Just because technology gives everyone the ability to investigate, doesn't necessarily mean that everyone is a proper investigator.

This is particularly true of Sequoia Capital partner Shaun Maguire, who once again finds himself in hot water after falsely implying that Palestinian activism was behind a string of US shootings.

The backlash against his comments continues, but it's important to remember that Mr Maguire has tremendous sway in the technology world with his seat at the Sequoia table.

Far too often, society equates that sort of influence with competence and maturity, but as Mr Maguire and other technology executives have shown in 2025, that isn't necessarily be the case.

The UAE's digital transformation will help create jobs in manufacturing, education and retail, forecasts say. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The UAE's digital transformation will help create jobs in manufacturing, education and retail, forecasts say. Chris Whiteoak / The National

In brief | If everything goes as planned, a new skills forecast report has some very positive predictions when it comes to how AI, a continued digitisation push and overall economic factors will affect the UAE.

The analysis, conducted by enterprise software company ServiceNow and education company Pearson, says the UAE will probably need to add approximately one million workers by 2030.

Among the 10 countries studied, the UAE leads the way, followed by Saudi Arabia, in terms of countries that will see a significant, positive “workforce impact”, in part because of current technology and AI investments.

Why it matters | As is often the case with any technological advancement, AI has sparked a lot of fears about job losses.

Make no mistake, some of those fears are well founded, and it's important for social safety nets and training to be a major priority as a result, but this study takes a longer view and looks at the likely ripple effect AI and technology will have in terms of long-term job creation.

Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but there are plenty of reasons for having a relatively positive outlook.

Quoted | “What we are seeing in the UAE, as well as in nearly every other country surveyed, is that AI augmentation will be central to capturing the next wave of economic growth”

– William O’Neill, GCC vice president at ServiceNow

A new analysis of toys with AI features warns that they're far from perfect, and could invite problems for children and parents
A new analysis of toys with AI features warns that they're far from perfect, and could invite problems for children and parents

• Parental warning | AI toy dangers abound and parents should be vigilant, new report warns

• Made in Sharjah | New mini-satellite designed to boost disaster-response efforts begins final testing

• Play along | Why 'gamifying' banking is no gimmick

• Important choices | How to survive the great AI job cull

The Garadagh solar plant operated by Masdar in Baku, Azerbaijan. Pawan Singh / The National
The Garadagh solar plant operated by Masdar in Baku, Azerbaijan. Pawan Singh / The National

Abu Dhabi clean energy company Masdar has signed an agreement with Malaysia to develop the company's largest floating solar plant, as it expands in South-east Asia.

Sharing in the solar spotlight, UAE-based Amea Power has finalised funding for a major solar-power plant in the Ivory Coast, as it helps address energy needs in West Africa's second-largest economy.

This is a signal: With so much discussion about a possible energy grid gap due to power-hungry AI data centres in 2025, nuclear reactors dominated the headlines.

Yet methodically and somewhat under the radar, solar energy is advancing and not to be overlooked. According to the World Economic Forum, some speculate that electricity generation from solar farms will exceed output from nuclear reactors.

The two UAE-based solar stories mentioned above give credence to this idea. Make no mistake, solar energy is alive, well and still very much in the future energy mix.

Get ready for a big piece of digital real estate in your hands. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Get ready for a big piece of digital real estate in your hands. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold review: Peak mobile convenience - or can we go bigger?

• UAE President Sheikh Mohamed and Elon Musk discuss advanced tech and AI developments

• Opinion: The world needs to hedge its AI bets

• The 10 best PC games of 2025

• How Adnoc Gas is expanding its network to meet AI data centre demands

• From bunker to infinity swimming: historic Paris building is reborn

The National produces a variety of newsletters across an array of subjects. You can sign up here. To receive The Editor's Briefing, our Editor-in-Chief's weekly newsletter – exclusive to registered readers – that rounds up the top stories of the week, sign up here.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.

SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net

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