How does your country rank in terms of sleep quality?
According to Will Ahmed, the Egyptian-American founder of fitness tracking company Whoop, the UAE ranks third globally for low "sleep performance".
He hopes data from the company's wearable devices will help to improve the quality of sleep enjoyed in the Emirates. It's an interesting goal, especially since far too often, sleep doesn't come up in discussions about fitness. Yet tech breakthroughs suggests that it definitely should be a priority.
As Future Beat has reported in the past, technology has a way of pointing us in the right direction to enrich our lives. For all the negativity focused on the sector, these observations are important to absorb.
The big story
Token of appreciation
Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications. Photo: Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court
In the context of AI, tokens are the basic unit to calculate the length of text and can include punctuation marks and spaces, and vary from language to language.
Why it matters | As The National's consumer and technology reporter Alvin Cabral points out, a bigger token count means more comprehensive results for users of various AI apps, tools and platforms.
For all the talk about a global race for AI dominance, all the investment won't mean much if it doesn't enrich the lives of those who use it.
There's a lot of disagreement among technology experts over how to decide which AI tools are the best, but a consensus has been reached that tokens are a great place to start.
The UAE understands this, and with this goal of 60 trillion tokens made crystal clear, the future looks bright.
Quoted | “The currency of the future is going to be tokens that can be used and transformed into insights or intelligence that will help in decision-making, improve the quality of life and improve productivity”
– Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications
Future in focus
Several technology companies are pushing the idea of AI sovereignty Photo: Reuters
Hillary Clinton has criticised social media platforms such as TikTok.
Hillary Clinton has claimed that social media shaped young Americans’ views on the Gaza war, and accused platforms such as TikTok of spreading misinformation that has driven support for the Palestinian cause.
This is noise: Don't get me wrong, there are many reasons to be concerned about social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and others, but it's also important to use critical thought when doing so.
The claim that increased support for Palestine is strictly down to TikTok is misguided and reductionist.
It should also be pointed out that conversely, there are some who feel that TikTok has stifled Palestine content.
Without access to the platform's specific policies and data, it's irresponsible to say that the genuine outpouring of empathy and support for Palestinians has been caused by TikTok or any social media app.
In case you missed it
GLP-1 medications have produced promising results for managing the impact of Alzheimer's disease
• AI and blockchain to rewrite global finance systems within a decade, says Binance CEO
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.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Isle of Dogs
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Liev Schreiber, Ed Norton, Greta Gerwig, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson
Three stars
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood. Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues. Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity. Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
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.
Match info
Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')
Southampton 0
How to apply for a drone permit
Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request
What are the regulations?
Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed
Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2
UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium