More partnerships unveiled as Gitex Global gains momentum

Sajjad Ahmad, Deputy Business Editor/ WAM

The second day of Gitex Global 2024 saw the signing of multiple agreements between the various participating tech entities as well as the unveiling of new products and solutions.

Digital Dubai signs MoU: Digital Dubai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft UAE, a subsidiary wholly-owned by Microsoft Corporation, aimed at enhancing collaboration in technological innovations and ensuring their effective and impactful application.

This collaboration is designed to ensure institutional integration among government entities, the UAE citizens and residents of Dubai.

Signing ceremony took place on the Digital Dubai platform within the Dubai Government Pavilion at Gitex Global 2024. The agreement was signed on behalf of Digital Dubai by its Director-General, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, and on behalf of Microsoft UAE by Naim Yazbeck, its General Manager.

The agreement emphasises Microsoft’s commitment to launching a comprehensive initiative aimed at developing skills in the field of artificial intelligence to support Digital Dubai’s efforts in this domain, which shapes the current phase of digital transformation.

Microsoft will support Digital Dubai’s vision of digitising life in Dubai by enhancing future skills across various dimensions, with a focus on qualifying AI administrative staff, as well as AI executives who oversee the development of AI strategies within the Dubai government.

Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, welcomed this collaboration, which contributes to enhancing digital transformation in Dubai.

He said, “Our partnership with Microsoft UAE aligns with our approach to building global collaborations to achieve common objectives. It reflects the mutual trust between us and our partners as well as our joint commitment to working together in light of the rapid global changes, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence and industrial revolution technologies in general.”

For his part, Naim Yazbeck, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, stated, “Artificial intelligence is a central pillar of Dubai’s vision as a digital city, and it is crucial to equip government employees with the necessary technologies and knowledge that support Dubai’s objectives. We are pleased to partner with Digital Dubai to develop skills of national human resources in AI, reaffirming Microsoft’s firm commitment to empowering government employees to drive digital transformation, improve public service quality, and contribute to enhancing Dubai position as a global leader in AI innovation.”

DTC and Bolt ink partnership: Dubai Taxi Company (DTC), a leading provider of comprehensive mobility solutions in Dubai, has announced it has signed a strategic partnership with Bolt, the global shared mobility platform, to launch its e-hailing platform in Dubai.

The strategic partnership with Bolt, which is launching in the UAE for the first time, will provide innovative e-hailing solutions whilst enhancing customers’ digital mobility experience and expanding smart transportation services throughout the Emirate, in line with DTC’s ambitious growth strategy.

Bolt, will be DTC’s strategic partner for the provision of e-hailing services in the Emirate.

The launch of the new e-hailing platform was announced during a signing ceremony between DTC and Bolt at Gitex Global.

Mansoor Alfalasi, Chief Executive Officer of DTC, signed the Partnership Agreement with Markus Villig, Founder and CEO of Bolt, in the presence of; Erkki Keldo, Minister of Economy and Industry of the Republic of Estonia; and Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Kalbat, Chairman of Dubai Taxi, along with members of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Bolt’s world class digital platform will enable DTC to unlock a greater share of the Dhs6 billion market opportunity presented by Dubai’s taxi and e-hailing sector.

Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi stated, “This landmark strategic partnership brings together DTC’s position as the UAE’s largest fleet owner with over 6,000 taxis and limousines and Bolt’s position as a leading global shared mobility platform. The combined strengths of both companies will create an unparalleled local mobility leader that supports DTC’s ambitious plans for growth.”

Markus Villig, Founder and CEO of Bolt, said: “There are over 3.5 million cars registered and operating on the UAE’s roads which can cause increased travel time, congestion, accidents and pollution. This long-term strategic partnership with Dubai Taxi Company will create a new shared mobility platform in Dubai, reducing the need to use a private car which will have a positive impact on the Emirate and the people living here.”

DBLC’s digital tools: Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation (DBLC), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has launched a suite of cutting-edge digital tools to further enhance the investor experience in Dubai.

Announced during Gitex Global 2024, this strategic initiative is a key component of the ‘Invest in Dubai’ ecosystem, and will further improve the ease of doing business by leveraging new technologies including artificial intelligence (AI).

Designed to streamline the investor journey, the initiative encompasses a state-of-the-art investor relationship management (IRM) platform and communication tools, including an AI-driven chatbot, virtual contact centre, and digital knowledge management system.

Upon full implementation, the suite of tools will have both Arabic and English interfaces, further simplifying the business setup process for local and international investors looking to establish their presence in Dubai.

Salwa Aladidi, Director - Business Data Management Department, Dubai Business Registration and Licensing Corporation (DBLC), said, “Inspired by our visionary leadership and aligned with the goal of the D33 Agenda to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, this innovative digital offering will transform the way we engage with investors. By leveraging the latest technologies, we are elevating the investor experience and maintaining Dubai’s position at the forefront of innovation. We remain committed to further elevating standards in the investor landscape by embracing these state-of-the-art systems to simplify procedures and ensure Dubai remains a world-class and sustainable business-friendly destination.”

AI National Skills Initiative: Microsoft, in partnership with local UAE government entities, announced the launch of the AI National Skills Initiative, a comprehensive AI training programme aimed at upskilling 100,000 government employees across local government institutions in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The 12-month programme, unveiled on the opening day of Gitex Global 2024, will help accelerate the UAE’s journey towards becoming a global leader and hub of AI innovation and technological excellence.

The AI National Skills Initiative will provide role-specific training tailored to organizational leaders, developers, and frontline workers within various government departments across the three emirates. The programme’s content is designed to address AI knowledge gaps, drive AI fluency, and equip government employees with the skills needed to effectively harness the power of AI to accelerate digital transformation and enhance the quality of public services.

The launch of the programme underscores Microsoft’s commitment to making AI opportunities accessible to everyone and the company’s contribution to supporting the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031. By investing in the skilling of government employees, Microsoft aims to help the UAE unlock the full potential of AI, ensuring that the country remains at the forefront of regional and global AI innovation.

Naim Yazbeck said: “AI represents a transformative force that is reshaping industries and driving innovation globally. As the UAE pursues its ambitious goal of becoming a leading AI nation, we recognise that skilling is fundamental to this vision. By equipping government employees with the tools and knowledge to effectively leverage AI, we are not only fostering local talent but also ensuring that the UAE government has the right expertise to capitalize on the limitless opportunities that AI presents. The AI National Skills Initiative is a key milestone in supporting the UAE’s AI journey, and we are proud to contribute to building a pool of talent that will drive excellence and benchmark innovation in the new AI era.”

The announcement of the AI National Skills Initiative follows shortly after the launch of Microsoft’s AI Skills Navigator, a comprehensive platform designed to provide learners with personalised AI education. The online platform offers an AI-powered assistant to guide users to the most suitable learning paths based on their goals, roles, and skill levels.

Microsoft is participating at this year’s edition of GITEX Global alongside 36 of its partners. As part of its mission to demonstrate how AI can help contribute to the health, happiness, and wellbeing of local communities across the UAE, the company is showcasing an innovative Generative AI application, called ‘Sawa’, that users can utilise to learn more about the UAE, access essential government services, better manage their health, and even help in the upkeep of public infrastructure across parks and local neighborhoods.

Microsoft’s stand at Gitex Global features a Demo Arena where visitors can learn more about the Sawa application. The stand also features an Xbox Gaming stage, a DJ Booth, Surface Zone, Tech Talk arena, F&B stand, dedicated networking area, and VIP meeting room.

Imane El Majdoubi, Enterprise Commercial Director, Microsoft UAE, “Microsoft team is focusing on AI at this year’s Gitex and showcasing AI solutions as a game-changer in the transformation of economy and society.”

She added, “Microsoft supports the UAE’s ambitions to become one of the top AI economies as it invested significantly in the cloud data centers in the country. Microsoft also bringing latest AI technology to the UAE as the country embarks upon a comprehensive journey to modernize its governance and models of business.”

Zoho drive digitalisation: Zoho Corp., a leading global technology company, announced that it has invested Dhs46 million in strategic partnerships with local public and private entities in the UAE which has powered up more than 7000 UAE businesses’ digitalisation efforts, a two-fold increase since 2022. During a press conference at Gitex, the company also launched Zoho IoT, a user-friendly and scalable low-code platform enabling businesses to build and deploy custom Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

Zoho’s strategic initiatives with the local government have empowered UAE businesses to optimise their digital transformation efforts and gain a competitive edge. By providing access to wallet credits and upskilling programmes, Zoho has equipped businesses of different sizes across various key sectors, most notably in IT hardware and services, real estate, construction, retail, transportation, and logistics, with the tools and resources needed to leverage its innovative solutions. Zoho’s flagship products, such as Zoho One, Zoho Books, Zoho Workplace, Zoho CRM Plus, and Zoho People, have proven particularly popular among UAE businesses, with a remarkable 57% conversion rate.

“We believe that strategic partnerships are essential for driving digital transformation in the UAE. By investing in partnerships with local organisations, we are able to provide comprehensive solutions to businesses of all sizes, helping them migrate to the cloud and realise the benefits of digital technologies. Our goal is to empower UAE businesses to achieve their full potential and contribute to the nation’s economic growth and development,” said Hyther Nizam, President of Middle East and Africa, Zoho Corp.

Zoho IoT, launched today in the UAE, provides industry-specific solutions that can either function as pre-built solutions or can be customised to integrate with other infrastructure to meet the unique needs of businesses. Its compatibility with third-party hardware ensures seamless integration into existing systems, allowing businesses to scale rapidly. The platform is built with robust security measures, ensuring data privacy and compliance with global standards. At the core of Zoho IoT is its ability to collect and manage IoT device data in real time, providing businesses with actionable insights and streamlined operational analysis.

“We believe that connecting Things with business workflows is key to creating a seamless customer experience,” said Nizam “Zoho IoT is a platform-first solution, designed to offer customisable and flexible features for a range of industries. With its low-code, interoperable, and secure framework, Zoho IoT simplifies adoption while delivering powerful functionality that elevates operational efficiency and customer experience beyond standard offerings,” he added.