29, Sep 2026
Huawei Launches Intelligent RAIL 2.0 to Accelerate Global Railway Intelligence Upgrade
BERLIN, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At InnoTrans 2026, the world’s largest rail transport exhibition held from September 22 to 25, Huawei unveiled Intelligent RAIL 2.0, a new generation of solutions designed to provide multi-scenario intelligent solutions for the global rail industry. The launch event brought together industry organizations such as UIC (International Union of Railways) and UITP (International Association of Public Transport), along with global customers and ecosystem partners, to explore the future of the industry.
Jean-Michel Evanghelou, Director Digital Systems & Innovation, and Financial Control & Project Operations from UIC, stated that FRMCS will be the first step for rail operators to build a solid digital foundation. He added that AI applications will continue to deepen and integrate into the core systems of the rail industry, making the standardization of AI applications increasingly important.
Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary-General of UITP, and Lidia Signor, Head of Multimodal Transport at UITP, also attended the event. Lidia Signor delivered a speech titled “Global Metro AI Intelligence and Automation,” highlighting that UITP, in collaboration with the China Association of Metro (CAMET), has released a research report titled “AI-Driven Smart Rail Transport.” The report showcases how AI solutions have been deployed in various systems, including metro construction, operation, and maintenance, improving the operational efficiency and safety levels of rail transport systems.
In his keynote speech, Raymond Zuo, President of Huawei’s Smart Rail BU, pointed out that as human society enters the era of intelligence, more and more stakeholders are exploring ways to integrate digital and intelligent technologies into their core business processes to address traditional pain points. Looking at the trends, infrastructure will evolve from GSM-R to FRMCS, equipment maintenance will shift toward condition-based and predictive maintenance, freight will develop toward an end-to-end service-oriented logistics model that includes multimodal transport, passenger services will move toward seamless travel experiences, and engineering construction will increasingly adopt digital and intelligent technologies to enhance safety and operational efficiency.
Based on its innovative practices with leading global customers, Huawei has creatively proposed the “intelligent RAIL” innovation strategy. This strategy leverages digital and intelligent technologies to continuously enhance railway safety (Reliable), efficiency (Automated), integrated services (Integrated-serviced), and long-term evolution (Long-termed). Additionally, by defining key technologies across generations, Huawei has launched the new generation of intelligent RAIL 2.0 at this conference, which includes 20 scenario-based solutions. These solutions focus on three core areas—construction, passenger and freight transportation, and facility and equipment maintenance—addressing long-standing industry challenges and pain points. These scenario-based solutions are jointly developed by Huawei and its partners, with Huawei focusing on communication and digital platforms, and partners specializing in industry applications, to provide modular and combinable solutions tailored to the needs of industry customers based on specific business scenarios.
To date, Huawei has served more than 50 major railway customers worldwide and over 300 urban rail lines, covering more than 180,000 kilometers of track. Huawei is not only a leading global provider of ICT products but also a trusted partner for digital transformation in the intelligent era. Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to implement its “platform + ecosystem” strategy, working together with global customers and partners to deepen industry collaboration, gain insights into the evolving technological trends in the rail industry, and promote the deep integration of cutting-edge technologies with rail scenarios. By continuously iterating and innovating its solutions, Huawei aims to empower global rail transportation to move toward a safer, more efficient, and greener intelligent future.
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- By Sai Krishna
29, Sep 2026
Odisha Congress Announces Statewide Bandh On October 8 Over MMDR Amendment Act
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 29 (UDN): The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has announced a statewide bandh on October 8 to demand the withdrawal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, intensifying its ongoing agitation over the legislation.
Representational Image
OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das made the announcement on Tuesday, saying the bandh would be observed across Odisha following a protest programme in Kendujhar.
Congress Seeks Support From INDIA Bloc Parties
Das said the party would continue its agitation against the amended mining legislation and appealed to constituents of the INDIA bloc, including the CPI, CPI(M), Samajwadi Party and other parties, to extend support to the proposed bandh.
“This protest will continue. On October 8, following the protest in Kendujhar, an Odisha bandh will be observed,” Das said while appealing to people across the state to participate in the programme.
The OPCC president reiterated the Congress’ demand for withdrawal of the amended MMDR legislation.
Agitation To Continue
The October 8 bandh is part of a series of programmes announced by the Odisha Congress against the MMDR Amendment Act. The party had earlier announced plans for a statewide bandh and a seven-day economic blockade after Dussehra as part of its agitation.
Das also alleged that the BJP-led government had betrayed the people of Odisha. The allegation is part of the Congress’ political opposition to the amended legislation.
The MMDR Amendment Act has emerged as a major point of contention in Odisha, with opposition parties, including Congress and BJD, repeatedly demanding its withdrawal and staging protests inside and outside the State Assembly.
Congress has maintained that it will continue its campaign until its demand for withdrawal of the legislation is addressed.
29, Sep 2026
‘Angan Ka Utsav’: CM Majhi Highlights Child Nutrition, Women’s Welfare Initiatives
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 29 (UDN): Odisha is stepping up efforts to improve the nutritional well-being of women and children, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stressing the need for stronger family participation in childcare and nutrition to realise the vision of a ‘Suposhit Odisha’.
Pic Credit: x.com/PravatiPOdisha
Addressing the state-level celebration of ‘Angan Ka Utsav’ and the ninth Rashtriya Poshan Maah at an Anganwadi Centre in Baramunda on Tuesday, Majhi said a range of programmes were being implemented through Anganwadi centres and schools to improve nutrition and health outcomes.
CM Calls For Greater Family Participation
Majhi emphasised the significance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, calling for active involvement of fathers and other family members alongside mothers in ensuring proper nutrition, care and development.
“Through greater awareness and effective implementation of these programmes, Odisha will certainly emerge as a well-nourished state,” the Chief Minister said.
He said more than 46 lakh activities were carried out across Odisha during Poshan Maah and claimed that the state had secured the first position nationally in Aadhaar verification.
Frontline Workers Credited For Health Gains
The Chief Minister praised Anganwadi workers and helpers, auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and ASHA workers for their contribution to improving healthcare indicators in the state.
According to Majhi, their grassroots-level efforts have contributed to higher child immunisation coverage, increased institutional deliveries and a significant reduction in infant and maternal mortality.
He said Odisha, which was earlier among the states with the second-highest infant and maternal mortality rates, has now reached a satisfactory position on both indicators.
Women-Centric Schemes Highlighted
Majhi said the welfare and empowerment of women remain central to the state’s development agenda, noting that women constitute half of society.
He highlighted initiatives including Subhadra Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana and Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangla Yojana.
The Chief Minister said at least 40 per cent of the State Government’s total budget is being spent on women.
He also said quality education and healthcare have been made completely free in the state. Education up to the postgraduate level, he said, is fee-free in government and government-aided educational institutions.
Girl children covered under the relevant government initiative will receive financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh after completing graduation, Majhi said.
Free Healthcare And Nutrition Initiatives
In the healthcare sector, Majhi said cashless treatment facilities are being provided at selected private hospitals across the country under the Ayushman Bharat-Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana.
During the event, he distributed school kits to Anganwadi children and felicitated fathers who participated in showcasing healthy food.
Anganwadi workers, helpers and ASHA workers were also felicitated for their services.
CM Reviews Anganwadi Meals
Majhi visited the Anganwadi Centre and reviewed the quality of the ‘Tiranga Thali’ and hot cooked meals being served to children. He also served food to the children during the programme.
Deputy Chief Minister and Women and Child Development Minister Pravati Parida, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department Dr Mrinalini Darswal, Department Director Monisha Banerjee, along with other officials, Anganwadi workers, helpers, ASHA workers, children and parents attended the event.
The Chief Minister called upon citizens to support the government’s efforts towards building a healthier Odisha and reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieving the goal of a ‘Suposhit Odisha’.
29, Sep 2026
AAEON Breaks Down Thermal Barriers with the New UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air
With AirJet® solid-state active cooling technology, the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air is 35% thinner and 43% lighter while delivering Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 performance.
Taipei, Taiwan – Sept 29: AAEON (Stock Code: 6579) today announced the release of the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air, a Panther Lake-powered Mini PC featuring Frore Systems’ AirJet® solid-state active cooling technology. With this innovative thermal management, the Mini PC replaces conventional fan-based cooling with ultrasonic-frequency membrane vibration technology to generate high-speed pulsating airflow to provide high-capacity heat dissipation without the added height that comes with a heatsink.
Of particular note to developers and integrators alike will be the fact that because of the reduced space taken up by thermal management components, the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air is 35% slimmer and 43% lighter than the fan-cooled UP Xtreme PTL Edge, released earlier this year. Specifically, the new system’s height is listed as just 35.8mm and weighs in at 1.57 lb.
AAEON has positioned the system as an ultra-slim Mini PC suited for integration in space-constrained applications such as ultra-thin kiosk setups, low-clearance AMR housing, and compact mobile healthcare units. One feature that stands out for each of these verticals is its elimination of fan-induced vibration.
AAEON note that the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air operates at less than 21 dBA, resulting in it being a quieter, more stable platform for robotic controllers, actuators, sensors, and cameras. For robotics applications, AAEON state that combined, these features can reduce torque around moving joints and minimize mechanical disturbance for precision sensing equipment.
Like its counterpart, the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air is available with a choice of the Intel® Core™ Ultra X7 processor 358H, Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor 356H, or Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 processor 325 from the Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 processors lineup (formerly Panther Lake). Users will therefore be able to leverage the series’ integrated 12 Xe-core Intel® Arc™ GPU and Intel NPU 5.0 for up to 180 TOPs of AI performance.
Despite its unique design, the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air sacrifices very little as a trade-off, with a 6% increase in power consumption and a narrower operating temperature range of -10°C to 45°C being the only downsides. However, the PC does provide the same I/O as its predecessor, comprised of four USB ports (two Type-C ports with USB 4.0 and two Type-A ports with USB 3.2 Gen 2 signals), dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, and two COM ports offering RS-232/422/485. Alongside these, the system provides two HDMI 2.1 ports and two DP 2.1 via its USB Type-C ports for four simultaneous displays.
Where expansion is concerned, the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air offers two M.2 2280 M-Key slots for NVMe, an M.2 2230 E-Key slot for Wi-Fi, as well as the 40-pin GPIO that has become synonymous with UP products.
“This is a very exciting product for us, particularly because it addresses real challenges that our customers have in integrating high-performance edge AI hardware into applications with space constraints,” said Irene Lin, Senior Product Manager from AAEON’s UP division. “I really believe that this will be a gamechanger for solution builders, and look forward to seeing the impact the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air has on projects going forward,” Lin added.
29, Sep 2026
Brahma AI Appoints Shweta Rajpal Kohli as Senior Policy Advisor
Veteran public policy leader to advise CEO and Board on matters of AI policy and responsible AI
LONDON and MUMBAI, India, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Brahma AI, the AI-native operating system for enterprise audiovisual content, today announced the appointment of Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President & CEO, Startup Policy Forum, as Senior Policy Advisor and member of the Advisory Board.
In the role, she will advise the CEO and Board on AI policy and responsible AI, support the company’s engagement with governments, regulators and policymakers around the world, and also serve on the company’s Advisory Board.
The appointment reaffirms Brahma AI’s commitment to responsible AI and deepens its work around authenticity, provenance and trust as AI fundamentally changes how content is created and consumed.
The appointment comes days after Brahma AI announced it has raised $150 million led by Multiples Alternate Asset Management.
Shweta is President and CEO of the Startup Policy Forum (SPF), representing 75+ of India’s high-growth companies together valued at over USD 100 billion. SPF has been set up to bridge the gap between founders and policymakers. As Managing Partner of the New Economy Collective, she also works closely with multiple global technology and AI companies.
Over her 25+ year career spanning public policy and media, she has led public policy roles across Asia for Peak XV Partners, Sequoia Capital India, Salesforce and Uber. She has actively covered India’s economic policy landscape as an award-winning financial journalist, with honours including the British Chevening Scholarship and the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) fellowship.
Prabhu Narasimhan, Founder & CEO of Brahma AI, said:
“For me, consent has always been fundamental. So are authenticity and provenance. These things cannot be bolted on afterwards; they have to be built into the technology from the start.
As AI-generated and AI-transformed content becomes the norm, knowing what is authentic, where it came from and whether we can trust what we see and hear will only become more important. That belief has shaped how we have built Brahma.
Shweta understands both the opportunity of AI and the responsibility that comes with it. She also understands how founders, governments and regulators can work together. I’m delighted to have her counsel as we engage with policymakers around the world.”
Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President & CEO, Startup Policy Forum, said:
“I am genuinely inspired by what Brahma is building, and even more by how it approaches responsible AI. Prabhu has been remarkably consistent in his vision that the power of AI must go hand in hand with responsibility, particularly around consent, authenticity and provenance.
Very few companies have such a policy-first approach to building. That conviction is what has drawn me in. This is a real opportunity to contribute to a global conversation on AI policy that is still being written and shaped right now, and to engage with governments, regulators and policymakers around the world as rules around responsible AI evolve.
I’m delighted to work with Prabhu and the team as they build high-fidelity AI-led digital content for enterprises.”
Brahma AI is focused on four major global verticals: media & entertainment, sports, healthcare and advertising, where AI is fundamentally changing how content is understood, created, managed, personalised, authenticated and distributed.
The company works with global anchor customers including Warner Bros, the NBA and Mayo Clinic.
Brahma AI’s visual AI technology has been recognised with a 2026 Technology & Engineering Emmy® Award for pioneering work in AI-based face replacement and performance-preserving visual transformation.
Most recently, Brahma AI’s Neural Performance technology was used on Ramayana to create performance-preserving visual lip-sync for the film’s international release, allowing performances to move across languages while retaining the expression and emotion of the original actors.
About Brahma AI
Brahma AI is the AI-native operating system for enterprise audiovisual content. Its platform combines Brahma AI Core, its enterprise content intelligence and management layer, with Brahma AI Studio, its AI-powered creation platform spanning visual AI, digital humans, voice and multilingual performance. Brahma AI works with some of the world’s leading content owners and enterprises and is a recipient of a 2026 Technology & Engineering Emmy® Award for its visual AI technology.
About Startup Policy Forum
Startup Policy Forum is an industry platform that represents 75+ high-growth startups together valued at $100 billion with an aim to bridge the gap between founders and policymakers. With members including Groww, Zerodha, Razorpay, Sarvam, Emergent, Cars24, and Snabbit, it has become an influential voice for India’s startup ecosystem.
Media Contacts
Brahma AI: media@brahma.io
Startup Policy Forum: akashdeep@indiaspf.org
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29, Sep 2026
Furniture China and Maison Shanghai 2026 Conclude on a High Note in Pudong, Shanghai
Five days, two landmark venues, one connected global industry: 180,448 visits recorded, including a record 37,394 overseas visits.
SHANGHAI, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Organized by CNFA and IM Sinoexpo, the 31st China International Furniture Expo (Furniture China 2026) and Maison Shanghai 2026 concluded successfully in Pudong, Shanghai, spanning the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) and the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC) from 7 to 11 September. Across 350,000 square metres and 50 exhibition halls, more than 3,200 brands and exhibitors welcomed 180,448 visits, up 10.3% year on year, from 184 countries and regions.
2026 at a glance
Overseas visits reached a record 37,394, up 14.6%, including 22,080 international visitors. Asia (excluding the Middle East) contributed 53.82%, followed by Europe at 21.26%, led by South Korea, Russia and Japan. Domestic attendance reached 143,054 visits, anchored by Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Professional Buyers and Designers & Design Institutions together accounted for more than three-quarters of all visitors, with 25.43% sourcing suppliers and business partners, 24.79% gathering market intelligence, 21.14% discovering new products and trends, and 11.49% placing orders on-site.
A comprehensive platform for sourcing, design and innovation
Furniture China 2026 showcased the full furniture value chain – from international brands and original design to upholstery, outdoor living, office and commercial furniture, materials and intelligent manufacturing – with over 1,000 global brands and source factories. At SWEECC, Maison Shanghai expanded the conversation on design, lifestyle and the future of living through curated exhibitions and original design brands.
Connections that continue beyond the show floor
Business-matching services, forums and awards throughout the week helped buyers and exhibitors exchange ideas and forge lasting partnerships beyond the show floor. The organizers thank every exhibitor, buyer, designer and partner whose commitment shaped a dynamic, forward-looking edition. The full post-show report, with detailed visitor and market data, will be available on the official website.
See you in Shanghai in 2027
Furniture China and Maison Shanghai will return to Pudong, Shanghai, from 7-11 September 2027, for another inspiring week of sourcing, design, innovation and opportunity.
https://dts.jiagle.com/furniturechina/
Maison Shanghai Official Website:
https://dts.jiagle.com/maisonshanghai/
DTS FurnitureChina APP:
https://dts.jiagle.com/furniturechina/dtsapp
See you again in Shanghai!
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29, Sep 2026
Bybit Expands TradFi Perp Options with Tesla, QQQ, SOXL and More, Launches Trading Challenge with Up to 70,000 USDT in Prizes
DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the New Financial Platform trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, expanded its Perp Options offerings with six new underlying assets and announced the Wall Street Blue-Chip Options Challenge, opening up two rewards tracks for participants while they explore opportunities across the globe from Invesco QQQ to SK Hynix.
Bybit Perp Options, the industry’s first options contracts built on Bybit’s TradFi Perpetuals, officially went live on September 17, 2026 with SpaceX and NVIDIA as the first available underlyings. Starting now, Tesla, Invesco QQQ (Nasdaq 100 ETF), Direxion Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL), Micron Technology, SK Hynix, and Sandisk join the lineup, bringing the total to eight tickers this month.
Also starting today, the Bybit Wall Street Blue-Chip Options Challenge is open to all users until October 27, 2026, offering two ways for traders to win bonus rewards:
- New-User First Trade: A 5,000 USDT prize pool offering 5 USDT to each of the first 1,000 qualifying users who place their first valid TradFi Perp Options trade during the event.
- Volume Challenge: A prize pool of up to 65,000 USDT, unlocked in tiers based on collective trading volume across all participants and distributed to the top 50 traders by individual volume.
New users looking to trade global markets with Perp Options stand to claim from both prize pools.
Bybit Perp Options gives traders round-the-clock access to global equity options directly from their USDT-funded Bybit accounts, without requiring a separate broker or options-approved brokerage account. Contracts trade 24/7 with European-style settlement and no early assignment, settle in cash via USDT, and support fractional lot sizes, naked options, combo strategies, and full portfolio and cross-margin support through Bybit’s single Unified Trading Account.
How It Works
- Open Bybit and navigate to TradFi, then select the Perp Options tab.
- Choose a ticker, such as TSLA, NVDA, or SPCX.
- Select an expiry date and strike price, then buy or sell calls or puts.
- At expiry, positions settle automatically in USDT.
For terms and conditions, full eligibility criteria, reward tiers, and distribution details, user may visit: Wall Street Blue-Chip Options Challenge: Share 70,000 USDT in rewards
About Bybit
Bybit is The New Financial Platform.
We believe every person should have access to every financial opportunity on earth. That’s why we’re building the first intelligent platform that connects anyone, anywhere to the world’s finance.
Trusted by more than 80 million users worldwide, Bybit brings together investing, trading, payments, and wealth-building in a single secure and intelligent ecosystem. Through the combination of AI-powered technology, deep global liquidity, robust security, and transparent operations, Bybit makes global finance more accessible, efficient, and empowering for everyone.
Built for everyone. Powered by intelligence. Open to the world.
Learn more at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
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29, Sep 2026
MDI Gurgaon’s Samvaad X ScaNxt NXT STEP to Put Strategic Decision-Making Under Polycrisis Conditions to Test
Gurugram, September 29, 2026: As businesses increasingly operate amid interconnected disruptions spanning markets, technology, geopolitics, supply chains and changing consumer behaviour, the ability to adapt strategy in real time is becoming an important management capability. Reflecting this shift, Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon’s PGDM-BM 38th Batch, as part of Samvaad 2026, is organising Samvaad X ScaNxt – NXT STEP: The Polycrisis Challenge, a national-level case competition focused on strategic decision-making in an evolving business environment.
Built around the broader Samvaad 2026 theme of “Thriving in a Polycrisis,” the competition is designed to move beyond conventional case-solving. Participants are required to analyse a business situation, identify the central strategic challenge, develop recommendations and subsequently revisit those decisions when the underlying circumstances change.
The format reflects a broader question facing management education: how should future managers make decisions when the assumptions underlying a strategy can change faster than the strategy itself? Rather than evaluating a solution only on the basis of its initial logic, the final round places emphasis on participants’ ability to recognise changing conditions, reassess their choices and communicate a revised course of action.
“Today’s business environment demands the ability to learn, unlearn and adapt quickly. The assumptions behind a decision can change rapidly, and leaders need to be willing to test, learn and reinvent rather than remain constrained by an earlier approach. NXT STEP reflects this reality by asking participants to revisit their decisions as the situation evolves,” said Amitayu Roy, Managing Director – AI Strategy & Transformation, Accenture Strategy & Consulting, and Guest of Honour at Samvaad 2026.
Simran Thapar, HR Leader, Carrier – HVAC Business, said, “Polycrisis is not simply about the number of disruptions an organisation faces; it is about how we interpret those disruptions and navigate their interconnected impact. In today’s environment, professionals cannot look at challenges only through the lens of their individual functions. The ability to combine diverse perspectives, assess uncertainty and turn a crisis into an opportunity will be increasingly important for the leaders of tomorrow.”
“Management education must prepare future leaders not only to find solutions, but also to question their assumptions when the context changes. NXT STEP brings this approach to life by placing participants in situations where they must analyse a problem, make strategic choices and then revisit those choices as new challenges emerge. The ability to think critically, remain adaptable and make informed decisions amid uncertainty is central to preparing managers for the complexities of today’s business environment,” said Prof. Chinmaya Kulshrestha, Associate Professor, Chairperson – PGDM (BM) and Area Chairperson Marketing, MDI Gurgaon.
Bringing an academic and technology perspective to the discussion, Prof. Sangeeta Shah Bhardwaj, Chairperson – Centre on Artificial Intelligence and its application in Business, MDI Gurgaon, said, “Technology can help leaders analyse complexity and identify possibilities, but the real value lies in translating those insights into timely and effective action. For future managers, connecting technology with business context, adapting their thinking and executing under uncertainty will be critical. NXT STEP gives students an opportunity to experience this complexity firsthand and rethink their decisions as the context evolves.”
Ratan Shrivastava, Chief Guest at Samvaad 2026, said, “In business, what ultimately matters is the tangible value you create. The impact you make and the revenue or business value you bring to the table are important indicators of the value you have actually added to the organisation. In a world defined by polycrisis and constant uncertainty, understanding your core strengths and leaning into them can help you navigate your career with greater confidence, clarity, and resilience. ”
The initiative forms part of Samvaad 2026, the flagship business colloquium of MDI Gurgaon’s PGDM-BM programme, which brings together perspectives from academia and industry around contemporary business challenges. The 2026 edition, being held on September 26–27, focuses on how organisations and leaders can navigate an environment where multiple disruptions intersect and create complex, interconnected challenges.
29, Sep 2026
US-based Brain Digits Opens Office in Masdar City as Abu Dhabi Accelerates Push to Become World’s First AI-Native Government
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Sept 29: Brain Digits, a US-based AI transformation and innovation company, has opened a new office in Abu Dhabi as it expands its UAE operations and seeks to support growing demand for artificial intelligence adoption across government and business.
The new branch, located at Smart Station in Masdar City, will work with government entities, public institutions, universities and companies looking to integrate AI into their operations, develop workforce capabilities and redesign processes around emerging technologies.
The expansion comes as Abu Dhabi accelerates its push to become a global centre for artificial intelligence and digital government. Under the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027, the emirate is investing AED13 billion in digital infrastructure and aims to become the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027.
“Abu Dhabi is creating one of the world’s most ambitious environments for the practical adoption of artificial intelligence,” said Jack Jendo, Founder and CEO of Brain Digits. “Our expansion brings us closer to organisations that are asking the next important question: how AI can improve the way people work, decisions made and services delivered. Our role is to help turn that ambition into practical capability and measurable results.”
The Abu Dhabi branch is licensed for innovation and artificial intelligence research and consultancy, as well as management consultancy.
Brain Digits said the UAE will remain the centre of its regional expansion, with operations in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai serving organisations across government, energy, healthcare, education, banking and other sectors.
The US-based company was established in Delaware in 2020 and has since expanded its work in organisational transformation and applied AI.
The Abu Dhabi office will also provide a base for Brain Digits to develop and test approaches for the UAE market that can later be applied across the GCC and wider Middle East.
Brain Digits is a US-based AI transformation and innovation company helping governments and organizations build the leadership, workforce capability, systems, data intelligence, advanced thinking and implementation capacity required for AI-enabled work.
Its work spans AI transformation strategy, organizational readiness, leadership, workforce enablement, data literacy, Design Thinking, AI agents and workflows, innovation, digital platforms, applied research and practical implementation.
29, Sep 2026
Meet the Flagship: SunRay Social & Swim Club Lands at SAii Lagoon Maldives
Maldives | Sept 29 – Following the successful soft launch of its new hospitality concept, SunRay Social & Swim Club, at SAii Koh Samui Villas earlier this year, S Hotels & Resorts has announced its expansion to SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton ahead of a portfolio-wide rollout concluding at SAii Laguna Phuket later this year.
Designed to rethink the traditional beach club, SunRay shifts the focus from after-dark revelry to everything that happens under the sun: movement, good food, great music and time together. From sunrise to sunset, its programme follows the rhythm of the day, building towards golden hour and the Maldives’ spectacular sunsets.
The Indian Ocean edition brings that philosophy to the lagoon-front setting of SAii Lagoon Maldives, where the sun and ocean shape the day and experiences invite families, couples and groups of friends to move naturally between activity, connection and relaxation.
Four distinct periods shape the experience. First Light begins with sunrise yoga or a beach bootcamp, offering a gentle awakening or an active start. During Morning Drift, guests take to the water, from energising Aqua Flow workouts and games of newly introduced floating pickleball to discovering the lagoon’s marine life through snorkelling and diving. At Peak Sun, the tempo rises with mobile karaoke, water polo and pool volleyball, while water painting kits offer a creative pause by the beach.
Golden Hour pairs friendly rivalry with time together. Beachside table tennis, beach volleyball, padel clinics and Kick Box Fit keep the energy going, while family sandcastle competitions give imagination centre stage, bringing generations together to shape something of their own in the sand.
As the sun dips below the horizon, a Boduberu sunset ritual brings the rhythms of Maldivian culture to the shore. After dark, a rotating weekly line-up gives each evening its own character, from live bands and acoustic guitar sessions to DJ-led nights, collaborative sets pairing DJs with live guitarists, and DJ & SunRay chromatic ritual.
