Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, at the launch of Forge42 with Peng Xiao, group chief executive of G42, right, and Omar Mir, international board member of WWT, during the Make it in the Emirates forum in Abu Dhabi. Photo: G42
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, at the launch of Forge42 with Peng Xiao, group chief executive of G42, right, and Omar Mir, international board member of WWT, during the Make it in the Emirates forum in Abu Dhabi. Photo: G42
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, at the launch of Forge42 with Peng Xiao, group chief executive of G42, right, and Omar Mir, international board member of WWT, during the Make it in the Emirates forum in Abu Dhabi. Photo: G42
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, at the launch of Forge42 with Peng Xiao, group chief executive of G42, right, and Omar Mir, international board member of WWT, during

Abu Dhabi's G42 and US-based WWT launch Forge42 to position UAE as AI exporter


Dana Alomar
  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi-based technology group G42 has launched an artificial intelligence accelerator called Forge42, in partnership with World Wide Technology of the US, to help transform the UAE into an exporter of AI solutions.

The initiative, unveiled on Wednesday at the Make it in the Emirates forum, will enable companies to make prototypes, test and scale AI products across sectors including logistics, energy, manufacturing, health care and finance, according to a statement from G42.

  • Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, gives an opening speech on the first day of Make it in the Emirates 2025 at Adnec. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
    Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, gives an opening speech on the first day of Make it in the Emirates 2025 at Adnec. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The ROX automotive stand is pictured at the fourth Make it in the Emirates event, now under way at Adnec for four days
    The ROX automotive stand is pictured at the fourth Make it in the Emirates event, now under way at Adnec for four days
  • The Arbus flight stand attracts interest. This year's event is five times larger than in 2024 and features more than 700 exhibitors
    The Arbus flight stand attracts interest. This year's event is five times larger than in 2024 and features more than 700 exhibitors
  • Calidus Industries exhibits its wares as the spotlight shines on domestic manufacturing at Adnec
    Calidus Industries exhibits its wares as the spotlight shines on domestic manufacturing at Adnec
  • The Edge exhibition. The UAE has been focusing on industrial growth as it diversifies its economy from oil
    The Edge exhibition. The UAE has been focusing on industrial growth as it diversifies its economy from oil
  • More from the Calidus Industries stand
    More from the Calidus Industries stand
  • A display by Khalifa University, as the nation taps into modern and forward-looking sectors
    A display by Khalifa University, as the nation taps into modern and forward-looking sectors
  • A cognitively controlled robotic hand on display at the NYUAD stand
    A cognitively controlled robotic hand on display at the NYUAD stand
  • Make it in The Emirates 2025 runs until Thursday, May 22
    Make it in The Emirates 2025 runs until Thursday, May 22

It marks a shift in the UAE’s role – from a consumer of emerging technologies to a producer of sovereign, export-ready innovation, the company said.

The launch follows a string of recent AI-focused announcements, including G42’s tie-up with France’s Mistral AI and plans by Nvidia and Abu Dhabi-based MGX to build an AI campus in France.

Together, the deals reflect the UAE’s growing investment in AI talent, infrastructure and international partnerships.

Forge42 offers a full-stack infrastructure that helps businesses build and use AI tools more quickly and securely. It is designed to serve as a launch pad where AI is developed and tested, G42 said.

By partnering with global players such as Nvidia, AMD, Dell and Microsoft, the platform provides access to next-generation computing power and secure data environments, while keeping development rooted in the UAE.

Omar Mir, international board member of WWT, said the two companies are creating an "innovation environment that allows ideas to move quickly from prototype to impact – both within the UAE and beyond".

G42 said the initiative aligns with the country’s goal to boost competitiveness in advanced industries by embedding AI into products and operations.

The platform is also expected to accelerate time-to-market and improve productivity, the company added.

“This collaboration with WWT represents a shared commitment to building meaningful, lasting AI infrastructure and solutions that empower nations and industries alike,” said Peng Xiao, group chief executive of G42.

Forge42 joins G42’s growing AI portfolio, which includes partnerships with OpenAI, Microsoft and Cisco.

It also builds on the group’s 2023 consolidation of key units into Core42, which focuses on delivering AI at a national scale.

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Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?

Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.

They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.

“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.

He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Sun jukebox

Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)

This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.

Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)

The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)

Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.

Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)

An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.

Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)

Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.

UK’s AI plan
  • AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
  • £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
  • £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
  • £250m to train new AI models
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

MATCH INFO

Real Madrid 2

Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')

Barcelona 0

In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPEC SHEET

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Chip: Apple M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Memory: 64/256GB storage; 8GB RAM

Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, Smart HDR

Video: 4K @ 25/25/30/60fps, full HD @ 25/30/60fps, slo-mo @ 120/240fps

Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR, Centre Stage; full HD @ 25/30/60fps

Audio: Stereo speakers

Biometrics: Touch ID

I/O: USB-C, smart connector (for folio/keyboard)

Battery: Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours on cellular

Finish: Space grey, starlight, pink, purple, blue

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ENGLAND TEAM

England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph

Honeymoonish
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Batti Gul Meter Chalu

Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
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Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5

Updated: May 21, 2025, 11:23 AM