Latest news with #GulfCluster
Al Etihad
07-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi shapes future of energy with AI, smart tech: Expert
8 July 2025 00:28 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi has long pioneered energy innovation. As the emirate shapes the future of the energy sector, smart grids, digital twins, and decentralised systems have become pivotal to the ongoing transformation, an industry expert has told Aletihad. 'The convergence of sustainability goals, digital transformation, and energy resilience is accelerating the shift toward more intelligent, decentralised energy infrastructure,' said Amel Chadli, President of Gulf Cluster at Schneider Electric, a global energy management and automation grids, she explained, provide real-time control of distributed energy resources (DER) and enable data-driven decision-making. With sustainability now a top priority, such solutions are vital to integrating solar energy and managing consumption to lower peak loads and energy systems, especially microgrids, are becoming essential in Abu Dhabi's urban planning and industrial zone development, supporting critical infrastructure like hospitals and data centres, Chadli said. 'They also support energy independence and reduce transmission losses.'Schneider Electric particularly highlighted the deployment of modular microgrid solutions that combine solar PV, battery storage, and energy management systems. 'These systems are sustainable and economically viable, thanks to the falling costs of renewables and storage technologies,' the expert standout innovation in the sector is the use of digital twins. 'In Abu Dhabi, where large-scale infrastructure projects are the norm, digital twins help create virtual replicas of physical assets, enabling predictive maintenance, performance optimisation, and scenario planning,' Chadli combining digital twins with AI and Internet of Things, 'we can simulate energy flows, forecast demand, and optimise asset performance in real time – improving operational efficiency while supporting the emirate's Net Zero by 2050 ambitions,' she added. Beyond Sustainable InfrastructureChadli emphasised that this transformation is not limited to Abu Dhabi's buildings or urban development alone. 'Digitalisation is the real hero here – with AI-driven insights and real-time data analytics, we are helping oil and gas companies optimise energy use, reduce emissions, and improve operational efficiency.'AI and predictive analytics, Chadli added, 'are transforming how we generate and consume energy'. Amid the evolving landscape, training and upskilling the workforce is also crucial.'The UAE's Net Zero strategy is projected to create 200,000 jobs in the energy industry,' said Chadli, stressing the need for green and digital skills. 'Companies must realise that talent is a strategic asset. There is a real opportunity here for digital academies, reskilling training, and hands-on training.'
Khaleej Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
AI, social media reshape UAE online shopping landscape
Artificial intelligence and social media are reshaping the online shopping landscape in the UAE, as consumer habits shift rapidly toward mobile-first, app-driven, and highly personalised e-commerce experiences. According to DHL's E-Commerce Trends Report 2025, nearly all UAE consumers —96 per cent — expect to shop primarily through social media platforms by 2030, bypassing traditional websites entirely. This transformation is driven by the convergence of digital convenience, AI-powered tools, and a new generation of shoppers whose buying behavior is deeply influenced by real-time trends and immersive content. The report, which surveyed 24,000 online consumers across 24 countries, highlights how social commerce has become mainstream in the UAE, with 86 per cent of shoppers having already made purchases directly through apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The findings suggest a growing preference for in-app purchasing journeys, with 69 per cent of consumers buying through Facebook and 68 per cent via Instagram. These platforms now serve as both discovery engines and transaction hubs — making them central to any retail strategy aiming to stay relevant in the region's rapidly evolving digital marketplace. 'The UAE consumer is among the most tech-savvy and socially connected globally,' said Samer Kaissi, CEO of Gulf Cluster and UAE country manager at DHL Global Forwarding. 'Our research shows a clear shift toward smart, frictionless shopping powered by AI and delivered through trusted social ecosystems. Brands that fail to adapt will risk being left behind.' One of the strongest signals from the report is the consumer demand for intelligent shopping tools. Nearly 89 per cent of respondents in the UAE expressed a strong preference for AI-driven features such as virtual try-ons, voice-activated search, and smart recommendations that match individual needs and behavior. Voice commerce, in particular, is gaining momentum, with 59 per cent of users already making purchases through voice commands — a trend that reflects increasing comfort with hands-free, mobile-based interactions. These expectations are reshaping the way retailers approach customer engagement. The focus is shifting from just product availability and pricing to immersive and personalized experiences that start on social feeds and end with in-app transactions. According to global research by PwC, 73 per cent of consumers now expect brands to understand their individual needs and deliver tailored content — a standard that AI systems are uniquely positioned to meet by analysing behavior patterns, sentiment, and context in real time. But the shift to AI-powered, socially driven shopping also comes with new challenges. Delivery remains a key friction point: 84 per cent of UAE consumers say they will abandon their online carts if their preferred delivery option isn't available. In addition, 85 per cent report they will not complete a purchase if the return process is not convenient or reliable. Trust in logistics has become critical, with 67 per cent of respondents stating they avoid buying from sellers who partner with delivery providers they don't trust. Sustainability is another rising priority in the UAE's e-commerce ecosystem. DHL's report reveals that 82 per cent of shoppers now consider sustainability in their purchase decisions, and 42 per cent have abandoned their carts due to environmental concerns. Retailers are being called upon not just to reduce their operational footprint, but to actively empower customers to shop more sustainably — including offering recycling schemes, buy-back programs, and carbon-neutral shipping options. Encouragingly, 68 per cent of UAE consumers indicated a willingness to participate in such initiatives if made available by brands. Industry experts say this convergence of AI, social commerce, and sustainability is not just a passing trend but a long-term shift that will define the future of retail. According to a recent McKinsey report, the global social commerce market is projected to grow three times faster than traditional e-commerce over the next five years, with the Middle East and Asia leading the charge due to high smartphone penetration and youthful demographics. In the UAE, the shift is also being accelerated by government-led digital transformation initiatives and the presence of a mobile-native population that embraces innovation. Retailers who embed AI-driven personalisation, seamless in-app purchases, and sustainable practices into their digital channels are more likely to win consumer trust and drive long-term loyalty. The evolving online shopping journey in the UAE illustrates how technology is blurring the lines between content, commerce, and community. AI is not replacing the human touch but enhancing it — offering smart solutions to long-standing consumer pain points such as decision fatigue, lack of fit assurance, and delayed fulfillment. From virtual AI twins that help users try on clothing to agentic checkout systems that anticipate preferred payment methods, the future of shopping is intelligent, responsive, and highly social. As the 2025 digital economy gains momentum, the message from UAE consumers is clear: they expect online shopping to be fast, personalised, and planet-friendly — and they're increasingly turning to AI and social media to make it happen. 'Retailers that meet these demands will not only thrive in this competitive environment but help shape the next chapter of digital commerce in the region,' industry experts said.
Mid East Info
27-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Schneider Electric Showcases AI-Powered Digital Grid Platform at World Utilities Congress 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
One Digital Grid Platform modernizes energy systems and offers resilient and sustainable grid solutions Solution to be available to businesses across the Gulf region to improve operational efficiency Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Schneider Electric, a global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced its participation at the World Utilities Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi to showcase its latest innovations in grid modernization and utilities digitalization. At its booth in Hall 5 at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, Schneider Electric is unveiling its AI-powered digital grid solution, the One Digital Grid Platform, which was launched globally earlier this year. Designed to enhance grid resilience and flexibility, the platform enables utilities and businesses to operate more efficiently while reducing energy costs. Built on a secure, cloud-based architecture, it integrates advanced analytics to deliver real-time operational insights. The platform is proven to reduce outages by up to 40%, shorten distributed energy resource (DER) interconnection timelines by 25%, and cut application deployment time by 60%. Schneider Electric's One Digital Grid Platform will be available to utilities later this year for implementation. Senior leadership from Schneider Electric including Amel Chadli, President of the Gulf Cluster and Walid Sheta, MEA Zone President will engage in high-level discussions focused on clean energy supply chains, modernization of energy systems, and electrification. 'Utilities in the region are embracing a smarter, cleaner future,' commented Amel Chadli, President of the Gulf Cluster, Schneider Electric. 'The World Utilities Congress, hosted by The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) has positioned itself as a key industry platform, convening industry giants and to discuss strategies to deliver secure and sustainable utilities. Our participation every year reflects a strong commitment to driving the future of energy in the region. Collaboration and innovation are crucial to modernizing energy systems and in building resilient, flexible grids that can meet evolving demands and support a sustainable future.' Schneider Electric will also showcase its Grids of the Future portfolio, designed to enable customers and utilities to transform and digitize their businesses. The company's team of experts will also present energy-efficient solutions including water utilities digitalization and integrated operations, intelligent software for energy management and tools for improving grid performance. As regional utilities navigate increasing energy demands and long-term sustainability targets, digital innovation is playing a growing role in shaping future-ready infrastructure. In the UAE, the utilities sector is central to national decarbonization goals, such as the Energy Strategy 2050, aimed to triple renewable energy capacity, improve energy consumption efficiency by up to 45%, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The UAE has plans to invest up to AED 200 billion by 2030 to deliver on an increasing demand for energy. About Schneider Electric: Schneider's purpose is to create Impact by empowering all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability. At Schneider, we call this Life Is On. Our mission is to be the trusted partner in Sustainability and Efficiency. We are a global industrial technology leader bringing world-leading expertise in electrification, automation and digitization to smart industries, resilient infrastructure, future-proof data centers, intelligent buildings, and intuitive homes. Anchored by our deep domain expertise, we provide integrated end-to-end lifecycle AI enabled Industrial IoT solutions with connected products, automation, software and services, delivering digital twins to enable profitable growth for our customers. We are a people company with an ecosystem of 150,000 colleagues and more than a million partners operating in over 100 countries to ensure proximity to our customers and stakeholders. We embrace diversity and inclusion in everything we do, guided by our meaningful purpose of a sustainable future for all.
