I often have the most interesting conversations with my younger cousins.
I asked one of them last week about what she aspired to become when she grew up. She said by then, artificial intelligence would have taken over all kinds of jobs, so she would have a computer programme work for her.
What she said was quite interesting. As AI becomes more sophisticated, there is no doubt that a number of tasks that were once done by humans will be performed by this technology.
For instance, Interior AI is the first AI-powered interior design tool. People can drop an image of their space and the programme will transform it to a new style, depending on the user’s preference. This programme may affect the work of interior designers.
Other AI-powered tools such as Zoom IQ create an AI companion in virtual meetings that will help users to do everything – from answering emails to creating whiteboard sessions. This may affect personal assistants’ roles.
While the technology could cause job displacement in some tasks, I believe it creates opportunities in others. Those who are equipped with the necessary skills will thrive in the age of AI.
My mentor once advised me that resistance is the core of failure. He encouraged me to go with the flow instead.
As the world is changing rapidly, adaptability becomes a core skill for the workforce to keep up. Those who are willing to learn new skills and embrace technological advancements will have a competitive advantage.
While AI is taking over some tasks in the creative industry, it cannot replace human creativity.
AI can generate creative content but it cannot come up with original ideas. This is why creativity is an essential skill to have.
My work depends on creativity and I often enhance my creative skills by reading new book genres, engaging in new activities and, most importantly, allowing myself to fully unwind and recharge my creative batteries.
AI tools such as Google’s Bard and ChatGPT opened the doors to floods of data. Within seconds, users can have access to resources around a certain topic.
This helped cut down on hours of research. The availability of data at the tip of our fingers like never before means that data analysis and critical thinking skills become crucial.
After all, what is the point of having all this data if we cannot derive proper conclusions from it?
Whether it is identifying new business opportunities or optimising logistics, those who can make the data work for them will be essential in the workforce.
This takes us to the importance of technological literary. While more of us will depend on AI-powered tools to streamline tasks and simplify jobs, technological literacy will help people to use the tools more effectively.
There is no time like now to develop the skills needed in the age of AI.
Schools should offer master classes and courses that will help pupils develop these essential skills.
Machine learning, data analysis and critical thinking should be at the core of school curriculums.
Those in the workforce should take online courses, read books and articles, sign up to free email newsletters by AI experts, attend AI conferences and network with people in the industry.
Interacting with industry experts could help identify the skills needed and understand how AI is affecting different sectors.
Whether it is someone as young as my cousin or one looking for a career change, embracing these skills and adapting to the rapid changes in our lives will be pivotal for a successful career in the years to come.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati writer and communications adviser based in Abu Dhabi.
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
Leaderboard
63 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA)
64 - Rory McIlroy (NIR)
66 - Jon Rahm (ESP)
67 - Tom Lewis (ENG), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)
68 - Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP), Marcus Kinhult (SWE)
69 - Justin Rose (ENG), Thomas Detry (BEL), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Danny Willett (ENG), Li Haotong (CHN), Matthias Schwab (AUT)
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Disposing of non-recycleable masks
Use your ‘black bag’ bin at home
Do not put them in a recycling bin
Take them home with you if there is no litter bin
- No need to bag the mask
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
