WOOHOO, a restaurant operated by an AI chef, to open in Dubai soon
WOOHOO, a restaurant that bills itself as 'dining in the future,' is set to open in September in central Dubai, a stone's throw from the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
Food at WOOHOO will be assembled by humans, for now, but everything else — from the menu to ambience to service — will be designed by a culinary large-language-model called 'Chef Aiman.'
Aiman — a portmanteau of 'AI' and 'man' — is trained on decades of food science research, molecular composition data and over a thousand recipes from cooking traditions around the world, said Ahmet Oytun Cakir, one of WOOHOO's founders.
While Chef Aiman can't taste, smell or interact with his dishes like a chef normally would, the model works by breaking cuisine down to its component parts like texture, acidity and umami, and reassembling them into unusual flavour and ingredient combinations, according to Aiman's developers.
These prototypes are then refined by human cooks who taste the combinations and provide direction, in an effort led by renowned Dubai-based chef Reif Othman.
'Their responses to my suggestions help refine my understanding of what works beyond pure data,' Aiman explained, in an interview with the interactive AI model.
The goal, Aiman's creators say, is not to supplant the human element of cooking but to complement it.
'Human cooking will not be replaced, but we believe (Aiman) will elevate the ideas, creativity,' said Oytun Cakir, who is also chief executive of hospitality company Gastronaut.
Aiman is designed to develop recipes that re-use ingredients often discarded by restaurants, like meat trimmings or fat, he said.
Longer term, WOOHOO's founders believe Aiman could be licensed to restaurants across the globe, reducing kitchen waste and improving sustainability. (Reporting by Luke Tyson Editing by Ros Russell)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, Shareek sign deal to accelerate AI, cloud innovation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's private sector is set to gain a boost in AI-driven innovation and data capabilities through a new agreement aimed at accelerating digital transformation across key industries. The new deal, signed between the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and the Private Sector Partnership Reinforcement Program, known as Shareek, aims to conduct comprehensive market studies and coordinate with relevant authorities, according to an official statement. The memorandum of understanding also includes a mandate to develop AI-aligned business models and provide technical consultation services to private sector entities participating in the Shareek program. This comes as the Gulf's largest economy positions itself as a global AI hub under its Vision 2030 strategy, which targets $135.2 billion in economic value from the technology by the end of the decade. The same roadmap aims to raise the private sector's contribution to gross domestic product to 65 percent by 2030, signaling a shift toward tech-led diversification away from oil dependency. In a post on X, SDAIA stated that the MoU also seeks to 'develop investment opportunities in cooperation with relevant authorities' and to 'develop business models for both parties, in accordance with established procedures.' It added that the agreement will also focus on 'identifying and prioritizing investment opportunities and providing specialized technical consultations,' as well as 'sharing investment opportunities with the sector and relevant authorities to join the Private Sector Partnership Reinforcement Program – Shareek.' Launched in 2021, Shareek is a flagship public-private partnership program aiming to unlock SR5 trillion ($1.33 trillion) in investments by 2030. It supports large Saudi companies in accelerating growth and driving economic development. Its collaboration with SDAIA highlights its role in advancing large-scale digital transformation. The development comes as the Kingdom expands its global tech alliances, with SDAIA signing an MoU with Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, on the sidelines of the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh in May to strengthen the AI ecosystem. The agreement aims to develop specialized AI data centers powered by AMD technologies, supporting the Kingdom's efforts to build a robust digital infrastructure. These developments come as Saudi Arabia's global AI standing continues to rise, with the Kingdom ranking third worldwide in the OECD AI Policy Observatory in December, behind only the US and the UK.
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Arab News
Dubai real estate booms with 50k homes sold in Q2
JEDDAH: Dubai's residential property market posted a 22 percent year-on-year rise in sales during the second quarter of 2025, reaching 49,606 transactions, driven by strong demand from both domestic and international investors, particularly in the off-plan and resale segments. According to a new report by Provident Estate, the figures also mark an 82 percent jump from Q2 2023, underscoring the emirate's growing appeal as a global real estate hub. The second-quarter uptick builds on a robust start to the year. In Q1, Dubai saw over 42,000 residential deals worth 114.15 billion dirhams, with an average sale price of 2.7 million dirhams. Off-plan properties continued to dominate, while the ready-home segment also showed strong performance, the report noted. The momentum reflects broader regional trends across the Gulf Cooperation Council, where economic diversification, pro-investment reforms — such as relaxed foreign ownership rules and long-term residency options — are reshaping real estate dynamics. Similar demand growth is being observed in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait. 'These numbers are more than just market growth; they represent a shift in how the world views Dubai real estate. Buyers are not just investing in properties; they're investing in a lifestyle, in security, in the future of one of the fastest-growing cities globally,' said Laura Adams, secondary sales director at Provident Estate. Dubai's total property transaction value climbed to 147.6 billion dirhams in Q2 2025, up from 103.9 billion dirhams a year earlier and 70.2 billion dirhams in Q2 2023. The average sale price rose to 2.97 million dirhams, while the price per square foot increased to 1,823 dirhams — further signaling buyer confidence in the emirate's long-term real estate prospects. Provident Estate attributed the market's performance to sustained interest in both new developments and completed properties, supported by Dubai's investor-friendly climate, advanced infrastructure, and tax-efficient environment. The firm noted that Dubai continues to be a preferred destination for investors seeking global exposure and lasting value. Compiled from proprietary data and in-depth analysis, Provident's quarterly report aims to provide a comprehensive snapshot of current market trends. 'We are not just reporting data — we are shaping strategy. This insight empowers investors, developers, and homeowners to make smarter decisions in one of the most competitive markets globally,' Adams added. With favorable regulations, lifestyle-driven demand, and continued economic transformation under UAE Vision 2031, the report forecasts sustained growth in Dubai's property market through the remainder of 2025.
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's inflation holds steady at 2.3% in June
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's annual inflation rate stood at 2.3 percent in June, up slightly from 2.2 percent in May, according to the latest data released by the General Authority for Statistics. The increase in prices was primarily driven by a rise in housing rents, which continued to exert upward pressure on the cost of living, even as other consumer categories experienced mixed price movements. Housing and utility costs remained the biggest contributor to inflation, rising by 6.5 percent year on year. This surge was largely due to a 7.6 percent increase in actual housing rents, with villa rental prices alone climbing 7.1 percent compared to June last year. Given that the housing component carries a significant weight of 25.5 percent in the consumer price index basket, its persistent escalation has had an outsized impact on overall inflation. Compared to its Gulf Cooperation Council neighbors, the Kingdom's inflation sits near the regional average. In the UAE, annual inflation hovered around 2.3 percent in recent months, reflecting similar housing-related pressures. The Saudi food and beverage segment experienced an annual increase of 1.5 percent, driven by a 2.4 percent rise in meat and poultry prices. The cost of personal goods and services rose by 4.1 percent, influenced in large part by a 26.5 percent spike in jewelry, watches, and antiques. Restaurants and hotels also saw moderate inflation, rising 1.6 percent annually, while education prices increased by 1.4 percent, driven mainly by a 5 percent hike in tertiary education fees. At the same time, downward pressure came from a handful of categories. Prices for furnishings and household equipment fell by 1.7 percent due to a decline in furniture and carpeting. Clothing and footwear prices dipped 0.6 percent, primarily due to a reduction in garment costs, while transportation prices declined 0.7 percent year on year, reflecting a 1.7 percent drop in vehicle prices. On a monthly basis, the CPI remained broadly stable in June, registering a modest 0.2 percent increase from May according to the report. This was once again led by a 0.2 percent rise in the housing category, alongside slight increases in food, personal goods, and recreation services. Prices of health services and communication saw minor declines, while tobacco and transportation remained flat compared to the previous month. Saudi Arabia's inflation rate remains moderate by global and regional standards. A combination of government subsidies, regulated utility prices, and the riyal's fixed exchange rate to the US dollar are key stabilizing forces. Additionally, the country's subsidy framework, particularly in energy and essential food items, continues to shield consumers from global price shocks. While the Kingdom's inflation rate is in line with that seen in Kuwait — which reported a figure of approximately 2.2 percent as of May — other countries have seen a marked difference. Qatar's inflation remained significantly lower at just 0.5 percent year-on-year in April, and Bahrain experienced deflation, with consumer prices falling by about 1 percent annually in May. Oman also recorded one of the lowest rates in the bloc, holding under 1 percent for much of 2025. The shared currency pegs and regional subsidy models have collectively contributed to a subdued inflationary landscape across the Gulf. Oranges and lemons up Saudi Arabia's Wholesale Price Index saw an annual rise of 2.1 percent in June, driven mainly by 4.5 percent increase in transportable goods except metal products, machinery and equipment. The price of agriculture and fishery product also increased by 4.4 percent annually according to the General Authority of Statistics. Prices for metal products, machinery, and equipment declined by 0.3 percent due to a fall in electronics and industrial machinery costs. On a monthly basis, however, wholesale prices edged down 0.1 percent compared to May, suggesting some easing of cost pressures at the producer level. GASTAT's accompanying report on the Average Prices of Goods and Services offered a closer look at individual items affecting consumers directly. The price of medium African lemons surged by 12.6 percent in June compared to the previous month, marking one of the sharpest increases among fresh produce. Abu Sorra Egyptian oranges and Pakistani mandarins also saw notable jumps. Conversely, local onions became significantly cheaper, falling 16.7 percent month-on-month, while okra and imported onions dropped by 13.4 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively. These fluctuations underscore the seasonal and supply-driven nature of food price changes in the Kingdom. With inflation remaining broadly contained and economic diversification efforts continuing under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is maintaining a stable macroeconomic environment. While rents and discretionary spending categories such as jewelry and education continue to rise, broader price stability across essential goods and services reflects the resilience of the Kingdom's economic framework amid global uncertainty.
