Industry analysis by Grand View Research (GVR) reveals that IT services currently account for around 21–22% of total IT spending across MENA, a share expected to rise to between 26 and 28% by the end of the decade. The region’s professional IT services market, valued at USD 33.9 billion (Dh124.5 billion) in 2024, is forecast to grow to nearly USD 58.3 billion (Dh214 billion) by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 9.5%.

Sourav Bhanja, Middle East Head of GVR, said: “Many B2B IT services firms in the region continue to underinvest in digital engagement. Professional platforms such as LinkedIn remain underutilised, while company websites often lack strong case studies, sector-specific storytelling, and clear positioning.”

Government-led digitalisation programmes, sovereign cloud deployments, smart city initiatives, and national data strategies, coupled with rising enterprise adoption across sectors such as banking and financial services, healthcare, energy, logistics, and public infrastructure, are driving this shift. As hyperscalers and global technology firms expand their regional footprint, demand for localised integration, migration, and managed services continues to accelerate.

Bhanja also emphasised the importance of leadership visibility in the region’s competitive IT market: “Technical capability alone is no longer enough. Firms that combine deep technical expertise with consistent marketing, strong leadership visibility, and clear communication of value are the ones most likely to succeed in the MENA market.”

The analysis highlights that with growing competition among IT services providers, market visibility and differentiation have emerged as critical growth drivers. Integrated, always-on digital marketing strategies are increasingly vital, as many B2B IT services firms underutilise channels such as LinkedIn, websites, thought leadership content, newsletters, blogs, infographics, and short-form video to engage decision-makers.

Market data also indicates a broader shift towards digital-first engagement. Digital advertising spend in the Middle East, estimated at USD 32 billion (Dh117 billion) in 2024, is projected to rise sharply to USD 81.4 billion (Dh298.9 billion) by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 16.7%. In contrast, the regional events and conferences market is expected to expand at a more modest 7.1% CAGR, reflecting changing enterprise marketing priorities.

Grand View Research concluded that IT services firms combining technical depth with strong market communication, data-driven marketing, and visible leadership will be best positioned to capture the next phase of growth across MENA.

Governments and developers, in the Gulf, are shifting policies and procurement practices toward low-embodied-carbon alternatives: recycled aggregates, low-carbon concrete, engineered timber, high-performance insulation and off-site modular systems that dramatically cut waste. According to Grand View Research, in 2024, the global green building materials market was estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars, and it is forecast to grow. Moreover, the GCC green building materials market alone reached an estimated USD 10.6 billion in 2024 and, according to an IMARC Group report, is expected to grow significantly as demand for sustainable inputs scales up.

NEOM’s energy and utilities arm, Enowa, explicitly emphasises circular systems and positions the project as a 100%renewables-powered ecosystem that integrates water, energy and industrial systems from the outset. It combines Industry 4.0 technologies with circular economy principles that force the choice of materials toward those that can be reused or easily recycled, while promoting off-site fabrication techniques that shrink construction waste.

For more than a decade, Masdar City has been offering a working prototype of what happens when sustainable material choices meet a systems approach, translating low-carbon urban design into practice. It pairs demonstrable clean energy capacity with district cooling systems, solar generation, and energy-efficient building envelopes with planning that reduces transport demand. Masdar’s broader organisation, its parent group, has also been scaling fast. Its report highlighted growth in clean energy capacity and an organisational push into integrated, low-carbon urban projects. The Masdar model is a reminder that reliable renewable supply makes higher-embodied, energy-intensive solutions (for example, electric construction equipment charged by renewables).

But materials alone won’t be enough, this is where AI becomes a multiplier. AI tools now enable topology optimisation for material efficiency, predict and prevent waste by logistics algorithms (supply chain forecasting, demand matching). In operations, machine learning drives HVAC optimisation (manage buildings in real time, predictive maintenance). For projects on the scale of NEOM or Masdar, with thousands of buildings, millions of square meters and complex infrastructure, AI systems can turn millions of data points into continuous efficiency gains.  NEOM and related initiatives are already integrating AI for water, energy and materials planning, while Oxagon’s industrial model assumes broad adoption of automation and AI in production.

Dubai’s trajectory shows how regulation and market amplify these technological shifts and incentives accelerate adoption. Municipal green building regulations, alongside certifications such as LEED and local green building systems, have driven a rapid uptake of sustainable construction practices, pushing developers to pursue energy-efficient envelopes, reduced water use, and green materials. According to Dubai Municipality, the city’s policy environment, paired with developers’ appetite for premium assets that offer lower operating costs and resilience to climate risk, creates an ecosystem where sustainable materials and smart building systems are not only environmentally desirable but financially sensible.

The Grand View Research estimates show the Gulf’s green-building sector and related materials markets expanding rapidly, with market valued in the mid-to-high tens of billions of dollars and forecast to double-digit compound annual growth rates in the coming five years. That inflow of capital matters because sustainable materials often carry higher up-front cost but deliver lower lifecycle costs, while AI and automation substantially reduce construction and lifecycle operating overruns. In other words, together they improve the return profile for long-term investors.

Yet ambition collides with practical constraints. Supply chains for low-embodied materials must scale quickly; while those in the region remain sensitive to cost, logistics, and local standards. Skilled labour in advanced assembly and data-science expertise to drive AI systems are limited and must be cultivated. Governance questions are also pressing: who owns the data generated by smart urban systems, how is privacy protected, and how do we ensure that AI allocates resources such as water, energy and mobility fairly. These are governance design problems, solvable, if tackled deliberately.

There are three pragmatic approaches for solving them. First, governments and project sponsors can accelerate local manufacturing of green materials through incentives and public-private partnerships. Second, procurement rules should favour lifecycle carbon and circularity over the lowest upfront price; that shifts incentives toward durable, reusable materials and off-site fabrication. Third, data-governance frameworks must be established from the outset: transparent rules about ownership and enable third-party innovation without commercial capture.

If NEOM, Masdar City and Dubai’s new districts can scale these approaches, the payoff will be tangible: lower lifecycle emissions, less construction waste, healthier indoor environments, and long-term savings for investors and taxpayers. The Middle East can move beyond being a market for imported technology to becoming a global crucible for sustainable urban practices, provided policymakers, developers and technologists align incentives and share data and best practices.

NEOM, Masdar and Dubai’s new districts are more than national statements; they are testbeds whose lessons could reshape how cities are built globally. If they get it right, prioritising lifecycle outcomes, scaling green materials, and embedding AI from design to operations, Middle East will be measured not only in square metres and skylines, but in the tonnes of embodied carbon avoided and the megabytes of intelligence that keep cities efficient and humane. The world will, for once, be watching not only to admire, but to learn.

Held at Atrium Building 5 in Dubai Design District (d3), the interactive exhibit replaces the traditional tech display with a sensory journey — spotlighting not just what ASUS builds, but how it makes people feel. It is a rare chance for consumers to get up close, try the devices, and even purchase them at exclusive Design Week prices.

“Zenbook has always been about design that connects emotionally. With the Copilot+ PC lineup, we’ve reached a new era — one where your device responds to you, understands you, and becomes a seamless part of your creative and personal life,” said Coraline Lin, Marketing Director of, ASUS.

WHAT VISITORS EXPERIENCED INSIDE “DESIGN YOU CAN FEEL”
Zenbook Ceraluminum Signature Edition

The centerpiece of the exhibit, crafted from ASUS’s proprietary Ceraluminum — a material that blends the durability of ceramics with the weightlessness of aluminum. Available in four finishes inspired by nature, this ultra-premium collectible edition laptop was built to redefine what luxury tech feels like. The tactile experience is unforgettable — and so is the fact that visitors can purchase it on-site.

Visitors can also explore the AL-FORM Furniture Range — a collection of sculptural chairs that explore the materiality of Ceraluminum. One chair in the collection is made entirely from Ceraluminum — and visitors are encouraged to touch, guess, and interact. It’s design that tells a story — and acts as the perfect lead-in to a purchase moment.

To complement the experience, a bespoke Ceraluminum Bukhoor burner adds a UAE-inspired sensory layer to the space — signaling ASUS’s deep respect for local culture while showcasing just how far the material can go.

 INTERACTIVE HIGHLIGHTS

“Thincredible Table”

A hands-on disassembly experience where visitors can explore what makes ASUS laptops ultra-thin, ultra-durable, and ultra-desirable — from board design to external finishes. The more visitors understand what’s inside, the more they’ll want to own one.

SUSA by Future Facility

A conceptual piece redefining device interaction — made from oxidized Ceraluminum and powered by AI. It challenges everything we know — and want — from modern devices.

Tech-Art Installation by Dr. Ahmad AlAttar

A brainchild of Emirati roboticist and artist Dr. AlAttar, this immersive artwork transforms touch into sound — a symbolic bridge between human emotion and machine response. It embodies ASUS’s message: the future of tech is alive, reactive, and emotional.

EXCLUSIVE DESIGN WEEK OFFERS — AVAILABLE ON-SITE AND ONLINE

For the first time ever, ASUS is uniting a design exhibition with a purchase campaign. Visitors can shop exclusive deals of up to AED 2,000 off on select Zenbook and ProArt laptops — both in-person and through the ASUS eShop.

Featured devices include:

• Zenbook S16 (UM5606) – 16” Copilot+ powerhouse
• Zenbook DUO (UX8406CA) – Dual-screen innovation
• Zenbook A14 (UX3407) – The world’s lightest Copilot+ PC
• ProArt P16 (H7606) – Creator-grade performance
• ProArt PZ13 (HT5306) – Versatile 2-in-1 detachable
• ProArt PX13 (HN7306) – Convertible creator experience

Whether you’re a creative professional, a student, or a tech enthusiast — this is the moment to own the most advanced ASUS laptop at the best price of the year.

Visit ASUS at Atrium 5, d3 — feel the design, fall in love, and take it home.

Corning is proud to present its innovations at the inaugural CORTechX technology symposium in the Middle East, held on November 12, 2025, in Dubai. This event showcases how Corning’s cutting-edge technologies are enabling faster data connections, advancing medical breakthroughs, and creating energy-smart spaces — emphasizing its renewed commitment to the region’s vision for AI, smart infrastructure, life sciences, and sustainability.

Corning in the UAE and Gulf Corporation Council

Corning has had a presence in the UAE for nearly 20 years, empowering in-building networks with optical fiber and cabling solutions.

For over 10 years, Corning’s life sciences products have supported research, diagnostics, and bioprocessing in the region.

Corning maintains a network of local partners, distributors, and integrators in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, fostering collaboration and innovation through training and certification programs.

“For decades, Corning has been quietly enabling progress across the UAE and Middle East – supporting networks, laboratories, and technologies that connect people and data. From AI-enabling technologies, advanced diagnostics, consumer electronics innovations, and energy-smart spaces, Corning’s technologies are empowering industries across telecommunications, life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, sustainability, and smart infrastructure.” – Gokhan Doran, International Vice President and General Manager, Corning International

“The Middle East and especially the UAE is at an inflection point. With its vision for AI, smart infrastructure, life sciences, and sustainability, this region now mirrors everything Corning stands for – Innovation, Quality, Performance, and creating long-term value. We are here today to not only introduce Corning, but also reemphasize our commitment to the region.” – Sudhir Pillai, Managing Director, Corning India, President, Corning India, Middle East, and Africa.

Corning Transforming the telecommunications industry for nearly 50 years.

As the inventor of the world’s first low-loss optical fiber in 1970, Corning revolutionized global connectivity. Today, Corning’s fibers are 100 times better than the original invention, offering unmatched performance.

Corning’s Vision for AI Data Centers – Enabling Generative AI Through Glass

Generative AI (Gen AI) is transforming industries, and at its core is Corning’s revolutionary glass technology, which plays a pivotal role in enabling AI. From optical fiber networks to semiconductor components, Corning’s glass innovations are driving AI forward. Corning holds over 1,000 approved and pending patents related to data centers, with 100 patents filed in the last year alone.

Inside Data Centers: Scaling Fiber Density

Gen AI requires greater fiber density to network GPUs (Graphical Processing Units) effectively.

Optical fiber, invented by Corning over 50 years ago, is critical for high-speed data transmission and allows for compact server environments that maximize processing power.

With 72-GPU nodes, fiber density needs have increased 16x compared to traditional cloud architectures.

Corning is already innovating to meet future GPU demands, ensuring space optimization with slimmer fibers and connectors.

Outside Data Centers: Driving more fiber connections between cities

To accommodate growing GPU cluster sizes with the massive computer power required for today’s Gen AI learning models, data centers are expanding into campuses with multiple data halls. And operators need to quickly build out high-density connections to get these data enters up and running. Corning is uniquely positioned to meet these needs.

Power and land constraints, as well as varying regulatory frameworks, are prompting data centers to spread out into regional hubs – creating a need for long-haul networks to connect them. We call this our Data Center Interconnect segment, or DCI. DCI cables have to maximize data flow between data centers, and that requires high fiber density, lower attenuation and fast installation.

Corning GlassWorks AI – Tailored Solutions for Gen AI Data Centers

Corning’s GlassWorks AI provides a comprehensive suite of products and services to enable agile, scalable, and high-density networks for the demands of generative AI. Leveraging optical innovation and industry collaboration, we offer solutions that unlock AI’s full potential:

Corning SMF-28 Contour Optical Fiber: 40% slimmer than conventional fibers, enabling compact designs.

Corning Contour Flow Cable: Doubles the density of traditional optical cables for faster deployment.

Corning MMC Connector: Boasts 36x the density of standard connectors.

Customized Connectivity Solutions: Tailored designs for unique network architectures, accelerating installation and reducing errors.

Corning’s Groundbreaking Technologies Across Industries

Life Sciences

Corning has been a trusted partner to the scientific community since 1915, with innovations like PYREX glass. Corning’s investments in bioprocess, cell therapy, 3D cell culture, and genomics research are helping scientists cure diseases and push the boundaries of discovery.

For the Middle East, Corning offers a comprehensive range of innovative, high-quality products and solutions for life science research and bioproduction through an extensive dealer network to serve the local customers.

Corning is advancing medical breakthroughs through technologies like Corning Valor® Glass, which protects drugs better than traditional glass packaging.

Trusted brands like Falcon, Axygen, and PYREX are found in over 100,000 laboratories worldwide.

Mobile Consumer Electronics

Corning Gorilla Glass has revolutionized smartphone durability since its debut in 2007, enabling damage-resistant, scratch-proof devices. Over 8 billion devices globally feature Gorilla Glass.

Innovations like Gorilla Glass DX/DX+ enhance mobile photography with improved light capture and reduced reflections.

In March 2025, Corning introducedCorning Gorilla Glass Ceramic, an innovative, transparent, and strengthenable glass ceramic material to help bring advanced toughness to more mobile devices. Gorilla Glass Ceramic significantly improves drop performance on rough surfaces compared to competitive aluminosilicate glasses.

Corning’s advanced optics are enabling immersive experiences in augmented reality and 3D sensing.

Corning Enlighten Glass is rewriting the rules for window technology

As a long-time innovator, Corning is always looking for synergies where our material science and process manufacturing expertise intersect with critical global macro trends such as high-performance buildings and sustainable construction. One of the latest areas where we are applying our glass science and manufacturing expertise is the architectural industry. 

As one of the largest glass markets in the world, the architectural glass space is a natural fit for Corning, and we believe innovation in the windows industry is an important issue to work on. Nearly 25% of global energy production is used to heat and cool buildings* (Source: Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2019  )

While windows represent around 10% of the total surface area for buildings, they represent nearly half of a home or business’s heat loss**(Reference from Referenced by Stephen Selkowitz at the NGA Glass Conference, Jan 24-26, 2023)

Corning has been working on a suite of solutions to improve thermal performance within the fenestration industry.

Corning Enlighten Glass is an enabling technology for high-performance windows and doors that can significantly enhance the thermal performance, comfort, and aesthetics of built environments. 

Enlighten Glass is a lightweight center pane that that can be integrated into high-performance window and door designs for insulated glazing units or in laminate applications.

Enlighten Glass’ benefits include increased energy efficiency and occupancy comfort with 2-3x thermal resistance; weight reduction by 20-50% in IGUs, making installation and operation easier; and a reduced carbon footprint by 20-40% compared to soda-lime glass alternatives  

Enlighten Glass has an inherently lower Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) than soda-lime glass due to its boro-aluminosilicate composition, which means that Enlighten Glass has lower thermal stress under temperature gradients, so it does not need to be heat strengthened. Heat strengthening is necessary with soda lime glass to prevent its inherently higher risk of thermal field failure with its high CTE.    

Enlighten Glass is formed through Corning’s proprietary fusion draw process which has become the industry’s most efficient method for producing pristine, thin, stable flat glass.

The survey highlights that 58% of GCC respondents expressed optimism (up 9 percentage points from 2024) and 45% reported confidence. These figures surpass global averages, indicating a strong regional embrace of AI.

The study, in collaboration with BCG X, BCG’s tech build and design division, included respondents from Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, ranging from executive suite leaders to frontline employees. It highlights the region’s rapid advancement in AI adoption, in line with national strategies aimed at digital transformation and economic diversification.

Dr. Lars Littig, Managing Director and Partner at BCG, said:

“The GCC is emerging as a global leader in AI deployment, with high frontline adoption and leadership support nearly twice the global average. For companies and public sector entities alike, this signals a clear mandate: strategic investment in AI, paired with strong leadership and training, offers a blueprint for enterprise-wide transformation.”

The GCC showed a strong adoption in regular AI usage, with 78% of frontline employees using GenAI frequently, 27 percentage points above the global average. Among managers and leaders, usage is even higher, reaching 90% and 92% respectively, compared to global averages of 78% and 88%. This widespread adoption reflects a strong regional commitment to integrating AI into daily workflows.

About 45% of respondents in the GCC found their AI training satisfactory (versus 36% globally), and 54% of frontline employees received clear guidance from leadership (compared to 25% globally). However, this also correlates with a higher risk of “shadow AI” use, with 63% expressing they would use AI tools even if not authorized by the company, compared to 54% globally.

AI is also delivering tangible productivity benefits. Over half (53%) of the report’s respondents save more than an hour daily through AI, with time reallocated to a variety of tasks. These include performing more tasks (58%), working on strategic initiatives (38%), finishing work earlier and with better quality (58%), and pursuing professional development (38%). Others use the time to experiment with GenAI (43%), connect with coworkers (43%), or engage in non-work activities (33%). However, only half receive guidance on how to best use this saved time, which may limit the full impact.

The real transformation lies ahead with two critical developments: agentic AI systems that can operate autonomously to complete complex workflows and make decisions, and the emerging opportunity to invent entirely new business solutions with AI that go beyond efficiency gains to create novel value propositions and revenue models.

“AI is undoubtedly already a powerful driver of performance, which will only get more embedded in organizations, enhancing workflows and how teams operate and collaborate. Indeed, in the GCC, over half of employees are saving more than an hour daily and re-investing that time into strategic initiatives, innovation, and employee well-being. For business leaders, this makes a powerful case for scaling AI not just for efficiency, but for unlocking sustainable growth and talent potential,” added Rami Mourtada, Partner and Director at BCG.

As the GCC continues to lead in GenAI adoption and confidence, the BCG study underscores how strong leadership, effective training, and high awareness are driving productivity and innovation, while also flagging risks like unauthorized AI use. It offers valuable insights for policymakers and business leaders to shape responsible, future-ready AI strategies by benchmarking against global data.

In cybersecurity, each era is defined by a shift in architecture. Firewalls dominated the 2000s. Endpoint protection and identity controls shaped the 2010s. Today, we are entering a new phase — one where cloud-native platforms, real-time data correlation, and AI-powered analytics are no longer optional but essential.

Nowhere is this transition more timely than in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. As cloud adoption accelerates across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and neighboring states, national cybersecurity resilience has become a critical pillar of digital transformation. GCC organizations have a unique opportunity to leap ahead — bypassing legacy limitations and adopting next-generation security architectures purpose-built for today’s advanced threats.

The Core Shift: Security Is Now a Data Problem

For decades, cybersecurity focused on control: firewalls, proxies, endpoint agents, and network gateways. While these tools remain foundational, today’s adversaries have evolved. Attackers exploit gaps between systems, bypass controls through misconfigurations, and evade siloed defenses with increasing sophistication.

The result is a fundamental architectural shift: modern security is no longer solely about enforcing control — it’s about processing data. Effective defense requires ingesting, normalizing, and correlating telemetry across every layer of the enterprise: endpoints, cloud workloads, SaaS platforms, identity systems, and external intelligence feeds. When combined with AI-powered analytics, this data-driven approach transforms raw telemetry into actionable insights, allowing defenders to outpace attackers, rather than merely react, once an attack has been detected.

Cloud-Native Design: The Architecture That Scales

Traditional security information and event management (SIEM) systems and on-premises platforms struggle to meet the scale, flexibility, and speed required in modern hybrid environments. Cloud-native architectures, by contrast, offer elastic scalability that aligns directly with national digital transformation priorities across the GCC.

However, the scale of telemetry introduces new challenges. Global cloud storage volumes are projected to reach 100 zettabytes by the end of 2025. Storing and processing such massive datasets can quickly become prohibitively expensive — unless managed with modern design principles.

The solution lies in the security data lake: a unified, long-term, cloud-native repository capable of retaining years of structured and unstructured security data. Unlike legacy systems limited to weeks or months of visibility, a security data lake enables continuous historical analysis for threat hunting, compliance, and investigations.

Crucially, modern architectures decouple storage and compute. Instead of permanently allocating compute resources (as most legacy platforms do), serverless designs apply compute power only when needed, dramatically reducing cost while enabling faster analysis.

For example, by leveraging serverless infrastructure on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Anomali enables compute bursts across thousands of nodes, delivering correlations and searches up to 1,000 times faster, at a fraction of the cost of traditional solutions. This approach is particularly aligned to national resilience goals, where speed and efficiency are essential.

Real-Time Correlation at Petabyte Scale

Today’s attackers automate their reconnaissance, probing continuously for vulnerabilities across every layer of the enterprise. To keep pace, organizations must reduce detection time and response costs, which demands real-time correlation across petabytes of data.

By integrating telemetry from multiple domains — including firewalls, endpoints, SaaS platforms, identity providers, and threat intelligence — organizations gain visibility into attacks that no single control would detect alone. For GCC enterprises expanding hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures, the ability to correlate across these diverse sources in real time is mission-critical.

AI Delivers Context, Not Just Alerts

Artificial intelligence is now widely marketed in cybersecurity, but much of it offers opaque conclusions without transparency — effectively adding noise rather than clarity.

True AI-powered defense must provide explainability. Anomali applies chain-of-thought (CoT) AI reasoning, ensuring every detection includes the rationale, evidence, and audit trail behind each decision. This transparency builds analyst confidence and accelerates skill development, particularly valuable as GCC nations continue building local cybersecurity talent and operational maturity.

Intelligence Closes the Gaps Left by Controls

Even with modern defenses in place, critical gaps remain. Studies show that many endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions still miss up to 30% of advanced threats, thanks to sophisticated evasion techniques, configuration gaps, or partial visibility. Firewalls suffer similar challenges: misconfigurations and limited context allow adversaries to slip past perimeter defenses.

This is where intelligence plays a decisive role. By unifying diverse telemetry and correlating billions of daily security events, modern security analytics platforms fill these blind spots, delivering full-spectrum detection across hybrid environments. For critical infrastructure, financial institutions, and government entities in the GCC, closing these gaps is no longer optional — it is a resilience imperative.

Agentless, Serverless, Effortless

Managing thousands of endpoint agents introduces complexity, operational risk, and resource overhead. Cloud-native platforms eliminate much of this friction by integrating directly with cloud platforms, SaaS services, and enterprise infrastructure via secure APIs, allowing telemetry ingestion without deploying additional agents.

For organizations balancing hybrid complexity with cloud-first strategies, agentless deployment models dramatically simplify operations — enabling faster rollout, lower risk, and greater agility.

Why the GCC Is Uniquely Positioned to Lead

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and neighboring GCC nations are investing heavily in smart cities, digital economies, and next-generation public services. These national ambitions require security platforms that are scalable, adaptive, intelligent, and capable of evolving alongside rapid technological change.

Cloud-native, AI-powered, intelligence-driven security operations are no longer a distant vision but an operational necessity. By embracing these architectures, GCC enterprises and governments are positioned not only to meet today’s security demands, but to set a global standard for the future of cyber defense.

The time to shift from fragmented controls to unified intelligence is now. The future of security isn’t about deploying more tools — it’s about building smarter platforms.

And the GCC is ready.

Wei Huang is the Chief Technology Officer at Anomali, a global leader in intelligence-driven cybersecurity solutions.

Semantic representations of information are crucial for the functionality of large language models (LLMs), which is fuelling a heightened focus on semantics within data and analytics (D&A) and AI. 

Data silos become entrenched and limit an organization’s capacity to draw insights from its data. Without understanding the relationships within data, the individual pieces of information become less useful.

Semantic approaches facilitate a shared understanding of business terms and their interrelationships, which is vital for providing the necessary context for generative AI (GenAI). In a Gartner survey on the evolution of data management, 44% of the respondents from AI-ready organizations reported that semantic alignment is a key factor in assessing the AI readiness of their data.

D&A leaders can enhance and expand their semantic understanding by leveraging emerging technologies such as knowledge graphs and augmented data catalogs, thereby unlocking greater value from their information resources.

What is Data Semantics?

Data semantics refers to the meaning and interpretation of data within a business-specific context, as opposed to focusing on the physical representation of data through a data dictionary or a business glossary. It involves understanding what a data element represents, how it should be used, and its relationships with other data elements. Without this understanding, data is of limited use for AI use cases.

Semantic modeling is a practice of connecting technical metadata with business metadata.

A business glossary serves as the foundation for all things “semantic,” documenting the meanings of business-related terms. When the semantics and rules of a business glossary are well-understood, it leads to better data quality, easier integration and greater usefulness, supporting interactions with LLMs. The glossary also supports business goals like reducing costs and managing risks by making definitions clear, consistent and easy to trace back to their sources.

Top Recommendations for D&A leaders

• -Upskill your data engineers with semantic modeling techniques such as the use of knowledge graphs in building business ontologies.
• -Introduce DataOps practices to “deliver value from data” more easily, quickly and broadly. Take a people-, product- and governance-centric approach.
• -Invest in converged data management platforms. Establish a platform engineering team that produces platform services for platform tenants.

Key Benefits of Data Semantics

Leveraging and governing semantics effectively enables:

• –Improved Data Understanding: Both people and applications gain a unified view of data and its structure. For example, if several medical e-commerce sites use consistent relationships between terms, applications can extract and aggregate information across these sites to support user queries or serve as input for other applications.
• –Knowledge Reuse: Relationships uncovered by one group can be reused or built upon by others for new use cases, allowing previously identified connections to be embedded in future work.
• –Enhanced Accuracy with LLMs:  Incorporating knowledge graphs into the training and inference processes of LLMs serves as a factual base (i.e., data and metadata source) for mitigating errors and hallucinations.
• –Enhanced Interoperability and Innovation: By adopting semantic modeling, organizations open themselves to a wider range of use cases and enable more effective data interchange.

Link Data from Different Sources to Derive Data Relationships

Semantic reconciliation plays a crucial role in effectively linking data from different sources. It is also essential for inferring relationships between disparate datasets. Without a clear understanding of the relationships, correlations and distinctions among the meanings of data from different modalities such as text, videos, images and structured data, organizations cannot fully realize the potential of their data assets.

Modern semantic tools use algorithms to find connections in data. These tools recommend the best ways to clean, organize and analyze information. They also track where data comes from and how it is used for better governance.

With augmented data discovery, algorithms automatically detect correlations, segments, clusters, outliers and relationships, presenting the most statistically significant and relevant results. By using these semantic approaches, organizations can connect information from different sources, uncover relationships and gain valuable insights that drive better decisions.

In business ecosystems, the degree of openness is driven by members’ strategies, common goals and shared interests. For example, governments, nongovernmental organizations, charities and community groups can collaborate on health or public policy issues, or in open-source developer communities. This creates an opportunity for exploiting the knowledge of data and the meaning of data in terms of what can be applied to several digital business moments.

Lastly Think Data Semantics Before Introducing Large Language Models

Organizations are spearheading transformative initiatives to implement large language models in order to transform their operations. However, data and analytics leaders often rush to integrate LLM capabilities without first ensuring these tools are aligned with real business outcomes. To maximize value, it’s essential to connect LLMs with robust semantic frameworks.

Knowledge graphs are a powerful foundation for leveraging LLMs in business contexts. These machine-readable data structures capture semantic knowledge about both physical and digital entities. These worlds include entities and their relationships, which adhere to a network of nodes and links forming the graph data model.

LLMs can streamline the creation of ontologies, which define categories and relationships within data. By using “few-shot” learning prompts—providing just a handful of examples—users can guide LLMs to generate base ontologies in open formats that suit their needs. These initial frameworks can then be refined for greater detail as required.

Additionally, LLMs support ontology mapping by helping users align entities and relationships across different datasets or systems. With targeted prompts and sample mappings, organizations can extract relevant connections from their data and improve accuracy through iterative refinement.

By adopting large language models alongside semantic representations like knowledge graphs and ontologies, organizations position themselves for faster deployment of advanced analytics solutions that deliver meaningful business value.

Check out our previous post NMK Interactive 2025 Sets New Middle East AV Benchmark

A Unified Front Door for Enterprise AI

Enterprises today face fragmented systems, with employees managing dozens of siloed applications and disconnected AI solutions. As a result, workers often lack access to the right data at the right time. ServiceNow AI Experience addresses this challenge by bringing workflows, data, and AI models onto a single intuitive interface.

By combining context-aware functionality with multimodal inputs — including voice, text, image, and web — the new interface simplifies adoption and reduces employee learning curves. Furthermore, it ensures that AI becomes embedded across every workflow rather than being bolted onto existing systems.

Transforming How Work Gets Done

AI Experience introduces a role-aware, intelligent interface that supports instant access to AI-powered agents. These agents learn continuously, operate transparently, and provide full visibility for employees. Consequently, tasks can be resolved faster, decisions are made more effectively, and organizations experience measurable gains in productivity.

Amy Lokey, Executive Vice President and Chief Experience Officer at ServiceNow, explained:
“By creating a unified, contextual, and intuitive AI Experience for the enterprise, we’re putting AI into the flow of work. ServiceNow is empowering people to collaborate with AI agents seamlessly and without friction.”

Key Capabilities of ServiceNow AI Experience

ServiceNow highlighted four major innovations within the new platform:

• AI Voice Agents: Provide natural, hands-free support that can retrieve information, update records, and solve complex issues.
• AI Web Agents: Navigate third-party apps and websites, completing tasks without APIs or manual integrations.
• AI Data Explorer: Connects insights across internal and external data sources, helping users track trends and pinpoint causes directly within workflows.
• AI Lens: Turns any on-screen element into instant action, allowing users to automate tasks and accelerate decisions in real time.

AI Experience and Customer Relationship Management

The platform also reshapes Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Traditionally, CRM systems act as static records of customer interactions. In contrast, ServiceNow AI Experience transforms CRM into an AI-first system of action.

For service teams, automation accelerates ticket resolution and request fulfillment. Meanwhile, sales teams benefit from an AI-powered Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) solution that streamlines proposals. Therefore, employees can focus on building relationships while AI handles repetitive and manual tasks.

This approach not only reduces costs but also improves customer satisfaction, as interactions become more proactive, personalized, and efficient.

AI Control Tower: Governance and Security

A critical element of the new release is the AI Control Tower, a central hub for governing and monitoring AI assets. It ensures organizations can deploy ServiceNow AI Experience confidently while maintaining transparency, compliance, and security. In addition, ServiceNow announced expanded model provider flexibility. Companies can now select from ServiceNow’s platform-native LLMs or third-party providers such as Azure OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, and Google Gemini.

By aligning the most suitable model to each workflow, enterprises gain flexibility without sacrificing security. This makes ServiceNow AI Experience not just powerful, but also enterprise-ready.

Driving Transformation in the AI Era

The introduction of ServiceNow AI Experience marks a fundamental shift in how people interact with technology. It places AI at the forefront of workflows, ensuring that human employees can focus on higher-value tasks while AI agents handle routine, repetitive work. Moreover, it creates a foundation for organizations to scale AI responsibly, with governance and transparency built in from the start.

Visitors attending GITEX Global 2025 can see AI Experience in action at ServiceNow’s stand in Hall 3. With its multimodal, intelligent design, the platform demonstrates how enterprise-ready AI can drive efficiency, resilience, and lasting customer loyalty.

Read our previous post on IBM nybl AI Solutions Transform Industrial Operations

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.

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