< PreviousNEWS 10 Edge/ November 2024 e& has announced a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to drive digital transformation across the Middle East. This collaboration marks a signifi cant step for AWS, following the launch of its second Middle East cloud region in the UAE in 2022, as part of a $5 billion (AED 20 billion) investment planned until 2036. The agreement aims to make cloud services more accessible to small and medium-sized businesses supported by e&, enabling them to explore and manage software solutions through the AWS Marketplace. It will also focus on generative AI, with e& customers accessing AWS’s Amazon Bedrock AI solutions, helping businesses deploy AI-driven applications and improve productivity across various sectors. This partnership is pivotal as cloud adoption rapidly accelerates across the region. According to PwC, nearly 70 per cent of Middle Eastern companies intend to migrate to the cloud within two years. A Telecom Advisory Services report further suggests that public cloud adoption could unlock $733 billion in economic value across the region by 2033. Commenting on the partnership, Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, said: “This agreement with AWS aligns with our strategic goal of creating an ecosystem that supports current digital needs and future growth. By merging infrastructure investment with talent development, we are contributing to the region’s digital resilience and supporting the UAE’s ambition to become a global digital powerhouse.” Echoing this sentiment, Tanuja Randery, AWS’s Vice President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, said: “This collaboration reinforces AWS’s commitment to the UAE and the wider Middle East. With our AI and ML expertise, we empower organisations to innovate securely, e& AND AWS FORGE $1 BILLION PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST AI supporting UAE Vision 2031.” Looking ahead, the alliance aims to bolster talent development by providing cloud technology and AI training to thousands of individuals, including UAE nationals. Salvador Anglada, CEO of e& enterprise, described the partnership as a “signifi cant milestone,” he said: “By merging AWS’s advanced cloud capabilities with our local expertise, we are enabling businesses across the region to accelerate their digital transformation and scale with agility.” The partnership, valued at over $1 billion (AED 3.7 billion) over the next six years, will fuel innovation across sectors such as healthcare and fi nance, leveraging AWS’s cloud infrastructure alongside e&’s extensive network. It also aims to enhance platforms like Starzplay Arabia and Careem, expanding AI capabilities and Smart Home services. Additionally, customers can earn e& Smiles points when shopping on Amazon. The collaboration seeks to empower digital transformation through AI solutions, cloud access, and training initiatives, across industries Edge_Nov2024_10-13_News_13429379.indd 1024/10/2024 12:49NEWS Edge/ November 2024 11 G42 PREDICTS $30 BILLION MARKET CHANGE BY 2032 Alongside the o1-preview, OpenAI releases a cost-eff ective model focused on coding, off ering advanced reasoning at 80 per cent lower cost OpenAI has announced a new series of artifi cial intelligence models, called OpenAI o1, designed to excel in complex tasks by employing deeper reasoning processes. These models represent a signifi cant advancement in AI’s ability to tackle intricate problems in science, mathematics, and coding. The fi rst model in this series, o1-preview, is now available for early access through ChatGPT and OpenAI’s API. While this is a preview release, OpenAI plans frequent updates and improvements as the models evolve. The company is also previewing evaluations for the next update that is currently in development. The o1 series adopts a novel approach by training models to “think” more deeply, similar to how humans approach complex tasks. By spending additional time considering various strategies, these models refi ne their reasoning processes, enabling them to solve more complicated problems. In recent tests, the forthcoming model performed comparably to PhD students in physics, chemistry, and biology. During Codeforces programming competitions, the o1-preview model reached the 89th percentile, demonstrating its ability to eff ectively generate and debug complex code. OpenAI has introduced a new safety approach, leveraging the models’ enhanced reasoning abilities to improve adherence to safet y guidelines. This includes better handling of safety rules in context and increased resistance to manipulation attempts known as “jailbreaking”. In one of OpenAI’s toughest jailbreaking tests, the o1-preview model scored 84 out of 100, significantly outperforming GPT-4o’s score of 22. OpenAI has strengthened its internal safety measures to support these advancements, collaborating closely with federal governments and AI Safety Institutes in the US and UK. These institutes have been granted early access to the research version of the model for evaluation, marking a signifi cant step towards responsible AI development. The OpenAI o1 models are intended for users tackling complex problems in healthcare, science, coding, and mathematics. OpenAI has also introduced a smaller, cost-eff ective version called o1-mini, which focuses on coding tasks. Priced at 80 per cent less than the o1-preview model, it off ers developers a powerful yet budget- friendly option. ChatGPT Plus and Team users can access the o1-preview and o1-mini models by selecting them manually. ChatGPT Enterprise and education users will gain access while developers with API tier 5 access can begin prototyping. Edge_Nov2024_10-13_News_13429379.indd 1124/10/2024 12:49NEWS 12 Edge/ November 2024 Presight, the UAE’s leading big data analytics company powered by Generative AI, has unveiled the Presight Datahub, a pioneering enterprise data marketplace designed to help organisations create data products, derive value, and facilitate seamless data exchange. The platform marks a milestone as the UAE’s fi rst sovereign data marketplace, enabling entities across both public and private sectors to transform their data into a growth catalyst. Built as a cloud-native solution, Presight Datahub is deployed on Microsof t Azure within the UAE. It ensures compliance with the nation’s data sovereignty and security requirements while off ering the fl exibility to meet diverse business needs. It also provides extensive customisation capabilities, allowing organisations to tailor the marketplace to their unique requirements. Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight, underscored the platform’s potential to drive strategic advantage through data insights. “At Presight, we recognise that the true potential of Artif icial Intelligence lies in its practical application, or what we call ‘Applied Intelligence’. Presight Datahub exemplifi es democratisation, enabling users to interpret data and extract value swiftly. It empowers customers to convert data into meaningful products that drive real-world impact.” The launch of Presight Datahub strengthens the company’s position as a key player in the UAE’s data landscape. Presight off ers tailored enablement services to help organisations transform data into actionable insights. By driving innovation and growth, Presight aims PRESIGHT INTRODUCES PRESIGHT DATA HUB to provide businesses with a strategic edge in today’s data-centric economy. Dr. Adel Alsharji, COO of Presight, added, “As businesses increasingly adapt to data-driven environments, Presight Datahub provides robust capabilities to create data products, ensuring secure and ef f i cient data exchange and management. This platform allows organisations to navigate their data strategy confi dently and transition from value creation to value realisation, presenting a compelling proposition for our customers and partners.” The Datahub off ers potential for diff erent sectors like fi nance, where it enables secure data exchange, customised data products, retail for personalised customer experiences, mobility for route planning and smart cities. As the UAE’s inaugural enterprise data marketplace, the Presight Datahub provides secure, cloud-based data exchange Edge_Nov2024_10-13_News_13429379.indd 1224/10/2024 12:49NEWS Edge/ November 2024 13 Core42, a G 42 co m p a ny renowned for its expertise in so v e r e ign cloud, A I infrastructure, and digital services, has launched its Inference-as-a-Service solution globally in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. The new offering, available through all Core42 data centres worldwide, aims to simplif y AI deployment for Sof t ware -as-a-Ser vice (SaaS) p r o v i d e r s a n d g e n e r a t i v e A I developers by providing instant access to essential models while easing infrastructure management. The rapid rise of generative AI— from image and code generation to chatbots and text summarisation—has created complexities in managing the optimal infrastructure needed for eff icient scaling. AI developers are often challenged to maintain high performance while managing robust computing demands. Core42’s latest offering, backed by Q u a l co m m Te c h n o l o g i e s ’ comprehensive platform, addresses these challenges by integrating AI inference accelerators, standardised APIs, and pre -built generative AI applications into a seamless service. Ra g h u C h a k r av a r t h i , E V P o f Engineering and GM Americas at Core42, expressed optimism about the new launch. “ O ur Inf er enc e - a s - a -Ser v i c e , enhanced by Qualcomm’s end-to- end platform, optimises AI inference at scale, driving both sustainability and transformative outcomes across indus t ries,” said Chakravar t hi. He added that the collaboration boosts Core42’s technological capabilities and propels its global expansion, CORE42, QUALCOMM LAUNCH AI INFERENCE-AS-A-SERVICE enabling businesses to innovate more swiftly. Designed to offer effortless integration of AI models, Core42’s platform provides users with a choice of optimised inference containers, accelerated APIs, or a user-friendly interface, ensuring adaptability to varying performance needs. High-availability containers further suppor t autoscaling at the ser ver and model levels, ensuring optimal performance even during demand surges. Developers benefit from pre- built AI applications for chat, image, and code generation, alongside to o l s fo r cu s to m A I s o l u t i o n s . Qualcomm Technologies is equally enthusiastic about the collaboration. Cor e 4 2’ s lat es t inno vat ion positions the company as a leader in AI infrastructure. It simplif ies AI integration for businesses worldwide. The new service streamlines AI model integration and infrastructure management, driving industry effi ciency and innovation Edge_Nov2024_10-13_News_13429379.indd 1324/10/2024 12:49OPINION 14 Edge/ November 2024 / Vibhu Kapoor, Regional Vice President- Middle East, Africa & India, Epicor The GCC manufacturing sector is a critical driver of the region’s economy, with around 95,000 companies employing over 1.17 million people and contributing approximately $140 billion in value. Governments are keen to support this sector’s growth, with Saudi Arabia’s National Industry Strategy aiming to triple its GDP contribution and double non-oil industrial exports by 2030. Similarly, the UAE’s Operation 300bn targets AED300 billion ($82 billion) in added value by 2031. Encouraged by these government strategies, market trends, and regulatory Automation, powered by AI, off ers a solution by increasing effi ciency and accuracy in routine tasks, allowing companies to focus on more complex activities THE AI + INDUSTRY CLOUD ADVANTAGE A Potent Mix for GCC Manufacturing Transformation AI Words by Vibhu Kapoor, Regional Vice President - Middle East, Africa & India, Epicor for the needs of particular industries. These tailored systems provide fl exibility and scalability, off ering manufacturers the tools they need without the cost and complexity of traditional procurement. ICPs also streamline compliance and enhance security, which are crucial for modern manufacturing operations. Yet, challenges remain. Manufacturers are expected to do more with less, not only due to budget constraints but also because of regional skills shortages. Automation, powered by AI, offers a solution by increasing effi ciency and accuracy in routine tasks, allowing companies to focus on more complex activities. For example, AI-powered enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems can go beyond traditional roles by monitoring and optimising processes, providing actionable insights, and fostering greater collaboration across the supply chain. While concerns around AI’s impact on jobs persist, the manufacturing sector faces fewer risks in this area due to existing skills gaps. Instead, AI is likely to augment roles, improving day-to-day operations and enhancing productivity. Research shows a strong appetite for modernisation, with 61 per cent of manufacturing workers seeing further potential for workplace advancement. In a digital-fi rst economy, manufacturers need every advantage to stay competitive. AI-powered industry cloud platforms off er precisely that – an opportunity to drive effi ciency, innovation, and growth on a grand scale. OPINION demands, the region’s manufacturers are undergoing signifi cant transformation. They are embracing technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artifi cial intelligence (AI), with AI in particular seen as a game-changer. PwC’s Strategy& estimates that the GCC could see $9.90 of economic growth for every dollar invested in generative AI. Alongside AI, tools like predictive analytics and advanced robotics are reshaping the future of manufacturing in the region. A key enabler of this change is the rise of Industry Cloud Platforms (ICPs) – cloud platforms designed specifi cally Edge_Nov2024_14_Opinion_13410788.indd 1424/10/2024 12:55OPINION Edge/ November 2024 15 Cybercriminals around the world see data centres as lucrative opportunities, whether to steal data, deploy ransomware, or disrupt critical systems. Data centres utilise many systems, devices, and processes, and any blind spot or vulnerability in any system can serve as an avenue of entry that can be exploited. Over 20,000 data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) systems have been found publicly exposed, and these could allow an attacker to disrupt a data centre by altering temperature and humidity thresholds. Some UPS systems have also been found to be vulnerable, giving hackers access to data centre power. Data centres are also fi lled with Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which could act as attack vectors. Considering all this, operators in the Middle East must be aware of their vulnerability and strive to protect every part of their infrastructure. Many data centres could already have been silently compromised. Attackers are increasingly deploying sophisticated ‘living off the land’ (LOTL) attacks, which use the core tools of computer systems rather than installing their malicious fi les. This infi ltration is diffi cult to spot and can stay undetected for years until the bad actor is ready to strike. These actors can be signifi cant entities. In many cases, LOTL payloads originating from state-sponsored agents have been found lurking on critical networks. In the UK, the country’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has implicated a state- sponsored hacking group, APT31, in attempting to target a group of MPs. In a list of other targets, the APT31 cyberthreat extends to the UK economy, critical national infrastructure, and supply chains. A WEAK LINK IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN If an attacker cannot infi ltrate a data centre directly, it may attempt to inject a malicious payload on equipment yet to be deployed. IoT devices are fertile ground for criminals; they are network-attached by default and often not inspected with the same level of detail as more obvious attack vectors would be. As with LOTL payloads, malicious IoT devices may hide in plain sight because they allow attackers to piggyback on implicit trust. In the face of growing supply chain attacks – Gartner predicts that by 2025, 45 per cent of organisations worldwide will have experienced attacks on their software supply chains – there is no longer any way to justify any implicit trust. Vendors must demonstrate the security and purity of their supply chain in detail and take action to ensure that unauthorised modifi cations do not happen. Data centres, in turn, must reevaluate every vendor relationship to ensure they are not compromised. PRIORITISING PHYSICAL SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE Strong physical securit y through cameras, thermal and radar detection, and access control is vital to data centres as an attacker on site could cause untold disruption. That said, logical security is just as essential to ensure attackers do not reach one’s site virtually. Every piece of hardware and software, whether within the scope of the regulations or not, should be catalogued, analysed, prioritised, and documented regularly. Therefore, compliance in the Middle East is no small matter and needs to be substantiated with a clear record. The same must be the case for vendors. No supplier of any value would wish to issue anything not on the level; working with vendors that care about their products is the path for data centres to create a more innovative, safer world. THREATS FROM ALL SIDES Rethinking physical security for data centres in the Middle East Words by Peter Dempsey, EMEA Key Account Manager & Data Centre Lead at Axis Communications SECURITY /Peter Dempsey, EMEA Key Account Manager & Data Centre Lead at Axis Communications Edge_Nov2024_15_Opinion_13410787.indd 1524/10/2024 12:55FEATURE 16 Edge/ November 2024 $22M Raised by Ziina in September 2024 Faisal Toukan, CEO and co-founder of Ziina. “We realised there were deeper pain points we could address, particularly for businesses struggling with banking and payments.” This realisation led to the launch of Ziina Business, a 360-degree solution enabling companies to accept payments through gateways, POS systems, and even social media platforms. “Banking for businesses in the UAE can be challenging, with processes like setting up payment gateways and accounts taking months. Ziina Business offers instant payment solutions, making it easy for businesses Two years ago, Ziina was primarily known as a consumer platform, helping users split bills and accept payments for everyday expenses like rent and groceries. However, the company’s trajectory shifted unexpectedly when businesses across the UAE began using the app to accept payments. “That was a pivotal moment for us,” says REVOLUTIONISING PAYMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST Ziina’s Journey from Bills to Business Banking Words by Sindhu V Kashyap FINTECH Edge_Nov2024_16-17_Ziina_13406502.indd 1624/10/2024 12:59FEATURE Edge/ November 2024 17 Banking for businesses in the UAE can be challenging, with processes like setting up payment gateways and accounts taking months. Ziina Business off ers instant payment solutions, making it easy for businesses to get paid and manage their customer relationships to get paid and manage their customer relationships,” Toukan explains. Ziina raised $22 million in Series A funding, led by Altos Ventures, earlier in September. Jabbar Internet Group, Fintech Collective, Y Combinator, Avenir Growth, Activant Capital, FJ Labs, and MEVP also participated in the funding. The company now supports 50,000 active users and thousands of businesses on its platform, a remarkable growth from its early days. “What’s truly exciting is that 55 per cent of our traffi c comes organically, through word of mouth. Businesses are referring other businesses to Ziina, which has been incredible for our growth,” Toukan adds. Beyond payments, Ziina Business provides a CRM system that helps businesses automate tasks like booking systems and customer data management. But Toukan and his team are not stopping there. They’ve applied for a Stored Value Facility (SVF) licence, positioning Ziina to move beyond payments and become a complete fi nancial services provider. “The SVF licence will allow us to issue our cards, off er remittance services, and build an ecosystem for investments,” Toukan says. The following 18 months will see Ziina evolving into a fi nancial partner for businesses and consumers. Ziina’s ambition to revolutionise payments in the Middle East has been a driving force since its inception in 2021. Co-founded by Faisal Toukan, his sister Sarah Toukan, and Andrew Gold, the Dubai-based fi ntech startup was built to address the region’s complex fi nancial transaction systems. Gold is no longer part of the startup. “Sending and receiving money in the Middle East isn’t easy. Unlike India’s UPI system, digital payments here are more cumbersome. We wanted to simplify that process,” says Toukan. Ziina operates as a digital wallet, similar to Paytm or Amazon Pay, but tailored for the Middle Eastern market. The app allows users to send and receive money with just a few taps, bypassing the need for IBANs and SWIFT codes. It also adds a social element, letting users send messages, emojis, and even GIFs with their transactions. The team is currently working on introducing a social debit card model, further enhancing its appeal. While the consumer side of the business remains free, Ziina has found a monetisation path through its business product, charging companies a fl at fee of 2.6 per cent per transaction. “Businesses are willing to pay for our platform’s convenience and effi ciency. In the short term, we’re focused on monetising business transactions while ensuring consumers adopt our social cards as a long-term solution,” Toukan explains. However, building a fi ntech startup in the Middle East has its challenges. “In fi ntech, trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets,” says Toukan. “You can’t aff ord to launch fast and break things when dealing with people’s money.” Ziina’s journey to securing regulatory approval took 13 months, a painstaking process that Toukan describes as essential to ensuring consumer and security protection. The fi ntech sector in the Middle East has historically lagged behind other regions, but that’s beginning to change. Investors, regulators, and companies alike are starting to recognise the region’s vast potential. “The Middle East is often underrated,” says Toukan. “With Careem’s big exit and a growing number of successful startups, we’re seeing a shift in optimism. Regulations are opening up, and I believe more fi ntech startups will emerge in the next two years.” Looking forward, Ziina’s focus is on expanding its product off erings. The upcoming Ziina Card will allow businesses to spend directly from their wallets, while new features such as Bill Pay, remittances, and direct deposits are in the pipeline. The company is also working on becoming a full-fl edged fi nancial ecosystem, managing all business and personal transactions in one place. “Ziina is poised for tremendous growth,” says Toukan. “With the licence, funding, and traction we’ve gained, we’re excited about the future. We’re not just a payments provider anymore—we’re becoming a fi nancial partner.” As the Middle East continues to embrace digital transformation, Ziina is well-positioned to lead the fi ntech charge, helping businesses and consumers alike navigate the evolving fi nancial landscape. With a growing user base, strong investor backing, and a clear vision for the future, Ziina’s journey is just beginning. /Ziina Business provides a CRM system that helps businesses automate tasks Edge_Nov2024_16-17_Ziina_13406502.indd 1724/10/2024 12:59FEATURE 18 Edge/ November 2024 According to Chainalysis’s mid-year crime update report, while illicit on- chain activities have decreased by 20 per cent year-to-date (YTD), certain criminal operations have surged. Notably, stolen fund infl ows have nearly doubled, and ransomware payments are expected to reach record levels by the year’s end. These developments illustrate how cybercriminals are adapting despite increased scrutiny and regulatory measures. Much of the report focuses on the alarming rise of “romance-based” scams, which have become one of the most lucrative forms of cryptocurrency- related fi nancial exploitation. These scams are particularly insidious, as they involve manipulating personal relationships, often under the guise of romance, to deceive victims. The term “romance-based scams” refl ects the scammer’s technique of metaphorically “fattening-up” their victims with aff ection before “butchering” them through fraudulent investment schemes. Typically, these scams are drawn out, with scammers building trust over time before committing fi nancial theft. Eric Jardine, Cybercrimes Research Lead at Chainalysis, highlights the prevalence of these scams, noting, “Romance-based scams have emerged as the most signifi cant revenue-generating scam type this year because scammers are highly adaptable and continuously evolve their methods.” Despite increased awareness, these scams remain widespread due to their personal, individualised nature, making them diffi cult to detect. Jardine further explains that these scams exploit interpersonal relationships, making them diffuse and unpredictable . “Unlike traditional scams, such as Ponzi schemes that rely on larger, centralised operations, romance-based scams involve direct, targeted interactions with individuals. This includes leveraging social relationships—whether romantic, platonic, INSIDE THE RISE OF ‘ROMANCE-BASED’ SCAMS How Cybercriminals Are Exploiting Romance and Trust Words by Sindhu V Kashyap SECURITY Romance-based scams have emerged as the most signifi cant revenue- generating scam type this year because scammers are highly adaptable and continuously evolve their methods Edge_Nov2024_18-19_Romance Based Scams_13406727.indd 1824/10/2024 13:02FEATURE Edge/ November 2024 19 or professional—to build trust and elicit fi nancial commitments.” Many of these scams are not small-scale operations but highly organised, often running from Southeast Asian compounds. Disturbingly, many of these operations are staff ed by traffi cked individuals forced to work in inhumane conditions. The report points to Myanmar’s KK Park as one of the most notorious scam compounds, generating over $100 million this year. In addition to scam proceeds, some funds come from ransom payments made by families attempting to rescue their traffi cked relatives. Jardine also notes that specifi c demographics are more vulnerable to romance-based scams. “People new to cryptocurrency, the elderly, and those who are lonely are particularly susceptible.” He adds that while loneliness is a key factor, it doesn’t limit the pool of victims; it broadens it. “In today’s digital age, many people experience loneliness, regardless of their relationship status, making them vulnerable.” Scammers often cast a wide net through mass messaging on social media or texts, gradually refi ning their approach based on responses to identify the most promising targets. The evolving nature of these scams refl ects the pressure from enforcement eff orts against traditional schemes. As authorities crack down on longer-term Ponzi schemes and blacklist scam addresses, criminals have shifted towards shorter, more report is the connection between romance- based scams and human traffi cking. Many scam operations in Southeast Asia are run by traffi cked individuals forced to participate in fraudulent activities. The funds generated by these scams not only enrich the criminals but are often linked to ransom payments made by families attempting to rescue traffi cked relatives. The report also exposes Huione Guarantee, a $49 billion marketplace associated with the Cambodian conglomerate Huione Group, as a signifi cant facilitator of cybercrimes, including romance-based scams. Operating as a peer-to-peer platform, Huione Guarantee provides a decentralised environment with minimal oversight, making it attractive to scammers. The platform is also implicated in money laundering schemes and has been linked to some of Southeast Asia’s largest scam operations. In conclusion, the Chainalysis mid-year crime update highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals, particularly those involved in romance-based scams. These operations represent a complex mix of human traffi cking, fi nancial fraud, and digital manipulation, posing a signifi cant challenge for law enforcement and regulatory bodies. As these criminal activities continue to evolve, there is a pressing need for heightened vigilance, more robust regulations, and stronger international cooperation to combat these growing threats. $100M was generated by Myanmar’s KK Park targeted campaigns like romance-based scams. This has seen the average scam duration drop from 271 days in 2020 to just 42 days in 2024. Social media plays a critical role in these scams, providing scammers a platform to create a facade of legitimacy. “Scammers purchase long-standing social media accounts, which may have been active for years, to appear credible and trustworthy,” says Jardine. The constant cycle of buying and discarding accounts helps scammers evade detection. Rather than impersonating celebrities or public fi gures, scammers typically use relatable profi les, such as those of mid-level professionals with credible career histories or active participants in community discussions on platforms like LinkedIn or Reddit. One of the most striking fi ndings in the /Scammers often cast a wide net through messaging on social media or texts /Romance-based scams, involve direct targeted interactions with individuals Edge_Nov2024_18-19_Romance Based Scams_13406727.indd 1924/10/2024 13:02Next >