january 2024 / vol. 2 issue 1 / an ITP Media Group publication Tech visionaries unveil their insights and predictions into the transformative trends that will shape the new year What’s next? AI ENTERS EVOLUTIONARY PHASE RISE OF SUSTAINABLE DATA CENTRES 5G - THE CATALYST FOR INNOVATION DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS QUANTUM COMPUTING TAKES CENTRE STAGE THURSDAY 7 TH MARCH 2024 DUBAI, UAE Where Infrastructure Meets Innovation Step into Middle East Data Centre 360 – an exclusive platform tailored for B2B professionals in the technology and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) sectors, offering an unparalleled exploration of the future of data centres. Be prepared for insightful discussions led by our esteemed speakers, contributing to the crucial dialogue on constructing resilient, efficient, and sustainable data infrastructure. REGISTER TO ATTEND GET IN TOUCH Priyanka Pillai Group Commercial Manager, edge T: +971 4 444 3399 E: priyanka.pillai@itp.com Oliver Osea Senior Commercial Manager, MEP Middle East T: +971 4 444 3129 E: oliver.osea@itp.com ITP.EVENTS/ MIDDLEEASTDATACENTRE360 SCAN TO REGISTERedge_ january 2024 3 contents january 2024 12 10 16 cover story Voices of 2024 Tech visionaries explore what lies ahead 164 edge_ january 2024 “Generative AI, with its capacity to mimic human- like thinking, is becoming an integral part of our daily lives” From Page 50 38 other stories Fortifying the Middle East How zero trust segmentation can rapidly and effectively thwart ransomware attacks 42 Gadget Watch 6 amazing gadgets to keep an eye out for 44 Review Acer TravelMate P4 48 contents 40 Rabih El Chaar, CEO and Founder, Nadeera Technologiesedge_ january 2024 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 Art Editor Tofi q Memon Contributing Designer Muhammed Nahas 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 Videographer Muhammad Kaleem Senior Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur Social Media & Production Manager Andy Ruedas 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 As we kick off 2024, I’m thrilled to welcome you to our January issue! The new year brings with it a palpable sense of possibility and new opportunities. As we turn the page on 2023, we stand at the threshold of another thrilling chapter in the technology landscape. In this month’s issue, we proudly present ‘Voices of 2024,’ an insightful collection of perspectives, predictions, and wisdom from some of the brightest minds in the tech industry. The consensus among these thought leaders is clear – artificial intelligence (AI) will once again take centre stage. While AI becoming more deeply integrated into our lives stirs discussions about jobs, our tech gurus dispel fears of machines taking over and instead call for ensuring the technology’s safe and ethical development. With focus and collaboration, they assert, AI’s benefits can vastly outweigh any risks. Nevertheless, the need to advance regulations in ensuring the responsible development of AI will be paramount moving forward. Another recurring theme is cybersecurity. As our lives move increasingly online, defending against constantly evolving threats is crucial. Our contributors stress the importance of prioritising security through design and hiring qualified talent to develop solutions. They note that by proactively addressing vulnerabilities, industries stand to gain immensely from all that technology enables. We also bring you an insightful interview with Nadeera Technologies about their programme, YallaReturn. Taking the spotlight at COP28, it demonstrated how sustainability initiatives driven by technology can meaningfully engage communities and yield significant returns. Projects like this are a testament to the power that technology has in driving positive change on a global scale. Looking ahead, what innovations will push the boundaries of what’s possible? The future remains unwritten, but whether it’s breakthroughs in AI, quantum computing, or the metaverse, I’m excited to see what new directions our brightest minds will take us. Until then, stay curious, and join us each month as we explore what the future holds. What’s next? Adelle Geronimo editor Published by and © 2024 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_ january 2024 news UAE introduces new law to facilitate tech-driven trade growth The Ministry of Economy in the UAE has unveiled the Federal Decree-Law No. 14 of 2023 on Commerce through Modern Means of Technology (e-commerce). In line with the country’s strategic vision for digital advancement, the new legislation seeks to transform the expansion of trade by harnessing the latest technologies and promoting the establishment of intelligent infrastructure. Underlining the country’s commitment to a resilient economic model, Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, highlighted the pivotal role of the new e-commerce law. Emphasising its compatibility with global digital commerce trends, the law adopts a flexible approach to streamline businesses. The new law addresses key facets of the digital trade landscape, from regulating e-commerce entities and safeguarding consumer interests to authorising trade conducted through modern technology means. Noteworthy provisions include optional dispute resolution jurisdictions, protection of intellectual property rights, and the integration of federal and local entities in the e-commerce value chain. Moreover, the law places specific responsibilities on the Ministry of Economy, including the formulation of a comprehensive e-commerce policy, issuance of terms for consumer protection, and coordination with authorities on compliance, tax, and customs. Merchants engaging in e-commerce must adhere to stringent criteria, ensuring legal capacity, regulatory compliance, and the provision of a secure technology infrastructure. news bytes Stay in the loop with the latest news and trends from the tech scene DIGITAL ECONOMY $816.9BN (AED 3 trillion) The envisioned GDP target under the ‘We The UAE 2031’ initiativeedge_ january 2024 7 news The latest initiative allows Saudi businesses to prioritise threat analysis, investigation, and response for their IT security teams Kaspersky, SCCC Alibaba Cloud fortify Saudi Arabia’s cyber defence CYBERSECURITY Kaspersky, in collaboration with the Saudi Cloud Computing Company (SCCC) Alibaba Cloud, has launched its Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service to bolster cybersecurity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The move aligns with the Saudi National Cybersecurity Strategy’s emphasis on data sovereignty and privacy. Operating through the secure public cloud provided by SCCC Alibaba Cloud ensures organisations in the Kingdom can access advanced cybersecurity solutions while retaining control over sensitive data. Addressing the global shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, the MDR service provides outsourced Security Operations Centre (SOC) capabilities, allowing organisations to benefit from Kaspersky’s expertise in threat hunting and incident response. The collaboration also leverages advanced detection technologies and knowledge from professional units like the Global Research & Analysis Team (GReAT), empowering organisations to effectively defend against sophisticated cyber threats. SCCC Alibaba Cloud’s role as the hyperscale sovereign public cloud provider reinforces a commitment to a secure, reliable, and scalable cloud platform, aligning with the broader mission of facilitating global expertise and solutions in the region. The company laid off 600 employees in January and 200 in June Music streaming giant Spotify has announced a significant workforce reduction, planning to lay off 1,500 employees, constituting 17 percent of its workforce. This move follows earlier job cuts in January and June, totalling 800 employees. CEO Daniel Ek explained that the company’s expansion in 2020 and 2021, driven by lower capital costs, necessitated the layoffs to enhance efficiency. Anticipating charges of $140 million to $156 million (EUR 130-145 million) in Q4, Spotify revises its forecast to an operating loss between $100 million to $16 million (EUR 93-108 million). Despite recent positive earnings, Ek emphasised the need for productivity and efficiency. Spotify, having invested over a billion dollars in its podcast business, aims to reach a billion users by 2030. Affected employees will receive five months’ severance pay, with Ek justifying the scale of layoffs to align operational costs with financial goals. Spotify announces third round of layoffs this year BUSINESS8 edge_ january 2024 news 5G to make up 90% of mobile subscriptions across the GCC by 2029 Mobile subscriptions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will grow from 76 million in 2023 to 81 million in 2029, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report. Ericsson revealed that by the close of 2023, 5G is poised to claim a noteworthy 34 percent of all mobile subscriptions, translating to 26 million subscriptions. Anticipating an annual growth rate of 19 percent, the report predicts a remarkable leap in 5G subscriptions, reaching 75 million by 2029 and constituting 90 percent of total subscriptions in the region. The report also sheds light on the region’s data landscape, foreseeing a steady climb in mobile data traffic. With a compound annual growth rate of 16 percent from 2023 to 2029, the primary impetus behind this surge is identified as 5G traffic, with an estimated monthly data usage per smartphone expected to reach 66GB by 2029. Service providers are not only keeping pace with this technological evolution but are actively seeking avenues to monetise their investments. Strategies include venturing into machine-to-machine (M2M) and IoT services, such as fleet management, remote monitoring, and innovative applications in health and finance. Additionally, the report underscores the development of smart-city projects leveraging 5G capabilities, with network slicing, 5G standalone, and API exposure identified as key enablers for service providers to tap into new revenue streams. As global 5G subscriptions are forecasted to increase from 1.6 billion in 2023 to 5.3 billion by 2029, the GCC stands out as a frontrunner in this technological revolution. The region is anticipated to boast a 92 percent 5G penetration rate by 2029, placing it alongside North America as a global leader in embracing the transformative power of 5G technology. 5G GCC countries are expected to have the highest regional 5G penetration rates within six yearsedge_ january 2024 9 news CODE will collaborate with academics, policymakers, and companies to promote digital openness Google, Meta, Qualcomm team up to drive open digital ecosystems DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Alphabet’s Google, Meta Platforms, Qualcomm, and seven other prominent tech companies have joined forces to establish the Coalition for Open Digital Ecosystems (CODE). This alliance responds to new EU tech regulations and seeks to champion open platforms and systems for enhanced growth and innovation in Europe. With members including Honor, Lenovo, Lynx, Motorola, Nothing, Opera, and Wire, CODE aims to collaborate with academics, policymakers, and businesses to implement digital openness, particularly aligning with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Stan Larroque, founder of Lynx, stated, “We think openness is the crucial element” in discussions about what constitutes a favourable digital ecosystem in Europe and how it can drive innovation and enhance competitiveness. The DMA mandates tech gatekeepers to allow third-party interoperability and enables business users to operate outside the gatekeeper’s platform. By promoting cross-industry collaboration and seamless connectivity, CODE strives to foster open digital ecosystems. The rideshare segment of Careem is wholly owned by the US ride- sharing giant Uber UAE-based telecom and technology company, e&, has successfully concluded the acquisition of a 50.03 percent stake in Careem Technologies, known as Careem Everything App, for $400 million. The deal, signed in April, focuses on boosting the growth of Careem Everything App, a newly-formed entity segregating non-rideshare businesses from Careem. The $400 million capital injection will be utilised to foster the growth of Careem Everything App, according to e&’s statement to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. The investment aligns with e&’s strategic goal of enhancing its consumer digital services and advancing its transformation into a global technology group. By merging with Careem Everything App, e& gains access to diverse digital services, skilled professionals, and extended geographical reach. Careem, operating in 10 countries across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, offers a comprehensive range of digital services, including rideshare, food delivery, FinTech, micro-mobility, and third-party services. UAE’s e& acquires majority stake in Careem Technologies ACQUISITIONNext >