UAE artificial intelligence major G42 and Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah have been named among the world’s 100 most influential companies for 2025 by Time magazine.
It is the first time a UAE company has made it on to the prestigious list.
Alibaba, global asset management company BlackRock, Japanese video game company Nintendo, China's ByteDance, EV company BYD, DeepSeek, SoftBank, Hyundai and LinkedIn were also included on the list.
To select its 100 most influential companies, the magazine requested suggestions and applications from across sectors, surveyed its contributors and correspondents from around the world, and also sought advice from outside experts. Factors it considered included the impact made by companies as well as metrics related to innovation and success.
G42
G42 is a privately owned company with investments from the Mubadala Investment Company, Silverlake, Microsoft and The Dalio Family Office. It has been rapidly expanding its operations across the globe since its inception in 2018.
Last year, G42 received a $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft to boost its international expansion plans and strengthen the UAE's position as a global technology hub.
The expanded partnership also included the creation of a $1 billion fund to support developers aimed at enhancing the Middle East's technology talent pool.
The deal marked an early signal of the AI push from the region and globally.
Last month, it announced a partnership with technology giants OpenAI, Oracle and Nvidia to create a major AI hub in the UAE.
As part of the agreement, the companies will set up Stargate UAE, expected to be the largest AI infrastructure outside the US.
It will be a one-gigawatt computing cluster that operates in the newly established 5GW UAE–US AI Campus, Abu Dhabi Media office reported last month. Cisco and Japan’s SoftBank will also be part of the new project.
Earlier this month, the company announced that it has set up a new unit, named G42 Europe and UK to serve those markets as part of its expansion plans.
Other deals unveiled by the company recently include a partnership with France's Mistral AI to develop advanced AI platforms and infrastructure, as well as a collaboration with Italian start-up iGenius to develop a major AI supercomputer.
“With plans for Europe’s first giga-scale AI supercomputer and other projects under way in Kenya and the US, G42’s footprint is now global,” Time magazine wrote.
Last year, G42 said it would jointly invest $1 billion in Kenya's digital ecosystem to develop the East African nation's technology sector.
This week, G42 celebrated its seventh anniversary with an event that featured virtual appearances by Microsoft president Brad Smith and OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman.
Diriyah
Diriyah Company, part of the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund portfolio, is the second Saudi company to be recognised by Time, after Saudi Aramco in 2024.
It is developing Diriyah, a $63.2 billion mixed-use development covering 14 square kilometres, near the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
The development is expected to eventually host more than 100,000 residents, workers, students and visitors, with a range of cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational and residential spaces.
“Being recognised as one of the Time100 Most Influential Companies is a powerful affirmation of Diriyah’s mission to lead with purpose: by honouring our heritage, uplifting our community, and embracing world-class sustainability and hospitality standards,” Diriyah Company Group chief executive Jerry Inzerillo said in a statement on Thursday.
“From carbon-free construction, energy efficiency and water conservation, to cultural preservation and human-centric development, every aspect of Diriyah’s development reflects a commitment to minimising our environmental footprint while maximising quality of life for nearly 100,000 future residents.”
History
Time’s 100 most influential people list has, over the years, named:
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed (2024)
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, was named one of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence in 2024.
Sheikh Tahnoon is also the chairman of G42 and of the International Holding Company.
Faisal Al Bannai (2024)
Faisal Al Bannai, an adviser for strategic research and advanced technology affairs to the President of the UAE, was featured on the Time list.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber (2023)
Dr Sultan Al Jaber is the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology as well as Adnoc's managing director and group chief executive. Dr Al Jaber was also the President of the Cop28 climate summit held in Dubai in 2023. He was featured for his business climate leadership and efforts to boost energy transition.
Omar Al Olama (2023)
Omar Al Olama has been at the forefront of the UAE's drive to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence since being appointed the world's first AI minister in 2017.
Sheikh Mohamed (2019)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, was named in 2019 for his leadership and vision.
Loujain al‑Hathloul (2019)
Loujain al-Hathloul is a Saudi women's rights activist who championed the cause of women driving in the kingdom.
Rami Malek (2019)
The American actor, who has Egyptian roots, won the Oscar for best actor in 2019 for his role as rock star Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody.
Wael Ghonim (2011)
The Egyptian internet activist and former Google executive rose to prominence during the Arab Spring protests in Egypt in 2011.
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal (2007)
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is the chairman of Saudi-listed Kingdom Holding, which has interests in sectors including aviation, banking and financial services, e-commerce, education, hotel management, health care and real estate.
It has stakes in companies including Flynas, Nasjet, Bank Saudi Fransi, hotel groups Four Seasons and Accor and ride-sharing companies Uber, Careem and Lyft.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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MATCH INFO
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
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How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
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Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Planes grounded by coronavirus
British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30
Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Ai Seoul: Suspended all flights to China
Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March
Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February
South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
