The workplace is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by AI-powered automation, the growing influence of Gen Z, and the permanent shift to hybrid work.
By 2025, AI is expected to generate 10 per cent of all data, reshaping decision-making and business operations, while PwC predicts that Gen Z’s entry into the workforce is redefining workplace culture with fresh values and digital-first expectations.
At the same time, the impact of Covid-19 has accelerated the demand for seamless collaboration tools, making hybrid and remote work the new standard. Here in the UAE, this transformation is especially significant.
As Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, put it: “The UAE is not waiting for the future – we are building it.”
From AI-driven enterprises to government-backed digital initiatives, the region is at the forefront of reimagining how we work, collaborate, and thrive in an AI-powered world.
Leading this shift, HP is pioneering AI-driven technologies that empower organisations to create future-ready, highly connected, and sustainable work environments – helping businesses across the UAE and beyond unlock new levels of productivity and innovation in the digital era.
The changing relationship between people and work
The modern workforce is undergoing a major shift, with employees seeking more purpose and value creation in their careers.
According to the HP Work Relationship Index, only 28 per cent of knowledge workers feel they have a truly health relationship with work.
At the same time, AI is playing a crucial role in transforming workplace experiences, with 73 per cent of those already using AI stating that it makes their jobs easier.
The demand for flexibility is also undeniable, with 87 per cent of employees globally willing to sacrifice a portion of their salary for a more personalised and flexible work experience.
As the future takes shape, the focus is clear: seamless, smart, and people-centric environments that power productivity and well-being.
AI for people: empowering a sustainable workforce
AI is increasingly addressing workplace challenges such as burnout, inefficiencies, and collaboration barriers.
By integrating AI-powered tools into workspaces, employees can boost productivity while reducing cognitive strain.
HP’s AI-driven devices are designed to adapt to user behaviour, automating repetitive tasks and enabling professionals to focus on high-impact work.
The results speak for themselves - workers who incorporate AI into their workflows report an 11-point higher satisfaction level compared to those who do not, emphasising the technology’s potential to enhance employee well-being and work-life balance.
Sustainability is also at the core of this transformation. HP continues to innovate with eco-friendly materials in its products, helping businesses meet their sustainability goals while reducing their environmental impact.
As companies prioritise greener practices, they are not only supporting the planet but also aligning with the values of today’s workforce - one that expects purpose-driven, responsible employers.
AI for spaces - enhancing collaborative environments
AI is transforming collaboration, especially in today’s hybrid and remote work environments.
AI-powered tools enhance communication and teamwork by optimising virtual meetings and ensuring seamless digital interactions.
Devices such as the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i and HP EliteBook X 14-inch support professionals in demanding workflows, providing versatility and high performance for intensive tasks.
With these innovations, employees can stay connected, productive, and efficient - no matter where they work.
AI for companies - redefining business potential
In today’s AI-driven work environment, security is an absolute necessity.
As cyber threats evolve, businesses must stay ahead with cutting-edge, AI-powered security features that provide real-time threat detection and adaptive defences.
HP’s intelligent security solutions adapt proactively, ensuring sensitive data remains protected without compromising productivity.
However, AI is not just about protection - it’s fuelling efficiency, innovation, and creativity. At the same time, AI is enabling streamlined operations and reducing costs.
The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip, for example, is designed to support creators, freelancers, and enterprises, boosts workflow efficiency and high performance, empowering users to work smarter, faster, and more securely.
HP’s vision for the future of work in MEA
As businesses across the Middle East and Africa adapt to workforce shifts, HP remains committed to supporting this evolution with AI-driven tools and technology.
By equipping organisations with advanced solutions, HP helps businesses enhance productivity, engagement, and overall workforce satisfaction.
This commitment aligns with the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which is set to position the country as a global AI powerhouse by 2031 - fuelling innovation, revolutionising industries, and unlocking new economic opportunities.
Abu Dhabi is also making major moves, with its Dh13 billion Digital Strategy 2025-2027 propelling the emirate towards an AI-powered, agile, and technology-driven entity, fostering innovation and accelerating digital adoption across government operations.
But AI isn’t just about business - it’s about people. This is why HP is actively building AI literacy and digital skills among young professionals to prepare the next generation for an AI-powered future.
By investing in technology, security, sustainability, and education, HP is helping to shape a dynamic, efficient, and purpose-driven workforce for the future.
As AI redefines the modern workplace, HP continues to lead the transformation by empowering companies with AI-driven solutions that boost productivity, enhance employee satisfaction, and elevate overall workplace experiences.
The future of work isn’t just coming - it’s here, and HP is empowering businesses across MEA and beyond to lead the way through people-centric measures and AI-powered technologies.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Midnights'
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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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
Honeymoonish
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Players Selected for La Liga Trials
U18 Age Group
Name: Ahmed Salam (Malaga)
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Jordanian
Name: Yahia Iraqi (Malaga)
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Morocco
Name: Mohammed Bouherrafa (Almeria)
Position: Centre-Midfield
Nationality: French
Name: Mohammed Rajeh (Cadiz)
Position: Striker
Nationality: Jordanian
U16 Age Group
Name: Mehdi Elkhamlichi (Malaga)
Position: Lead Striker
Nationality: Morocco
LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Stoke City v Tottenham
Brentford v Newcastle United
Arsenal v Manchester City
Everton v Manchester United
All ties are to be played the week commencing December 21.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
More coverage from the Future Forum
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Bayer Leverkusen 2 Bayern Munich 4
Leverkusen: Alario (9'), Wirtz (89')
Bayern: Coman (27'), Goretzka (42'), Gnabry (45'), Lewandowski (66')
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
