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.

Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat

Leap of Faith

Michael J Mazarr

Public Affairs

Dh67
 

How it works

Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.

Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.

As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.

A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.

Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.

SPECS

Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Kanye%20West
%3Cp%3EYe%20%E2%80%94%20the%20rapper%20formerly%20known%20as%20Kanye%20West%20%E2%80%94%20has%20seen%20his%20net%20worth%20fall%20to%20%24400%20million%20in%20recent%20weeks.%20That%E2%80%99s%20a%20precipitous%20drop%20from%20Bloomberg%E2%80%99s%20estimates%20of%20%246.8%20billion%20at%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3Cbr%3EYe%E2%80%99s%20wealth%20plunged%20after%20business%20partners%2C%20including%20Adidas%2C%20severed%20ties%20with%20him%20on%20the%20back%20of%20anti-Semitic%20remarks%20earlier%20this%20year.%3Cbr%3EWest%E2%80%99s%20present%20net%20worth%20derives%20from%20cash%2C%20his%20music%2C%20real%20estate%20and%20a%20stake%20in%20former%20wife%20Kim%20Kardashian%E2%80%99s%20shapewear%20firm%2C%20Skims.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E666hp%20at%206%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%20at%202%2C300-4%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQ1%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh1.15%20million%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Fund-raising tips for start-ups

Develop an innovative business concept

Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors

Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19

Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.) 

Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months

Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses

Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business

* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna

FIXTURES

Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)

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