Business Extra

Just when you thought AI news and developments have reached peak saturation, it seems there’s always something new that captures our collective imagination.

Every week brings a new large language model – the backbone of many AI implementations.

This time, AI is getting a Hindi-language breakthrough. It’s part of NANDA, a project unveiled earlier this month at the UAE-India Business Forum in Mumbai.

Named after one of India’s highest peaks, NANDA is a technological – and cultural – feat in itself that’s supposed to open the doors to AI for more than half a billion Hindi-language speakers.

NANDA is a partnership between G42, the UAE-based tech holding group, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and the American AI company Cerebras.

G42 describes the project as a cutting-edge Hindi Large Language Model – trained on one of the most advanced supercomputers in the world.

That’s a departure from the usual news about AI LLMs, which for a long time, have been centred around the English language, leading some to worry about an uphill battle for other languages and cultures trying to get a foot into artificial intelligence.

So, this is a monumental step forward in artificial intelligence – and broader tech accessibility. But in a world where mentions of AI conjure concerns of tech ethics and information wars, where do up-and-coming LLMs fit in?

In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs hears from Preslav Nakov, a professor at MBZUAI specialising in artificial intelligence and computational linguistics, about what this means for linguistic and cultural diversity – or whether we're just scratching the surface of what’s possible.

The Middle East, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, has witnessed significant growth in sectors such as cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and FinTech, largely driven by cutting-edge technologies.

Some have speculated that the wealth and innovation created from those industries could eclipse that of the oil industries that defined the region.

However, this rapid expansion of crypto, AI, and FinTech firms is about to face a challenge – the upcoming US election.

In this episode of the Business Extra podcast, host Cody Combs examines the potential implications of a win for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris or Republican nominee Donald Trump on the Middle East’s lucrative tech industry.

He is joined by Sam Blatteis, co-founder and chief executive of The MENA Catalysts, a government relations and market entry set-up firm for high-tech multinationals.

Banking institutions are a common denominator for many throughout the developed world. Though often portrayed as powerful and imposing, banks, especially in recent times, have learnt to move quickly.

They have to adjust to consumer behaviour, and of course, make the most of technologies that change at a breakneck pace.

The banks of the Middle East, of course, are no different, and often, they are proving to set the pace, for other banks in the world.

In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs sits down with Fernando Plaza, group chief digital officer at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), to discuss the future of banking, digital trends, AI and how consumers are adapting to all of these changes.

Mr Plaza shares his insights from more than two decades of experience in the digital and payment industry, and is currently leading the digital strategy and execution across ADIB.

In this episode of Business Extra, we explore the rapidly evolving FinTech landscape in the Middle East, where new apps and products are constantly emerging with promises of easier financial transactions and innovative money management solutions.

Among these players, Dubai-based start-up Ziina stands out for its methodical rise over the past few years.

Ziina aims to bring economic freedom and enhanced financial literacy across the Middle East. Recently, the company made headlines by securing a Stored Value Facility licence in the UAE, a significant milestone that promises to propel the start-up even farther.

Ziina's chief executive and co-founder Faisal Toukan joins host Cody Combs to discuss the company’s journey, the significance of its recent achievements, and its plans for the future.

A global market sell-off kicked off the week, marking the biggest sell-off in decades.

Japan’s Nikkei started things off, dropping 12 per cent, which was the index’s worst day since the Black Monday crash of 1987. Following this, the rest of the world followed suit.

The Dow Jones dropped more than 1000 points, causing even the most casual of observers take notice. The world's 500 wealthiest people lost a combined $134 billion.

So, what does this mean for investors and businesses large and small, and for those on the outskirts?

In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs looks at the one of the most turbulent days for the global economy in quite some time with Faisal Hasan, CIO and head of asset management at Al Mal Capital.

The Olympics have always been a stage for showcasing human excellence in sports. But this year, technology and artificial intelligence play a pivotal role in enhancing the experience for everyone involved.

By integrating AI into various aspects of the Olympics, the event hopes to become more efficient, engaging, and inclusive.

In this episode of the Business Extra podcast, host Cody Combs is joined by Sarah Vickers, head of Intel’s Olympic and Paralympic Programmes for Paris 2024 to look at how Intel is introducing groundbreaking AI innovations designed to revolutionise how fans, organisers, athletes and viewers interact with the Games.

Last week more than 8.5 million computers stopped working. The post-industrial and very much digital world in which we live, much of it anyway, came to a halt as well.

Airlines couldn’t check in travellers. Hospitals had to find new ways to help patients, and restaurants resorted to pen and paper to take reservations.

Cyber security company CrowdStrike inadvertently caused the chaos with a faulty update to its Falcon Sensor software.

The issue was fixed, mainly within 24 hours, but its residual effects, plus the millions in economic losses, has led many to think about what action is needed to prevent another IT meltdown.

In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs speaks to Igor Bershadsky, an expert in computer networking and cybersecurity, and co-founder of Dubai based Phron AI, to discuss the tech outage that crashed global systems.

Amid the war in Gaza, some communities, especially Arab ones, have decided to support the Palestinian cause by boycotting certain international brands.

To fill the void, new business endeavours have taken hold, such as local Arab brands.

Since its launch, Palestine Cola, marked by distinctive symbols of Palestinian culture and identity, has garnered immense support from consumers who are eager to embrace a product that aligns with their values.

In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs is joined by co-founder of Palestine Cola, Mohamed Kiswani, to talk about the inspiration behind the new brand, launching obstacles, market reaction and expansion plans.

There is more to sport than wins and losses, the sports business comprises many factors, including the athletes, their training methods, their agents, franchises, media coverage and the team owners as well.

So what’s the future of sports media coverage, the business of athletics, and what does the future hold for the fans for whom sport is so important?

In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs is joined by Adam White, founder and chief executive of Front Office Sports to discuss this evolving landscape of sport, media and business.

In 2021 Front Office Sports was named as one of Fast Company’s most innovative groups. It also earned the title of AdWeek’s Hottest in Sports in 2022 and 2024, among other accolades.