Tech News

AI-powered personalized learning: The next frontier for Middle East education

Published

4 months ago

June 12, 2025

By Isil Berkan, Marketing Director, Middle East, Africa & Turkey at Pearson

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant promise: it’s already reshaping how we live, work, and learn. In the classroom, AI-powered tools are adapting lessons in real-time to each student’s strengths, gaps, and pace. That means less time marking, and more time for teachers to connect, coach, and inspire.

In the Middle East, governments are actively reforming education to build a digital-ready workforce. AI offers a unique opportunity to close skill gaps, increase engagement, and prepare youth not only for today’s jobs but for those yet to come. With thoughtful implementation and the right safeguards, AI-powered learning is reshaping education at an unprecedented scale and speed.

The current state of AI in Middle Eastern education

Across the region, governments are investing significantly in digital transformation in education. In the UAE, AI learning begins from kindergarten, part of its ambition to become a global leader in AI. The country now ranks third globally for attracting AI talent, according to Stanford’s 2024 AI Index report.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 includes a bold national strategy for data and AI, aiming to position the Kingdom among the world’s top AI-powered economies. Initiatives like “One Million Saudis in AI” and “Artificial Intelligence Hour” are already equipping hundreds of thousands of students with essential skills. Public-private partnerships are accelerating progress, especially in STEM and bilingual education.

Why AI-powered personalized learning is needed

Many traditional classrooms are constrained by fixed curricula and standardized teaching methods. This can make it difficult to meet the needs of individual students. AI can help close the gap—giving every student tailored support based on how they learn best. It doesn’t replace teachers; it gives them better tools to adapt, support, and engage.

The AI in education market is expected to grow to over $20 billion by 2027. Pearson’s own research found that 76% of teachers spend at least an hour a week planning lessons in their own time. This provided inspiration for innovations like our Smart Lesson Generator, which reduces admin and delivers curriculum-aligned content at the right level, in seconds.

Generative AI can identify at-risk learners early, recommend specific interventions, and dynamically adapt materials for better comprehension and retention. These tools tailor content to each learner’s unique needs by offering personalized explanations, summaries, and practice questions.

How it can be implemented and the benefits

AI needs more than access to devices; it works best when integrated into pedagogy. Tools like Mondly by Pearson let learners practise speaking and listening in realistic, role-based scenarios, powered by speech recognition and adaptive feedback.

This kind of real-time assessment is especially valuable for workforce preparation, where language skills, particularly English, directly influence employability. In Saudi Arabia, Pearson’s research shows a 40% gap in English skills across industries, something AI can help address at scale.

Challenges and considerations

In a world where 60% of educators are already implementing AI in the classroom, concerns around data privacy, digital literacy, and equitable access cannot be ignored.

Many schools still lack the infrastructure or teacher training needed to roll out AI programs effectively, with 61% of teachers indicating they would feel more confident using AI if they were properly trained. However, these challenges present opportunities for regional collaboration and innovation. Ethical frameworks, clear data policies, and inclusive curriculum design can mitigate risks.

AI-powered tools that are built on proprietary standards like the Global Scale of English can ensure precision and alignment with real-world learning outcomes. Rather than replacing educators, AI should be positioned as a tool that empowers them, providing real-time assistance during lessons, answering questions, and offering extra resources.

Government initiatives and national strategies

The UAE’s AI Strategy 2031 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 show a clear commitment to integrating AI across all levels of education. Programs like the King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP) are sending students abroad to study advanced technologies, while EdTech partnerships are multiplying across the region.

By 2030, AI is expected to contribute over $96 billion to the UAE’s economy and $135 billion to Saudi Arabia’s. To realise this, education must lead the way.

The road ahead

To make the most of AI in education, we need more than devices and dashboards. We need collaboration.

Educators need hands-on training. Policymakers need to create regulations that promote safe, equitable use of AI. And technology providers must build tools with—not just for—teachers and learners. That includes embedding AI into curricula and teaching the next generation how to use it responsibly.

The Middle East has momentum on its side. If governments, educators, and tech companies act together, the region can set a global example, building an education system that’s more personalised, more agile, and fit for the future.

Tech News

Thriwe Aina Launches in UAE to Redefine Customer Loyalty

Published

6 hours ago

October 1, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

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

Tech News

Check Point and Wiz Expand Partnership with Integrated Cloud Security Solution

Published

7 hours ago

October 1, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

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

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

Tech News

BenQ home cinema projectors redefine cinematic experiences

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

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