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The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) recently hosted the ‘QFC Connect’, a flagship networking engagement that facilitates direct connection between QFC firms, key partners and national entities driving Qatar’s business growth. The event, themed ‘Empowering Growth through Collaboration’, focused on strengthening cooperation across the innovation and technology landscape. Welcoming more than 400 participants - including those from Invest Qatar, Qatar Development Bank (QDB), the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, and Qatar Manpower Solutions Co (Jusour) - the event featured tailored sessions that examined growth opportunities, addressed shared challenges, and highlighted resources that enable businesses to expand across key markets. The QFC Connect forms part of its broader efforts to empower its growing community of firms through relationship-building, knowledge exchange, and greater ecosystem cohesion.By convening companies and national partners in one setting, it reinforced the collective ambition to advance innovation, attract global talent, and enable a more competitive and future-ready business environment in Qatar. “Serving the needs of our clients is a priority for the QFC, and we are continuously exploring new ways to deepen the value we provide. QFC Connect demonstrates this commitment. As Qatar’s economy continues to diversify, the QFC and its partners will keep opening doors to opportunities in investment, innovation, research, and talent development, enabling businesses to grow with confidence,” said Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida, chief executive officer of QFC Authority. The QFC Connect complements its ongoing initiatives to create a more enabling business ecosystem in Qatar, from launching a company to running it successfully. The centre has introduced reforms to make doing business faster and more accessible, including a streamlined incorporation process, instant licensing for non-regulated activities and a 90% reduction in application fees. Most recently, QFC unveiled its platinum onboarding service, a new fast-track solution that enables one-hour incorporation for companies seeking speed and premium set-up experience.These initiatives lower entry barriers, strengthen the business environment, and underline QFC’s commitment to enabling global and local firms to establish, grow, and thrive in Qatar. 

OpenAI has announced that it's changing how ChatGPT's Voice mode works on the web and app.The company stated that as part of the update, users can interact with ChatGPT Voice directly within the ongoing chat, allowing users to see the transcript of conversations with OpenAI's AI model, as well as visual elements that illustrate what ChatGPT is talking about.It was added that, with the new update, users can now start a voice conversation by tapping the "sound waves” icon next to the text field. Unlike the previous interface, which relied on a separate design filled with moving circles, Voice mode is now integrated directly into the conversation itself, making it easier to switch between speaking and typing.This integration between visual elements and voice responses comes as a natural extension of ChatGPT’s multimodal capabilities. Users can already issue voice requests supported by images or video clips, and the model’s voice responses provide the same level of visual integration.

His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mohammed bin Ali al-Mannai, held several high-level bilateral meetings with ministers, industry leaders, and accompanying delegations participating in the inaugural edition of MWC25 Doha which is being held for the first time in the Mena region, organised by GSMA in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.The meetings and discussions focused on enhancing co-operation in various fields, including developing technological innovation, fostering digital skills, and accelerating national digital transformation efforts. The meetings also explored potential joint initiatives to drive the digital economy forward and equip talent with the capabilities needed for the future.In this regard, HE the Minister of Communications met with Lebanese Minister of the Displaced Kamal Shehadeh. They discussed areas of co-operation.He also met with the senior leadership of VEON Group, including CEO Kaan Terzioglu. They explored opportunities for collaboration in digital innovation and future technologies.HE al-Mannai met with Director General of the Arab ICT Organisation (AICTO), Eng. Mohammed Ben Amor, and several AICTO officials. They discuss joint efforts to support regional digital progress. 

Doha's hosting of the MWC25 conference marks a major milestone for the mobile communications sector and reflects Qatar's advanced position on the global technology landscape, said Jawad Abbasi, head of Middle East and North Africa at the GSMA.Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA) ahead of MWC Doha 2025, scheduled to take place on November 25-26, Abbasi noted that the MWC is the world's leading platform for interaction among all stakeholders in the communications ecosystem, including the private sector, governments, and international institutions. He emphasised that the event plays a critical role in strengthening the sustainability of the communications sector, which he described as the cornerstone of the digital economy and modern economic development.Abbasi added that the GSMA, which organises the event, serves as the global umbrella for mobile network operators as well as technology providers and companies operating in this vital sector. He explained that mobile communications have become the primary channel of digital connectivity for billions of people worldwide, with mobile phones now serving as the main gateway to the internet for a significant portion of the global population. This reality, he noted, places on the Association a substantial responsibility to help bridge gaps in coverage and usage, ensuring comprehensive and equitable access to digital services for all communities.Abbasi stressed that Doha was chosen to host MWC25 — after being held in several major global cities — based on a number of strategic considerations. Foremost among these is Qatar's leadership in adopting advanced technologies, including 5G, fibre-optic networks, and next-generation digital solutions, as well as the country's exceptionally high access rates to these technologies. He added that Qatari telecommunications operators rely on cutting-edge digital systems that position Qatar at the forefront of innovation in the region.He highlighted that Qatar's advanced infrastructure — particularly its transport sector, including Hamad International Airport, an integrated metro network, and world-class conference facilities — combined with global connectivity through Qatar Airways, makes Doha an ideal destination for hosting major international conferences. Abbasi also revealed that MWC25 is expected to continue being held in Doha for years to come.He further emphasised the strategic importance of hosting MWC25 in the region, noting that global economic shifts increasingly point to the economic centre of gravity moving eastward. This gives the Gulf region — and Doha in particular — a unique advantage, making it an ideal global hub for major international events.He added that this dynamic reinforces Qatar's position as a regional centre of gravity for the digital economy and global technology conferences, which explains the GSMA's growing number of events in the region, including the M360 Mena conference, culminating in the establishment of MWC Doha as a permanent annual event.Abbasi said that MWC25 Doha will feature a diverse program, including a high-level ministerial agenda with the participation of governments, policymakers, and international organisations. This agenda will discuss optimal regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainable investment in telecommunications networks and support the sector’s long-term growth.He noted that the conference will focus on several key themes, including artificial intelligence and its applications across economic sectors, the deployment of 5G in industry, transportation, ports, and aviation, maximising the economic and social returns of digital investments, and exploring the future of 6G technologies.The conference will bring together around 300 exhibiting companies from around the world, offering an ideal platform for exchanging expertise and showcasing the latest technological innovations. Abbasi said the strong participation of global companies and institutions reflects rising international confidence in Doha's capabilities and its growing influence in the global technology landscape.He revealed that several agreements and memoranda of understanding will be signed during the conference, including a strategic agreement between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the GSMA to establish a training centre for modern technologies in cooperation with GSMA Advanced. The centre aims to enhance knowledge transfer and capacity building in the Arab world and the Gulf region — an initiative described as a significant step toward supporting sustainable digital development.Regarding the expected timeline for 6G services, Abbasi said the technology remains in the research and development phase and is anticipated to be available to the general public between 2031 and 2032. He stressed that the current priority is to maximise the benefits of existing 5G technologies to ensure meaningful economic and social development outcomes. 

Beyond the TarmacAirports around the world are exploring new ways to improve security, ease congestion, and enhance the travel experience. One of the most promising innovations under consideration is the use of biometric digital ID technology to manage the segregation of international and domestic departing passengers. As airports become busier and travel rebounds globally, this technology could offer a more efficient and secure alternative to traditional methods. Recently, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a study showing substantial cost savings, operational efficiencies, passenger experience and sustainability gains can be made by using biometric digital ID technology to manage the segregation of international and domestic departing passengers at airports where they are currently separated by physical barriers. The Domestic and International Passenger Integration Programme (DIPIP) report was a joint effort with AtkinsRéalis, an engineering services and project management company. IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security Nick Careen said: “Regulatory requirements and technology limitations have meant that domestic and international departure passenger flows need to be physically separated at many airports. That’s no longer the case. Digital ID powered by biometrics can achieve the needed segregation without creating a physically separated flow with duplicated facilities which is inefficient and costly. “The study shows that segregating passengers with digital ID will lead to a better travel experience for travellers, reduce costs for airports and airlines, and maintain security and border control requirements. It’s a compelling case for a much-needed modernisation.” “The publication of this report is key in understanding how the concepts of digital identity and use of biometrics can play a significant role in improving passenger experience and creating substantial cost savings which will have benefits across the aviation sector. We have a strong working relationship with IATA and were delighted to work on this study, drawing on our own broad experience of integrating biometrics into the passenger journey,” said Gareth Vest, UK&I Aviation Market Director at AtkinsRéalis. The study quantified the following benefits from segregating departing passengers with biometric enabled digital ID. Improved passenger experience: Removing physical barriers between domestic and international departure flows will improve passenger satisfaction with simplified journeys and shorter processing times. Minimum connection times, for example, could be reduced by nearly 20% with the efficiencies gained. Cost savings: Shared facilities eliminate duplication in infrastructure, utilities, and staffing, reducing maintenance, operating, and construction costs for airports, airlines, and ground handlers. Case studies at major international airport identified up to a 11% reduction in airport staff costs, while a ground handing company estimated a $5.3mn annual saving at another leading airport. More efficient use of airport infrastructure: Enabling departing passenger flows to use the same physical space allows airports to serve more passengers within existing terminal footprints, optimising use of space and the services within it. Sustainability benefits: Consolidation reduces energy use and construction-related emissions. Operational flexibility: Shared facilities allow airports, airlines, and ground handlers to better manage fluctuating passenger volumes and deploy resources where needed. This is particularly important given that international and domestic departures often concentrate at different times during the day. “The savings quickly add up. A medium-sized airport serving 10mn passengers annually could save up to $80mn of future capital expenditure and considerable annual operational savings through the removal of duplicate facilities and improved operational flexibility, while reducing its annual carbon footprint by 18,000 tonnes — the equivalent of removing 4,000 cars from the road for a year. The case for change is clear. Managing departing passengers with digital ID instead of physical barriers delivers efficiency, emission reductions, and a smoother experience for travellers,” Careen noted. Biometric digital ID technology is certainly not a distant concept - it is becoming a central feature in the future of aviation. While privacy protections and regulatory frameworks remain crucial, the potential benefits for security, passenger flow, and operational efficiency are compelling. Analysts say that if adopted widely, the segregation of international and domestic passengers may one day happen not through barriers and manual checks, but through a smart, seamless, and highly secure digital system — quietly operating in the background from the moment the passenger enters the terminal!

By conventional indicators, the valuation of technology stocks has risen this year to take them into bubble territory. Valuations that reached multiples of forward earnings scarcely seen before indicated that they were priced for perfection. So a fall in valuations since mid-October was not a surprise.This dip may reflect caution and profit-taking. It may presage a bigger fall, or it may be a pause in a long bull market accompanying the AI revolution. The indicators are not all pointing in the same direction.So far, the stock market slide is just a correction. Markets fell in the first week of November. They nudged upwards in the week commencing Monday 10th, but then fell at the end of the week. The market as a whole remains at elevated levels compared with April, when there was a drop associated with President Donald Trump’s announcement on tariffs. To take just one example: Nvidia fell around 10% in the first week of November, but it was still around 60% higher than it was just six months earlier. The S&P 500 dipped to 6,700 on 14 November, which compares with a high of 6,920 but a low of 4,835 over the previous 12 months, and remains nearly 70% higher than November 2022. The dominance of large technology companies in aggregate market valuations has become pronounced. By the end of October, while the S&P had risen through most of the year, during that period some 397 of the stocks actually fell in value. Eight of the 10 biggest stocks in the S&P are tech firms. They account for 36% of the entire US market value, and 60% of the gains since April.Palantir Technologies, a business applications software specialist, reached a peak valuation of 230 times future earnings. In early November, it was revealed that prominent hedge fund manager Michael Burry took a $912mn position against Palantir, whose stock has fallen from over $200 per share to around $170, though remains more than 150% higher over the year. Mr Burry later closed his hedge fund Scion Asset Management.There has been an uneven pattern to the sell-off, following earnings reports in late October. Meta, the owner of Facebook, fell 12% over concern of its high investment levels in AI, given disappointing returns from its investment in virtual reality, though has recovered slightly. Alphabet, the owner of Google, rose 3%, though has since dipped by around 5%, and Microsoft fell by just 3%, then fell further before a partial recovery.Unlike the dotcom start-ups of 25 years ago, the tech firms have strong revenues and a sound business model. Their services extend far beyond AI, covering business application software and cloud computing. In the case of Amazon, it is a general retailer as well as a tech firm. A strong argument is that much of the investment in AI is from large, profitable companies with a strong cash position.The hyper-scalers, Amazon, Meta, Alphabet and Microsoft, all have strong underlying global businesses. The scale of the investment in data centres being planned has caused some investors to be concerned, however. Some tech firms have been issuing bonds; for example, in late October Meta announced a $25bn bond issuance to finance AI investment, following Oracle’s $18bn bond sale in September. In early November, yields on big tech firms’ bonds started to rise. Oracle’s stock suffered bigger falls in the middle of November, with investors concerned over debt, heavy reliance on OpenAI, negative free cash flow. It emerged that the outgoing CEO Safra Catz sold $2.5bn of Oracle shares this year.Also, 10 loss-making AI specialist start-up companies have between them been valued at nearly $1tn, while there have been patterns of circular financing, especially concerning OpenAI.Another dimension is that there is softening economic data from the wider economy. With the US government lockdown entering its second month, there has been no official jobs data since 5 September. Analysts and economics have been relying on private sources. Data from the private company Challenger, Gray and Christmas showed the highest level of October job lay-offs since 2003, while the payroll company ADP reported that US companies shed 32,000 jobs in September, the biggest fall in two and a half years.Earnings from mainstream businesses have disappointed. The stock of the popular restaurant chain Chipotle fell 13% in late October following disappointing quarterly results.The price of bitcoin has been unpredictable in recent weeks. It often rises in a counter-cyclical manner, increasing as stock market falls, but cryptocurrencies generally were off their highs at the time of the wider market correction. Bitcoin fell from around $125,000 on 7 October to just below $100,000 by mid-November. Many bitcoin investors are leveraged, and some forced, automated sales are likely to have occurred, accelerating and drop in price. Gold has fallen from a high of $4,400 per ounce to around the $4,100.The AI investment industry is one of the few sectors to be registering growth, so if technology firm leaders fall short of their ambitions, the impact would ripple outside the industry.Against that, the bearish commentators point to the relatively narrow foundation of asset price investment, and debt and macro-economic fragility in the higher-tariff era, a combination that compares unfavourably with the more benign macro-economic picture of 2000-2001.The emerging technology of AI comes during an extended period of cheap money and globalisation, including of retail investing, and rapid growth of private credit. The worldwide exposure of investors to US stocks are part of a highly inter-connected system. High levels of government debt limit the extent of any fiscal stimulus following a shock. A loss in market value of the same proportion as the dotcom crash would have a far bigger impact on the real economy. The economist Gita Gopinath has estimated that it would cause a loss of $20tn for US households, or 70% of GDP. Foreign investors might lose $15tn.There are two dimensions to risk assessment: Likelihood, and impact. The likelihood of an asset price collapse that is equivalent in proportional terms to that of the dotcoms would not appear to be high, although it is possibility. The impact would be seismic, and felt across the global economy.The author is a Qatari banker, with many years of experience in the banking sector in senior positions.

Turbulence in technology stocks could ratchet higher in the coming week as investors react to the quarterly report from Nvidia Corp, the world's largest company by market value that is at the heart of Wall Street's artificial intelligence trade. On Thursday, the benchmark S&P 500 equity index gave up gains from earlier in the week, as uncertainty about the economic outlook and path for US interest rates undercut optimism over the end of the longest-ever US government shutdown. Investors remained skittish about vulnerability to technology shares, which stumbled this month on concerns AI exuberance has driven up valuations to expensive levels. With its AI chips, semiconductor giant Nvidia has been a bellwether for the theme that has lifted shares of an array of tech names as well as other companies involved in the vast infrastructure expansion to support AI use. Nvidia is the "epicentre" of the build-out of AI, so its results after the bell on Wednesday will be important to the tech sector as well as areas such as industrials and utilities, said Matt Orton, chief market strategist at Raymond James Investment Management. "If you don't see the growth that I think the market is expecting around Nvidia or the positive commentary that we are likely to get from Nvidia going forward, I think you're going to see more of a dent to those sorts of trades," Orton said. Nvidia shares have soared about 1,000% since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. This includes a year-to-date gain of nearly 40% that made Nvidia the first company to surpass $5tn in market value last month. That market heft means the stock's moves can sway equity indexes. Nvidia carries an 8% weight in the S&P 500 and a roughly 10% weight in the widely followed Nasdaq 100. **media[381893]** Analysts on average expect the company to post a 53.8% year-over-year rise in fiscal third quarter earnings per share, on revenue of $54.8bn, according to LSEG. Analysts have also been getting more bullish about the company's future performance, with expectations for the company's fiscal 2027 revenue rising 15% since late May to about $285bn currently, according to LSEG data. "The assumptions that the market is making are positive, it's getting priced into the stock, and how the company guides will be very important," said Melissa Otto, head of research at S&P Global Visible Alpha. Investors will also focus on commentary from Nvidia related to demand or spending trends. Capital expenditures from hyperscalers such as Microsoft and Amazon earlier in the reporting season indicated no signs of slowing in the build-out of data centres and other AI infrastructure. "You're not supposed to have any weakness given all the capital spending commitments from various companies," said Jimmy Chang, chief investment officer of Rockefeller Global Family Office. "Demand should still be looking pretty solid in the current environment." Nvidia's report is one of the biggest remaining market catalysts in 2025. The S&P 500 is logging a roughly 15% year-to-date gain, but Wall Street is wary of concerns stocks are in an "AI bubble." Investors appear to be bringing more scrutiny to AI investment announcements, said James Ragan, co-CIO and director of investment management research at DA Davidson. **media[381894]** "We're moving into a stage where investors are going to demand a little bit more proof of concept in terms of what are the returns, what are the cash flows," Ragan said. Aside from Nvidia's results, quarterly earnings from retailers are due in the coming week including from Walmart and Home Depot. There could also be a batch of economic data releases that were delayed during the shutdown. While the S&P 500 tech sector has struggled so far this month, other sectors are logging solid gains in that time, including healthcare, materials and financials. "There's a realisation that for investors, maybe that AI is not the only game in town," Ragan said.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping journalism faster than any previous technological wave. It can analyse data in seconds, transcribe interviews instantly, and summarise complex reports in moments. It is a powerful ally - but also a demanding one. Because as AI takes over tasks once done by humans, the responsibility of journalists to verify, interpret and protect truth only grows.“AI can accelerate journalism, but it can’t replace human judgment. The faster the tools become, the higher our responsibility grows.”AI can accelerate research, but it cannot understand nuance or context. It doesn’t know when a quote has moral weight or when a number hides a human story. The role of the journalist remains to question, verify and explain. Major news agencies such as the Associated Press and Reuters now allow AI tools only under strict human supervision. The BBC, in its own policy, forbids using generative AI for news gathering without editorial control. The message is consistent: AI is a tool - not a reporter.”What truly matters today is who stands behind information. Every piece of content we see - text, photo or video - must raise the question: Who created this? Why? What do they gain?”A recent Reuters Institute study shows that audiences trust traditional news brands more than AI-generated news. People might admire AI’s speed, but they still trust human judgment and transparent reporting far more. AI can fabricate sound and image with frightening realism. The risk is not theoretical - it’s already here. For journalists, this means treating every visual or audio file as potentially manipulated until verified. Yet technology alone is not enough; the duty of proof still lies with us.Journalism’s mission has not changed: to discover what is true and make it understood. The difference is that in the AI era, this mission demands more skill, more discipline, and more courage than ever before. AI gives us extraordinary reach and speed. But it also exposes us to misinformation at the same velocity. The solution is not to resist technology but to pair innovation with integrity — to build systems that are both intelligent and accountable.AI does not free journalists from responsibility - it raises the bar. In this new landscape, skepticism must be our default setting. Every fact, image, and quote should be treated as potentially altered until proven authentic. Editorial brand remains the ultimate trust anchor. In an age of overwhelming noise, heritage and credibility stand as the clearest signals of truth.FACTSWhat is AI?Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence — such as understanding language, recognising patterns, analysing data and making predictions. Generative AI goes a step further, creating new text, images and video based on existing information.AI in numbersGlobal data centres currently consume about 1% of the world’s electricity, a figure projected to double by 2030, reaching nearly 945 terawatt-hours per year.(Sources: International Energy Agency, World Economic Forum 2025)Upcoming AI & tech Events in Qatar 2025MWC Doha 2025 (25–26 Nov). Focused on telecom, smart infrastructure and AI-driven innovation.World Summit AI Qatar 2025 (9–10 Dec, Doha Exhibition & Convention Center). Global conference under the patronage of MCIT, uniting industry, academia and policymakers to shape the future of AI.

University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) has inaugurated the Career Fair 2025, welcoming participation from over 95 local and international companies representing key industries across Qatar and beyond. The two-day event, organised by the Student Central Services Department, provided over 2,450 opportunities for full-time and part-time employment, sponsorships, internships, and co-operative training. The event has been inaugurated by President of UDST, Dr Salem Al-Naemi, in the presence of HE Chairman of UDST’s Board of Trustees, Dr Mohammed Saleh al-Sada; and Vice-Chair of UDST’s Board of Trustees and Managing Director and CEO of Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco), Dr Mohammed Yousef al-Mulla; and attended by UDST students, alumni, and high school students exploring their future career paths. The fair serves as one of UDST’s flagship annual events, offering students and graduates a direct gateway to industry leaders, while helping employers connect with highly skilled and job-ready talent. Throughout the event, attendees engaged in live interviews, networking sessions, and career development activities, reflecting UDST’s applied learning approach that bridges education with real-world experience. In line with its commitment to sustainability, UDST ensured the event remained entirely paperless, with students submitting their CVs and applications through the university’s digital application system. This initiative highlights UDST’s ongoing dedication to adopting eco-friendly and innovative event practices that align with Qatar National Vision 2030’s sustainability goals. Dr Al-Naemi said: “Career Fair represents a pivotal milestone in the university’s ongoing efforts to empower its students and alumni, preparing them for active participation in the job market. Guided by our mission of applied education, we are committed to building strong partnerships with public and private sector institutions, ensuring that our graduates are well-equipped to contribute to a national economy driven by knowledge and innovation”. With participation from sectors such as energy, construction, banking, finance, healthcare, IT, and public services, the event demonstrated UDST’s growing influence in linking education to real-world careers.

Scale Now, which enables Qatari founded technology companies to become global competitors, has secured deals valued at $12.9mn, positioning Qatar as a regional hub for digital innovation, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).Of the $12.9mn in deals secured, as much as $7.2mn was in B2B (business-to-business) and $5.7mn in direct investments, said a MCIT presentation made recently after roping in four more partners – Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Invest Qatar, QDB (Qatar Development Bank) and Qatar Research Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council - for the programme."Scale Now is more than a programme; it is a coordinated national platform turning digital innovation into tangible economic impact," MCIT said.About $7.2mn in B2B (business to business) transactions; the presentation said it demonstrated strong market validation and confidence in Qatar’s scale-up ecosystem.The Cycle 1 had secured $5.7mn in direct investments through a mix of private funding, grants, and investor partnerships.The participating entities from Cycle 1 reported sustained growth, validating the effectiveness of the programme’s capability-building and market access model, it said, highlighting more than 50% average revenue growth and one successful international market expansion in Cycle 1.The Cycle 1 brought together six market-ready companies delivering solutions from digital payments and marketplaces to airport operations and immersive media.It saw Mzad Qatar, providing a multi-category marketplace with a digital auction platform that connects buyers and sellers; SkipCash, enabling businesses to implement secure online payment solutions through a streamlined digital platform; and EMMA Systems, delivering airport software that improves operational efficiency and data management.The Cycle 1 also saw ADGS, offering behavioural biometrics and predictive maintenance powered by proprietary AI models; SPONIX, providing immersive video solutions and virtual advertising that enable engaging real-time content during live events; and ClassTap, offering flexible access to more than 3,000 fitness studios and classes through a subscription platform.Scale Now contributes directly to Qatar's Digital Agenda 2030's national employment target by equipping founders and creating high-value digital roles across tech sectors, aiming more than 26,000 ICT (information, communication and technology) jobs by 2030."Through its collaborative model, Scale Now is enabling Qatari-founded technology companies to become global competitors, strengthening the nation’s economic resilience, export potential, and job creation capacity," it said.By providing tailored mentorship, strategic partnerships, investment readiness and facilitating access to pilot opportunities, the programme helps high-potential companies transform proven traction into sustainable growth. It strengthens Qatar’s digital economy, aligns with the Digital Agenda 2030 and positions the country as a global hub for innovation and expansion."We will refer high-potential companies from Startup Qatar to future Scale Now cohorts, support access to funding and grants, and help shape a connected, resilient ecosystem where innovation and entrepreneurship thrive," Invest Qatar had said.Invest Qatar serves as the gateway for foreign investors and entrepreneurs, guiding them through each stage of their business journey — from exploration to expansion — by providing comprehensive insights, market knowledge and facilitating connections with key government and private sector stakeholders.

QNB Group has been awarded the “Best Data Protection Innovation of the Year 2025” at the 11th Middle East Enterprise AI & Analytics Summit held recently in Doha, for the second consecutive year, which highlights QNB’s advanced use of technology to strengthen data protection and compliance with privacy regulations.The award recognises organisations that demonstrate exceptional innovation in utilising technology to enhance data protection practices. QNB was honoured for its cutting-edge approach to ensuring secure data management, safeguarding customer information, and maintaining the highest international standards of data privacy.The independent jury panel highlighted QNB’s continuous investment in technological advancement and innovation, which has positioned the bank as a regional leader in data governance, privacy and compliance.This recognition reflects QNB Group’s unwavering commitment to protecting its customers’ data and build trust through advanced technologies and robust privacy frameworks. QNB’s data protection strategy forms part of its broader digital transformation roadmap, which emphasises leveraging AI and analytics to deliver secure, efficient, and customer-centric banking experiences.

The second cycle of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's (MCIT) Scale Now – a growth programme designed to equip Qatar’s digital entrepreneurs achieve success on local, regional, and global levels and featuring as many as 13 high-potential firms from Qatar and beyond – is scheduled to conclude on November 15, 2025.The Cycle 2 – currently in the capacity building phase, with pilot and expansion plans in progress – has entities driving innovation across AI (artificial intelligence), Healthtech, EdTech, Gaming, Cybersecurity, ERP (enterprise resource planning), Retail, and Sustainability; said MCIT in a presentation made recently.The Cycle 2 has two AI companies Bilby, which provides AI-driven data analytics that evaluate public statements to predict future behaviour; and Khadoom, an on-demand AI-powered personal assistant platform that helps users outsource daily errands through messaging apps.It saw SEK Games, a Turkish game development studio specialising in free-to-play mobile games in the idle, arcade, and simulation genres; Adeer, offering a business management app that simplifies sales, inventory, finance, and tax operations for small and micro businesses; and ENABLE, providing an AI-driven retail platform that boosts revenue through customer loyalty and operational optimisation.On Cybersecurity, Cytomate delivers automated threat assessment and cyber defence solutions that reduce human error and enhance protection.The Cycle 2 has two Edtech firms as Ynmo, which offers a bilingual AI-powered platform that helps educators create personalised learning plans for children with disabilities; and Kamkalima, which develops Arabic literacy through interactive learning tools, AI features, and a comprehensive digital content library.The Cycle 2 has four Healthtech firms as Rhazes, providing a generative AI clinical assistant that supports doctors with real-time patient care guidance; and Dieture, offering a personalised meal subscription service that delivers customised, health-focused meals.It also had PhysioHome, connecting patients with licensed rehabilitation professionals for home-based therapy and care; and Shezlong, operating a secure mental health and psychotherapy platform for Arabic-speaking users in the Middle East and North Africa.On environment and sustainability, the Cycle 2 has Nafas, which offers AI-driven air quality management through hardware-as-a-service, helping buildings maintain healthy indoor environments efficiently.The Cycle 2 companies are currently participating in an intensive capability-building phase, combining specialised mentorship with targeted business acceleration.This phase focuses on four core areas such as Strategy, which encompasses growth mapping, market positioning, and competitive differentiation; Product (product-market fit, feature refinement, and scalability engineering); Operations (key performance indicators alignment, process efficiency, and resource optimisation), and Finance (forecasting, capital structure, and investor readiness).The programme’s capability modules turn ambition into execution, equipping founders not just to grow, but to lead sustainably."Following the capability-building stage, Cycle 2 will progress into pilot development and regional expansion planning, partnering with local enterprises and government entities to co-develop solutions, validate business models, and prepare companies for global scale," MCIT said.The Cycle 1 brought together six market-ready companies delivering solutions from digital payments and marketplaces to airport operations and immersive media.It saw Mzad Qatar, providing a multi-category marketplace with a digital auction platform that connects buyers and sellers; SkipCash, enabling businesses to implement secure online payment solutions through a streamlined digital platform; and EMMA Systems, delivering airport software that improves operational efficiency and data management.The Cycle 1 also saw ADGS, offering behavioural biometrics and predictive maintenance powered by proprietary AI models; SPONIX, providing immersive video solutions and virtual advertising that enable engaging real-time content during live events; and ClassTap, offering flexible access to more than 3,000 fitness studios and classes through a subscription platform.