Following the success of its previous culinary showcases, Flavours of Royal India and Taste of Kerala, Mausam continues its regional cuisine series with the introduction of Coastal Flavours of Pondicherry, a limited-time dining experience inspired by the rich culinary heritage of India’s picturesque southern coastline. Set against stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain, Mausam offers an immersive setting that complements its authentic regional dining experiences.

Each edition in the series celebrates a different region of India through thoughtfully curated menus that highlight local traditions, distinctive ingredients and time-honoured recipes. This latest chapter pays tribute to Pondicherry’s unique blend of South Indian influences and coastal flavours, bringing together comforting dishes, aromatic spices and fresh produce that define the region’s culinary identity.

Guests can begin their culinary adventure with the fragrant Murungai Lemon Rasam, followed by a choice of the crispy Vazhaipoo Vadai or the flavour-packed Prawns Milagu Varuval. The main course showcases regional favourites including Mutton Takkali Kuzhambu, Chicken Fricassee and the traditional Avial, complemented by Madras Chicken Biryani or Lemon Rice, seasonal vegetables and freshly prepared breads. The experience concludes with a delicate Tender Coconut Custard, offering the perfect sweet finish inspired by the tropical flavours of the region.

Whether discovering Pondicherry’s cuisine for the first time or revisiting familiar favourites, guests can savour an authentic taste of India’s southern coast while enjoying one of Downtown Dubai’s most scenic dining destinations.

Offer: Coastal Flavours of Pondicherry Set Menu
When: 20th July – 31st July 2026
Price: AED 180 per person
Location: Mausam, Dubai Mall

For reservation, please call +971 4 438 4001 or email at emaarhospitalitypr@meansdesign.ae and follow-on Instagram @mausamdubai.

Qatar’s hospitality sector is entering a new phase of maturity. Across Doha, Lusail, West Bay, and The Pearl, luxury hospitality developments are no longer competing purely through architecture or visual grandeur, but through experience, comfort, operational performance, and long-term spatial quality.

As hospitality expectations continue evolving, upholstery and soft furnishing systems have become far more than decorative finishes. They are now playing a critical role in defining how guests physically experience luxury environments daily.

In many projects, upholstery is still approached primarily from an aesthetic perspective. However, within Qatar’s hospitality environment, material performance is equally as important as appearance. Hotels across the region operate under demanding conditions involving continuous air conditioning cycles, high occupancy turnover, UV exposure, and constant operational wear. Materials that appear visually impressive during handover can deteriorate quickly if they are not engineered specifically for the realities of the GCC climate.

This is where the industry is beginning to shift.

Architects, consultants, and hospitality operators are increasingly looking beyond colour palettes and texture selections toward performance-led specification strategies that support operational longevity, maintenance efficiency, guest comfort, and brand consistency over time.

For public areas, lounges, and high-traffic hospitality zones, upholstery must withstand continuous use without compromising appearance or comfort. Guest suites and premium rooms require softer tactile environments combined with shading systems that contribute to privacy, glare reduction, thermal comfort, and acoustic softness. Outdoor hospitality spaces introduce even greater complexity, demanding UV-stabilized, weather-resistant, and breathable materials capable of maintaining performance under aggressive environmental conditions.

At the same time, Qatar’s hospitality market is witnessing a noticeable shift toward warmer and more human-centric interior environments. Designers are moving away from colder minimalist aesthetics and introducing layered textures, softer finishes, and more tactile materiality that creates emotional connection and sensory comfort for guests.

This evolution is also changing how hospitality projects are approached operationally.

The most successful projects today are not driven by product selection alone, but by early technical collaboration between architects, consultants, interior designers, and specialized fit-out and upholstery experts who understand both design intent and long-term material behaviour within the region.

Early involvement allows projects to properly address critical considerations such as durability, flame retardancy, acoustic performance, foam retention, stitching detailing, UV stability, and maintenance planning before procurement stages begin. This significantly reduces long-term operational issues while protecting the integrity of the design vision.

There is also growing recognition within Qatar’s hospitality sector that localized manufacturing and technical execution provide major advantages for large-scale developments. Greater control over fabrication quality, lead times, detailing, mock-ups, and installation coordination is becoming increasingly important as hospitality projects accelerate in complexity and delivery expectations.

Luxury hospitality is ultimately measured by how a space performs long after opening day.

The projects that will continue defining Qatar’s hospitality future are those that successfully combine design ambition with technical performance, operational resilience, and guest-centred comfort, creating environments that not only look exceptional, but continue performing at the highest level for years to come.

Government and public-sector developments across the GCC are increasingly setting new benchmarks for sustainable, people-centric workplaces. Employee wellness is now a business priority, and acoustic comfort is increasingly being recognised alongside air quality, daylight, and thermal performance. In the UAE, the wellness economy is valued at approximately $40.8 billion, while 90% of residents say they prioritise healthy living and working environments. For sustainability-led government buildings in particular, sound is a headline requirement.

Answering that brief at one of the region’s flagship developments, Europhon Acoustics® has completed a large-scale acoustic installation at the Al Shera’a Headquarters for Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), widely recognized as one of the world’s most advanced sustainable government buildings. Europhon Acoustics supplied and installed approximately 5,000 sqm of MELO® Acoustic Plaster across the building’s lobbies, gym and office spaces, achieving a stringent NRC 0.90 sound absorption target across a series of architecturally complex, curved spaces without a single visible joint or panel line.

Amna Khazi, Senior Executive Manager at Europhon Acoustics®, commented: “The DEWA Al Shera’a project was an important milestone for Europhon Acoustics®, It showcased our ability to deliver large-scale, high-performance acoustic solutions on one of the UAE’ s most prestigious and sustainable developments. The project involved complex acoustic and architectural requirements, demanding close coordination, technical expertise and a genuine commitment to quality. Successfully contributing to such a landmark project reinforces our reputation as a trusted specialist in acoustic systems, and our capability to support iconic projects from concept through to completion.”

Engineering Silence into Complex Architecture

Large workplace environments require carefully engineered acoustic design to maintain speech clarity and create comfortable environments for employees. At Al Shera’a, this challenge was heightened by the building’s sweeping curves and non-standard geometries, which ruled out conventional modular acoustic panels.

MELO® was selected specifically for its seamless, monolithic finish, which leaves no visible joints –  a critical requirement for the clean architectural lines of the Al Sheraa HQ. Beyond aesthetics, it also delivers high acoustic performance, making it possible to meet the NRC 0.90 target without relying on modular panels or visible treatments. MELO’s standard finish was applied throughout without requiring any custom formulations, absorbing reflected sound across the lobbies and office areas to control reverberation and preserve speech clarity.

Given the complex geometries involved, installation required custom-cut profiles to accommodate curved surfaces, careful on-site coordination around non-standard wall contours, and precise on-site finishing to maintain MELO’s signature seamless look throughout. Europhon Acoustics managed the project end-to-end, handling both supply and installation, over a 12-month programme.

Acoustics as a Sustainability Metric

MELO® also contributes to the project’s LEED certification objectives, formulated with low VOC emissions to support healthier indoor air quality in line with sustainable building standards. It is an increasingly expected distinction of premium developments in the region: as WELL and LEED certifications converge around human health as much as physical sustainability, acoustic performance is emerging as a measurable ESG credential in its own right.

As government and public-sector developments increasingly prioritise employee wellness and productivity, acoustic comfort has become a key design consideration. At the same time, rising standards for sustainable and smart buildings across the region mean acoustic performance is now viewed as a core element of building quality.

A Region Tuning Into Acoustic Design

Demand for acoustic solutions is accelerating across the GCC, driven by a growing emphasis on occupant comfort, wellness, and sustainable building standards.

Beyond government projects, Europhon expects hospitality, retail, healthcare, and education to drive the next phase of adoption as acoustic comfort becomes a standard consideration in building design across the region.

Building on its contribution to landmark projects such as DEWA Al Shera’a Headquarters Europhon Acoustics continues to support the region’s vision for world-class, sustainable developments. As demand grows across government, hospitality, healthcare, education and commercial sectors, the company aims to further expand its footprint across the GCC while continuing to innovate in high-performance acoustic solutions.

As part of the partnership, Bayut and dubizzle will be the exclusive portal for Takeem’s Rental Guarantee solution, complementing the Group’s growing suite of rental services with a more dependable way for landlords to protect rental income and reduce uncertainty throughout the leasing process.

Takeem’s Rental Guarantee is the first of its kind in the GCC. It protects landlords against tenant non-payment and includes emergency maintenance cover for urgent property repairs, helping create a more secure, structured and predictable rental experience for landlords, tenants, agents and property managers, while enabling monthly digital direct debit payments.

Founded by Rakesh Mavath and Pooja Vithlani, Takeem has scaled quickly to onboard over 100,000 units. The platform draws on a vast, dynamic proprietary database of rental data to underpin its models, with the goal of enhancing the rental experience for the market. The company has seen strong commercial momentum, with client onboarding increasing by 900% over the past two months.

“Takeem is solving one of the most important gaps in the rental journey, and what stood out to us was not only the strength of the product, but the clarity of the founding team’s vision” said Haider Ali Khan, CEO of Dubizzle Group UAE. “Their ambition mirrors our own: to make property transactions more trusted, more transparent and more dependable for everyone involved. With Takeem, we are giving landlords and agents a credible way to take default risk off the table, while Tern gives tenants a much-needed payment solution. Together, these partnerships allow us to support the full rental ecosystem, from search and discovery to payments, protection and trust.”

Rakesh Mavath, Co-Founder of Takeem, added: “Our vision has always been to make renting more secure and predictable for everyone involved. Partnering with Dubizzle Group allows us to bring Rental Guarantee to a much wider audience through Bayut and dubizzle, embedding protection into the rental journey where it matters most. Together, we look forward to helping landlords and agents reduce risk, while contributing to a more trusted and resilient property ecosystem in the UAE.”

The move follows Dubizzle Group’s recent strategic partnership and investment in Tern, the UAE-based rental payments platform. While Tern gives tenants a more flexible and rewarding way to pay rent, Takeem strengthens the other side of the transaction by giving landlords and agents greater confidence around rental income.

The investment in Takeem was made through Dubizzle Group Ventures, the Group’s early-stage arm, which backs technology founders building around its marketplaces in the GCC.

The partnership marks another step in Dubizzle Group’s ambition to build a more trusted, dependable and connected rental experience across Bayut and dubizzle, supporting landlords, agents, tenants and property managers at every stage of the journey.

Stefan Deiss, CEO and Co-Founder, The Hashgraph Group

The Middle East has moved faster on digital identity than almost any other region in the world. The UAE Pass now connects residents to more than 5,000 government and private services. Saudi Arabia’s Absher platform has issued over 28 million unified digital IDs. Dubai has gone fully paperless across 45 government entities.

But these systems were built for a world where the main challenge was convenience: getting citizens online, reducing paperwork, speeding up access to services. The threats they were designed to handle were stolen passwords, forged documents and basic impersonation.

What they were not built for is an environment where artificial intelligence can generate a convincing human face in seconds, clone a voice from a few minutes of audio, and inject a synthetic video feed into a verification check in real time.

What distributed ledger technology actually adds

Most digital identity systems today are centralised. Your credentials sit in a government or enterprise database, and every time your identity needs to be checked, the system queries that database. Sometimes that means scanning your face against a stored biometric template. Sometimes it means pulling up your document records and cross-referencing them. Either way, the process depends on one central store of information being secure, accurate and available.

The model works until it doesn’t. A single database holding millions of identities is a high-value target. An attacker who gets in does not compromise one person. They compromise everyone. And the tools available to attackers are improving fast.

The GCC fraud detection market has reached $1.2 billion. Deepfake attacks on identity systems are surging globally. In May, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority published updated deepfake guidelines that explicitly recommend blockchain-based provenance systems to establish traceable records of original content. The guidelines identify identity impersonation through cloned voices and facial simulations as a major risk, and single out finance, politics and identity verification as sectors requiring priority monitoring.

This is the context in which distributed ledger technology becomes relevant. Decentralised identity flips the conventional model. Instead of credentials sitting in someone else’s database, you hold them yourself, in a digital wallet on your device. When you need to prove something, you present only the specific credential required. The verification is recorded on a distributed ledger, a shared record maintained across a network of independent computers rather than controlled by any single organisation. Nobody owns it, can alter it, and shut it down.

Then there are zero-knowledge proofs. This is a way of proving something is true without revealing the underlying information. You could prove you are over 18 without showing your date of birth. You could prove you hold a valid professional licence without disclosing your name or address. The verifier gets the confirmation they need. You keep everything else private.

There is no single database to breach. The individual controls what information is shared and with whom. And every verification event is recorded permanently, creating an audit trail that regulators, enterprises and individuals can each trust independently.

In Sharjah, decentralised identity infrastructure has been integrated across a smart city ecosystem, making it one of the first urban environments in the world where residents, buildings and services interact through digital credentials rather than centralised databases.

The physical presence problem

There is a further gap that even well-designed digital identity systems do not currently address: physical presence.

Identity verification today confirms who someone claims to be remotely. It checks documents, runs facial recognition, performs biometric matching. What it cannot confirm is that a real human being is actually sitting in front of the screen. A synthetic face, a cloned voice and an injected video feed can sail through remote checks that were designed for an era when faking a human was genuinely difficult. That era is over.

The technology to close this gap exists. Ultra-wideband radar, the same short-range spatial sensing found in consumer devices, can detect physical presence with sub-10-centimetre accuracy. It can pick up vital signs such as breathing and heartbeat as a liveness check. When that presence event is cryptographically bound to a decentralised identity credential and recorded on a distributed ledger, the result is a tamperproof record proving a specific individual was physically present at a given location at a given time, verifiable by any authorised party without exposing personal data.

The applications stretch across sectors. In transport, a traveller approaching a gate at an airport or train station could be verified instantly: identity confirmed, physical presence proven, the event recorded permanently. The same logic applies to stadiums, conferences, concert venues and any gated environment where ticket fraud is a problem.

Why the Middle East is the right place for this conversation

The UAE government has announced its intention to transition 50 per cent of federal sectors and services to agentic AI within two years. When AI agents begin autonomously processing licences, permits, compliance checks and cross-border transactions, the question of who authorised what, and whether a human was genuinely involved at the point of decision, becomes critical. Without a verifiable link between a physical person and a digital action, agentic AI systems become vulnerable to impersonation at a scale that manual fraud teams cannot monitor.

The region also has structural advantages that most other markets do not. Governments in the Gulf are bringing policy, investment and technology deployment together under unified national strategies. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the UAE’s digital economy strategy targeting 20 per cent of non-oil GDP by 2030, and the broader push toward smart city infrastructure all create an environment where new identity infrastructure can move from concept to deployment far faster than in markets weighed down by legacy systems and fragmented regulation.

What comes next

The digital identity systems the Middle East has built over the past decade are genuine achievements. But they were designed for a world where the person on the other end of a verification check was assumed to be real. That assumption is becoming less reliable every quarter.

The next generation of identity infrastructure needs to do three things. It needs to remove single points of compromise by decentralising how credentials are stored and verified. It needs to give individuals control over their own data through zero-knowledge proofs and selective disclosure. And it needs to prove physical presence at the moment of verification, closing the gap that synthetic media is already exploiting.

About the Author:
Stefan Deiss is Co-Founder and CEO of The Hashgraph Group (THG), a Swiss-based Web3 and AI technology engineering company specialising in enterprise solutions built on the Hedera network.

Stefan brings over two decades of experience in technology and business transformation. He spent 11 years at Orange Business Services before moving to Zurich Insurance Group, and went on to found his own consulting firm in 2013. In 2016, he co-founded The Hashgraph Group, which today operates globally with offices across Switzerland, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, and beyond.

Under his leadership, THG has developed a suite of enterprise products including TrackTrace for EU Digital Product Passport compliance, IDTrust for decentralised digital identity, and EcoGuard for sustainability and carbon markets. He is also co-inventor of CITI (Continuous Identity Trust Infrastructure), a patent-pending cryptographic framework that binds physical presence to digital identity.

Emaar Hospitality Group is set to introduce Vida Aljada later this year, bringing a fresh lifestyle hospitality experience to Aljada.

Vida Aljada marks a significant milestone for the brand, introducing one of only two five-star Vida properties in the UAE. The upcoming property reflects an elevated expression of the Vida brand, offering a refined lifestyle hospitality experience rooted in social connection, creativity, and contemporary living.

Located within Aljada’s vibrant creative district, Vida Aljada will become part of a dynamic destination where culture, design, and everyday experiences come together. Reflecting the brand’s youthful and experience-driven approach, the hotel is designed as a destination where guests and residents can connect, create, and discover.

Its location offers direct connectivity to key city nodes, including University City and Sharjah Airport Free Zone. Just moments from Dubai International Airport and Sharjah Corniche, Vida Aljada is close to everything, yet designed to feel like a space of its own.

The hotel will feature a mix of rooms, suites, and extended-stay residences designed to adapt seamlessly between short visits and longer stays. Across the property, spaces are being shaped to encourage ease of movement and natural flow, balancing moments of activity with quiet pause.

Dining and social spaces will be designed as part of a continuous experience rather than separate functions, moving between relaxed all-day settings, café culture, and outdoor gathering areas. Wellness facilities will similarly reflect a balanced approach, supporting both activity and rest in equal measure.

As part of the wider destination, the hotel is expected to contribute to the evolving identity of Aljada, reinforcing its position as a place where living, culture, and hospitality come together in a more integrated way.

Guided by Vida’s philosophy of simplicity, warmth, and creativity, the property will offer thoughtfully designed spaces that foster a strong sense of community while delivering the convenience and comfort expected from a modern lifestyle destination.

As the latest addition to Emaar Hospitality Group’s growing portfolio, Vida Aljada reflects the continued evolution of the Vida brand and its commitment to creating vibrant destinations that bring people together through meaningful experiences.

Qashio, the MENA region’s leading spend management solution, is rewarding its UAE customers with exclusive FIFA World Cup 2026 fan experiences, including premium viewing access, interactive competitions, and hospitality benefits at Emirates Golf Club’s Footy Central in Dubai. The initiative gives customers the opportunity to experience a dedicated football watch party destination during the world’s biggest football tournament.

Running from 11 June to 19 July 2026, Footy Central will screen live matches alongside themed F&B, interactive games, family-friendly activities, competitions, and matchday entertainment. The programme builds on the global appeal of football’s premier event, which reached more than five billion viewers across all platforms during its previous edition, and reflects Qashio’s value proposition beyond spend management by turning client loyalty into tangible rewards and premium benefits.

The campaign will unlock exclusive access to selected matchday rewards and fan activations for Qashio customers, including F&B vouchers, matchday credits, Viya Points, gaming rewards, and VIP hospitality experiences. Viya Points, the digital reward currency within the Viya App ecosystem, can be redeemed across a premium lifestyle network of 400 venues, extending the value of the campaign beyond the matchday.

Guests can participate in the Ronaldo Header Challenge, where they can test their heading accuracy, while the FIFA Console Zone will host the PS5 FIFA Esports Challenge: Road to the Cup, with guests competing in head-to-head matches for leaderboard positions and daily rewards. Half-time engagement will include lucky draws during key matches, alongside Predict & Win competitions that reward guests for accurate match predictions.

Armin Moradi, CEO and Founder of Qashio, said: “Football is the most popular sport in the UAE among both Emiratis and the broader expat population, which makes the FIFA World Cup 2026 a powerful moment to celebrate with our customers. Qashio was built to help businesses manage spend with more control and value, and this campaign extends that promise by turning loyalty into memorable experiences for finance leaders and teams across the country.”*

The FIFA World Cup 2026 customer rewards campaign reflects Qashio’s broader approach to building a spend management platform that combines financial control with meaningful customer engagement. Through rewards, activations, competitions, and hospitality benefits, Qashio is continuing to create value for businesses beyond transactions, while giving customers new ways to engage with one of the most anticipated sporting events in the world.

For more information on the Footy Central experience and partnership opportunities, visit the link.

Sun Siyam, the Maldivian-owned hospitality group operating six resorts across the Maldives and Sri Lanka, has been recognised with two awards at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific, one of the world’s most respected benchmarks for excellence in architecture, design, and real estate. The awards were presented in Bangkok, Thailand, and celebrate outstanding design achievement across two of the group’s most distinguished properties: Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka and Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives.

The International Property Awards are judged by an independent panel of more than 80 industry experts and are widely regarded as a gold standard for design and architectural achievement across the Asia Pacific region. Sun Siyam received the Award for Hotel Interiors — Sri Lanka for Sun Siyam Pasikudah, and the Award for Hotel Suite Interiors — Maldives for the Deluxe Water Villa at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. Both projects were led by London-based Studio Sixty7, founded by Jose Rivero and Lee McNichol.

Both award-winning projects were realised through a long-standing creative partnership between Sun Siyam and Studio Sixty7, a London-based interior design practice whose work is distinguished by its sensitivity to context, materiality, and the spirit of a place. Both Jose and Lee guided the design transformation of two very different island environments, the Sri Lankan coastline and the Maldivian lagoon,  while maintaining a coherent philosophy: that luxury should feel earned by the land it sits in, not imposed upon it.

“We are so proud to have received two awards at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific, for Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka and Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives. These projects mean a great deal to us. The work we have done with Sun Siyam has pushed us to design spaces that are truly rooted in their environment — not just aesthetically, but in the way they feel and the way guests experience them. To have that recognised is something we are really proud of as a studio. We could not have done it without the Sun Siyam team. They have trusted us with their vision, given us the space to do our best work, and shared our belief that luxury and a deep respect for place are not competing ideas. We are deeply grateful for that partnership, and proud to be part of what they are building, “ said Jose Rivero and Lee McNichol, Co-founders, Studio Sixty7.

Set on a private island in Noonu Atoll where Maldivian magic meets its most elevated expression, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is the flagship of Sun Siyam’s Luxury Collection, a five-star sanctuary where considered design, curated calm, and experiences crafted entirely to your taste come together effortlessly. Generous enough for families, intimate enough for romance, and restorative enough for those who need it most, the resort offers 15 dining and bar venues, an award-winning spa with over 165 treatments, and the largest diving centre in the region. The International Property Award for Hotel Suite Interiors recognises the resort’s newly reimagined Deluxe Water Villa,  the first chapter of a resort-wide design transformation under the creative direction of Studio Sixty7, and a fitting reflection of a place where every detail is an invitation to stay a little longer.

The new aesthetic introduces muted tones, natural textures, and softly sculpted forms — gently imperfect plastered walls, tactile finishes, and breathable linen creating an atmosphere that is relaxed yet unmistakably elevated. Each villa is conceived as a frame for the ocean: open-plan, serene, with a bathroom offering direct lagoon views. Private decks with suspended hammocks and soft green accents invite stillness, while Horizon Water Villas add a 22 sqm private pool and sunken seating spaces made for sunrise rituals and slow Maldivian afternoons.

“Every element has been chosen to feel grounded and sensorial, inviting guests into a deep sense of calm,” said Lee McNichol and Jose Rivero.

Nestled along a pristine stretch of coastline on Sri Lanka’s northeast shore, Sun Siyam Pasikudah is a boutique retreat of 34 contemporary pavilions and part of the Privé Collection under The House of Siyam. The resort underwent an extensive transformation and reopened in November 2023, reimagined from the ground up with new colour concepts, fittings, furnishings, and offerings, while preserving the original structure that gives the property its architectural character.

The International Property Award for Hotel Interiors- Sri Lanka reflects the depth and integrity of that renovation. Central to the design was a commitment to local craftsmanship: the transformation was realised in close collaboration with Sri Lankan artisans and community woodworkers, with bespoke furniture, handmade chandeliers, and joinery items created locally and woven throughout the interiors. The result is a property that feels genuinely rooted in its surroundings, not imported, but grown from the island itself. Nearly 90 percent of the resort’s staff come from surrounding communities, a figure that speaks to a philosophy that extends well beyond interior design and into the daily life of the property.

The AI revolution is not on the horizon; it is already transforming how we work, solve everyday problems, and interact both with one another and with technology. From generative models to agentic systems capable of disrupting entire industries, artificial intelligence has advanced at a pace that few institutions, businesses, or governments are fully prepared for. What once felt like a distant technological possibility has become a structural force shaping labour markets and economies. As a result, one of the most pressing questions facing societies is no longer whether AI will change the world, but whether it will make it fairer. Increasingly the answer depends not only on the technology itself, but on the choices organisations and governments make about how its benefits are shared.

AI has the potential to unlock unprecedented prosperity. Yet history shows that technological revolutions rarely distribute their rewards evenly. Without deliberate intervention, the benefits of AI risk concentrating in the hands of a small number of large technology firms, highly skilled professionals and capital owners. This pattern has already emerged in earlier waves of digital transformation, where wealth and opportunity accumulated disproportionately in regions best positioned to adapt. For AI to foster equality rather than widen disparity, policymakers must treat inclusion as an ex-ante design principle rather than an ex-post correction.

The first crucial step for achieving fairness is improving the data that AI systems rely upon. Algorithms are only as representative as the information used to train them. When datasets exclude marginalised or underrepresented communities, AI risks reinforcing existing biases. Organisations and governments developing AI algorithms should prioritise collecting data from communities historically overlooked in policy design, such as rural populations, low-income groups, minority communities and those outside the formal labour markets. More inclusive datasets lead to fairer systems, more effective public services and policy decisions that better reflect the realities of entire populations, rather than just their most visible segments.

Another equally important aspect is how governments distribute the productivity gains and wealth generated by AI into broader societal benefits. Different regions are experimenting with alternative approaches. In parts of the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, economic gains from technological advancement are often channelled through state-led investment strategies rather than relying solely on traditional taxation and redistribution mechanisms. While VAT and other taxes exist, governments often reinvest a significant share of national income derived from natural resources and state-owned enterprises directly into infrastructure, public services, education and economic diversification. This approach builds long-term national capability by funding human capital development, strengthening digital infrastructure and fostering new sectors that create employment and opportunity.

Such strategies highlight an important principle: AI benefits do not need to be redistributed after inequality has emerged. They can be embedded in development strategies from the outset. By investing in education, digital skills and access to technology, governments expand the number of people able to participate in the AI ecosystem rather than merely compensate those left behind. China, for example, has made substantial investments in AI education and research capacity, recognising human capital as central to technological leadership. Every year 100,000 selected teenagers are funnelled into elite science talent streams across top high schools. These “genius classes” systematically train students to excel in international maths, physics, chemistry, biology and computer science competitions.

The pace of the AI revolution makes this challenge more urgent than previous technological transitions. Earlier industrial transformations unfolded over decades, allowing societies time to adapt institutions and labour markets. AI development in recent years has gained pace. Breakthroughs that once took years are now emerging within months, with new capabilities rapidly spreading across sectors from healthcare diagnostics and financial analysis to logistics and defence industries. This acceleration has been further intensified by the present-day AI race to achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), amid a widespread belief that the first government to reach this milestone will gain a decisive strategic advantage. Organisations at the forefront of AI development are reluctant to slow for fear of falling behind geopolitical or commercial rivals. Meanwhile, many governments are hesitant to introduce AI regulation, concerned that premature constraints could hinder innovation and weaken their competitiveness in the pursuit of AI leadership.

However, the path forward requires a global perspective. While governments should encourage innovation, they must also recognise that AI technology will diffuse across borders. Hence governments worldwide should collaborate towards a global AI governing body, or at the very least, agree on minimum safety and fairness standards for AI deployment. The EU AI Act provides an important foundation by identifying unacceptably high-risk AI applications that should be prohibited. When forming such regulatory frameworks, governments should seek guidance from leading AI scientists to ensure they fully understand where the principal risks originate. Indeed, many prominent experts in the field argue that regulation is failing to keep pace with AI innovation.

Allowing AI technology to evolve without placing guardrails in place early risks embedding structural inequalities, particularly in labour markets, education access and capital distribution. Ultimately, the debate about AI and inequality is not primarily about algorithms; it is about governance. Technology reflects the priorities of the societies that deploy it. If policymakers treat AI purely as an engine of leadership and economic growth, its benefits will likely accrue to those already best positioned to capture them. But if AI development is guided by a clear commitment to inclusion through better data, wider access and sustained investment in human capital, it has the potential to expand opportunity on a global scale. As AI reshapes labour markets, workers will need opportunities to develop capabilities that complement intelligent systems rather than compete directly with them. Access to AI infrastructure, computing resources, data and digital connectivity must not be confined to a small group of corporations or wealthy regions.

The direction of the AI revolution is not predetermined. The question is not whether AI will transform our world, but whether governments and institutions will act quickly and thoughtfully enough to ensure that its benefits are broadly shared. In the race to build increasingly powerful systems, equal attention must be given to building the social and economic frameworks that will ensure the future is genuinely fair.

By Twinkle Aswani

Dark chocolate, particularly varieties with a high cocoa content, contains naturally occurring antioxidants known as flavonoids, which have been associated with supporting heart health and overall wellbeing when enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. As consumers become more conscious about what they eat, there is a growing appreciation for premium chocolate made with quality ingredients, thoughtful sourcing, and authentic craftsmanship.

For chefs, chocolate represents far more than sweetness. It is an ingredient that tells stories, evokes memories, and creates emotional connections through food. Whether paired with fruits, nuts, spices, or floral notes, chocolate continues to evolve as a versatile ingredient that bridges tradition with innovation.

Reflecting on chocolate’s cultural significance and timeless appeal he shares to us that chocolate to him has always felt like a universal language, in every country I have cooked in, and every kitchen I have worked in, chocolate carries a different story.

In Switzerland, where Mövenpick’s heritage began, it is precision and craft, generations of chocolatiers perfecting the art of conching to create that unmistakable smoothness. In India, where I grew up, it is often layered into celebrations, folded into sweets during festivals or given as a gesture of warmth between families.

In the Middle East, I have seen it paired with dates, pistachios and rosewater, a beautiful meeting point between two very different culinary worlds.

What draws me to chocolate as a chef is that it is never just an ingredient. It is a memory. A single bite can carry someone back to a childhood kitchen, a festival table, or a gift shared between family. That is the magic of it. Chocolate holds onto emotion the way few other ingredients can.

At Rohini, our approach to dessert follows the same philosophy that shapes the rest of our menu, honouring Indian heritage while leaving room for creativity and surprise. Chocolate gives us a wonderful canvas for that, a familiar ingredient that can still hold onto the flavours and memories closest to home.

Our Rasmalai with rose and white chocolate cream is nostalgic with a European touch, our Warm Chocolate Brownie with Kulfi pairs nutty chocolate with hazelnut kulfi and chocolate sauce, and our Chocolate Coated Pistachio Kulfi with a dash of rose rounds it off, three small stories about where chocolate can take you.

For Chocolate Day, my hope is that people slow down and taste with curiosity. Ask where the cacao came from, how it was made, who it might have passed through before reaching the plate. Every bar and every bonbon carries a journey, farmers, roasters, chocolatiers, chefs, each adding their own chapter.

That, to me, is the real joy of chocolate. It connects people across cultures and generations, one bite at a time.”

This World Chocolate Day, the celebration is not about giving up indulgence—it is about redefining it. Choosing quality over quantity, appreciating the journey from cacao bean to dessert, and savouring each bite mindfully allows chocolate to become part of a more balanced and wellness-focused lifestyle.

After all, the healthiest indulgence is often one that is enjoyed slowly, shared with others, and remembered long after the last bite!