About one fifth of businesses in emerging markets say they are not ready to adopt artificial intelligence due to gaps in infrastructure, talent and resources. This is despite 70 per cent of company executives reporting access to fundamental IT capabilities, including consistent and stable internet connections.
The findings were part of a new report by the UAE-based technology company G42 in collaboration with Economist Impact, which surveyed 700 senior executives from medium to large companies across seven emerging markets: Azerbaijan, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya and Turkey.
Almost 81 per cent of respondents described limited or no access to training data, while 84 per cent identified high-capacity computational systems to feed and power AI systems as significant barriers.
Wendy Gonzalez, chief executive of US-based training data company Samasource and a contributor to the report, said components such as cloud computing, graphics processing units and adequate processing capacities are critical drivers for AI implementation, particularly in emerging markets.
Talent paucity threatens long-term growth
The report highlighted a severe shortage of AI talent in emerging markets, with 45 per cent of surveyed businesses citing this as a main obstacle. Companies struggle to find workers with a mix of technical skills, such as data literacy and system programming, and soft skills like critical thinking and communication.
“AI talent is no longer solely about complex mathematics and programming,” said Mark Manantan, director of cybersecurity and critical technology at the Pacific Forum. “Today, softer skills integrated with technical competencies are equally critical.”
Adding to the problem is the 'brain drain' phenomenon. For example, India had 770,000 students leave the country for higher education in 2022, while political and economic instability in Turkey drove 139,530 of its citizens to emigrate in the same year, the largest demographic being people aged 25 to 29.
“Talent is critical,” said Maymee Kurian, group human capital and culture officer at G42. "In a field such as AI, which is highly innovation-driven and evolves at lightning speed, it’s crucial to find the right talent that can keep up with those changes but also bring new perspectives."
Uneven AI readiness
The report found disparities in AI readiness between larger and smaller companies.
Larger firms, defined as those with more than 1,000 employees, are better equipped to adopt AI solutions. They are also more likely to develop custom AI tools, with 53 per cent of large companies taking this approach compared to 39 per cent of smaller firms.
These custom tools can drive personalised employee and customer experiences, as well as enhance decision-making. In one example, MakeMyTrip, an Indian travel company, is developing an AI-powered chatbot in partnership with Microsoft to address language barriers for domestic users.
However, while some companies invest in tailored AI solutions, many remain hesitant due to uncertainties around measurable outcomes.
The lack of a clearly defined return on investment for AI solutions is one of the major obstacles identified in the report. Nearly 30 per cent of respondents indicated that unclear return-on-investment metrics hinder their ability to adopt AI technology.
“Developing clear processes and metrics will help companies assess progress and the business value of implementing AI systems,” said Mohit Kapoor, chief technology officer at Mahindra Group.
Despite these challenges, businesses acknowledge the potential benefits of AI. Increased productivity and efficiency were identified by 59 per cent of respondents, while 42 per cent reported improved customer satisfaction and 38 per cent highlighted cost reduction.
Harmonising innovation and regulation
The report underscored the need for governments in emerging markets to take a proactive role in addressing AI readiness. National strategies, such as Rwanda’s AI road map and the IndiaAI initiative, aim to enhance infrastructure and provide AI education in both a formal and informal way.
While businesses are keen to explore AI, regulatory uncertainty in many emerging markets remains a challenge. Nearly 48 per cent of surveyed business leaders believe their governments are still in the early stages of AI readiness and 28 per cent say national policies do not sufficiently support AI technology.
The report calls for balanced regulation that encourages innovation while addressing risks. Bitange Ndemo, Kenya’s ambassador to the European Union, advocated “sandboxes” to foster safe experimentation with AI technology.
Policymakers in emerging markets must focus on strengthening AI readiness through infrastructure investment, enhancing education with both Stem and critical-thinking skills, and crafting robust AI strategies to guide businesses. Despite budget constraints, these markets may adapt more quickly due to minimal legacy infrastructure, the report noted.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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34 goals - Robert Lewandowski (68 points)
34 - Ciro Immobile (68)
31 - Cristiano Ronaldo (62)
28 - Timo Werner (56)
25 - Lionel Messi (50)
*29 - Erling Haaland (50)
23 - Romelu Lukaku (46)
23 - Jamie Vardy (46)
*NOTE: Haaland's goals for Salzburg count for 1.5 points per goal. Goals for Dortmund count for two points per goal.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
RACE CARD
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 (PA) Listed Dh230,000 1,600m
6.30pm: HH The President’s Cup (PA) Group 1 Dh2.5million 2,200m
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Bharatanatyam
A ancient classical dance from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Intricate footwork and expressions are used to denote spiritual stories and ideas.
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The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
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Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
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Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
The five pillars of Islam
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Price, base: Dh359,200
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hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
The burning issue
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How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
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