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.
Stories by Ashik Ahmed
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
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
Mohamed Alabbar: 12 AI Agents Work for Him
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
Ethiopian Consul General Meets FAME CEO in Dubai
H.E. Zerihun Megersa, Consul General of Ethiopia in Dubai, met with Sheeraz Hasan, CEO of FAME by Sheeraz, at the firm's Dubai office to explore a strategic collaboration on nation branding, tourism positioning, and global media outreach for Ethiopia.
14 May 2026
Dubai Tech Tuesdays No. 97 Is Going Global
Dubai Tech Tuesdays No. 97, the Community Conversations Edition, took place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Belcanto Restaurant at Dubai Opera. Tech founders, Web3 professionals, real estate entrepreneurs, and sales veterans filled the room as the crowd set the agenda.
13 May 2026
UAE National Library Launches AI Archive Project 2026
The UAE National Library and Archives has launched an AI-powered package of digital transformation projects to preserve the country's national history. Using robotics, OCR, automated indexing, and smart archiving, the initiative aims to make historical documents accessible for
12 May 2026
iOS 27 Extensions Give iPhone Users Free AI Choice
iOS 27 Extensions let you install Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT and route all Apple Intelligence features — Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground — through your chosen AI via a single Settings toggle. Apple announces the framework at WWDC 2026, with consumer release arriving
12 May 2026
DJI Romo P: Transparent Robot Vacuum with Drone Tech
The DJI Romo P is a transparent robot vacuum that brings drone-grade obstacle avoidance into the home. Dubai influencer Mohamed Abdel Hakim highlighted its 25,000Pa suction, dark vision, remote video calling, and a 200-day self-care cycle.
9 May 2026
UAE Golden Visa 2026: Requirements, Categories & Benefits
The UAE Golden Visa offers 10-year residency without employer sponsorship and is now open to a wider range of applicants than ever before. Here is a full breakdown of every category, the requirements, and the benefits.
8 May 2026
Dubai Agentic AI: 10 Ways It Will Change UAE Business
Sheikh Hamdan has launched a government-backed initiative to shift Dubai's entire private sector to agentic AI within two years — with training, incubators, and dedicated funding attached. Here are the 10 business impacts UAE companies need to prepare for.
6 May 2026
Dubai Mall Parking Enforcement Goes AI at 3 Major Sites
Dubai mall parking enforcement just got a serious upgrade. Parkin Company PJSC has signed a multi-year agreement with Emaar Mall Management to deploy AI-powered ANPR cameras at Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, and Marina Mall — with penalties for anyone parking in People of
5 May 2026
UAE Space Tourism: Astronaut Training Now Open in Dubai
Forget beach clubs and desert safaris. The UAE now offers real astronaut training open to civilians — from deep-dive zero-gravity simulations and desert geology missions to aerobatic flights and G-force drills, starting at day-camp prices.
5 May 2026
Sheikh Hamdan Launches Dubai Agentic AI
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched a two-year initiative to transition Dubai's private sector to agentic AI, with specialised training, dedicated incubators, and new funds through Dubai Chamber of Commerce.
4 May 2026
AI 25: Hollywood's New Power List Reshaping Film
The Hollywood Reporter has named its AI 25 — the most powerful people shaping how artificial intelligence is transforming entertainment. The list spans filmmakers, tech executives, activists, and entrepreneurs, each with a different vision for what Hollywood looks like in the AI
3 May 2026
iOS 27 AI Photo Editing: Extend, Enhance, and Reframe
iOS 27 is getting a full AI photo editing overhaul powered by Apple Intelligence, with three new tools — Extend, Enhance, and Reframe — landing inside the Photos app. Two are reportedly still having problems ahead of WWDC. Here's what each tool does and which iPhones will
1 May 2026
UAE Launches AI System to Screen Work Permit Applicants
The UAE will deploy an AI and robotics-powered system to screen work permit applicants from May, assessing education, skills, and experience to streamline labour market admissions and attract global talent.
30 Apr 2026
UAE Social Content Fund: AED 5M for Creators as AI Hits 86%
The UAE has launched the AED 5 million ($1.36 million) Social Content Fund through Creators HQ and Alfan, supporting 50 creators with funding, equipment, and studio access — as 86% of creators now use generative AI and content volume has surged 77%.
29 Apr 2026
UAE Digital Attestation Is Now Live — No Office Visit Needed
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched its UAE digital attestation pilot on April 27, 2026 — ending physical office visits, courier runs, and multi-step paperwork for residents and expats alike.
29 Apr 2026
57 Sheikh Hamdan-Approved Restaurants in Dubai
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has built one of the city's most impressive dining trails. From Michelin-starred kitchens to humble pizza joints and Persian kebab houses, here are all 57 Sheikh Hamdan-approved restaurants in Dubai.
28 Apr 2026
Dubai RTA Smart Kiosks: 28 Government Services, 24/7
Dubai's RTA smart kiosks handle 28 government services at 32 terminals across 21 locations, 24/7. Renew your driving licence in under 7 minutes, settle traffic fines, top up your NOL card, or transfer vehicle ownership — no queue, no appointment needed.
27 Apr 2026
UAE Dirham Symbol Approved for Unicode 18.0 Keyboards
The UAE dirham symbol has cleared a major hurdle: the Unicode Consortium has officially approved it for Unicode 18.0, assigning it code point U+20C3. The symbol is on its way to phones, computers, and keyboards worldwide, with a target release date of September 2026.
27 Apr 2026
Sheikh Mohammed Visits Atlantis The Palm in Surprise Outing
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum made an unannounced visit to Atlantis The Palm, walking calmly among guests and staff at Nobu Dubai. The video, shared by the resort, drew a wave of pride and affection from residents and followers across the UAE.
25 Apr 2026
Sheikh Mohammed: UAE Government to Run 50% on AI Agents
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced on April 23 that within two years, 50% of UAE government sectors, services, and operations will run on agentic AI — making the UAE the first government in the world to operate at this scale through autonomous systems.
23 Apr 2026
Gulf Creators 2026: 1,000+ GCC Media Pros Converge in Dubai
The UAE hosted Gulf Creators 2026 on April 27 at Atlantis, The Palm Dubai — a UAE Government Media Office event uniting over 1,000 GCC media professionals, content creators, and intellectuals to shape a cohesive regional narrative for global audiences.
23 Apr 2026
Dubai Metro Gold Line: 42km Underground, Dh34 Billion
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has approved the Dubai Metro Gold Line — a Dh34 billion, 42-kilometre fully underground metro line with 18 stations set to serve 1.5 million residents and complete on September 9, 2032, making it the largest transport project in Dubai's
22 Apr 2026
Tim Cook Steps Down as Apple CEO: What Comes Next
Apple confirmed Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO on August 31, 2026, after turning a $350 billion company into a $4 trillion titan. John Ternus takes over on September 1.
22 Apr 2026
Sheikh Mohamed Meets BlackRock CEO on AI and Technology
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed held high-level meetings this week, sitting down with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and taking a call from Elon Musk — both conversations focused on artificial intelligence, advanced technology, and global market opportunities.
22 Apr 2026
Bezos' Project Prometheus: $38B AI Play Eyes Gulf
Jeff Bezos is closing a $10 billion raise for Project Prometheus at a $38 billion valuation, with BlackRock and JPMorgan Chase among the backers. Gulf sovereign wealth funds are also quietly in the frame, as Bezos separately explores a $100 billion fund to acquire and
21 Apr 2026
DIFC Becomes World's First AI-Native Financial Centre
Dubai International Financial Centre has unveiled a landmark plan to become the world's first AI-native financial centre, embedding artificial intelligence across legal frameworks, regulatory systems, talent development, and urban infrastructure — targeting $3.5 billion in
21 Apr 2026
GTA 6 Budget Rumor vs Burj Khalifa: $2B Dubai Comparison
The GTA 6 budget rumor is back in the spotlight after a viral post compared the game's unconfirmed $2 billion development cost to the $1.5 billion price tag of Dubai's Burj Khalifa — sparking debate across gaming and entertainment circles worldwide.
21 Apr 2026
Why Dubai Leads the AI and Web3 Revolution — Unicorn CEOs
Dubai is rapidly becoming the world's premier AI and Web3 hub, with unicorn founders from Kitopi, Property Finder, and XPANCEO citing clear regulations, world-class infrastructure, and strong government support as the key reasons they chose the emirate as their base for global
20 Apr 2026