Latest from Al Etihad
Al Etihad
40 minutes ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Google contributed Dh21.8 billion to UAE economy in 2024, says study
21 June 2025 12:16 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)Google's products and services contributed Dh21.8 billion to the UAE economy in 2024, according to a new study by Public First, a research economic impact, which amounts to over 1% of the UAE's GDP, underlines the growing role of digital platforms in shaping the country's non-oil to the latest official data, the UAE's GDP in 2024 stood at Dh1.776 trillion, with non-oil GDP accounting for Dh1.342 trillion. The study found that the contribution from Google's ecosystem — including Search, YouTube, Play Store, Cloud and Ads — flowed to businesses, developers, publishers, creators, and non-profits across the study found that 91% of UAE businesses have already integrated at least one AI tool into their workflows, and 87% of businesses view AI as a key economic opportunity. In terms of individual use, 78% of UAE adults reported using AI tools, with 30% using them 'regularly'. This is more than double the figure reported in the United States, where just 13% of adults say they use AI chatbots regularly.'This early embrace of technology reflects the UAE's strong digital infrastructure, pro-innovation policy environment, and a population that recognises AI as a powerful tool for progress,' the report noted. The UAE's national AI strategy is credited with helping position the country as a 'leading AI destination'.The research estimates that Google's products created Dh20 billion in consumer benefits in 2024, the equivalent of Dh683 per month per user. Much of this was driven by time saved, easier access to information, and tools that improve daily life.A remarkable 63% of adults in the UAE said they had used Gemini, Google's generative AI assistant, while 38% reported daily usage. Among them, 90% said Gemini made them more productive, and 71% found it easier to use in Arabic compared to other and Ads alone contributed Dh20.2 billion in business activity in 2024. Of this, Dh3.6 billion was generated by small and medium businesses (SMBs), with Dh394 million worth of goods and services exported using Google's tools. UAE businesses overall exported Dh2.2 billion globally using the same and the Play Store are also part of the value chain. In 2024, they generated Dh455 million in revenue for UAE-based developers and supported Dh418 million in exports. The wider app economy enabled the creation of 30,000 jobs in the country, contributing to the UAE's broader ambition of building a knowledge-based First's research also highlights the impact of upskilling initiatives. Since 2018, Google's Maharat Min Google programme has trained more than 430,000 individuals in the UAE in digital and professional skills. This training support is seen as essential in closing the AI readiness gap: 52% of adults acknowledged they are not currently using AI tools to their full potential, and 95% expressed interest in joining a Google-led skills report noted that 97% of public sector workers in the UAE believe AI-enabled tools from Google make them more productive, and 65% say their job would be harder without young adults aged 18 to 24, the reliance on Google tools is even stronger. Nearly three-quarters of Gemini users in this age group use it for 81% of Google Search users in the same demographic said their education would have been more difficult without it, while 62% said YouTube helped them learn new Maps and Waze also emerged as essential tools for UAE residents. The study found that 89% of adults found these apps useful to avoid getting lost, and 91% said they helped identify the fastest routes. Around 80% use the apps monthly to locate local businesses, and 86% rely on Google reviews before visiting a venue or shopping trends were also highlighted. Ninety-four percent of adults use Google Search at least once a month to compare prices, and 73% of 18–24-year-olds use it weekly for browsing and shopping study also projected the long-term economic potential of cybersecurity and AI. Enhanced cybersecurity capabilities — underpinned by platforms like Google Cloud — could help the UAE avoid at least $6.8 billion in cybercrime losses, create over 20,000 jobs, and attract up to $1.4 billion in cumulative foreign direct investment by the startup front, participants in the Google for Startups Accelerator in MENA have raised over Dh3.43 billion, with Dh337 million raised in the UAE alone. These startups have created more than 1,300 jobs regionally and are scaling across the Middle First estimates that AI tools could help increase productivity across the UAE by 15%, which is equivalent to freeing up 310 hours per worker per year for higher-value tasks. Google commissioned Public First to examine how its innovations and products are supporting UAE communities, workers and businesses, as well as the future potential of AI in the country. Public First conducted two surveys — one of 1,110 online adults and another of 389 business leaders, in both English and Arabic — in March 2025. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
40 minutes ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi to host UAE-EU, GCC-EU parliamentary meetings
21 June 2025 12:06 ABU DHABI (WAM)Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), will hold a special UAE–European parliamentary session on session will be attended by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, marking the first official visit by a sitting European Parliament President to the Gulf region — a milestone that underscores the depth of the strategic relations and growing partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the European visit comes in response to an official invitation extended by the FNC Speaker and coincides with a pivotal phase in bilateral relations, particularly following the launch of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations between the UAE and the EU. The parliamentary dialogue reinforces a shared commitment to supporting formal diplomacy and advancing mutual interests, especially in economic and development visit will feature an official dialogue session between FNC and the European Parliament, aimed at exploring new horizons for parliamentary cooperation and aligning perspectives on key regional and international issues and special session, set to take place at the FNC's Zayed Hall in Abu Dhabi, will be attended by senior ministers, high-level officials, and representatives of the accredited EU missions in the UAE. As part of the visit's agenda, the FNC will host the 18th regular meeting of the heads of GCC Shura, Representatives, National, and Ummah Councils. The meeting, chaired by Saqr Ghobash, will include discussions with Roberta Metsola, aimed at strengthening GCC–EU parliamentary cooperation.
Al Etihad
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Etihad
GCC Group at UN renews condemnation of Israeli attacks on Iran, its nuclear facilities
21 June 2025 10:19 NEW YORK (WAM)The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Group at the United Nations reiterated Saturday its condemnation of the Israeli attacks on Iran and its nuclear facilities, warning of the serious repercussions of these attacks on the security and stability of the Group described them as a clear violation of the principles of international law and the UN came in a speech delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations, Minister Plenipotentiary Faisal Al-Enezi, on behalf of the GCC Group before the emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss the escalation between Israel and Iran, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) GCC Group reiterated the group's firm position on the grave dangerous events taking place in the region, noting that the Gulf Cooperation Council countries are continuing their intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate and prevent its escalation, out of a desire to prioritise diplomacy and also called for the utmost restraint and an immediate cessation of hostilities under these delicate and sensitive circumstances, which require vigilance and wisdom from Group also calls for avoiding risks and expanding the scope of the conflict, and for returning to the path of dialogue and negotiations, as the best and only way to overcome the current crisis and ensure sustainable regional and international security and stressed the need for the Security Council and the international community to assume their responsibilities towards immediately halting this war, preventing escalation, and pushing forward the continuation of US-Iranian negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue, mediated by the Sultanate of Oman. The Group also emphasised the need to respect the sovereignty of states and adhere to the fundamental principles and foundations based on the United Nations Charter, international law, and refraining from the use or threat of force.
Al Etihad
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Israel attacks nuclear site in Isfahan: Iranian media
21 June 2025 10:28 TEHRAN (AFP)Israel attacked Iran's Isfahan nuclear site in the early hours of Saturday, the Iranian Fars news agency reported, saying there were no hazardous leaks or risk to the a security official, it said Israel carried out multiple attacks including on the Isfahan site, saying "most of the explosive sounds heard in these attacks were related to air defence activity". There was no "leakage of hazardous materials," the official was quoted as saying.
Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Al Etihad
NCM releases weather forecast for June 22
21 June 2025 10:04 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The National Centre of Meteorology has released the weather bulletin for the period from Sunday, June 21 until Wednesday, June 25. The national weather bureau expects humid conditions during the night, with a probability of fog or mist over some coastal areas. Saturday, June 21, 2025Fair to partly cloudy in general. Humid by night and Sunday morning with a probability of fog or mist formation over some coastal and internal areas. Light to moderate sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Oman is expected to range from a 25°C to 43°C in coastal areas and islands, 23°C to 45°C in internal areas, and 27°C to 38°C in the humidity is expected to range from 15% to 90% in coastal areas and islands, 10% to 85% in internal areas and 105 to 70% in the speedsCoastal areas and islands: 10-20 km/h, reaching 30km/h northwesterly - southwesterlyInternal areas: 10–20km/h, reaching 30km/h northwesterly - southwesterlyMountains: 10–20km/h, reaching 30km/h northwesterly - southwesterly Sunday, June 22, 2025 Fair to partly cloudy. Humid by night and Monday morning over some coastal areas. Light to moderate northwesterly to southwesterly winds, freshening at times causing blowing dust during daytime, with a speed of 10–20km/h and reaching 35km/h. The sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and in the Oman Sea. Monday, June 23, 2025 Fair to partly cloudy. Light to moderate southwesterly to northwesterly winds, freshening at times causing blowing dust, with a speed of 10-20km/h, reaching 35km/h. The sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and in the Oman Sea. Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Fair to partly cloudy. Light to moderate southwesterly to northwesterly winds, freshening at times causing blowing dust, with a speed of 10-25km/h, reaching 40km/h. The sea will be moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf and slight to moderate in the Oman Sea. Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Fair to partly cloudy. Humid by night and Thursday morning with a probability of mist formation over some coastal and internal areas. Light to moderate southwesterly to northwesterly winds, freshening at times causing blowing dust, with a speed of 10-25km/h, reaching 40km/h. The sea will be rough to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and slight to moderate in the Oman Sea. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
