Reporter
Ashik Ahmed
Ahmed Ahmed is a technology and innovation writer for Dubai.News, covering the latest developments in smart city infrastructure, consumer tech, digital services, and the gadgets transforming everyday life in the UAE. With a strong focus on how technology shapes business and daily living in the Gulf region, Ahmed delivers clear, accessible reporting that helps readers stay ahead of the curve. His work spans product reviews, industry analysis, and breaking tech news across Dubai and the wider Middle East.
Latest stories by Ashik Ahmed
Hollywood.ai: AI Actor Tilly Norwood Set to Lead New Feature Film ‘Misaligned’
6 Jul 2026
The Bulgarian Minister of Innovation and Digital Transformation Creates a Council of Robots
25 Jun 2026
UAE Unveils 2027-2029 Finance Strategy Built on AI
The UAE has unveiled its 2027-2029 Finance Strategy, a plan focused on AI-powered services, fiscal sustainability and stronger global partnerships, announced by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance.
18 Jun 2026
Sheeraz Hasan Backs Ethiopia's AI Renaissance at AI Institute
Sheeraz Hasan met Shambel Yilma, PhD, and the team at the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, putting global attention on Ethiopia's fast-growing AI ambitions, startup acceleration, and futuristic tech infrastructure.
16 Jun 2026
Sheikh Hamdan's Agentic AI Plan to Reach 295,000 Firms
Dubai has approved a major Agentic AI transformation plan backed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aiming to support 295,000 companies, develop 100 specialised AI assistants and encourage 50 new Agentic AI firms within two years.
12 Jun 2026
Lionsgate Expands AI Push With New Runway Equity Deal
Lionsgate has expanded its partnership with AI video company Runway, taking an equity stake and planning AI-generated short-form series drawn from franchises like John Wick, The Hunger Games, and Saw.
11 Jun 2026
SuperAI 2026: Paul Foster on AI's Fast Evolution
At SuperAI 2026, Paul Foster captures the thrill around artificial intelligence, arguing that a single year of progress now feels like a decade of upgrades touching almost every industry. He calls the moment "so exciting" and "so damn cool and impactful," signaling AI's leap from
11 Jun 2026
Hollywood.ai and Bollywood.ai: AI Powers Indian Cinema
India is racing ahead with large-scale AI adoption in film and streaming while Hollywood debates. From JioStar’s AI Mahabharat to India’s first AI-generated feature, here is how Hollywood.ai and Bollywood.ai are reshaping global entertainment.
11 Jun 2026
UAE Space Intelligence Network Grows With 3 New Satellites
Space42 has confirmed Foresight-3, -4 and -5 are fully operational, expanding the UAE's Earth observation constellation to five Synthetic Aperture Radar satellites and strengthening real-time geospatial intelligence for governments, industries and global partners.
9 Jun 2026
Instagram Reorder Grid Feature: Rearrange Your Profile Posts
Instagram has launched Reorder Grid, a long-requested feature that lets users rearrange the posts on their profile without deleting or reposting them. Rolled out on June 8, 2026, the mobile tool gives creators and brands far more control over how their grid looks.
9 Jun 2026
iOS 27 Rollout: Apple Readies a Major Siri AI Upgrade
Apple is preparing the iOS 27 rollout with a major focus on a redesigned, AI-powered Siri, smoother performance, better battery life and new tools across core iPhone apps, ahead of an expected September 2026 release.
8 Jun 2026
Google Search Profiles Launch for Creators and Publishers
Google has launched Search profiles, a shareable space for creators and publishers to highlight articles, videos and social posts across Search and Google Discover, with strong relevance for the UAE's fast-growing creator economy.
5 Jun 2026
UAE Online Pledge Invites Residents and Citizens to Join
Residents and citizens across the UAE are invited to join a new online pledge promoting unity, national pride and a shared sense of belonging, with a downloadable certificate for everyone who signs the digital platform.
5 Jun 2026
Mukesh Ambani's JioStar Expands AI Plans, Eyes Bollywood.ai
As AI-generated entertainment gains momentum, Mukesh Ambani's JioStar is preparing to expand its use of AI-produced content after its first major AI series convinced executives there is strong commercial potential, with platforms like Bollywood.ai watching closely.
3 Jun 2026
Dubai AED 10 Dining Deal Returns for Summer 2026
Dubai's popular AED 10 dining deal is officially returning this summer as part of Dubai Summer Surprises 2026, giving residents and visitors the chance to enjoy selected dishes across the city for just AED 10 from August 3 to 30.
2 Jun 2026
Next UAE Public Holiday: Islamic New Year Date Expected
The next UAE public holiday could arrive sooner than many residents expect. After the Eid Al Adha break, attention is turning to the Islamic New Year, expected around June 16, 2026, pending official moon sightings.
2 Jun 2026
Emirates ID Benefits Every UAE Resident Should Know
Emirates ID benefits reach far beyond simple identification. Every UAE resident must carry the card, but many overlook how it streamlines banking, cardless ATM withdrawals, government transactions and identity verification across the country.
1 Jun 2026
Future of AI in MENA: 6 Startups Building the Infrastructure
The future of AI in MENA is being shaped less by the chatbots in the headlines and more by the startups building the infrastructure beneath them. From Arabic-native LLMs to sovereign compute, here are six companies laying the foundation across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
30 May 2026
GaryVee on YouTube Shorts: A Wake-Up Call for Creators
GaryVee says creators who skip YouTube Shorts risk disappearing in the AI era. As Google Gemini turns YouTube into a primary source for AI-generated answers, the VaynerMedia CEO calls Shorts a defense mechanism, not an option, for Dubai creators and brands.
28 May 2026
Amazon MGM Greenlights 3 AI Series for Prime Video
Amazon MGM Studios has greenlit three animated series for Prime Video under its new GenAI Creators' Fund, an AI-focused initiative built with AWS that is drawing major attention as Hollywood explores AI-powered storytelling.
27 May 2026
Steve Harvey-Backed MELT Live Eyes GCC Growth in 2027
MELT Live, the entertainment company chaired by global TV star and entrepreneur Steve Harvey, is reportedly preparing a major GCC expansion across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait from Q4 2026, with regional growth set to accelerate into 2027.
25 May 2026
Emaar Founder Mohamed Alabbar: 12 AI Agents Work for Him and He Can't Sleep
Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar, Eagle Hills, and Noon, says artificial intelligence occupies 98% of his mental focus and that he is already running 12 AI agents simultaneously — a reality he admits is keeping him up at night.
21 May 2026
AP x Swatch Royal Pop Dubai Launch: Crowds Halt Sale
The AP x Swatch Royal Pop Dubai launch drew hundreds of collectors to Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates on May 16 — only for Swatch UAE to pause sales over public safety concerns at both locations.
17 May 2026
AP x Swatch Royal Pop Dubai Launch Draws Massive Crowds
The AP x Swatch Royal Pop Dubai launch on May 16 drew hundreds of dedicated watch enthusiasts to Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates — making it one of the most anticipated watch drops of 2026 — before Swatch UAE paused sales over public safety concerns.
16 May 2026