Site Map Site Map > 2023 > January The fascinating design history of the humble pocket calculator When you win a Nobel Prize, this illustrator beautifully explains your idea Meet Dot, an AI companion designed by an Apple alum, here to help you live your best life Cockroach grinders and powdered bananas: Beautiful food posters from the dystopian supermarket of the future How founder of skincare brand Klur reached success and sanity by going slow The 16 1/2 psychological biases that influence what we buy Why this CEO believes AI will never replace creativity This groundbreaking tech could finally bring a sense of touch to virtual reality Dubai Design Week spurs a new era of art and design centered on sustainability Researchers discovered why you love minimalist packaging so much The science behind how animals get their patterns Just because you can design an AI wearable doesn’t mean you should Meet the woman who’s making climate change easier to see Middle Eastern airlines are growing. Their biggest challenge? Dust Brands keep dumping their script logos. Which brand will be next? How Microsoft leveraged the OpenAI-Sam Altman chaos to boost its brand What we can learn from the world’s obsession with midcentury modern architecture A 94-year-old icon of design just made Floyd’s newest chair Viral YouTubers are giving cereal the silly rebrand it needs H&M is vowing to pay factory workers more. Why aren’t other brands stepping up? This year’s Spotify Wrapped will reveal the ‘real’ you, whether you like it or not What are the ethical implications of Gen AI? Can regenerative tourism shape the future of travel? Sustainability is sustainable when everyone is involved This is what sustainable travel looks like in the Middle East Countries falling short on climate goals, former UAE climate minister says at Green Goals summit Your vacation abroad is horrible for the environment. Are ‘carbon passports’ the solution? Can the Middle East drive innovation to be a climate tech hub? Stain removal is the unsung hero of sustainable fashion Is the Middle East ready for sustainable mobility? How can business leaders in the Middle East balance profitability and long-term sustainability? Can sustainability in the Middle East flourish without strong leadership? These massive wind turbine blades are made out of wood This homegrown brand is stretching activewear from street-to-studio We’re obsessed with salt. It could be an ‘existential threat’ The Middle East is one of the biggest luxury markets. What about sustainable luxury? Wind and solar farms spark heated debates. So MIT is training people to resolve these conflicts Are local brands winning amid Egypt's economic woes? A leader’s guide to finding happiness at work in troubled times World Changing Ideas Summit deliberates if the Middle East can be a testbed for innovation This pacemaker could one day recharge its battery with a heartbeat Will AI replace humans? What did experts at the World Changing Ideas Summit say? What should companies do when they miss a climate goal? Tell the world Why are school fees in the UAE so high? Why are global investors now eyeing the GCC? These bionic tights make it easier for patients with MS to walk How home cooks in Dubai are dishing up new business models Why AI regulation requires unified industry collaboration How the Middle East is preserving priceless, storied records at national archives You shouldn’t be driving over 100 mph—and your car shouldn’t let you The world’s 280 million electric bikes and mopeds are cutting demand for oil far more than electric cars The Middle East is building new cities. But do we really need them? How to buy (almost) nothing this Black Friday Climate change is happening. Why do so many of us still act like it’s not? Scaling startups in the Middle East requires stronger economics and a growth mindset Your kids’ old toys are creating an e-waste disaster. Here’s how to stop it In pictures: Winners of the Fast Company Middle East’s Most Innovative Companies 2023 The Middle East is getting a makeover with giga projects UN chief says aid for Gaza is 'completely inadequate' Time for Saudi Arabia to get the ball rolling on 2034 FIFA World Cup Air travel down in the Middle East as Israel-Gaza conflict rages on UAE Cyber Security Council calls for collaboration on AI-driven security threats UAE issues guide for non-residents on corporate tax Dubai unveils a $136 million VC fund to back tech startups Egypt and IEA join forces to promote clean energy and reduce emissions Dubai Business Forum spotlights SMEs as key drivers of economic growth Fast Company Middle East launches Best Workplaces for Women list, recognizing empowerment and equality in the workplace COP28 President says 'trillions' needed to fix climate finance Dubai Program for Gaming 2023 aims for 30,000 jobs by 2033 UAE and Jordan boost relations with $2 billion investment MoU Dubai Design Week 2023: 3D printed pavillion crafted from fermented sugar, talk by Lidewij Edelkoort, and more Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella highlights UAE's advancing AI ecosystem Saudi Arabia's research and development spending reached $5 billion in 2022 Qatar to slash water use in agriculture by 40% by 2030 UAE and Saudi Arabia among the top 10 tourism destinations in 2023 Arab countries to launch new initiatives, make climate action the top priority at COP28 Dubai Internet City reaffirms its support to Fast Company Middle East’s Most Innovative Companies list Dubai launches a global AI competition with a prize pool of over $200,000 AI fueling logistics sector transformation in Saudi Arabia Unemployment looms large in Gaza amid conflict, says ILO Analysts upbeat on MENA IPOs despite Q3 decline Dubai's crypto regulator sets deadline for firms to comply Masdar consortium to develop $1 billion solar plant in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is riding the exponential growth in space economy, with $400 million revenue in 2022 Over 180 regional HQs now established in Saudi Arabia Gulf states approve unified tourist visa, launches electronic system to link traffic violations Saudi Arabia’s FDI flow surges, amounting $33 billion in 2022 Emirates launches upcycled luggage collection using A380 materials Who said industrial jobs were only for men? Climate change solutions must not leave anyone behind, urges Saudi energy minister Dubai Taxi announces IPO plans with introduction of new laws Saudi Arabia initiates ambitious National Afforestation Program Egypt secures $500 million financing for educational and health projects EU pledges significant financial support for COP28 climate damage fund Saudia and Riyadh Air ink codeshare deal to boost local aviation sector Tech to fuel UAE payments sector growth to $19.8 billion by 2027 Saudi Arabia launches center focused on AI ethics research BMW Group to spearhead sustainable mobility at COP28 Dubai airport's passenger traffic surging beyond pre-pandemic levels in 2023 Countries making incremental progress toward Paris Agreement goals, says United Nations Saudi Arabia's power sector gets $3.9 billion boost with ACWA Power deal PIF secures 25% stake in Alkhorayef Petroleum with signed deal Saudi Arabia's NEOM introduces Epicon, a luxurious coastal resort UNESCO introduces initiative to preserve Saudi Arabia’s culinary heritage GCC's $2 trillion sustainable construction surge aims for global net-zero charge, finds report Amid passenger surge, Dubai plans new mega-airport to replace DXB Abu Dhabi inaugurates world's largest single-site solar power plant Study reveals strong optimism among Saudi consumers, outpacing global average ADGM and MBZUAI collaborate to boost regulatory compliance with AI UAE unveils national action plan to cut food waste by 50% by 2030 COP28 sparks surge in green investments, UAE dominates sustainable bond market Creative industries flourish in UAE nearing 1 million business license milestone UAE's Sirb project anticipates first satellite launch by 2026 Abu Dhabi unveils $299 million housing initiative for Emiratis NYSE Vice Chairman applauds UAE's financial success and global impact Saudi Arabia's foreign investments jump by 300% over last 5 years Saudi crown prince announces new Human Capability Initiative What factors hinder climate tech startups in the Middle East? ADNOC partners with Santos to explore low-carbon energy solutions Saudi Arabia at the forefront of sustainable economic growth Nearly 80% UAE users delete apps over poor performance, a report finds Emirates operates first-ever A380 demonstration flight with 100% sustainable aviation fuel Abu Dhabi takes the lead as 'World's Best Cruise Destination' for 2023 GCC economic growth set to reach 3.7% by 2025, according to World Bank Dubai's ULTRAs Awards honor the best in global travel Most Innovative Companies 2023: Over 40 entries make it to the prestigious list Saudi Arabia's NHC showcases properties embracing sustainable design Saudi Arabia's trade surplus reaches $12 billion, reports GASTAT Saudi Arabia set to host the 27th World Energy Council in Riyadh in 2026 Most Innovative Companies 2023: Here’s what happened at the awards night Qatar's retail spending expected to reach over $15 billion in 2023 Saudi Arabia unveils $347 million entertainment destination in Aseer Saudi Arabia's afforestation drive makes noteworthy progress Saudi Arabia’s SMEs witness growth of 3.5% during Q3 Islamic banking expected to hit $4 trillion driven by fintech innovation OPEC Secretary General says IEA unjustly vilifies oil and gas industry This new AI-powered platform will help harness water reuse in the MENA region Digital technologies crucial in providing emissions measurement and reduction Abu Dhabi Finance Week kicks off with major announcements across sectors UAE retail investors could invest $40 billion to combat climate change by 2030, report says Bill Gates hopes to see action on affordable clean energy at COP28 in Dubai Saudi Arabia wins bid for 2030 world fair, beating Italy, South Korea How Abu Dhabi is shaping the future of gaming sector Dr Sultan Al Jaber urges 'supercharged mindset' for climate action at COP28 Over 95% of UAE security leaders call for enhanced security measures Rapid energy transition could create 40 million new jobs for the energy sector by 2050 Saudi’s PIF acquires 10% stake in Heathrow airport Here’s a survival guide for saying 'no' to extra work What are the smart ways to network? Here are a few tips How to prevent self-sabotage from silencing your success Don't miss these Black Friday tech deals How to safeguard your career? Take these proactive steps ChatGPT and other AI chatbots rely heavily on copyrighted news media, say publishers LinkedIn is adding new generative AI tools to help job seekers When worlds literally collide: Earth may still contain remnants of the ancient planet Theia Why Mac vs. PC is about to get fun again Over-automation is breaking the web 25% faster and 40% better. This is how managers can leverage the productivity promise of generative AI How Beatles producer Giles Martin used AI to reunite the band for ‘Now and Then’ Elon Musk isn’t the only one who lost a ton of money on X this year Full-body MRI scans are getting popular. A doctor weighs in on the pros and cons A secretive startup’s quest to end privacy through facial recognition What is a digital twin? And why is everyone suddenly building one? OpenAI announces GPT-4 Turbo plus customizable version of ChatGPT Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot: What you need to know about xAI’s ChatGPT competitor Elon Musk’s selling point for ChatGPT competitor Grok may be its fatal flaw, experts say Why these Bill Gates investing veterans are now betting big on deep tech Wikipedia is more likely to cover events in richer countries than poorer ones, new research finds AI is the future of cybersecurity. This is how to adopt it securely How cultural exchange could prove key to making people more careful on social media Experts in the Middle East discuss the crucial role of payment service providers This company is bringing back the stand-alone DVR—and it’s targeting cord-cutters How sensory augmentation devices could prevent astronauts from getting disoriented in space Every company has an AI strategy now. Almost no one’s ready to implement it It’s time to stop trying to replace the smartphone New megacomputer will perform 2 quintillion operations in a quarter of the time it took you to read this headline 5 ways Apple makes a ton of money, aside from the iPhone and Mac This new generation of scammer is hiding in plain sight on your socials Airlines will make a record $118 billion in extra fees this year—their websites are designed to get you to pay Is Riyadh poised to lead the global startup movement? Sam Altman hired by Microsoft to lead AI research after ouster from OpenAI OpenAI drama shows why news junkies can’t quit Twitter, even if they hate X Why Microsoft looks like the real winner in the OpenAI drama Misinformation research is under attack. So what’s the plan for 2024? The return of Sam Altman to OpenAI: A contrarian’s take How Apple walks the tightrope between being open and closed Why it’s so hard to ask coworkers ‘how are you’—and how to move past that In a generative AI world, analog film photography is making a comeback Why Coda is the most underrated productivity tool of 2023 What part of ‘get rid of my data’ don’t companies get? Should we be afraid of Q*, OpenAI’s mysterious AI system? A Bitcoin transaction uses as much water as a backyard swimming pool, according to new research Why we’re marketing: We’re trying to sell something Why everyone should learn a little programming How innovative design enhances accessibility for all A manager’s guide to the Great Gloom Pay me in dollars: Egyptian employees are hedging against inflation 4 unmet needs that cause you to procrastinate Employers are ‘quiet cutting’ employees. Here’s how it can impact your career When you become a freelancer, your identity changes. Here’s how If you hate your job, you’re not alone. Everyone is experiencing the ‘Great Gloom’ How to stop worrying about what others think, according to a psychologist Why ‘geek’ companies are more successful, according to an MIT researcher We need to redefine creativity. Here’s a less intimidating roadmap to find your own at work and in life These 5 unintentional mistakes sabotage your power at work How to cure toxic workplace relationships POV: Why Monday is actually the best day to work in the office Is the ‘toxic workplace’ label overused? Middle East experts spill the tea Your WFH policy is becoming investors’ latest way to predict company success Where have all the good leaders gone? In a world impacted by war and natural disasters, can we remain motivated? The most important trait in a leader is not what you think With gratitude, for those coworkers who always have our backs There is a productivity crisis in the workplace. Here’s how to solve it—without terrifying workers Forget the 4-day workweek. We should be talking about the 5-day, 32-hour week instead Inflation is forcing youth in the Middle East to take on multiple jobs