november 2023 / vol. 1 issue 7 / an ITP Media Group publication edge Technology Leadership Awards honours innovators, pioneers, and visionaries Icons of innovationYour biggest source of industry insights SUBSCRIBE HERE EDITORIAL INQUIRIES e: editorial@industrymena.com SALES INQUIRIES e: sales@industrymena.com ENERGY AVIATION CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGYDEFENCEedge_november 2023 3 contents november 2023 42 10 12 on the cover A night of excellence edge Technology Leadership Awards celebrates innovators and pioneers 12 Jasim Al Awadi, Chief ICT Officer (Acting), du4 edge_november 2023 “Being loyal to the company is good, but you should remember that it’s equally crucial to remain loyal to yourself” From Page 34 46 other stories Digitalise to decarbonise AspenTech’s Ron Beck discusses sustain- able manufacturing and electrification in the Middle East 50 Gadget Watch 6 amazing gadgets to keep an eye out for 60 Review Nothing Phone 2 64 contents 40 Sid Bhatia, Regional VP and GM for META, Dataiku Loubna Imenchal, Head of Enterprise Business - AMETCA, Logitechedge_november 2023 5 editor’s letter PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0)4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offi ces in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Alex Reeve Editorial Group Editor Kate-Lynne Wolmarans +971 4 444 3541 / kate.wolmarans@itp.com Editor Adelle Geronimo +971 4 444 3497 / adelle.geronimo@itp.com Commercial Editor Arya Devi +971 4 444 3175 / arya.devi@itp.com Art Art Director Amjad Ayche Designer Tofi q Memon Advertising Group Commercial Director Anup Nagpurkar +971 4 444 3573 / anup.nagpurkar@itp.com Group Commercial Manager Priyanka Pillai +971 4 444 3399 / priyanka.pillai@itp.com Client Services Manager Cherylann DAbreo +971 4 444 3404 / cherlyann.dabreo@itp.com Photography Chief Photographer Rajesh Raghav Videographer Muhammad Kaleem Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur Social Media & Production Manager Andy Ruedas Multimedia Content Creator & Presenter Mina Vucic Production Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Manoj Mahadevan Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Distribution Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira Marketing Director of Events & Marketing Daniel Fewtrell ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies In this month’s issue, we turn the spotlight to a subject that’s at the heart of innovation and progress – leadership. We are thrilled to present the winners of the prestigious edge Technology Leadership Awards – individuals and organisations that have made remarkable contributions to the regional tech landscape. The event celebrated visionaries who demonstrated unwavering dedication and a relentless pursuit of innovation. We also feature an inspiring interview with Jacob Mathew, our ‘CIO of the Year’ winner and Head of IT at an Abu Dhabi Government entity. He shares his profound passion for tech and commitment to empowering others. He poignantly explains his leadership style, which focuses on constantly supporting his team through initiatives that are driven by empathy, not ego. We’re also thrilled to showcase insights from Jasim Al Awadi, the ‘ICT Innovation Champion’ award recipient, and Chief ICT Officer (Acting) at du. He discusses his drive for innovation and how he spearheads projects and initiatives that propel progress not only within his organisation but across the UAE. In addition to our focus on leadership, we are excited to bring you exclusive insights from prominent industry leaders, including Fortinet, Dataiku, and Genesys, who took centre stage at the recently concluded GITEX GLOBAL 2023. These interviews offer a glimpse into the latest trends and innovations poised to reshape the digital world. Furthermore, as COP28 swiftly approaches in the UAE, we continue to emphasise the importance of sustainability. In line with this, AspenTech and Acronis explore the synergy between digitalisation and sustainability, shedding light on the crucial intersection of technology and environmental responsibility. Leadership is a driving force behind technological progress and successful innovations. We hope that the insights in this edition of edge will inspire you to blaze your own trail in driving progress and innovation in the dynamic tech landscape. With that, I’ll let you get to reading. Until next time! Inspiring excellence Adelle Geronimo editor Published by and © 2023 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review.6 edge_november 2023 news Saudi Arabia’s PIF and Hyundai to build high-tech car plant Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Company have joined forces to build a high-tech vehicle manufacturing plant within the Kingdom. The partnership between PIF and Hyundai establishes a new joint venture, with PIF taking a commanding 70 percent ownership stake and Hyundai holding the remaining 30 percent. Hyundai will also become a strategic technology partner, providing essential technical and commercial support to facilitate the development of this manufacturing facility. The investment into the project is estimated to be over $500 million, underlining the substantial commitment from both entities. The primary goal of this joint venture is to manufacture an impressive 50,000 vehicles annually. This production target will encompass both internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs), reflecting the industry’s growing emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new manufacturing plant is slated for 2024, with production expected to commence in 2026. PIF also recently announced the establishment of the National Automotive and Mobility Investment Company, known as Tasaru, and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company, with plans to install over 5,000 electric car fast chargers across Saudi Arabia by 2030, are testament to PIF’s ambitious efforts in the automotive sector. The Deputy Governor and Head of MENA Investments at PIF, Yazeed A. Al-Humied, said, “Partnering with Hyundai is another significant milestone for PIF in successfully enabling and accelerating the growth of Saudi Arabia’s automotive ecosystem – one of our 13 priority sectors. “Our investment in vehicle manufacturing with Hyundai Motor Company is a pivotal milestone, aligning closely with our existing stakes in Lucid and Ceer Motors, and amplifying the breadth of Saudi Arabia’s automotive and mobility value chain.” Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, said, “We are excited about the potential of this venture to drive significant advancements in vehicle production, fostering a sustainable and eco-friendly automotive future in the region. “Our joint efforts will create opportunities for innovation and environmental progress.” news bytes Stay in the loop with the latest news and trends from the tech scene BUSINESS $500MN The projected total investment for the PIF- Hyundai joint ventureedge_november 2023 7 news Generative AI, according to Belhoul, could add a staggering $4.4 trillion to the global economy Dubai launches new Generative AI Alliance for global tech companies AI The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has unveiled the Dubai Generative AI Alliance, a new consortium of global technology firms dedicated to establishing highly advanced tech-driven government. This alliance’s launch is a significant stride in Dubai’s quest to become a global hub for emerging technologies. Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, made the announcement during the recent Dubai Assembly for Generative AI, held at the Museum of the Future, under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Dubai Generative AI Alliance is a collaborative effort by leading technology companies to tackle complex government challenges. It will focus on developing innovative technology pilot projects involving artificial intelligence (AI), the metaverse, and Web3. “We need to bridge the gap between policies and the advancement of technology. It needs agile governments and quick decision-making. This is what we’re blessed with here in the UAE,” said Belhoul. The Dubai Assembly for Generative AI was a monumental event, underscoring Dubai’s ambition to be a global powerhouse in emerging technologies, with over 1,800 government and tech leaders in attendance. Phishers and scammers often exploit the popularity of certain products and brands, and WormGPT is no exception Kaspersky’s Digital Footprint Intelligence team has unveiled a concerning trend on the dark web, revealing a network of websites purportedly peddling fake access to the malicious AI tool WormGPT. These websites exhibit telltale signs of phishing operations, such as diverse website designs, variable pricing structures, and the requirement for upfront payments to access a trial version of the tool. While these discoveries do not pose an immediate threat to users, they underscore the rising popularity of black-hat alternatives to legitimate AI models. The cybercriminal community has begun harnessing AI capabilities to facilitate their illicit activities, with the darknet offering a spectrum of AI models specifically designed for hacking purposes. On darknet forums and in illicit Telegram channels, Kaspersky experts have found websites and ads, offering fake access to the malicious AI tool and targeting other cybercriminals that are apparently phishing sites. These websites differ significantly in several ways and are designed as typical phishing pages. Payment methods also vary, ranging from cryptocurrencies, as originally proposed by the author of WormGPT, to credit cards and bank transfers. Fake access to malicious AI tool ‘WormGPT’ for sale on dark web CYBERSECURITY8 edge_november 2023 news GITEX Europe to kick off in May 2025 GITEX GLOBAL 2023, which took place from October 18 to 20, saw the launch of “GITEX Europe,” which marks a pivotal moment in the international expansion of the global tech platform. GITEX Europe 2025, set to debut from May 21-23, 2025 in Berlin, is a collaborative effort between KAOUN International, the international affiliate of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), and Messe Berlin. This announcement comes after the success of GITEX Africa in Morocco in May 2023, further solidifying GITEX GLOBAL’s role as a key connector for emerging economies in regions including the Middle East, Africa, and now Europe. The official signing ceremony of the launch between KAOUN International and Messe Berlin was attended by Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy; and Franziska Giffey, Vice Mayor of Berlin and State Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Enterprises. Al Olama stated, “Going to Berlin demonstrates our ability to take the brightest talents from the region to Europe and bring them back to Dubai. This momentum began with GITEX Africa, and we aim to make GITEX Europe the most successful tech event on the continent.” GITEX Europe 2025 is coming at a time when Europe is becoming a major tech player. According to industry estimates, the continent seeks to create 11 million new tech jobs by 2030 to meet the demand of a growing $3 trillion European tech sector. EVENT “Berlin is a natural partner and twin to Dubai” - Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applicationsedge_november 2023 9 news The deal is being dubbed by industry experts as the biggest technology transaction of the year Cisco buys cybersecurity firm Splunk in a $28 billion deal ACQUISITION Cisco has unveiled plans to acquire Splunk in a deal valued at approximately $28 billion. The definitive agreement between Cisco and Splunk, renowned for its observability expertise, signals a pivotal moment in the tech industry. Under the agreement, Cisco will purchase Splunk for $157 per share in cash. The integration of Cisco and Splunk is expected to tackle the intricate challenges posed by today’s hyperconnected world, including the ubiquity of data, the rapid adoption of generative AI, and the proliferation of multiple cloud environments. By combining their expertise in AI, security, and observability, the two companies aim to unlock the full potential of data, enhancing the security and digital resilience of organisations of all sizes. Splunk’s technology assists enterprises in monitoring and analysing their data, reducing the vulnerability to security breaches and expediting the resolution of technical challenges. Cisco, known as the foremost manufacturer of computer networking equipment globally, has been fortifying its cybersecurity division to align with customer needs and drive expansion. As part of the deal, Amazon will gain a minority ownership position in Anthropic Global e-commerce firm Amazon.com has announced an investment of up to $4 billion in Anthropic, an emerging AI firm. The strategic partnership also includes Amazon taking a minority ownership position in Anthropic. This decision underscores the tech giant’s relentless pursuit of AI technologies as it aims further compete with industry giants such as Microsoft and Alphabet’s Google. Founded just two years ago, Anthropic boasts a roster of former research executives from OpenAI and recently introduced its newest AI chatbot, Claude 2. Amazon is strategically positioning itself to capitalise on the growing momentum surrounding generative AI. The collaboration between the two companies will drive advancements in generative AI, with Anthropic selecting Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its primary cloud provider. AWS customers will gain exclusive early access to features for model customisation and fine-tuning capabilities. Furthermore, Anthropic plans to harness custom semiconductors developed by AWS for training the foundational models that underpin its AI applications. Amazon to invest $4 billion in ChatGPT rival Anthropic BUSINESSNext >