Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s real estate market closed 2025 with transactions worth AED142 billion across 42,814 deals, marking the highest annual value on record and underscoring the emirate’s growing weight as a global investment destination. The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre, the sector’s regulator and custodian, said total transaction value rose 44 per cent compared with 2024, while the number of deals climbed 52 per […]
Scientists at the University of Oxford have unveiled a technique that could accelerate charging times and extend the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries by exposing how a largely overlooked component behaves at the nanoscale. By making polymer binders inside battery electrodes visible under advanced imaging, the team has identified manufacturing adjustments that cut internal resistance by as much as 40 per cent, a shift that may translate into […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai has moved to enable the resale of tokenised property assets, marking a significant step in a $16 billion plan to digitise parts of its real estate market and make transactions faster and more accessible. The Dubai Land Department has confirmed that the next phase of its real estate tokenisation initiative, developed with technology firm Ctrl Alt, will allow investors to trade property […]
Noise cancellation was once considered a premium feature, typically chosen after other aspects were already established. However, it has now become an essential component of daily audio consumption, providing users with greater control over background noise and enhancing focus in various environments. Noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds are purposefully designed to integrate seamlessly into one’s routine, minimising distractions and streamlining the listening experience. In this evolving landscape, boAt […]
On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, the airline’s leadership also met with Boeing to discuss a subsequent plan to invest in 30 wide-body aircraft in the coming period, with an estimated total value of over USD 12 billion, in support of its international network development strategy.
This landmark agreement represents a cornerstone of Vietnam Airlines’ long-term fleet modernization strategy. The airline is scheduled to take delivery of the aircraft between 2030 and 2032, with the expansion expected to increase its total fleet to approximately 151 aircraft by 2030. The US$8.1 Billion (at 2025 catalog pricing) investment prioritizes the development of the narrow-body fleet to enhance network frequency, operational flexibility and cost efficiency, while strengthening competitiveness in the next phase of growth.
The Boeing 737-8 aircraft will primarily operate on domestic and regional Asian routes, supporting rising passenger demand and strengthening regional connectivity. Over the next five years, Vietnam Airlines targets sustained double-digit average annual growth across key operating indicators, in line with the robust expansion of Vietnam’s aviation market.
Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, said: “Vietnam Airlines is taking a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to strengthening its capabilities, spanning fleet modernization, financial resilience and the development of high quality talent, to support our long term growth ambitions. The investment in 50 Boeing 737-8 aircraft marks a significant step in building a modern, fuel efficient fleet while enhancing operational performance and elevating service standards to meet international benchmarks. This agreement also deepens the long standing strategic partnership between Vietnam Airlines and Boeing, creating a strong foundation for our ambition to become a five star international airline by 2030.”
Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: “We are proud to build on our partnership with Vietnam Airlines and support them as they pair the 737 MAX with the 787 Dreamliner to further scale regional networks and strengthen connectivity across Asia. The 737‑8’s capabilities, economics and passenger experience make it an ideal airplane to support Vietnam Airlines’ growth plans.”
Boeing 737-8 is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing’s history, recognized for its advanced design, operational reliability, and sustainability performance. With seating for up to 200 passengers and a range of up to 6,570 kilometers, the aircraft offers strong flexibility across short- and medium-haul networks.
Powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines and incorporating an optimized aerodynamic design and advanced technology winglets, the 737 reduces fuel use and emissions by 20 percent compared to the airplanes it replaces. On average, each aircraft is expected to save up to 8 million pounds of CO₂ emissions annually, supporting the airline’s network expansion while lowering operating costs.
The Boeing Sky Interior further enhances the passenger experience, featuring larger pivoting bins, advanced LED lighting, larger windows, and a spacious cabin architecture that delivers a modern and comfortable flying experience.
Beyond fleet expansion, this investment underscores Vietnam Airlines’ long-term commitment to sustainable development, emissions reduction, and service excellence. With the addition of the 737-8, the airline is strengthening its operational capabilities and adherence to international safety and service standards.
To secure diversified funding sources, Vietnam Airlines in 2025 engaged in discussions with domestic banks and dominant U.S. financial institutions, including EXIM Bank and Citi, to arrange financing for strategic projects such as fleet investment.
Building on strengthened financial foundations and improving operational performance, Vietnam Airlines continues to expand its global footprint, including the recent launch of a record 14 new international routes. The introduction of the Boeing 737-8 will further enhance the airline’s capacity to capture growth in the Asia Pacific aviation market, expand connectivity and elevate service quality, as it advances toward its goal of becoming a five-star airline by 2030.
Hashtag: #VietnamAirlines #Boeing7378 #FleetExpansion #AviationIndustry #AirlineGrowth
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Saudi Arabia’s state-owned artificial intelligence company Humain has committed $3 billion to Elon Musk’s AI venture xAI as part of a substantial funding round conducted just before the startup was brought under the umbrella of his space technology firm SpaceX. The deal immediately positioned Humain as a significant minority shareholder, with its equity in xAI converted into SpaceX shares after the acquisition, the company said. The transaction […]
![Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau Poster Hospital [TKR]](https://release.media-outreach.com/release.php/Images/733776/Columbia-Asia-Hospital-Tebrau-Po.png)
“Our knees are subjected to wear and tear over time due to aging, injuries, and repetitive stress,” said Dr Hazli Sufian, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon with Special Interest in Arthroplasty at Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau. “While HA injections can help relieve pain and improve mobility in early-stage osteoarthritis, advanced cases often require knee replacement surgery for long-term relief and function.”
Dr Hazli and his surgical team have replaced conventional techniques with the CORI® robotic-assisted system by Smith+Nephew, an advanced technology designed to enhance precision and personalise knee replacement procedures.
“The CORI® system allows surgeons to capture patient-specific anatomical data in real time, enabling more precise bone preparation and soft tissue balancing,” Dr Hazli explained. “This contributes to improved joint stability, better alignment, and more natural knee movement after surgery.”
Beyond surgical precision, robotic-assisted technology improves the overall patient experience. The personalised approach can lead to reduced tissue disruption, less post-operative pain, and lower risk of complications. Many patients also benefit from enhanced mobility, greater confidence in joint function, and a potentially faster return to daily activities and rehabilitation.
By tailoring each procedure to the patient’s unique anatomy, the CORI® system supports predictable outcomes and consistent surgical results, which are key to long-term patient satisfaction.
Dr James Chong, CEO of Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau, said the introduction of robotic-assisted knee replacement reflects the hospital’s commitment to advancing patient-centred care through innovation.
“Our investment in robotic-assisted surgery enhances not only surgical precision but also the overall patient journey—from pre-operative planning and intra-operative accuracy to post-operative recovery and rehabilitation,” he said. “This technology allows us to deliver high-quality outcomes while improving comfort, confidence, and experience for our patients.”
Hashtag: #ColumbiaAsiaHospitalTebrau #RightHereForYou #MalaysiaPRAwards2025 #PRCA #HealthcareExcellence #TeamTebrau #CommunityCare #HospitalCommunications #AwardWinningTeam #TotalKneeReplacement #RoboticTotalKneeReplacement
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau is dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of the Johor community with compassion, professionalism, and clinical excellence. Equipped with advanced medical technology—including a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Mammography services, a 128-slice CT Scan, and a 1.5 Tesla MRI—the hospital delivers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment capabilities to support timely and accurate clinical decision-making.
The hospital offers a broad range of medical specialties, including Cardiology, Nephrology, Internal Medicine, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT), General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology (O&G), Respiratory Medicine, Orthopaedics, and Dermatology. A fully operational 24/7 Emergency Room, supported by on-call Emergency Physicians, ensures that patients receive immediate and appropriate care at any time of the day.
At the core of Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau’s philosophy is a strong commitment to personalized, patient-centred care—ensuring that every individual feels heard, supported, and well cared for throughout their healthcare journey.
Looking ahead over the next five years, Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau will align its strategic direction with Rancangan Malaysia Ke-13 (RMK-13), with a focused emphasis on addressing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). In particular, the hospital will strengthen its efforts in obesity management through integrated, multidisciplinary care models encompassing prevention, early intervention, medical management, surgical intervention and long-term follow-up. This reflects a proactive approach to tackling one of the most pressing public health challenges affecting the Johor community.
In parallel, the hospital has advanced its surgical capabilities through the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery. This investment is aimed at enhancing surgical precision, improving clinical outcomes, reducing recovery times, and elevating overall patient experience, in line with global best practices.
To meet the growing healthcare demands of Johor, Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau is also planning for future expansion, including the addition of more inpatient beds. This expansion will enable the hospital to better serve the increasing needs of the community while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and accessibility in care delivery.
Through strategic alignment, technological advancement, and capacity expansion, Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau remains committed to supporting the long-term health and well-being of the Johorean population.
For 30 years, Columbia Asia Group of hospitals has been at the forefront of quality healthcare in the private healthcare industry. Established in 1996, it has evolved from its first hospital in Shah Alam to its latest in Penang, to date. As an international healthcare provider, its services span across 19 hospitals in the region; 13 in Malaysia, five in Indonesia, and one in Vietnam. Through the years, the company strategy has always been about making private healthcare accessible to all, hence its hospitals are strategically located in densely populated areas. Under the umbrella of private healthcare company, Asia OneHealthcare, the Columbia Asia group has expanded its reach to bring not just world-class, but also effective healthcare, closer to home.
Through the years, Columbia Asia’s emphasis has consistently been about early detection of diseases. This is carried out by way of advanced technology for precise diagnostics, resulting in minimally invasive procedures. To fulfil the typical healthcare needs of communities, Columbia Asia offers core disciplines such as obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, and general surgery. Today, it also provides tertiary healthcare addressing more complex fields of medicine such as neurosurgery, cardiac disease treatments, and integrated cancer care.
As it approaches a new decade, Columbia Asia continues to expand; adopting cutting-edge technology to meet the ever-increasing needs of today’s discerning customers. Upholding strict clinical governance, medical ethics and acknowledged by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health, Columbia Asia continues to deliver excellent patient outcomes in a safe and trusted environment.
Columbia Asia. Right Here For You.
By T N Ashok At the center of Bharat Mandapam, the chiselled, lotus-shaped convention complex that has become the theatre for India’s global ambitions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood for a “family photo” that looked less like a diplomatic formality and more like a merger of Silicon Valley and the Westphalian order. To his left […]
The article India Positions Itself As The AI World’s Third Pole Under PM Modi’s Active Leadership appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence firm Origen has raised $50 million from Bluefive Capital, marking one of the larger disclosed growth investments in the emirate’s emerging AI ecosystem and signalling fresh momentum for technology ventures anchored in the Gulf. The funding, confirmed by both companies, will be directed towards expanding Origen’s operations, deepening research and development capabilities, and accelerating commercial deployments across the Middle East and other target […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 February 2026 – At its annual flagship showcase, Infinix today unveiled the NOTE 60 SERIES, featuring the NOTE 60 Pro and NOTE 60—demonstrating a new chapter in delivering premium technology experiences to global users.
Advancing design and performance within its class, the NOTE 60 Pro marks a significant milestone as Infinix’s first smartphone built on the Snapdragon® 7s Gen 4 Mobile Platform, delivering exceptional responsiveness and seamless multitasking that befits flagship-level performance.
It further elevates everyday experiences with an avant-garde Active Matrix Display that stays invisible when inactive, yet transforms into a dynamic interface for personalized interactivity, intelligent notifications, and on-screen entertainment—expanding what a smartphone can do in everyday life. Paired with a fluid 144Hz 1.5K Ultra HDR Cinematic Display and immersive SOUND BY JBL, the NOTE 60 Pro sets a new benchmark for premium multimedia experiences within its segment, proving that exceptional technology can be both powerful and pleasurable.
“NOTE 60 SERIES is our annual flagship showcase—an ‘all‑out’ blockbuster created with industry leaders,” said Tony Zhao, CEO of Infinix. “Embracing a whole-series 5G strategy, we are bringing together the best of performance, design, and entertainment—from our first NOTE powered by Snapdragon from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., to premium design craftsmanship with Pininfarina, and immersive SOUND BY JBL. This ensures we deliver a pleasurable, fun experience that lets our global consumers actively enjoy the best modern technology.”
Performance Without Compromise with Snapdragon
The NOTE 60 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon® 7s Gen 4 Mobile Platform, delivering robust multitasking and exceptional gaming efficiency with up to 75%¹ faster CPU performance and 210%¹ improved GPU rendering compared to the NOTE 50 Pro. Infinix and Qualcomm Technologies have collaborated for the NOTE 60 Pro, integrating Infinix’s proprietary performance engine to fully harness the hardware’s capabilities. These optimizations deliver up to 25%¹ enhancement in multitasking performance, significantly faster app launch speeds, and a smoother, more stable experience when switching between apps during heavy use.
Powered by its strong Snapdragon chipset, the NOTE 60 Pro takes gaming performance even further, delivering smooth high‑frame‑rate gameplay across popular titles. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Honor of Kings run up to 120 FPS, ensuring ultra‑responsive, fluid action even during intense team battles. To maintain consistent performance, the NOTE 60 Pro also introduces an upgraded 3D IceCore Vapor Chamber cooling system featuring a 0.36 mm copper sheet that directs heat from the chipset to the vapor chamber, reducing temperature by up to 3 °C¹ during intense gaming for stable, sustained performance.
Active Matrix Display: Functionality Through Design
Featured on the back of the NOTE 60 Pro, the all-new Active Matrix Display represents a major design innovation for the NOTE SERIES.
This miniature, interactive LED interface stays invisible until activated, then instantly lights up to show smart notifications, animated pets, or mini-games. It enables at-a-glance information, versatile alerts, and moments of playful interaction. Users can personalize it with custom signatures, emojis, or dynamic patterns, giving users a creative outlet to express their personality and emotions, and turning the phone into a more emotionally connected personal companion.
Built around a robust one-piece frame of high-strength aluminum alloy with a refined micro-matte texture, the NOTE 60 Pro delivers a sophisticated, high-end feel while offering durable practicality and dependable IP64 protection² against dust, splashes, and everyday wear. Infinix NOTE 60 SERIES introduces multiple practical functions on the robust middle frame, including the new One‑Tap Button providing instant, customizable activation of Silent Mode or tools like the flashlight. It also features an industry-exclusive Advanced Health Monitor, providing proactive wellness tracking of key vitals like heart rate, blood oxygen, and long-term HRV to deliver actionable health insights.
Immersive Entertainment: A Stunning 1.5K Display Paired with SOUND BY JBL
The NOTE 60 Pro is engineered for an immersive, all-day comfortable audiovisual experience. It features a vivid 1.5K display with ultra-slim bezels, reaching 4500 nits peak brightness for visibility in any light and a 144Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth visuals. The display is designed for extended viewing comfort, featuring motion sickness prevention technology, which helps users stay comfortable while reading, watching videos, or gaming when commuting or traveling. Last but not least, NOTE 60 Pro is protected by durable Corning® Gorilla® Glass 7i, and this visual excellence is complemented by a high-fidelity stereo sound system with SOUND BY JBL, to complete a truly compelling entertainment experience.
Capture Anything, Day or Night: The Pro-Grade Camera Setup
At the core of the Infinix NOTE 60 Pro’s imaging system is the exclusive 50MP OIS Night Master Camera, engineered to deliver crystal-clear photos and stable videos even in low light. Paired with a 112° ultrawide sensor, the system effortlessly captures everything from expansive landscapes to group portraits.
The device marks a major leap in imaging with Infinix’s first Ultra HDR pipeline, enabling full-chain HDR imaging, from capture and processing to display for brilliant, true-to-life photos. This high-end shooting mode preserves details in shadows and highlights that standard shots often miss, resulting in greater dynamic contrast range and rendering everything from daylight to neon with perfect clarity. Complementing this, the new Live Photo mode captures life as it happens and turns every photo into a vivid, pocket-sized memory.
Rounding out the professional imaging suite are intelligent features like 2x Lossless Portrait Zoom for studio-quality framing, 4K Ultra-Steady Video recording³ with creative filters, and the Infinix AI Studio for effortless, intelligent editing.
All-Day Power, Intelligent Care
The NOTE 60 Pro features a battery capacity up to 6500mAh⁴, a substantial 25%¹ increase over its predecessor. This provides ample power to support all-day browsing, messaging, and gameplay. To ensure power and performance are maintained in the long run, Infinix combines the increased energy density with an industry-first active healing system that automatically repairs internal battery materials in the long term, extending the battery longevity up to 200 cycles over time and ensuring at least 6 years of effective, hassle-free battery performance. The NOTE 60 Pro keeps you charged with 90W wired and 30W wireless⁵ charging. For the fastest wireless experience, an Infinix MagCharge phone case⁵ is included to guarantee perfect alignment. This gives you both the speed and the flexible convenience to power up seamlessly throughout your day.
Infinix NOTE 60: Flagship Implementation with Greater Accessibility
A design similar in high-end refinement to the NOTE 60 Pro’s graces Infinix NOTE 60, another 5G phone featuring a premium metal frame, a 1.5K Ultra HDR display at up to 144Hz, and exceptional battery capacity with advanced charging and longevity management. It’s built around the ultra-efficient MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultimate 5G mobile platform and delivers true 5G performance. The NOTE 60 sports many of the quality features common to the latest NOTE lineup, including Active Halo notification lighting, highly optimized system-level software, and the 3D IceCore Vapor Chamber cooling system. It retains the 50MP OIS Night Master Cam and Live Photo mode of NOTE 60 Pro, promising fun memory capture, editing, organization, and sharing with family, friends, and more.
Beyond “Pro”: Expanding the NOTE 60 SERIES
As a key step in its flagship journey, Infinix also previewed the NOTE 60 Ultra, marking a bold move into the premium segment. Designed by Pininfarina, the NOTE 60 Ultra introduces breakthroughs in form and delivers comprehensive upgrades in imaging, performance, and connectivity—representing the pinnacle of performance and experience within the NOTE 60 SERIES. More details about the NOTE 60 Ultra will be announced at a later date.
Demonstrating Infinix’s commitment to long‑term user support, the entire NOTE 60 SERIES comes equipped with the upgraded XOS 16, offering three generations of XOS platform upgrades and five years of security patches⁶. In addition, the whole series also supports eSIM connectivity⁷, providing users with greater flexibility and convenience in managing their mobile network experience.
Product availability
NOTE 60 Pro is available in five colors:* Mist Titanium, Solar Orange, Deep Ocean Blue, Mocha Brown, Frost Silver, Torino Black (Design by Pininfarina)*
It will be available in three variants:* 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB
NOTE 60 is available in five colors:* Mist Titanium, Rose Gold, Fizz Blue, Midnight Black, Mocha Brown
It will be available in two variants:* 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB
*Availability may vary by country/region. The Turino Black (Design by Pininfarina) will be released at a later date. Please consult local retailers and third-party shopping websites for more purchasing options.
*Available storage and RAM are less than the total memory due to storage of the operating system and software pre-installed on the device.
Price and availability vary between markets and sales channels. Please refer to the Infinix Official website for product availability and detailed regional sales information.
Disclaimer
Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
¹All data comes from Infinix laboratories. The testing data may vary slightly between different test versions and testing environments.
²The phone is dustproof and splash-proof under normal use. Under controlled laboratory conditions, its performance can reach IP64 level under IEC 60529 standard. Differences exist between real-life scenarios. Any damage caused to the phone by immersion in liquid is not covered under the warranty.
³Record at up to 4K 30 fps, with ultra-steady stabilization and a wide range of creative filters.
⁴Battery capacity and configurations may vary by market.
⁵MagCharge requires using the Infinix-branded magnetic attachment phone case.
⁶The specific XOS upgrade plan for each model will be announced separately. Please note that availability of this upgrade may be limited in certain countries.
⁷eSIM availability is carrier and region-dependent; it may not be supported in all countries.
Hashtag: #Infinix
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Established in 2013, Infinix is an innovation-driven brand dedicated to delivering cutting-edge technology, bold design, and outstanding performance. The brand provides smart, enjoyable mobile experiences that enhance everyday life. Beyond smartphones, Infinix has expanded its portfolio to include TWS earbuds, smartwatches, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and more—building a comprehensive ecosystem of smart devices. Currently, Infinix products are available in over 70 countries and regions worldwide, including Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
For more information, please visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/
Snapdragon branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.Qualcomm, Snapdragon, Qualcomm Oryon, Hexagon and Adreno are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.
Valve has acknowledged that the Steam Deck OLED handheld gaming device is facing intermittent stock shortages in several markets as supply constraints for memory and storage components intensify across the technology sector. A notice on the Steam Deck store page states that the 512GB and 1TB OLED configurations “may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages,” underscoring mounting production challenges for the […]
Ford Motor is developing a new universal electric vehicle architecture through a tightly held internal programme designed to cut costs, boost range and stem heavy losses in its battery-powered division, according to executives and industry analysts familiar with the effort. The initiative, led by a small “skunkworks” team operating with a high degree of autonomy, centres on a flexible platform intended to underpin multiple vehicle types. Senior […]
NASHVILLE — Nakamoto Inc. has agreed to acquire BTC Inc, the global Bitcoin media and events group, and UTXO Management GP, an asset management and advisory firm focused on Bitcoin ventures, in an all-stock transaction valued at about $107.3 million. The merger agreements were signed on 17 February by the Nasdaq-listed firm as it seeks to build a diversified Bitcoin-centric operating company spanning media, finance and advisory services. Under […]
eToro Group Ltd delivered a stronger-than-expected set of financial results for the full year and fourth quarter of 2025, reporting record yearly profits and bolstering its multi-asset trading platform even as the cryptocurrency market faced sustained volatility. The trading and investment platform posted a net contribution of $868 million for the full year, up about 10 per cent on 2024, and net income under generally accepted accounting principles climbed […]
Singapore’s drive to harness artificial intelligence as an engine of economic growth is entering a decisive phase marked by abundant ambition and clear signs of strain across company ranks. Government fiscal policy and private-sector deployment are converging on AI, but weak data infrastructure, skills gaps and uneven returns are tempering expectations even as enterprises escalate investments and policy support grows.
Last week, the nation’s Budget for the 2026 fiscal year unveiled a suite of measures aimed at elevating AI adoption across multiple industries. Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong confirmed the establishment of a National AI Council, to be chaired by himself, tasked with coordinating research, regulation and investment to align public and private interests in developing AI capability. The plan also includes National AI Missions focused on advanced manufacturing, connectivity and logistics, finance and healthcare, sectoral areas where government and business leaders see the most potential for productivity gains and value creation. The budget expands fiscal incentives with enhanced tax deductions for AI-related expenditures over the next two assessment years and widened grant schemes to support adoption, workforce training and enterprise transformation. Leaders of major consultancies said these measures signal a shift from experimentation to enterprise-scale adoption and give firms a clearer pathway to embed AI into core operations.
Despite this policy momentum, data from industry surveys and corporate research paint a more nuanced picture of utilisation and outcomes. Adoption of AI tools in Singapore is now near universal among larger firms, with about 96 per cent reporting some level of use. But a significant gap remains between deployment and measurable returns on investment. Only a minority of organisations consider themselves leaders in achieving strong, sustained ROI, indicating an emerging disconnect between AI deployment at scale and operational readiness to turn it into business value. Executives widely acknowledge that sprawling and complex data environments, coupled with cybersecurity concerns, are contributing to operational friction and risks that constrain potential gains.
Private forecasts and vendor research suggest that enterprises are committed to accelerating AI spending even as returns lag. Surveys of business leaders show average investments in AI of around SG$18.9 million, with expectations for investment growth of roughly 38 per cent over the next two years and ROI projections rising to an average of 29 per cent during the same period. Yet analysts note that these returns will depend significantly on firms’ ability to bridge gaps in data readiness and workforce capability. Many Singapore companies acknowledge limited internal training, fragmented data integration and widespread informal use of ungoverned AI tools, all of which undermine robust enterprise-level strategy and governance structures.
Structural issues are as salient as technical ones. Industry leaders point to weaknesses in reliable data foundations and the need for stronger leadership alignment to embed AI into strategic operations rather than relegated to pilot projects or isolated business functions. Senior executives contend that competitive advantage over the coming decade will be determined less by technology choice and more by how effectively organisations build hybrid human-AI teams and integrate AI into everyday workflows.
Talent acquisition and retention also feature prominently in conversations around Singapore’s AI trajectory. Advanced AI, cloud and cybersecurity skills are in high demand globally and Singapore is no exception, with firms reporting difficulty scaling teams with the specialised expertise needed to support complex AI systems. This talent shortage both drives up costs and slows the pace at which organisations can absorb and leverage new technologies.
Cloud infrastructure and advanced digital foundations are another determinant of success. Financial services institutions in Singapore, for example, are among the most advanced globally in cloud adoption, with a majority running core workloads in cloud or hybrid environments that facilitate large-scale AI deployment. This infrastructure supports use cases ranging from compliance and risk management to fraud detection and transaction monitoring. However, budget constraints, talent gaps and integration challenges remain headwinds even in these relatively strong pockets of adoption.
Commentators outside the corporate sphere emphasize the importance of inclusive growth, noting that small- and medium-sized enterprises must not be left behind in the national AI push. Business federation and consultancy leaders warn that without targeted support for smaller firms to sustain, not just adopt, AI technologies, widening capability divides could undermine broader economic innovation and productivity goals.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai’s education landscape is set for a major expansion as Dubai Holding Investments and global operator Nord Anglia Education announced a strategic partnership to develop and operate a network of premium K-12 schools across the emirate, responding to surging demand driven by population growth and an expanding expatriate community — a move that adds momentum to the broader Gulf private education boom while […]
Standard Chartered has slashed its forecast for the digital asset XRP by about 65%, lowering the anticipated year-end 2026 price to around $2.80 from a previous projection above $8, underscoring deepening stress across broader cryptocurrency markets. That adjustment, communicated in an investor note led by Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research, reflects enduring selling pressure and fading liquidity that have weighed on XRP […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform Khorfakkan into a city encircled by dense forests designed to enhance air quality and promote a sense of wellbeing among residents. Addressing an audience that included environmental planners and gardening enthusiasts, the Ruler outlined a long-term vision in which the coastal city, […]
Debjani Ghosh, who leads Anthropic’s operations and policy engagement in India, said the scale of adoption by developers, enterprises and start-ups has placed the country just behind the United States in terms of usage and integration of Claude’s models. She described India as a “strategic growth engine” for the company, citing strong demand from sectors including financial services, healthcare, education and software development.
Anthropic, founded in 2021 by siblings Dario Amodei and Daniela Amodei, has positioned Claude as a competitor to models from OpenAI and Google. The company has attracted substantial backing from Amazon and Google, with Amazon committing up to $4 billion as part of a strategic partnership to integrate Claude into Amazon Web Services infrastructure. The funding has enabled Anthropic to expand globally, with India becoming a focal point due to its developer base and digital economy.
India’s prominence in the AI adoption cycle reflects broader structural factors. The country has one of the world’s largest pools of software engineers, a fast-growing start-up ecosystem, and a government push towards digital public infrastructure. Enterprises across banking and fintech have begun embedding generative AI tools to automate compliance checks, summarise documents and enhance customer interaction. In healthcare, pilot projects are under way to use AI systems for clinical documentation and triage support, while education technology platforms are deploying AI-driven tutoring tools.
Ghosh indicated that India’s market dynamics differ from those of Western economies. Cost sensitivity and the need for scalable deployment across diverse languages and devices have shaped how enterprises experiment with large language models. Claude’s emphasis on constitutional AI — a framework designed to make outputs safer and more aligned with human values — has resonated with corporate clients concerned about regulatory risk and reputational exposure.
Regulatory considerations are central to the AI conversation in India. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has signalled its intent to craft a framework that balances innovation with safeguards against misinformation, bias and misuse. While India has not enacted a standalone AI law, policy discussions have intensified around data governance and algorithmic accountability. Companies operating in the country must also comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which imposes obligations on data fiduciaries and processors.
Industry analysts note that India’s large English-speaking population has historically accelerated the adoption of global technology platforms. However, the next phase of growth in AI is expected to depend on multilingual capabilities. Claude’s ability to handle multiple languages is seen as an advantage in a country with 22 constitutionally recognised languages and hundreds of dialects. Developers are increasingly testing generative models for vernacular content generation and customer support.
Competition in the Indian market is intensifying. OpenAI’s ChatGPT has built a strong user base, while Google has integrated its Gemini models into productivity tools and cloud services. Domestic start-ups are also entering the field, building foundation models trained on local datasets. Analysts say that enterprise adoption, rather than consumer usage alone, will determine long-term market leadership.
Anthropic’s expansion strategy in India includes partnerships with cloud providers and enterprise software companies. By leveraging Amazon Web Services’ presence in major Indian cities, Claude is being offered as part of broader digital transformation packages. Ghosh emphasised that collaboration with academic institutions and start-up incubators is another priority, with the aim of fostering responsible AI research and skills development.
The rapid uptake of generative AI has also raised concerns. Experts warn of the risks of hallucinations, data leakage and overreliance on automated systems. In financial services, regulators have cautioned against using AI outputs without human oversight. Cybersecurity specialists highlight the potential for AI tools to be misused for phishing or deepfake generation. Anthropic has sought to address such issues by embedding guardrails into its models and conducting external safety evaluations.
Cyber security researchers are warning that built-in “Summarise with AI” buttons and AI-generated share links are being exploited to covertly plant malicious instructions inside artificial intelligence assistants, creating a new class of threat capable of distorting recommendations on health, finance and security matters. The technique, described by Microsoft as “AI recommendation poisoning”, centres on prompt injection attacks that subtly bias what large language models treat as trusted […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 February 2026 – In a landmark development for the region’s scientific community, Hong Kong has been selected to host the Asia-Pacific Regional IAU Meeting (APRIM) for the first time. Dubbed the “The Olympics of Astrophysics and Space Science,” this prestigious event will take place from May 4 to 8, 2026, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
Organised by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and hosted by The University of Hong Kong’s Laboratory for Space Research (LSR), the conference will feature Nobel and Shaw laureates, together with other distinguished scientists from around the world. As a leading astronomical gathering in the Asia-Pacific, the event represents a significant milestone for Hong Kong, underscoring its pivotal role in fundamental research, STEM education, and international collaboration.
A Convergence of Minds in a Burgeoning Space Hub
Professor Quentin Parker, Chair of the APRIM2026 and Director of the HKU Laboratory for Space Research, noted that bringing the “The Olympics of Astrophysics and Space Science” to Hong Kong demonstrates the city’s capacity to serve as a global nexus for astrophysics and space science.
“As Chair of this historic meeting, I am honoured to welcome the global Astrophysics and Space Science community to Hong Kong. We aim to use this platform not only to showcase our city’s capabilities in the ‘New Space’ era but to inspire the next generation of scientists to pursue the unknown,” said Prof. Parker.
Professor Xue Suijian, former Deputy Director of the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, attributed the IAU’s decision to Hong Kong’s highly international environment and academic excellence. He highlighted the city’s growing contributions to deep-space exploration, planetary science, and big data analysis, cementing its role as a bridge for international scientific exchange.
Bridging Fundamental Research and Future Possibilities
While rooted in academic rigour, APRIM 2026 also addresses the paradigm shift from government-led initiatives to the democratised era of “New Space.” The conference offers a platform that links theoretical astrophysics with real-world applications.
Aligning with the global scientific agenda, the conference is expected to bring together nearly 1,000 experts. Discussions will span from the origins of the universe to emerging directions in space exploration, covering key areas such as Planetary Science, Stellar Evolution, and Cosmology. The event will also seek to bridge academia and industry, exploring how frontier technologies can contribute to addressing global challenges.
Championing Space Sustainability
A defining feature of APRIM2026 is its focus on “Space Sustainability.” With the growing density of satellite constellations in low Earth orbit, the scientific community faces urgent challenges, particularly in relation to space debris and light pollution.
Through dedicated sessions and public engagement, the conference will tackle these critical issues, advocating for responsible stewardship of the cosmic environment. By integrating these discussions with outreach sessions including youth-focused workshops, the event aims to cultivate a scientifically literate generation ready to steward the future of space exploration.
Professor Luis C. Ho, Director of the Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Peking University, described the meeting as a vital platform for strengthening Asia-Pacific research collaboration. He noted that the event marks a shift from pure fundamental research to industrial application, allowing high-tech solutions to serve the public and open the “blue ocean” of the space economy.
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International Astronomical Union (IAU) The IAU brings together over 13,000 professional astronomers from more than 85 countries. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. For more information, please see the following link.: https://iau.org
HKU Laboratory for Space Research (LSR) is an interdisciplinary center at The University of Hong Kong dedicated to advancing space science, planetary research, and high-energy astrophysics through satellite research and academic collaboration. For more information, please see the following link.: https://www.lsr.hku.hk
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