more confidently, and experience more of life.”
Why Hearing Health Matters
Hearing loss is a growing public health challenge worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss by 2050, and more than 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation. WHO also notes that unaddressed hearing loss poses an annual global cost of almost US$1 trillion.
“Hearing health is an essential part of overall well-being, and people across the Middle East deserve access to the most advanced hearing technology available,” added Giscard. “With Omega AI+, available through Starkey’s authorized partners, we look forward to helping more people in the region hear better, connect more fully, and live healthier lives.”
AI Performance Redefined
At the center of Omega AI+ is Starkey’s proprietary Quad DNN Architecture, where four specialized deep neural networks continuously analyze and optimize listening experiences in real time.
One of the architecture’s breakthrough innovations is the world’s first DNN Dual Compressor. Traditional hearing technology has long required a tradeoff between speech intelligibility and sound quality. Omega AI+ eliminates that compromise by intelligently determining when to optimize for speech clarity and when to preserve natural sound quality, creating a smoother and more natural listening experience.
Powered by the G4 Gen AI Neuro Processor, Omega AI+ processes sound up to 2.7 times faster than leading hearing aids that market DNN processing capabilities. The platform also introduces enhanced Edge Mode technology, which can remain active continuously to provide ongoing AI-driven optimization without requiring manual activation.
Bringing Advanced AI to More People
Omega AI+ extends Starkey’s most advanced AI technologies across a broader range of hearing solutions. Custom rechargeable products now feature Starkey’s proprietary DNN 360 technology, designed to improve speech intelligibility, enhance spatial awareness, and reduce listening effort.
The Omega AI+ family also expands to include custom non-wireless devices with Automatic Edge Mode, bringing dynamic environmental adaptation and premium AI-powered performance to Starkey’s smallest custom hearing aids.
Omega AI+ also supports Auracast™ broadcast audio, enabling wearers to access compatible public and personal audio broadcasts while staying connected to conversations, entertainment, and important information.
By combining a groundbreaking Quad DNN Architecture, the world’s first DNN Dual Compressor, advanced wellness capabilities, and seamless connectivity, Omega AI+ establishes a new benchmark for intelligent hearing technology and reinforces Starkey’s vision of helping people hear better, connect more fully, and live healthier lives.
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