AI - WORLDEF

ChatGPT Leads the AI Landscape in the Middle East

In the Middle East, ChatGPT stands out as the most widely used AI chatbot, maintaining a strong lead over competitors. Recent usage data shows that users in countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt prefer ChatGPT at rates significantly higher than the global average. In some parts of the region, the chatbot holds up to 90% market share, highlighting its widespread popularity.

Compared to other AI solutions, ChatGPT’s success is largely attributed to its advanced language model, user-friendly interface, and ongoing updates. Although the latest version, GPT-5, has introduced only modest improvements over its predecessor, user behavior has remained steady. This indicates that the platform continues to retain a loyal user base.

Local Alternatives and Regional Developments

Some countries in the region are actively working on developing local alternatives to ChatGPT. In the United Arab Emirates, an open-source chatbot model is currently under development, with advanced versions already being made publicly accessible. Similarly, several initiatives in Saudi Arabia are focusing on creating AI tools better suited to the Arabic language. Solutions designed to align more closely with local culture and linguistic needs could influence regional preferences in the near future.

Nonetheless, ChatGPT continues to lead due to its robust infrastructure, comprehensive knowledge base, and ease of use. As technology strategies across the Middle East evolve, competition in the AI chatbot space is expected to grow, with new players likely to emerge and challenge the current landscape.

UAE AI Camp Hosts 34,000 Participants

The United Arab Emirates recently hosted an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Camp that attracted significant attention across the country. The initiative concluded with the participation of more than 34,000 individuals. The camp provided educational content focused on the fundamental principles of artificial intelligence and its impact on individuals and society. Participants from various age groups and professional backgrounds had the opportunity to engage with developments in this rapidly evolving field.

The camp featured both theoretical and practical sessions on how AI is applied in daily life and across different sectors. Topics included AI implementations in healthcare, education, transportation, and security. The educational modules aimed to raise technological awareness and equip attendees with basic skills. Resources and sessions were designed to help participants gain a clearer understanding of the scope of artificial intelligence technologies.

Accessible Technology Education for Youth and Professionals

The camp offered an inclusive learning environment open to both young individuals and professionals interested in technology. Topics such as machine learning, data analytics, and natural language processing were covered as part of the program. Sessions led by experts in the field provided participants with not only foundational knowledge but also hands-on experience.

The AI Camp is part of the UAE’s broader digital transformation strategy. Its wide participation reflects the country’s growing interest in educational initiatives focused on emerging technologies. This program aligns with the UAE’s vision of building a knowledge-based society through advancements in AI. Similar initiatives are expected to continue in the near future.

Riskified and HUMAN Join Forces to Secure AI-Powered Shopping

The rise of AI-powered shopping assistants in e-commerce has brought new opportunities along with increased risks of fraud through these channels. To address this challenge, Riskified and cybersecurity company HUMAN have formed a strategic partnership. Together, they have developed new solutions to help merchants safely manage traffic generated by AI agents.

Large language models powered by AI are increasingly used by consumers for product research, price comparisons, and purchasing decisions. However, early analyses by Riskified reveal that traffic originating from AI sources carries a higher risk compared to traditional search engine traffic. For example, in ticket sales, AI-generated traffic was found to be approximately 2.3 times riskier than Google search traffic.

New Solutions to Secure AI Agent-Driven Shopping Traffic

In response, Riskified and HUMAN have introduced three new solutions. The first, “AI Agent Approve,” enables merchants to securely communicate with AI systems. The second, “AI Agent Intelligence,” offers tools to analyze transactions driven by AI and detect suspicious activities. Finally, “AI Agent Policy Builder” allows merchants to create customized security policies tailored to AI-generated traffic.

These tools aim to reduce fraud risks associated with AI-driven shopping while ensuring legitimate transactions are accurately approved. The solutions provided by Riskified and HUMAN support e-commerce platforms in securely and sustainably leveraging emerging AI-powered shopping channels.

IyeOgé: Africa’s First AI‑Powered Luxury Fashion Platform Launches This September

IyeOgé, the continent’s inaugural AI‑integrated luxury fashion e‑commerce platform, is set to debut in September 2025, promising a transformative fusion of African heritage and cutting‑edge technology. More than just a marketplace, IyeOgé positions itself as a digitally curated ecosystem where storytelling, craftsmanship, and personalization redefine luxury.

AI‑Powered Personalization Meets African Artistry

Conceived by Nigerian‑American creative entrepreneur Iziegbe “Zig” Okungbowa, IyeOgé draws its name from Edo and Yoruba expressions of beauty and grace—symbolizing the platform’s mission: to elevate African design to global prominence. Zig identified a critical gap: despite Africa’s rich fashion heritage and thriving diaspora demand, there was no digital infrastructure capable of delivering authentic African luxury with the prestige and polish of established global fashion houses. IyeOgé aims to fill this void with elegance and intent.

At its core lies a proprietary AI recommendation engine that transforms browsing into a personalized cultural journey. This system learns individual preferences and interprets cultural cues, guiding users toward emerging designers, heritage labels, and exclusive collections. Shopping on IyeOgé becomes more than just a transaction—it becomes a curated experience informed by identity, taste, and context.

Beyond enhancing customer engagement, IyeOgé is designed to empower African creatives. Designers partnering with the platform receive holistic support—from branding and logistics to quality assurance and market access—providing them with the infrastructure necessary to scale regionally and globally. The debut collection features a thoughtfully selected roster of artisans renowned for their craftsmanship, innovation, and commitment to ethical production.

The timing couldn’t be better: as global consumers increasingly seek authenticity, sustainability, and inclusivity, IyeOgé stands ready to offer all three. By weaving together AI-enabled technology, cultural storytelling, and African luxury, it stakes a bold claim: African fashion isn’t niche—it’s essential, and long overdue for its own platform. With its September 2025 launch, IyeOgé is not merely entering the e‑commerce space—it’s carving out a new category where tradition meets digital elegance.

JD.com Strengthens Hong Kong Foothold with Kai Bo Supermarket Acquisition

JD.com has completed the acquisition of Kai Bo Food Supermarket, a well-established grocery chain in Hong Kong, marking a strategic entry into physical retail within the region. The deal consolidates JD.com’s omnichannel ambitions, merging its robust logistics capabilities with Kai Bo’s local presence.

Seamless Omnichannel Integration Paves the Way for Hong Kong Retail Innovation

Founded in 1991, Kai Bo Food Supermarket has grown into a familiar name across Hong Kong, operating approximately 90 outlets and employing over 1,000 people. Through the acquisition, JD.com gains immediate access to Kai Bo’s network, enabling a swift expansion of its brick-and-mortar operations. The supermarket chain will now become part of JD.com’s “Innovative Retail” division, with Kai Bo’s founder appointed to lead the transition, preserving local expertise and continuity.

To celebrate the acquisition, JD.com is launching a three-day, store-wide 20% discount event across all Kai Bo outlets, offering both loyalty to existing customers and a strong launchpad for new offerings via the integrated supply chain.

This move signals JD.com’s intensified push into the Greater Bay Area. By combining its digital-first, supply chain-driven approach with Kai Bo’s physical footprint, JD aims to deliver fresh produce and everyday goods to consumers faster and more efficiently. The synergy opens the door to replicating its successful mixed-model retail formats—such as its SEVEN FRESH hypermarkets—across Hong Kong, bridging the gap between online convenience and physical accessibility.

Market analysts see this acquisition as a crucial step in reshaping Hong Kong’s retail sector, offering competitive pressure and raising standards in food retail through efficient delivery and product variety. As JD.com brings its technology into stores, merchants and consumers alike stand to benefit from innovation in pricing, inventory, and service levels.

Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN Launches “Allam”: A Homegrown Milestone in Arabic AI

Saudi Arabia is fast cementing its role as a rising power in artificial intelligence with its national AI venture, HUMAIN, preparing to unveil a trailblazing Arabic language model that promises both linguistic depth and cultural nuance. Set to launch at the end of August, Allam—a foundational AI model developed entirely from scratch on Saudi soil—is designed for sophistication in both classical Arabic and regional dialects, signaling a pivotal leap for Arabic AI innovation.

Allam, a First-of-its-Kind Saudi AI Model, Poised to Bridge Language and Culture Through Advanced Technology

At the LEAP25 conference, HUMAIN’s CEO confirmed the imminent debut of ALLaM 34B, a model expressly tailored for the Arabic-speaking world. The model will be rolled out through HUMAIN Chat, a newly developed, free application similar in spirit to ChatGPT but enriched by all-Arabic capabilities and context-aware responses.

Crafted by a dedicated team of 40 PhD-level researchers, Allam isn’t merely an iteration—it’s a fully new architecture infused with regional linguistic and cultural sensitivities. It supports fluent conversation in classical Arabic and local dialects—Saudi, Egyptian, Jordanian, Lebanese—while maintaining awareness of social and political nuances.

This launch is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital transformation agenda, aiming to position the Kingdom as a global AI leader. HUMAIN benefits from strategic partnerships with global tech giants, ensuring robust AI infrastructure and services.

Allam’s introduction reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition to move from consumers to creators of AI technology rooted in cultural authenticity. The project aims to foster an ecosystem of developers, institutions, and government bodies leveraging localized, responsible AI solutions.

Google Launches Commerce Media Suite to Boost Festive Season Sales

Google has introduced the Commerce Media Suite, a new advertising solution designed to help brands and merchants increase their sales on quick commerce and e-commerce marketplaces during the festive season. The suite integrates Google Ads to connect brands with high-intent shoppers across various platforms such as Search, Shopping, YouTube, Display, Discover, and Gmail. These ads direct users to product listings on popular marketplaces like Blinkit, Swiggy, Zepto, and Myntra.

AI-Driven Performance Tools for Enhanced Transparency

Powered by Google’s AI-driven performance tools, the Commerce Media Suite offers enhanced transparency, self-service capabilities, and access to first-party data from marketplaces. Brands can track the impact of their ad spend against product and category-level sales, enabling them to make data-driven decisions and optimize their advertising strategies.

The suite was launched ahead of the festive season to capture rising consumer demand. Early adopters have already reported positive results. For instance, ITC’s Aashirvaad Select reported a 4x return on ad spend using the solution on Blinkit. Similarly, RENÉE Cosmetics recorded an 11.5% sales increase and a 48% reduction in cost per order.

Google positions the Commerce Media Suite as a tool for brands to drive profitability and expand reach in competitive online marketplaces. By leveraging Google’s extensive advertising ecosystem and advanced AI capabilities, brands can effectively engage with consumers and drive sales during the high-demand festive season.

Nuport Launches E-commerce Fulfillment Center in Dhaka

Nuport, a Dhaka-based automated e-commerce fulfillment platform, has launched its first fulfillment center in Mirpur, Dhaka. The 1,000-square-foot facility aims to provide end-to-end solutions for order management, inventory control, and shipping, catering to online businesses looking to scale efficiently.

Strategic Expansion to Meet Growing Demand

Founded in 2021 by Fahim Salam and Christopher Li, Nuport initially focused on automating supply chain operations for e-commerce businesses through its SaaS platform. Over time, the company recognized the need for integrated fulfillment services as customer demand grew. This led to the establishment of the fulfillment center, which offers services such as smart storage with custom racking systems, tailored packaging, quick picking processes, and integrated shipping across multiple couriers.

The facility is designed to serve businesses processing at least 20 orders daily, with products valued at ৳1,000 or higher. Pricing starts at ৳35 per order, with storage options ranging from ৳250 to ৳1,000 monthly. This move allows Nuport to control quality, reduce costs through economies of scale, and capture more value from each customer relationship.

Nuport’s expansion into fulfillment services also enables the company to serve international clients. For instance, it now handles complete import and distribution operations for a Dubai-based client with no physical presence in Bangladesh, acting as a comprehensive e-commerce infrastructure provider.

The launch of the fulfillment center marks a significant step in Nuport’s vision to build Bangladesh’s largest e-commerce supply chain network. The company plans to replicate this model in other major cities like Chittagong and Khulna, aiming to streamline operations for thousands of merchants and enhance the efficiency of the e-commerce ecosystem in Bangladesh.

Amazon Launches ‘Haul’ in Australia Offering Products Under $25

Amazon has expanded its footprint in Australia by launching Amazon Haul, a new shopping platform dedicated to offering a wide variety of products priced under $25. Available through the Amazon Shopping app, Amazon Haul targets budget-conscious consumers looking for affordable options across multiple categories including fashion, beauty, homewares, pet care, and lifestyle items.

Affordable Shopping Made Simple and Convenient

To celebrate the launch, Amazon is providing substantial introductory discounts, with many items available for as low as $10 during a limited promotional period. Shoppers spending over $40 are eligible for additional savings, further encouraging bulk purchases. The platform also emphasizes hassle-free returns, offering customers a 15-day window to return items under the change-of-mind policy, ensuring confidence in their purchase decisions.

Amazon Haul is currently in beta, rolling out to a select group of Australian users via the app. This soft launch allows Amazon to gather user feedback and fine-tune the shopping experience before a broader public release. Customers can access Haul directly by searching for it within the app or through the main navigation menu.

This initiative reflects Amazon’s ongoing strategy to meet evolving consumer demands by blending affordability with convenience. By offering a curated selection of lower-priced products, Amazon is appealing to shoppers looking for value without compromising on variety or quality.

With economic factors such as easing inflation and lower interest rates encouraging consumer spending, the timing of Amazon Haul’s introduction could significantly impact Australia’s competitive e-commerce market. The platform’s focus on affordability and seamless mobile access may help Amazon capture a larger share of the price-sensitive segment.

Overall, Amazon Haul represents a strategic effort to deepen customer engagement and loyalty in Australia by simplifying the discovery and purchase of everyday essentials and trendy items alike—at prices that resonate with a broad audience.

Soup Restaurant to Launch AI-Driven Smart Kitchen Solutions through Strategic Joint Venture

Soup Restaurant Group is embarking on a transformative journey by entering a joint venture with Shanghai-based technology firm Xi Xiang Technology to develop AI-powered smart kitchen systems. This initiative signals the company’s intent to address persistent manpower constraints and rising operational costs within the Singaporean food and beverage sector through automation and innovation.

Intelligent Mechanization Aims to Boost Hygiene, Efficiency and Consistency

Under the terms of the agreement, Soup Holdings’ subsidiary, Soup Restaurants Investments (SRI), will own 51% of the venture, with Xi Xiang Technology holding the remaining 49%. The joint entity will be capitalized up to S$2 million in phased instalments and will focus on designing, manufacturing, marketing, leasing, and selling smart kitchen hardware and software tailored for clients in institutions such as schools, corporations, and government agencies.

This strategic move enables Soup to tackle multiple challenges at once. AI-assisted systems will help automate repetitive tasks like ingredient handling, cooking processes, and inventory tracking—minimizing dependence on human labor, enhancing hygiene standards, and ensuring uniform food quality across multiple outlets. Such benefits are invaluable for institutional clients who prioritize food safety and operational reliability, especially in a landscape marked by workforce shortages and heightened regulatory scrutiny.

Beyond technological enhancement, the collaboration signifies a forward-thinking expansion of Soup Holdings. In addition to its well-known restaurant brands—renowned for homestyle soups like the famed Samsui Ginger Chicken—the company operates ancillary businesses such as sourcing and manufacturing under the Samsui Supplies and Services division. By integrating smart kitchens into its portfolio, Soup is reinforcing its long-term strategy of diversification and resilience against industry volatility.

The timing of the joint venture is especially strategic. With labor costs climbing and operational efficiency becoming a competitive differentiator, a scalable model offering automated kitchens promises significant cost-saving and operational leverage. Sourcing and distributing smart kitchen solutions also opens new revenue streams beyond traditional restaurant sales, potentially establishing recurring income via leasing agreements and service contracts.

Ultimately, by combining F&B domain expertise with advanced technological capability, this joint venture positions Soup Restaurant Group to lead a new wave of automation in commercial kitchens across the region. If successful, the initiative could serve as a template for modernization in food services—where precision, hygiene, and scalability are seamlessly woven into daily operations.