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Arab News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
How AI-powered voice tech is bringing Arabic-language content to global audiences
JEDDAH: Dubai-based artificial intelligence company is revolutionizing language localization by building advanced voice and translation models that preserve emotion, nuance and cultural context — especially in complex languages like Arabic. Through a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia's MBC Group, is scaling this technology across entertainment, education, and spiritual content — unlocking a new era of accessibility for Arabic media. 'At we have built translation and voice models that adapt to the nature of the desired language rather than merely mimicking the input,' Akshat Prakash, the company's chief technical officer and co-founder told Arab News. 'Whether it's the emotion in the voice or the way certain things are said in Arabic, we are dedicated to preserving nuances, emotions and prosody to deliver what we call a 'performance-to-performance' impact. 'We take content and deliver a fully packaged performance through our localization infrastructure built on top of our proprietary AI models — BOLI and MARS.' successfully generated multilingual commentary for an MLS NEXT Pro match using AI-driven real-time voice translation and dubbing technology. Its core capability lies in an AI dubbing platform that instantaneously translates live audio (such as play-by-play commentary) into multiple languages. The language generator preserves the original speaker's voice, tone and emotion — making it feel as if the original commentator is speaking the listener's native language. 'Solving live sports streaming first led us to create technology that could handle the hardest type of content,' said Prakash. 'Today, we livestream games in multiple languages alongside some of the biggest brands in the world — like Major League Soccer, Eurovision and the Australian Open. 'We can perform equally well on other types of content. For instance, we've translated complex performances such as the Nayla Al Khaja-directed psychological thriller, 'Three,' which was showcased at the Red Sea Film Festival.' The film was the first Arabic movie to be AI-dubbed into Mandarin Chinese and other complex languages, preserving nuances, context, and emotion while staying true to the director's original vision. Today, excels at delivering culturally and contextually sensitive adaptations of original performances — while maintaining realism — in over 150 languages. 'No technology on the market offers such diversity, realism, and public proof points of what AI can enable in hyper-realistic translation. We're proud to extend this work to every Arabic dialect — something no other technology has been able to do,' Prakash said. As global demand for non-English content continues to rise, IMAX is turning to AI to localize its original films and documentaries more efficiently. In partnership with it has delivered content in multiple languages, demonstrating the power of technology to translate complex, dramatic material. ' has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible — creating AI that delivers real value in the form of revenue and cost efficiencies to global content owners and distributors,' said Prakash. 'We've learned that deploying AI requires a hand-in-hand partnership. It takes not only great technology but also great partners who are willing to explore the uncharted. MBC is exactly that kind of partner for us in MENA, establishing what is probably the biggest MediaXAI deal since Runway x Lionsgate.' Prakash explained that partnering with MBC Group was a natural decision due to its vast scale, diverse content library, and strong regional presence. More significantly, the collaboration was rooted in a shared set of values. This partnership goes beyond the Runway x Lionsgate deal and sets a new benchmark for how media and AI can collaborate. AI voice tech preserves tone, emotion and nuance, transforming how Arabic content is localized across 150+ languages. powers live sports translation for global events like MLS, Eurovision and the Australian Open — in real time. AI-dubbed Arabic thriller 'Three' debuted in Mandarin, highlighting CAMB. AI's ability to localize content without losing cultural depth. MBC Group and have also taken the lead in regional innovation. With projects like Stargate and HUMAIN, the Middle East and North Africa region is quickly becoming a global hub for powerful, homegrown AI. Prakash emphasized that has remained extremely conscious of privacy, data protection and respect for individual attributes. 'While regulatory frameworks are still developing, we have been self-regulating to respect individual rights and content ownership. We drive our business ethically,' he said. 'Our foundation is simple: Not everyone can be a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.' With one of the most comprehensive Arabic content libraries in the world, MBC Group is uniquely positioned to support more advanced and accurate AI outcomes in this space. The emerging technology team at MBC, led by Fadel Zahreddine, is at the forefront of innovation, aligning perfectly with mission. 'Our content spans the full spectrum of Arab identity, from Gulf dialects to Levantine, North African, and everything in between, capturing not just language, but also tone, emotion and social nuance,' Zahreddine told Arab News. 'Through this collaboration with we see an opportunity to contribute data that is not only linguistically rich but also responsibly curated. Our multimodal archive, covering video, audio and text, offers a strong foundation for advanced AI applications that are more contextually aware and locally grounded.' As one of the region's largest content producers, MBC Group constantly explores new ways to strengthen connections between programming and global audiences. 'This includes expanding how our content is distributed across platforms like Shahid, satellite TV and digital services,' said Zahreddine. 'Enhancing localization is one layer of the broader effort to remove friction between content and audiences.' This collaboration between MBC Group and reflects a broader effort to explore how Arabic content can connect more meaningfully with non-native-speaking audiences. By moving beyond literal translation and toward context-sensitive localization, the partnership supports a more accurate and respectful representation of original creative work For Arabic creators and producers, this opens up the possibility of reaching wider audiences while maintaining the cultural authenticity that defines their storytelling. It is not about changing the content but about removing barriers that might limit how it is experienced in other cultural contexts. MBC Group approaches innovation through the same lens that has shaped its editorial philosophy for decades — grounded in cultural integrity, social responsibility, and a strong commitment to its audiences. 'We believe that technology and ethics are not separate conversations but (are) deeply connected — especially when building tools that shape how content is consumed and understood,' said Zahreddine. 'We have around 65 nationalities working at MBC. Our multicultural environment is reflected in the cultural sensitivity of our content production. 'Our extensive media library is developed (with) high ethical standards, avoiding obscene content, excessive violence or any form of hate speech. This discipline not only protects the integrity of our content but also makes it a reliable data foundation for engaging with AI and emerging technologies.' By sharing responsibly curated material, MBC Group contributes to the development of AI models that better reflect the ethical values embedded in its programming and are aligned with audience expectations. Zahreddine added: 'While AI continues to evolve rapidly, we believe it's essential that any advancement remains anchored in principles that respect culture, identity and shared community standards.'
Al Arabiya
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Arabiya
MBC Group receives top honors at Al Dana Drama Awards
MBC Group received several awards at the Al Dana Awards 2025, with two of its standout Saudi productions being recognized in the top of their category as excellent Arabic-language original content and storytelling. Both television drama, Share' Al A'sha (Al Asha Street), and the hit comedy series, Yawmiyat Rajol Anis (Diaries of a Bachelor) – broadcast on MBC TV channels and streamed on Shahid during Ramadan this year – received accolades. While Share' Al A'sha was named the best social series in recognition of its powerful narrative and cultural impact, Yawmiyat Rajol Anis secured the title of best comedy series. Additionally, Share' Al A'sha also earned the audience choice award for best series, while Khaled Saqer was recognized as best actor for his performance as Abu Ibrahim. Lama Abdulwahab received the award for best actress in the audience choice category for her portrayal of Aziza, which has gained incredible popularity across the region. The Al Dana Drama Awards 2025 ceremony was held as part of the 17th Gulf Radio and Television Festival, organized by Bahrain's Ministry of Information in cooperation with the Gulf Radio and Television Organization (GRTO). The annual event honors outstanding achievements in television and drama across the Arab world across a range of competitive categories.
Broadcast Pro
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
MBC Group shines at 2025 Al Dana Drama Awards with hit Saudi series
'Share' Al A'sha' and 'Yawmiyat Rajol Anis' emerge as standout winners at the Bahraini awards ceremony. MBC Group celebrated a major victory at the 2025 Al Dana Drama Awards as two of its standout Saudi productions — Share' Al A'sha (Al Asha Street) and Yawmiyat Rajol Anis (Diaries of a Bachelor) — received top accolades during this year's ceremony. Both series aired on MBC TV channels and streamed on Shahid during Ramadan, earning widespread praise from audiences and critics alike. Share' Al A'sha, produced by MBC Studios and written by Saudi novelist Badrya AlBeshr, was awarded Best Social Series for its narrative and cultural resonance. Set in Riyadh during the 1970s and 1980s, the show delves into the social life of a vibrant neighbourhood, capturing the spirit and struggles of a bygone era. The series further triumphed with the Audience Choice award for Best Series. Lead actor Khaled Saqer was named Best Actor for his powerful performance as Abu Ibrahim, while Lama Abdulwahab received the Audience Choice award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the character Aziza. Elham Ali, another central figure in Share' Al A'sha, secured the Best Actress award, while Abdulrahman Nafea won Audience Choice for Best Actor, marking a proud moment for MBC TALENT alumni. The strong ensemble cast and dedicated creative team were widely recognised as central to the show's success. Meanwhile, Yawmiyat Rajol Anis, another MBC Studios production, was crowned Best Comedy Series. Starring Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj, the show explores the humorous inner conflict of a man torn between the ease of bachelorhood and the challenges of married life. Supported by a dynamic cast including Ida AlKusay, Faisal Al-Dokhi, and others, the series struck a chord with audiences across the region. The awards were presented as part of the 17th Gulf Radio and Television Festival, held in Bahrain under the auspices of the Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Gulf Radio and Television Organisation (GRTO). The Al Dana Drama Awards annually celebrate excellence in Arabic television and drama, honouring the creative talents who shape the region's entertainment landscape.
Arab News
17-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 10,714
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Tuesday, as it shed 153.22 points or 1.41 percent to close at 10,713.82. The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR4.97 billion ($1.32 billion), with 20 of the listed stocks advancing and 228 declining. Saudi Arabia's parallel market Nomu also shed 214.39 points to close at 26,458.24. The MSCI Tadawul Index declined by 1.14 percent to 1,378.44. The best-performing stock on the main market was Saudi Research and Media Group. The company's share price increased by 6.88 percent to SR170.80. The share price of SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co. advanced by 4.82 percent to SR108.80. Zamil Industrial Investment Co. also saw its stock price climb by 4.71 percent to SR40. Conversely, the stock price of media giant MBC Group Co. dropped by 6.56 percent to SR33.45. On the announcements front, Tadawul, in a statement, said that shares of Saudi low-cost air carrier flynas will begin trading on the main market under the symbol 4264 from June 18. The daily and static fluctuation limits for the company's stocks will be set at 30 percent and 10 percent, respectively, during the first three days of trading. On June 17, Saudi National Bank announced the issuance of US dollar-denominated Tier 2 debt instruments through a special purpose vehicle, targeting qualified investors both inside and outside the Kingdom. The financial institution added that the final issuance value and offering terms will be determined based on market conditions, according to a Tadawul statement. The minimum subscription value is $200,000, with a 10-year maturity period. The debt instruments will be listed on the London Stock Exchange's International Securities Market. The share price of SNB edged up by 0.58 percent to SR34.50. Advance International Co. for Communication and Information Technology announced that it completed the offering and subscription of SR-denominated Murabaha sukuk valued at SR6 million. Murabaha sukuk is a financial instrument based on Islamic finance principles, offering an interest-free investment option. In a Tadawul statement, AICTEC said that the offering aims to strengthen the company's working capital as well as support capital expansions. The stock price of AICTEC rose by 3.57 percent to SR2.90.
Arab News
16-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Closing Bell: TASI gains 135 points after positive market breadth
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Tadawul All Share Index closed higher on Monday, advancing 135.45 points, or 1.26 percent, to end at 10,867.04. Market breadth was strongly positive with 223 gainers and 23 fallers. Trading activity remained robust with a total value of SR4.87 billion ($1.2 billion), supported by optimism across key sectors. Among the top gainers, Red Sea International Co. rose 10 percent to SR36.85, while CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. added 9.98 percent to end at SR33.60. National Gypsum Co. and Saudi Enaya Cooperative Insurance Co. gained 9.97 percent and 8.02 percent, respectively, closing at SR19.42 and SR9.29. ACWA Power Co. also rose 6.94 percent to close at SR262.00. Among the worst performers, MBC Group Co. led losses with a decline of 3.11 percent to close at SR35.80. Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group followed, shedding 2.30 percent to settle at SR255, while Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance Co. fell 1.63 percent to SR14.52. Middle East Specialized Cables Co. ended the session down 1.13 percent at SR30.55, and Dr. Soliman Abdel Kader Fakeeh Hospital Co. edged 0.75 percent lower to SR39.85. On the announcement front, ASAS Makeen Real Estate Development and Investment Co. began trading on the Nomu-Parallel Market on June 16, with shares priced at SR80 each. The company's stock rose 14.38 percent to close at SR91.50 after it confirmed the signing of an SR240 million real estate development agreement with the National Housing Co. The stock is subject to daily and static price fluctuation limits of plus or minus 30 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The 42-month project includes the construction of 470 residential units in Riyadh and is expected to impact financial results in the fourth quarter following the issuance of the required license. ASAS Makeen offered 10 percent of its SR100 million capital, or one million shares, in an initial public offering that was nearly 1,949 percent oversubscribed. Tabuk Agricultural Development Co. closed 1.90 percent higher at SR10.18 after announcing it had received the full SR14.85 million operational financing loan from the Agricultural Development Fund. The two-year facility is secured by a mortgage on the company's land and investment shares.
