Tashkent turns tech hub as Huawei accelerates ME&CA's digital future
The historic city of Tashkent marked a pivotal moment in the Middle East and Central Asia's (ME&CA) digital journey as Huawei opened its flagship Tech Carnival & Partner Summit 2025 in Uzbekistan — its first time in the country.
Under the banner 'Accelerating the Intelligent World,' the event drew more than 1,500 industry leaders, government officials, technology experts and partners to explore how intelligent technologies can drive the region's digital transformation.
Minister of Digital Technologies Sherzod Shermatov underscored the occasion:
'Uzbekistan stands at a crucial junction of ancient heritage and modern innovation. This event represents our commitment to becoming a regional hub for digital excellence.'
A region at the digital crossroads
ME&CA sits at a critical inflection point. Spanning 21 countries with a combined GDP above $6 trn and a population topping 500 m, the region offers vast growth potential. Rapid global adoption of artificial intelligence—spurred by advances such as DeepSeek—only heightens the urgency to act.
Unlike mature markets burdened by legacy infrastructure, many ME&CA nations can build AI-first ecosystems from scratch. This digital leapfrogging offers an unprecedented chance to secure a competitive edge in the global economy. A young, tech-savvy population and government-led diversification away from hydrocarbons further fuel momentum.
Derek Hao, President of Huawei Enterprise Business ME&CA, captured the mood:
'Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace… Huawei has developed new digital and intelligent solutions for industries based on our global practices with customers and partners.'
Uzbekistan's own Digital Uzbekistan 2030 strategy aims to propel the country's e-Government Development Index from 63rd to the global top 30 within a few years.
The geopolitical dimension of digital sovereignty
Technological progress also reflects aspirations for digital sovereignty. As global tech ecosystems fragment, regional control over digital infrastructure translates into economic and strategic autonomy. Emerging 'technological corridors'—linking the Gulf to Central Asia and beyond—position ME&CA as a vital bridge between East and West in an AI-enabled economy.
Comprehensive digital-enablement strategy
Huawei recognises organisations are at different stages of digital maturity and has created four implementation models:
ICT infrastructure enablement – integrated computing, networks and storage.
Cloud-platform enablement – one platform for multi-cloud applications, cutting development time from months to weeks.
Data enablement – a lake-house solution that eliminates silos and reduces data-migration workloads by 80 per cent.
AI enablement – frameworks and tools that speed real-world deployment.
Regional investment and commitment
Huawei has set up ICT academies with local universities and, through its T.H.E Gold Talent Programme, plans to cultivate one million digital professionals across ME&CA. The company works with more than 3,000 partners serving tens of thousands of SMEs, helping its regional commercial market grow 34 per cent year on year in 2024.
As ME&CA embraces its digital future, success will hinge on collaboration among governments, technology providers and industry leaders—and on sustained investment in human capital. The rise of 'collaborative intelligence,' where human creativity and AI combine to tackle complex challenges, marks the next frontier.
Derek Hao closed with a clear pledge:
'At Huawei, we are committed to working with our partners to build robust digital infrastructure and accelerate intelligent transformation across the region.'
Through targeted investment in education, infrastructure and partnerships, ME&CA is poised to lead in the intelligent economy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
New Dubai classification to remove ‘AI stigma' in content, experts say
Would you want to know if the content you're consuming was created using AI? A new initiative in Dubai is making that level of transparency possible. Industry professionals say it could help shift how people perceive artificial intelligence in creative work. As AI tools become increasingly embedded in industries from marketing to media, Dubai has introduced a Human–Machine Collaboration (HMC) classification system. Approved by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan, the new system uses visual icons to indicate the extent of human and AI involvement in producing content — be it for ideation, writing, design, or other stages. The aim is to enhance transparency across industries increasingly using automation and generative AI tools. Abeer Faisal, marketing specialist at Omorfia Group, said the classification could help reshape public perception of AI by encouraging honest disclosure. 'This kind of system helps take the stigma out of using AI,' she said. 'It gives marketers and creators a way to say, yes, AI was part of the process, but in a way that made the content better, not less authentic.' The system features five main icons — from 'All Human' to 'All Machine' — and nine functional tags that clarify which part of the process involved AI collaboration. Though it doesn't assign percentages to each input, the system offers creators a structured way reflect how intelligent machines were used in the process. Abeer believes it could also raise the bar on quality. 'It might feel like an extra step at first, but it's a step in the right direction. It encourages more conscious creation and that only improves the work,' she said, adding that in trust-driven sectors like PR, such labels could offer an added layer of credibility. She added that the labels could influence how audiences engage with content. 'Personally, if I started seeing those badges on posts, I'd probably pause and look closer. If it were something emotional or storytelling-heavy and labeled 'machine-led,' I might feel a bit disconnected. "But if it was something futuristic or data-driven, I'd respect the honesty. To me, the label doesn't define the content; the intention behind it does. And that's the shift we're heading into: people won't just care what you create, they'll care how you created it," she said. Senior communications specialist Rawan Khalifa echoed the sentiment, calling the initiative 'a commitment to transparency". She said the system acknowledges the growing role of AI in creative work, while also reinforcing the importance of how content is made. 'I've seen increasing concern about the decline of critical thinking skills as AI tools grow,' she said. 'To me, that's not a call to reject technology, it's a call to build AI literacy. We now have to upskill and use AI with intention, not default to it out of convenience.' She pointed out that the push for efficiency has sometimes led to suggestions of fully automating communications tasks, something she sees as risky. 'I've heard suggestions to fully automate some communications tasks under the guise of 'efficiency,' but even the best-written prompt can't replicate human judgment,' she said. 'Real communication isn't just producing content, it's about conveying meaning, and it requires judgment, nuance, and context.' Interestingly, Rawan shared that she used AI to refine her own quote — not to replace her voice, but to sharpen it. 'For communicators like myself, this doesn't just offer transparency, it protects the integrity of our work,' she said. However, not everyone expects widespread adoption right away. Nadine Al Suwaidi, a UAE-based digital strategist, said while the system is a positive step in principle, it may face hesitation in fast-paced commercial settings. 'The line between 'machine-assisted' and 'machine-led' can be blurry, and there's a lot of subjectivity,' she said. 'Unless there's clear incentive or pressure from clients or regulators, I don't think brands will rush to label their content this way.' She added that while the system may work well for government or academic institutions where documentation is critical, commercial teams are often more focused on timelines, performance, and simplicity. While the system is currently optional, Sheikh Hamdan has directed Dubai Government entities to begin adopting it in their research and knowledge-based work.
Arabian Post
10 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Dubai Sets Global Benchmark for AI Transparency
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai has introduced the world's first icon-based system to clearly signal whether content is crafted by humans, artificial intelligence, or a blend of both. Launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Human–Machine Collaboration classification marks a shift in content disclosure standards. The initiative requires government entities to adopt the system immediately, marking a drive towards accountability and public trust in an era of rapid AI integration. The HMC framework comprises five primary icons: All Human, Human-Led, Machine-Assisted, Machine-Led, and All Machine, each reflecting increasing levels of machine involvement. Developers can further specify nine functional icons to indicate AI contribution across tasks such as ideation, data analysis, writing, translation, visuals, and design. ADVERTISEMENT The system, developed by the Dubai Future Foundation and endorsed by Sheikh Hamdan in his capacity as Chairman of its Board of Trustees, is compulsory for all Dubai government research and knowledge publications. Media content, academic papers, technical reports, videos, academic journals and other multimedia outputs must now prominently display the appropriate icons. For non-government creators, the icons are voluntary but available for ethical transparency. Sheikh Hamdan said transparency is essential for distinguishing human creativity from machine efficacy. He urged global content creators—researchers, publishers, writers, and designers—to adopt the new classification as a norm. On LinkedIn, he stated: 'Today, we launch the world's first Human–Machine Collaboration Icons…a new global benchmark in the age of AI,' inviting worldwide adoption. The initiative meets growing demands for clarity around AI-generated content in scientific, academic, and creative fields. As AI technologies such as generative models and automation tools proliferate, distinguishing authorship becomes increasingly complex. The HMC system addresses this by offering concise visual indicators of machine involvement throughout a document's lifecycle. Beyond classification, the icons offer practical guidelines. Each icon can appear on the cover, footer, or bibliography of a document, with no numerical thresholds assigned. The nine functional icons enable precise reporting by highlighting stages influenced by AI, such as data collection or translation. The system avoids quantification due to challenges in objectively assessing AI contribution levels. Dubai's icon strategy is modelled on enhancing trust in public knowledge creation. Government entities in Dubai must adopt the icons; private sector use is labelled 'opt-in and voluntary,' encouraging transparency across broader sectors. The icons aim to build credibility in educational materials, annual reports, research briefs, social media content, public-facing campaigns, and design outputs. Industry experts have broadly welcomed the initiative. Fast Company Middle East noted the dual-layer approach offers transparency without excessive complexity, while Economy Middle East reported Sheikh Hamdan's emphasis on the blurred lines between human art and machine output. Gulf News cited the icons as a tool for 'honest self-assessment,' reinforcing accountability among content creators. Academics and publishers are now exploring integration possibilities. The system could become a template for journal submission protocols or university publishing frameworks. Concerns persist about compliance monitoring and the potential for misuse—some question whether creators may understate AI contribution or apply icons inconsistently across formats. Dubai Future Foundation has emphasised that icons are free to use and do not require licensing; they are copyrighted but freely deployable, with no prior permission needed. The foundation's intention is to encourage natural adoption in scholarly work, media, and social channels, promoting a culture of transparency rather than regulatory enforcement. Global observers note that while Dubai is first, other cities and institutions are likely to follow. The HMC icons address growing demand from research communities for AI disclosure standards, amid debates over authorship attribution, peer review confidence, and reproducibility. Dubai's initiative closes a gap in ethical AI practice by establishing a clear visual code for machine involvement. As AI-generated content becomes ubiquitous, its success will depend on global uptake, consistent application, and alignment with existing ethics and publishing standards. In the meantime, Dubai's icons offer a blueprint for transparency, setting a new bar for content creation in the AI era.
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Zawya
Ministry of Sports organises second ‘UX Lab' of 2025
United Arab Emirates: The Ministry of Sports held the second 'User Experience Lab' (UX Lab) of 2025 to enhance customer experience for sports clubs, companies, and all private‑sector sports institutions, with regard to obtaining four key sports licensing services – issuing, renewal, activity additions and data updates. The initiative is a part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to enhance its services, aligning with the sports sector's digital transformation strategy, aimed at advancing the goals of the 'Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme'. It highlighted the challenges faced by private‑sector sports organisations when submitting license applications and familiarised them with the various services through a comprehensive simulation of the digital customer journey, analysis of current steps and procedures, as well as customer consultation. H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, attended the event, along with technical teams from the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and the Ministry's Customer Happiness Office. At the end of the Lab, His Excellency honored the attendees representing the Ministry's private sector partners. Mr Mohammed Nasser Amer, Manager of Customer Happiness Office at the Ministry of Sports, reaffirmed that the 'UX Lab' is critical to ensuring user participation in service evaluation and redesign processes. He remarked: 'We strive to empower our partners in the national sports sector and private‑sector, ensuring that they play a key role in the development of the sports services ecosystem. Therefore, they are deeply aware of the present challenges and well-equipped to devise suitable solutions. Improving customer experiences is not just about simplifying the process, but also about designing an integrated and comfortable journey that meets customers' needs and aspirations, while delivering real benefit.' He further stated: 'This transformation needs to happen by analysing real-life user journeys, listening to user feedback and determining how to best leverage the Ministry's sports services with ease. Hence, we have organised the Lab to transform day-to-day challenges faced by private‑sector sports entities into opportunities, which can enhance the performance and quality of sports licensing services, in line with government directives, while supporting the broader sports investment ecosystem.' The event featured interactive one-hour sessions with representatives from across five private‑sector sports organisations. Each session showcased the complete licensing application journey, identifying potential improvements from the customers' perspective. In addition, solutions were proposed to streamline procedures, reduce steps and processing time of services, and enhance administrative integration, reinforcing sports governance excellence in the UAE. The Ministry of Sports is committed to implement exceptional initiatives across its work teams, with an aim of improving service standards and customer satisfaction. Aligning with this, the entity strives to design government sports services that are transparent and user‑friendly, further supporting the growth of the private sports sector, which is an integral facet of the UAE's comprehensive development ecosystem. For further information, please contact: Orient Planet Group (OPG) Email: media@ Website:
