5 AI-powered systems coming to Dubai that will change the way we live
AI Week is here and the future is now…
AI Week in Dubai is in full swing, and this week is all about exploring the future of AI and AI-powered living, and dedicated to driving global AI innovation. Here are five AI-powered systems that may soon be a normal part of our lives.
Driverless taxis
Driverless taxis have been on the horizon for a few years now. In 2021, an agreement was signed between the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and Cruise, a leading US-based autonomous vehicle company to operate self-driving taxis and ride-hailing services in the emirate. These self-driving vehicles are expected to significantly improve road safety levels, as over 90 per cent of accidents are due to human errors. The vehicles are all-electric, environmentally friendly, and capable of serving a wide range of clients from different community segments, including seniors and people of determination.
AI-powered traffic signals
This next-generation traffic signal control system (UTC-UX Fusion), incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, and digital twin technologies. Features of the new system will include predictive traffic analysis to optimise signal timings in anticipation of expected traffic movements, digital twin technology, priority-based traffic management and greater efficiency. The project aims to improve travel time and reduce congestion by 10 to 20 per cent. The estimated time of implementation is the first-half of 2026.
Cloud seeding
You might also like Everything we know: The Apple iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air in the UAE
Cloud seeding has been a thing in Dubai for a long time now, more and more in recent years as the volume of rain has gone up. The 7th International Rain Enhancement Forum (IREF) this past January saw a discussion on the use of AI in the cloud seeding process, and it could very much be a reality. During the discussion, weather experts explored AI's potential to enhance both the forecasting of weather patterns and intervening in climatic conditions; as well as its role in predictive algorithm building and high-resolution cloud-scale modelling. Read more here.
Paying with your palm at Metro stations
We could be paying with our palms at Metro gates very soon, as RTA revealed earlier the possibility of a brand new technology that could be integrated into our public transport – palm scan gate access. This could our reality very soon, employing the tools of Artificial Intelligence and the virtual Metaverse. This whole mechanism will allow Metro users and commuters to move efficiently without the use of physical a Nol card, as this system will allow the person's palm to be linked to the card.
Driverless pods
At Gitex Global 2024, Dubai's Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled plans for another new way to get around town. The Floc Duo Rail is a self-driving, futuristic-looking electric pod rail system, and could become a hassle-free way to travel around Dubai. It will be able to operate both suspended in the air and on the ground and could help passengers get either from A to B, or be used to take multiple passengers from certain points to other transport networks, such as the Dubai Metro. Read more here.
@rta_dubai
Images: Socials
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
16 minutes ago
- Arabian Post
Toyota to Lift US Prices by Over $200 in July
Toyota Motor Corp has confirmed that it will increase the prices of selected Toyota and Lexus models sold in the United States by an average of US $270 and US $208 respectively, with the changes taking effect in July 2025. The pricing adjustment comes as part of Toyota's standard price‐review cycle, the company emphasised, rather than a direct response to the higher US import tariffs on vehicles and auto parts imposed by President Trump. Toyota spokesperson Nobu Sunaga stated, 'The latest price hike is part of our regular review of the prices,' reinforcing that tariffs were not the sole driver of the decision. Nonetheless, the tariff environment has posed significant pressures on automakers globally, and Toyota acknowledged that its US pricing strategy reflects a response to ongoing cost variations driven by market conditions. The average increases translate to roughly a 5–7 per cent jump in vehicle pricing, based on benchmark models such as the Camry and Corolla, according to industry analysts cited by Bloomberg. The Camry SEL, priced at around US $30,000, could see a rise of about US $1,500, while a higher-end Lexus RX could face an adjustment of around US $2,000. ADVERTISEMENT Tariffs are exerting a ripple effect across the automotive supply chain. The US government's 25 per cent tariff on imported vehicles and parts has intensified cost pressures, prompting not only Toyota but also other manufacturers—such as Mitsubishi and Honda—to consider similar price adjustments or cost‑containment measures. Ford has also announced price increases for North American‑produced models, citing uncertainty over tariff policies. Toyota's decision highlights the paradox at the heart of the tariffs debate: protectionist measures designed to encourage domestic production may instead shift the cost burden onto end consumers in the US market. Toyota has emphasised its commitment to American manufacturing, citing the economic contribution and employment generated by its US plants. The company operates several factories in states including Kentucky, Texas, and Alabama, producing high-volume models such as the RAV4 and Tundra. Analysts note the move is consistent with broader inflationary trends in the auto industry, where rising labour costs, supply‑chain disruptions and commodity price increases have required frequent price recalibrations. 'This is not price gouging,' one sector observer told Bloomberg, 'but a necessary step to safeguard margins amid escalating overheads.' Consumer responses are expected to vary by model and region. Entry‑level compact and mid‑size Toyota models—very popular among US families—are the most sensitive to small price increments, while luxury Lexus buyers may feel less immediate impact. However, consumer advocacy groups have warned that maintaining total vehicle affordability is critical, particularly as financing costs remain historically high. The US automotive landscape has already seen a rise in manufacturer price guidance and adjustments. Industry data suggest that in the first quarter of 2025, US consumers paid an average of US $2,500 more for new vehicles than a year earlier, reflecting a broader inflationary shift. Toyota's announcement coincides with this trend, signalling that pricing pressures are likely to persist amid ongoing tariff policies and global economic uncertainties. For dealers, this price increase will necessitate adjustments in inventory valuations and marketing strategies. Many dealerships rely on tight margin plays and promotional leasing rates, and the added costs may reduce flexibility in incentives or alter end‑of‑month sales targets. While Toyota maintains that the tariffs were not a definitive trigger, observers point out that cost pressures from global trade policies are converging with normal fiscal adjustments, amplifying the need for price revisions. As auto markets enter the second half of 2025, the industry will likely continue to test the elasticity of consumer demand amid elevated prices and shifting policy landscapes.
Arabian Post
16 minutes ago
- Arabian Post
AI‑Powered Phage Therapy Set to Tackle Antibiotic Resistance
Phagos, a Paris‑based biotech startup, is deploying an artificial‑intelligence model built on Amazon Web Services to accurately match bacteriophages with antibiotic‑resistant bacterial strains. This development marks a pivotal shift from arbitrary trial‑and‑error methods to precision medicine in combating infections that claim an estimated one million lives annually. The challenge of antibiotic resistance has spurred Phagos, co‑founded by microbiologist Adèle James and economist Alexandros Pantalis, to pursue alternative therapies. Phages are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, a property that enables targeted treatment without disrupting beneficial microorganisms. But identifying the right phage for a given pathogen has traditionally required labour‑intensive screening of millions of combinations. Phagos is leveraging AWS's Generative AI Accelerator Programme, which has provided them with cloud credits, embedded AWS architects and machine‑learning engineers, and dedicated mentorship, to build a generative AI platform capable of predicting effective pairings between phages and bacterial strains. The AI model has been trained on datasets from public repositories and proprietary lab results. ADVERTISEMENT 'We can now read into the DNA and see if there's going to be an interaction between a phage and a bacterium,' Pantalis explained. This capability bypasses exhaustive wet‑lab testing and accelerates the discovery pipeline. Phagos's strategy involves initial trials in animal health—shrimp, chicken, bovine, swine—with phages administered through water systems to curb infections in farm environments. James noted that reducing antibiotic use in livestock is critical, as drug‑resistant bacteria generated in farms can transfer to humans via environmental pathways. The startup's first validation came from a collaboration with an oyster farmer in France, where AI‑matched phages slashed mortality by 40 per cent. Technical infrastructure from AWS played a crucial role, with cloud experts helping to refine the system and scale it efficiently. 'We became much faster, and spent way less time figuring out how to set up our infrastructure,' James said. Globally, the antibiotic resistance crisis is projected to cause more deaths than cancer by mid‑century, with economic impacts exceeding US$1.5 trillion. By automating phage matching, Phagos aims to create personalised and adaptive therapies that evolve in tandem with bacterial mutations. Participation in AWS's 2024 accelerator—which selected just 80 startups from over 4,700 applicants—has provided Phagos not only with technical and financial support, but also exposure to industry networks and potential funding sources. The platform-as‑a‑service model being developed by Phagos positions the company as a pioneer in AI‑driven microbiological model building. One quarter of its team now focuses exclusively on data and machine learning, a rarity in biotech. Expansion plans are underway: the company intends to move into human therapeutic applications by 2030, while continuing its work in agriculture. It is also advancing bespoke phage therapies, distinguishing itself from generic phage cocktails pursued by competitors. While obstacles remain—such as regulatory pathways for phage-based treatments and the complexity of bacterial ecosystems—Phagos believes its AI model and cloud infrastructure provide a scalable solution. Each new phage cocktail generates data that feeds into the platform, enhancing future predictions.
Arabian Post
2 hours ago
- Arabian Post
WhatsApp charts ad and creator‑subscription course
WhatsApp is rolling out a trio of monetisation tools within its Updates tab, signalling a significant shift in strategy while keeping its core service intact. Businesses and creator‑led Channels can now access new advertising options, subscribers can unlock exclusive content, and adverts will begin appearing in status updates – all isolated from personal chats. Approximately 1.5 billion users engage with the Updates feed daily, where ephemeral Status posts and one‑way Channels feature prominently. Meta, the parent company, is instituting three monetisation pillars: paid subscriptions to Channels, promoted placement for selected Channels, and targeted ads in Status postings. Paid Channel subscriptions enable creators and organisations to offer exclusive content to subscribed users. Channel owners can set monthly fees, receiving payment directly; Meta has confirmed it will forgo revenue share this year. Users continue to access non‑premium Channels at no cost, preserving inclusivity. ADVERTISEMENT Promoted Channels afford businesses and creators the ability to gain visibility within the Channels directory. These paid promotions echo Facebook and Instagram's ad features, enabling targeted outreach to engaged audiences on WhatsApp. Advertising in Status posts marks WhatsApp's first foray into native ad content. Businesses will now have the opportunity to insert sponsored Status updates visible alongside friends and family updates, with direct messaging links for user engagement. Meta assures these monetisation measures will not breach WhatsApp's end‑to‑end encryption on personal chats, calls, and Status. The Updates feed is portrayed as a separate, user‑opt‑in zone that won't affect the private messaging interface. Ad targeting will be based on broad demographic signals—such as language, city, activity within Updates, and cross‑app preferences if linked via Meta's Accounts Center—excluding personal message content. Meta highlights ongoing user trust as a cornerstone, emphasising that phone numbers will not be shared with advertisers and ad delivery does not draw from personal or group conversations. This assurance follows backlash in 2021 concerning alleged T&Cs changes, underscoring the fragility of confidence in WhatsApp's promises. Meta's move is clearly motivated by financial incentives. With ad revenue soaring—for instance, Meta reported US $160.6 billion in ad income in 2024—and WhatsApp yet to be fully monetised, the company plans to leverage its massive user base without compromising privacy guarantees. This transformation mirrors WhatsApp's evolution in Asia, where apps like WeChat serve as multifunctional ecosystems encompassing commerce, messaging, and media. Meta's vision is to expand WhatsApp's utility by integrating business and creator economy tools in non‑intrusive areas. Despite assurances, the roll‑out has sparked debate over potential shifts in user experience. Some long‑time users perceive this as a betrayal by an app founded on a minimalist, privacy‑first ethos – 'No ads! No games! No gimmicks!' as WhatsApp's founders once promised. Timid but discernible resistance emerged on social media platforms like Reddit, with a fraction of users threatening migration to platforms like Signal or Telegram. Meta is mitigating these concerns through phased deployment, global scheduling over coming months, and strict differentiation between private and monetised environments. Advertisers and business leaders, however, are optimistic: the Updates tab presents a potent venue for visibility, especially for small businesses traditionally underrepresented in mainstream ad environments. WhatsApp's approach marks its boldest commercial pivot yet, with strategic calculus focused on preserving encryption while introducing revenue‑generating mechanisms. The company's ability to maintain trust, eye potential regulatory scrutiny, and adapt to user response will determine whether this evolution strengthens WhatsApp's role as both a private messaging app and a platform for business and entertainment.
