Badr Al Karni

I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible impact digital transformation can have on public sector services. The relationship between citizens and their governments is evolving rapidly, driven by new self-service models and digital platforms that enhance how people interact with administrations. 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 Governments in Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar are working hard to improve services for their people. These efforts aim to make life better and support economic growth. For example, the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority in the UAE focuses on key areas like government services, data and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and ecosystem governance. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to improve residents' lives and boost the economy through better government services. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 Self-service options are a big part of this digital change. They allow citizens to handle tasks like paying bills, renewing visas, and applying for IDs online, reducing the need for in-person visits. > 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: Citizens can complete many tasks online, which means fewer calls and office visits. > 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: Government employees can focus on more important tasks. > 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Citizens can get information and complete tasks whenever they want. These improvements save time and money for both citizens and the government. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 The goal is to provide excellent service to everyone, from tech-savvy young people to older adults who may not be as comfortable with technology. This means offering a seamless experience across all platforms, whether online or in person. 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 Gulf countries are leading the way in digital transformation, with the Saudi Arabia at the forefront. Government initiatives like Saudi Vision 2030 continue to drive innovation and improve citizen experiences. Digital transformation is an ongoing journey. By continually improving our digital platforms, we can better meet the needs of our citizens and support future growth. Contact us if you’re interested in developing a Liferay portal to enhance your digital services. Our expertise at SilwaTech in Liferay technology can help you build efficient, user-friendly platforms that meet the evolving needs of your citizens. #DigitalTransformation #GovernmentInnovation #SmartGovernment #MiddleEast #Liferay #DXP #SilwaTech

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How do I become carbon neutral? how do I become more 'sustainable'? Is a question asked by many businesses. I believe, it starts by understanding where you are today, so you can make informed decisions about tomorrow. Which is why we have developed a free tool for individuals and businesses to calculate their carbon footprint, visit kyogreen.com and create your free business profile. For more specialist advice and developing a bespoke strategy you can visit us at www.kyoto.network. #Kyogreen #CarbonFootprintCalculator #Sustainability #EcoFriendly #GreenTech #CarbonNeutral #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalImpact #GoGreen #SustainableLiving

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"Exploring P2P Sandbox Solutions for SMEs,” which took place at I4.0 Capability Center today aimed to foster innovation and enhance collaboration among SMEs and their partners, covering challenges and opportunities as well as the benefits, risks, and potential impact of P2P sandboxes.

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Excited to discuss a topic that is so near and dear to my heart in one of the most important vertices that SCCC | Alibaba Cloud focuses on, join us on Thursday September 5th in #24Fintech.

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To all my KSA network, take advantage of this session to understand and get a deeper understanding on how IT supports FinTech which supports strategic new revenue streams 🚀

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Today Entrepreneur Middle East have published an article I have co-authored with Natalia Sycheva regarding the critical role governments play in advancing their economies and raising #productivity with #artificialintelligence. The #UAE have been at the forefront of this both in terms of building the required physical infrastructure and also establishing the wider support ecosystem to empower its citizens and their businesses to leverage the rapid advances in #GenAI. #AWS #Google #Microsoft #digitaltransformation #EntrepreneurMiddleEast #GenerativeAI #generativeartificialintelligence #IntegraSeven #nvidia #UAE #productivity #talent #AI71 #ATRC #G42 #MBZUAI #RAG #TII #DubaiFutureDistrictFund #DFDF #dubaiaicampus #difcinnovationhub #DIFC #energy #energydemand #ESG #infrastructure #Mastercard #power #utilities

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Wink Pay goes live….! The opening pillar of Wink Neo; Lebanon’s first Neo Bank Credit Libanais introduces Wink Pay, a cutting-edge mobile wallet that marks the first pillar of its Wink Neo in collaboration with Codebase Technologies and Visa; the world leader in digital payments; Through Wink Pay, Credit Libanais introduced the country's first fully-digital onboarding and instant card issuance proposition to the market. This revolutionary service provides 6 million Lebanese citizens with the capability to securely and transparently manage their payments for local and international purchases with no need for a bank account. Wink Pay orchestrates a unique user experience through its mobile application by providing the citizens with the best solution to have access to financial services to issue a virtual preloaded card as quick as a wink while enjoying a seamless, paperless and secure payment experience. It features also the country's first fully digital onboarding with e-KYC verification to address customers’ needs for trusted digital experience. It also includes value-added features like card and payment management tools that allow users to locate nearby card-loading agents and to personalize their card by selecting its color directly from the mobile app. The Wink Pay mobile application includes also innovative features that stand out prominently such as Wink Transfer and remittance service which allows users to effortlessly transfer money to any card, IBAN or digital wallet in Lebanon and abroad . The flexibility of Wink Transfer not only simplifies peer-to-peer transactions but also broadens the scope of financial interactions. Sharing the vision behind Wink Pay, Mrs Randa Bdeir, Deputy General Manager and Head of Electronic Payment Solutions and Card Technology at Credit Libanais , said “In the wake of Lebanon's economic challenges characterized by a substantial rise in the number of unbanked individuals and an increase in reliance of the economy on transfers and remittances, Credit Libanais acknowledges the necessity of adapting to this shifting financial landscape and answering the need of the Lebanese citizens by giving them the chance to instantly acquire a preloaded virtual card to execute their purchases and transfers locally and abroad with no restrictions. Through this initiative, Credit Libanais endeavors to contribute to greater financial inclusion.” Bdeir Added: “Wink Pay symbolizes a commitment to innovation and resilience that was inspired by the success story of Revolut, offering a modern, convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional banking. Through Wink Pay, we were able to simplify and digitize customer onboarding, as well as facilitate online payments and transfers especially that now more than ever, customers are looking for dependable and convenient ways to effectively manage their payments without having a bank account.”

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New Public Investment Fund (PIF) - Google Cloud 𝗔𝗜 𝗛𝘂𝗯 projected to boost #GDP by $𝟳𝟭 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻! #Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has signed a strategic partnership with Google Cloud to establish a new AI Hub near #Dammam. The partnership is expected to create thousands of jobs and add $71 billion to Saudi Arabia's GDP by 2032. Announced during the #FII8 in #Riyadh, the hub is set to support the Kingdom’s ambition of becoming a leading regional tech hub by 2030, driving growth across healthcare, finance, logistics, and other sectors. Few details were announced, but it was confirmed that the AI Hub would include R&D for large language models (LLMs), including research to enhance the #Arabic language capabilities of Google’s #GeminiAI. Read the Arab News story https://lnkd.in/dCp3uas4 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘈𝘓𝘓 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴? 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 🔔 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦. Want to receive my weekly news digest straight to your inbox every Thursday morning? https://lnkd.in/dij4qFi5 Trying to position your tech venture as a leader in its space? That's what I do! https://lnkd.in/dwQ5JMtm #MiddleEastAINews [ 𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵: PIF] [ 50% 𝘈𝘐 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵 | 50% 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 | 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 ]

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🔝Where does the🕌Middle East stand in the global 🦾AI funding race❓ The #UAE and 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia are at the forefront of attracting more #capital to power their #AI ambitions 🕌Middle East #investment funds have the potential to become global players in the booming #artificialintelligence space, given their vigorous push in the advanced #technology sector, according to experts. International investors are particularly taking notice as the region targets untapped markets, clarifies government policies to create advanced tech-friendly environments and integrate AI into all aspects of the private and public sector, industry experts say. Consultancy PwC had estimated the region’s future slice of the world’s AI market at 2 per cent – $320 billion – by 2030. Yet this was predicted about six years ago, before the region attracted billions and sealed partnerships with major western tech leaders such as #Oracle and #Amazon. Most recently, in April, Microsoft entered a $1.5 investment and #partnership with the UAE’s leading AI entity G42. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are at the forefront, as the Arab world's two biggest economies that have focused on diverting away from oil and gas reliance, in pursuit of being recognised as global hubs for tech entrepreneurship and innovation. Global corporations seeking to tap into the region’s anticipated future influence are acting on the offerings. “Compared to global counterparts, Middle Eastern AI funds are still nascent … [but] the growth is expected to be significant,” Mohammed Soliman, director of the strategic technologies and cybersecurity programme at the Washington-based Middle East Institute think tank, told The National. He said that “the region offers a compelling case for AI investors”, as “governments are actively supporting AI development through funds and initiatives”. This is shifting the gaze of global tech heads who are looking to connect to the Middle East and further, said Mr Soliman. Read More…

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Exciting news! I've been invited to participate in the Arabian Business Leadership Summit 2024 in Dubai representing the Startup #C9TECH. Here's what to expect from this highly anticipated summit: Keynote Address by Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi: Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minister in Charge of Talent Attraction and Retention, a visionary leader in international commerce and talent management, will share insights on promoting creativity, stimulating economic growth, and attracting top talent to the region. Elite Networking Opportunities: Connect with thought leaders, legislators, and business executives from across the Arabian business landscape, fostering valuable relationships for future collaborations and growth. Roundtable Talks and Workshops: Engage in panel discussions, seminars, and interactive sessions covering talent acquisition strategies, trade dynamics, sustainable development goals, and emerging trends shaping the business landscape. Innovative Solutions and Best Practices: Gain practical insights from top businesses and entrepreneurs, learning about cutting-edge solutions and success stories that can propel your company forward. Exploration of Strategic Alliances: Explore opportunities for strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and investments in key industries such as renewable energy, technology, and healthcare, driving the Arabian economy. Global Trends Perspectives: Stay informed about market dynamics, geopolitical events, and global economic trends, empowering you to make informed decisions in an ever-changing corporate environment. If you're attending the Arabian Business Leadership Summit 2024 and are involved in the technology sector, particularly Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence, I'd love to connect with you during the event. Let's exchange insights, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations that can drive innovation and growth in our respective fields. Looking forward to engaging in fruitful discussions at the summit! #ArabianBusiness #LeadershipSummit #DrThaniAhmedAlZeyoudi #UAE #ForeignTrade #TalentAttraction #Innovation #EconomicGrowth #BusinessNetworking #C9TECH

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These valuable lessons underscore the crucial role of adaptation and innovation in response to rapid technological advancements in the business landscape. Embracing technology, effective change management, and fostering continuous innovation are key to thriving in a dynamic market. Resisting change without justification can have negative consequences, highlighting the importance of clear communication, strategic partnerships, and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement. Investing in technology not only enhances competitiveness but also streamlines processes and reduces operational costs. Leaders who embrace flexibility and prioritize innovation are better equipped to navigate technological shifts and drive organizational success. #Adaptation #Innovation #Technology #BusinessTransformation

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Great to be here today in Riyadh for the first time, attending day 1 of the Digital Talent Ecosystem Dialogue #dtecosystem. The top takeaway for me today, was a moment of clarity from Abdulghafoor Abdulhaleem, Eng. regarding the role of #leadership in #AI: As leaders, we often feel an expectation to have all the answers. Yet in AI, even those who know most about it, admit they do not know what happens next - so how can we possibly know all the answers ourselves? Despite this, many retain this expectation that we should have answers – and ironically it is precisely this that prevents us fulfilling it (finding the answers). Instead, leadership in AI should start with showing vulnerability by admitting what we don’t know – and opening the learning opportunity for ourselves and our teams.

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As per my reading of the report from Plug and Play Tech Center "Innovation in the Public Sector — 6 Unique Strategies for Driving Change in Your Region”, there are six key strategies that public sector organizations can adopt to drive innovation and change effectively: 1. Harnessing Emerging Technologies: Utilizing AI, IoT, and blockchain to optimize services, enhance efficiency, and inspire innovation. For example, the Motor Valley Accelerator Program supports automotive technology startups, focusing on sustainability and autonomous driving. 2. Empowering Citizen Engagement: Engaging citizens in decision-making through platforms like Decidim, which has successfully transformed civic participation in cities like Barcelona, Mexico City, and New York City. 3. Agile Governance Frameworks: Implementing agile methodologies to improve flexibility and collaboration. The City of Austin, Texas, exemplifies this by reducing building permit issuance times through cross-agency teamwork. 4. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborating with private sector entities to leverage technology and resources. The Smart #Dubai initiative is a prime example, integrating public and private operations to enhance city services and adopting blockchain for efficiency. 5. Data-Driven Decision-Making: Utilizing data and predictive models to inform policies and optimize resources. The West Virginia Department of Transportation uses traffic data to improve infrastructure and traffic flow. 6. Fostering a Culture of Innovation: Encouraging experimentation, risk-taking, and continuous learning. The Plug and Play Alberta initiative promotes innovation through knowledge sharing and substantial investment in business accelerators. These strategies highlight the importance of innovation in addressing modern challenges and improving public sector operations. Embracing these approaches can lead to a more efficient, responsive, and innovative government. #Innovation #PublicSector #EmergingTechnologies #CitizenEngagement #AgileGovernance #PublicPrivatePartnerships #DataDriven #CultureOfInnovation

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Shaping Saudi Arabia’s Future Through AI and Big Data: Insights from Yaser Al-Onaizan CEO of the NCAI National Center for Artificial Intelligence As we advance Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, artificial intelligence (AI) and big data are becoming indispensable pillars of our nation’s digital transformation strategy. In my recent interview with Yaser Al-Onaizan, CEO of the National Center for AI, we discussed how these technologies are redefining sectors like health care, education, and commerce—all of which are core to the Kingdom’s strategic objectives. According to Al-Onaizan, AI’s power to enhance service delivery in health care and education is already proving invaluable. Early detection of diseases such as cancer and diabetes, supported by AI-driven diagnostics, is helping drive down costs while improving patient outcomes. In education, personalized learning programs are broadening access to digital resources, supporting Vision 2030’s commitment to elevating quality of life and public service delivery. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA | سدايا led by President Dr. Abdullah bin Sharraf Al-Ghamdi, plays a crucial role in the Kingdom’s AI journey. Together with the National Center for AI, they are building a robust infrastructure that allows local businesses to tap into AI’s potential without prohibitive costs, focusing on innovation at the application level. Al-Onaizan likened this infrastructure to building highways: “There is no need for every company to build the road; instead, they should focus on using this infrastructure to drive their own growth.” Another focal point of our discussion was ethical AI. Al-Onaizan emphasized the importance of a balanced regulatory approach, highlighting the need for frameworks that ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability without stifling innovation. Saudi Arabia’s approach, as guided by SDAIA, is to create adaptive regulations that not only protect privacy but also foster trust in AI systems as they become a part of everyday life. Finally, developing local AI talent is essential to drive innovation and competitiveness. Al-Onaizan underscored the importance of integrating practical experiences into academic programs and fostering partnerships with global leaders to build a resilient, skilled workforce in AI. These insights, along with perspectives from other thought leaders, will be featured in our upcoming annual report, The Report: Saudi Arabia 2024. Stay tuned for the full interview and in-depth analysis of the Kingdom’s digital transformation journey. #Vision2030 #AI #BigData #DigitalTransformation #SaudiArabia #SDAIA #Innovation

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#Exponential by Mr. Azeem Azhar is a thought-provoking exploration of the transformative power of exponential technologies and their impact on society, businesses, and individuals. Azhar skillfully balances complex concepts with real-world examples, making the content engaging and understandable even for those without a deep tech background. This makes "Exponential" a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the forces shaping our future. I am #recommending this book as a #MustRead for anyone curious about the #future of #technology and #society.

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Projects like this are shaping the future of blockchain and crypto! With a dual-layer approach, it connects traditional businesses to Web3, merging the best of both worlds. On one side, it opens doors for businesses not yet in Web3; on the other, it strengthens Web3 projects with a Swiss-regulated utility coin ecosystem. Exciting times ahead for innovation! 🚀 #Blockchain #Crypto #Web3 #Innovation

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