More than 400 million people speak Arabic. Yet until now, the artificial intelligence models built for them have lacked the rigorous, standardised evaluation that’s been commonplace for English and other major languages for years. That gap is closing. A collaboration between Dubai-based Arabic.AI and Stanford University’s Center for Research on Foundation Models has just completed its first phase: an Arabic extension of HELM, the influential benchmarking framework that’s become a trusted reference point in AI research circles. The result is the first holistic leaderboard for Arabic large language models, giving researchers and enterprises a transparent way to compare performance across…
Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a seasoned journalist and digital marketing expert known for his insightful reporting across business, real estate, travel and lifestyle sectors. His recent work includes high-profile Dubai coverage, such as record-breaking events by AYS Developers. With a career spanning multiple outlets. Sam delivers sharp, engaging content that bridges UK and UAE markets. His writing reflects a deep understanding of emerging trends, making him a trusted voice in regional and international business journalism. Should you need any edits please contact editor@dubaiweek.ae
Ten thousand dirhams. That’s roughly £2,100, or about what many people pay for a month’s rent. At Trèsind Dubai, it’s the price of admission for two on February 14th. The figure buys an evening in a private outdoor cabana at the One&Only Royal Mirage, where modern Indian gastronomy meets the kind of luxury Dubai has built its dining reputation on. One night only. Limited seating. The sort of exclusivity that doesn’t require advertising—though the restaurant is taking bookings now. It’s a bold stake in a city where Valentine’s Day has become competitive sport among high-end restaurants. The experience unfolds under…
Malaysia’s retail sector is hurtling towards a £95 billion milestone by 2029, up from roughly £71 billion this year. That 5.9% compound annual growth rate—outpacing most regional rivals—has caught the attention of technology firms betting that Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy is ready for a smart retail revolution. The numbers tell one story. The technology tells another. ASEAN SHOP 2026 will plant itself in Kuala Lumpur next September as a three-day marketplace where AI-powered checkout systems meet self-service coffee machines, where unmanned store operators compare notes with cold chain specialists. The event, scheduled for 10-12 September at the MITEC Pavilion, represents…
Jumeirah Al Naseem’s renowned cocktail bar and speakeasy, Blind Tiger, is set to welcome the new season with the return of The Oriental Circus, an enchanting night of storytelling and live performance. Scheduled for Thursday 16 October from 20:00 to 01:00, the event promises an extraordinary journey where cocktails transcend the glass to take centre stage. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of Eastern circuses, each cocktail is reimagined as a living character, inviting guests to experience their favourites in a whole new dimension. Merging the art of mixology with immersive theatre, Blind Tiger will transform four of its signature…
Aark Digital, the largest 1000x perp-dex on Arbitrum, has unveiled its updated roadmap, showcasing rapid token growth and ambitious product expansion. Following record highs in trading activity, the platform is gearing up to add new layers of liquidity, gamification, and leverage, aiming to establish itself as the leading destination for high-frequency decentralised trading. With high-leverage trading emerging as the latest focal point in the crypto space, Aark’s roadmap details plans to enhance its multiplier options to unlock greater incentives for traders. By extending leverage from 1000x to 2000x, Aark is setting a new standard across the perpetual DEX ecosystem. This…
Support from Allica Bank has enabled the award-winning Bristol workspace provider to invest in upgraded facilities, evolving workstyles, and a bold new brand identity. Bristol-based flexible workspace company DeskLodge has secured fresh funding from Allica Bank to support a major refurbishment of its workspaces and a striking rebrand designed to meet the changing needs of modern businesses. With two vibrant locations in Bristol, including its flagship sites at Beacon Tower and DeskLodge House near Temple Meads, DeskLodge continues to be a proud contributor to the city’s dynamic business community. “This refresh is about more than paint and furniture,” said founder…
Held under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is organising the 27th edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) from 30 September to 2 October 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. WETEX 2025 has drawn the participation of 68 sponsors along with 18 partners and supporters. The exhibition hosts a total of 3,100 companies…
Building on February’s partnership announcement, Check Point and Wiz launch a fully integrated Cloud Security Solution with Real-Time Visibility and AI-Powered Prevention. Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a pioneer and global leader in cyber security solutions, has announced the next phase of its strategic partnership with Wiz: the global rollout of a fully integrated solution combining Check Point’s prevention-first cloud network security with Wiz’s Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP). This milestone builds on the initial partnership revealed in February 2025, now bringing the joint solution to general availability to help enterprises tackle today’s evolving cloud security challenges with…
AnaAkhtar™, an innovative bilingual EdTech platform dedicated to social, emotional, and behavioural (SEB) development and based in the UAE, has officially launched its full version. Following successful pilot programmes, key partnerships, and accreditation, AnaAkhtar™ is now fully deployed — delivering the region’s first platform focused on SEB development to support students’ growth beyond traditional academics. The launch was marked by a founders’ meeting at AnaAkhtar’s Amman office, attended by co-founders Eman Alotaibi, Hussam Talal Ghazzawi, and Eyad Deeb. During the meeting, Omar Abdelhadi, Platform Development Lead, unveiled the full version of the AnaAkhtar™ platform, highlighting its enhanced bilingual functionality, exceptional…
Since 2016, Dubai has been home to Expand North Star, the world’s largest gathering for startups and investors. The exhibition has helped thousands of digital startups secure multi-million-dollar investment deals and establish strategic partnerships to drive their global expansion. Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the 2025 edition will take place from 12–15 October at Dubai Harbour, marking the event’s tenth anniversary. Over the years, it has become a crucial launchpad for startups, connecting innovators with capital and markets, and cementing Dubai’s reputation as a capital of the digital economy. The success…