March 2025 / Vol. 3 issue 03 / an ITP Media Group Publication MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS SPECIAL President of Ericsson Middle East and Africa, Patrick Johansson, on shaping the future of tech INFINITE POSSIBILITIES In p a rt n e rs h ip w it h E ri c s s o n Edge_Mar2025_00_Cover_13521332.indd 124/02/2025 11:59Untitled-10 106/12/2024 16:06EDGE | March 2025 3 EDITOR’S LETTER Anita Joseph Editor Download now for IOS, Android, and Kindle WHEN MACHINES TAKE OVER THE FUTURE AI has long been a tool—predicting, assisting, automating. But now, we’re on the edge of something far more profound: Agentic AI. Unlike traditional AI, which waits for commands, Agentic AI takes initiative. It learns dynamically, reasons autonomously, and makes decisions with minimal human intervention. Imagine AI that doesn’t just optimise processes but actively orchestrates them negotiating deals, troubleshooting systems, even designing solutions we hadn’t considered. This is not just evolution; it’s a revolution. Tech titans are racing to build AI agents that can schedule meetings, write code, and run businesses with almost no human oversight. Startups are leveraging this technology to automate research, while industries from fi nance to medicine are preparing for an AI that doesn’t just respond, but thinks. The implications? Massive productivity gains, but also seismic shifts in control. Who governs AI when it governs itself? How do we ensure alignment with human values when AI defi nes its own objectives? The stakes have never been higher. At Edge Middle East, we explore the frontier of technology. This issue dives into the rise of agentic AI, its pioneers, and the several ethical dilemmas that come with it. We dissect the breakthroughs, the risks, and the industries on the cusp of transformation. The age of Agentic AI is here. Are we ready? Those who harness it will lead; those who resist will struggle. The future doesn’t wait for permission it takes action. Together, let’s fi nd out what happens next. WHAT’S TRENDING IN TECH Social Shopping Social media is transforming into dynamic shopping hubs, enabling users to purchase products directly within the many apps. This integration of social interaction and e-commerce is catching up fast Autonomous AI Agents AI is evolving beyond chatbots into fully autonomous agents capable of making decisions executing tasks and operating without human intervention. The future of work is shifting toward increased automation Data Centers The surge in artifi cial intelligence applications is driving exponential growth in the data center industry. Projections indicate that the market for data centers and related AI hardware and software could reach $1.45 trillion AI Integration The technology trend now is to showcase AI driven innovations across various sectors, highlighting the convergence of AI with technology and human intelligence Stay Curious, Stay Connected! Edge_Mar2025_3_Editor Letter_13526227.indd 324/02/2025 13:274 EDGE | March 2025 ANALYSIS Alphabet’s $75 billion investment for AI BIG PICTURE Data Centers: Driving the technology change COVER STORY Patrick Johansson of Ericsson on shaping the future of tech OPINION Sergio Maccotta, Senior Vice President, SAP MEA - South FEATURE Women Making a Diff erence in Tech INTERVIEW Greg Pavlik of Oracle on Digital Transformation 28 101820 30 36 Edge_Mar2025_4-5_Contents_13526228.indd 424/02/2025 12:02EDGE | March 2025 5 CYBERSECURITY Data Breach is top privacy concern among organisations SPOTLIGHT How Deepseek is Transforming Human Intelligence INTERVIEW Eng. Abdullah Mohammed Al-Issa, Saudi’s Health Ministry INTERVIEW Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager MEA at Uber VINTAGE TECH Nokia 3310-durable and addictive gadget of yesterday INNOVATION World’s fi rst 3D printed restaurant 42 222426 44 50 Edge_Mar2025_4-5_Contents_13526228.indd 524/02/2025 12:026 EDGE | March 2025 PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0)4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi Managing Director: Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology: Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Editor: Anita Joseph +971 4 444 3542 / anita.joseph@itp.com Commercial Editor: Arya Devi +971 4 444 3175 / arya.devi@itp.com ART Art Director: Amjad Ayche Art Editor: Tofi q Memon ADVERTISING Group Publishing Director: Natasha Pendleton +971 4 444 3248 / natasha.pendleton@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 Senior Video Editor: Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events: Eleanor Ashton / eleanor.ashton@itp.com Events & Marketing Manager: Kate Galaktionova Events Manager: Beverly Stanforth Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina Events Sales Executive: Jan Mokoala Events Administrative Assistant: Aronn Pureza Events Sales Assistant: Joyce Salonga Events Administrative Assistant: Bobbie Rosario PRODUCTION Production Manager: Balasubramanian P DISTRIBUTION Circulation Executive: Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator: Avinash Pereira ITP GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi CFO: Toby Jay Spencer-Davies 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 reader’s 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 | March 2025 To fl ip through previous editions of Edge magazine, visit itp.net/magazine-issue/edge PUBLISHED BY AND © 2025 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. 6 EDGE | March 2025 Edge_Mar2025_6_Flannel_13526229.indd 624/02/2025 12:02WHERE THE FUTURE OF TECH TAKES CENTRE STAGE April 30 2025 | Anantara Downtown Dubai SCAN QR CODE TO REGISTERVIRTUAL REALITY 8 EDGE | March 2025 Businesses are rapidly moving towards a hyper-automated future where AI handles complex workfl ows without human intervention. The rise of no-code and low-code platforms is eliminating the need for traditional software development, allowing companies to automate processes faster than ever. The dream of merging humans with machines is no longer science fi ction. AI-powered bionic limbs, neural implants, and exoskeletons are revolutionising medicine, accessibility, and even human potential. Startups like Neuralink Open Bionics and Ekso Bionics are leading this transformation. The intersection of Web3 and AI is creating a future where intelligent, decentralised systems operate without middlemen. Web3 is enabling AI-driven platforms that are secure, autonomous and censorship-resistant. As they converge, we’re looking at an internet where users own their data. AI is emerging as a key weapon in the fi ght for a sustainable future. From optimising energy grids to predicting climate shifts, AI is helping industries go green like never before. The road ahead? AI-powered sustainability needs strong policies to ensure ethical implementation. FUTURE PERFECT TRENDS SHAPING OUR TOMORROW HYPER AUTOMATION: NO-CODE PROCESS BIONIC FUTURE: AI-POWERED HUMAN WEB3 & AI: DECENTRALISED INTELLIGENCE GREEN TECH: AI-POWERED SUSTAINABILITY WHAT OUR READERS THINK... XAI Unveils Grok 3: A Major Leap in AI Evolution and Popularity Success is a symphony of trust, skill and customer experience “Well-written, well thought out. An intelligent read. Keep it up, ITP.NET”—Jason Ch ang, CISO, Govt sector “A well executed video interview with interesting questions and responses”—Sunu Thomas, Telco sector Edge_Mar2025_8-9_Online_13527397.indd 824/02/2025 12:03VIRTUAL WORLD EDGE | March 2025 9 Today, Apple’s role goes beyond hardware and software. The company has embarked on what it calls “Apple Intelligence.” While the world might tag it as AI, Apple frames it diff erently. “It’s built on creativity,” says Cook. “It’s built to extend your creativity, not to replace it.” In an era when generative AI can conjure images or compose text at a keystroke, Apple wants its intelligence layer seen as a collaborator. It is now giving its AI-driven tools time to mature, ensuring they serve genuine artistic expression, rather than simply chasing headlines. TIM COOK, APPLE AND THE NEW AGE OF CREATIVITY EDGE | March 2025 9 ONLINE Edge_Mar2025_8-9_Online_13527397.indd 924/02/2025 12:03Next >