Artificial intelligence poses major challenges as well as opportunities for UAE defence conglomerate Edge, a senior executive has said.
“It is a challenge for us to keep up with the pace but we’re up to the challenge,” Ahmed Al Khoori, senior vice president of strategy and excellence at Edge, told The National in an interview on Wednesday.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (Umex) and Simulation and Training Exhibition (Simtex), showcasing the latest developments in autonomous aerial technology, drones, robots and unmanned systems.
Edge has one of the largest footprints at the exhibition, which organisers expect to attract about 18,000 visitors from around the world.
Generative AI has changed the expectations for autonomous defence technology, which was already trying to navigate and ride the wave of change in the fast-evolving field of defence technology, Mr Al Khoori said.
“Now, when we think of an autonomous system we don’t think of a remotely weaponed product, but a product that can do more sophisticated scenarios or operations. So at the end of the day, the user will have a system that can operate autonomously, that can decide for the end user,” he said, noting the continually changing landscape of autonomous defence technology amid the onslaught of generative AI developments.
Edge was founded in 2019, consolidating approximately 25 UAE companies under one umbrella with the goal creating an aggressive plan to build advanced technology for weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Autonomous and unmanned aerial technology has proven to play a significant role in the years since the company was established.
“We have a wide spectrum of autonomous products and it’s not only for executing a target, but also saving people from a civilian perspective as well,” Mr Al Khoori said, addressing the misconceptions people might have about autonomous or unmanned aerial vehicles.
“Most of our products are for defence use but some of them have been developed for multiple operations for civil defence,” he said, referring to cargo drones that can be used for humanitarian purposes, firefighting drones, or other products than can assist with search and rescue.
On Monday, the first day of the exhibition, Edge unveiled a product fitting with those themes, a new drone helicopter that can operate in rough terrain, fly to remote locations and deliver payloads for humanitarian relief of up to 300kg.
However, fears persist about how AI-based drone technology might increase numbers of casualties in various conflicts around the world.
Those concerns are paramount at Edge, which is trying to stay ahead of the curve and prevent such scenarios from playing out, Mr Al Khoori said.
“We have to really work hard to develop the right level of algorithms when it comes to AI to make sure that the collateral damage has been reduced dramatically,” he said.
“We have to make sure those autonomous systems can execute their mission in the right form and in an ethical form.”
Mr Al Khoori said he anticipates that most, if not all, Edge products will be driven by AI in the next two to three years.
Amid the efforts to infuse AI into most aspects of its portfolio, the company will continue to diversify its product offerings, he added.
“We went from 30 to approximately 160 products,” he said, emphasising that at least 70 of those were related to the autonomous sector.
Meanwhile, interest and growth in the autonomous defence industry shows no sign of slowing down, with revenue from the unmanned systems sector expected to hit $4.2 billion this year, according to Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform.
On Tuesday, Edge group Milrem Robotics, a developer of autonomous systems, announced a contract to supply 20 robotic combat vehicles and 40 unmanned ground vehicles to the Ministry of Defence.
"Under the terms of the contract, Milrem Robotics will lead an experimentation and trial programme aimed at integrating unmanned ground capabilities into the UAE Armed Forces arsenal," Edge said in a statement.
The agreement represents the world's largest combat robotics programme, according to Edge.
As for what might next be on the company's horizon, Mr Al Khoori offered some hints of what to expect.
“Recently, we introduced a new cluster in our company called the ‘space and cyber’ cluster,” he said. “It’s quite new and we’re still working on strategising our space programmes, and in the near future you’ll hear something in that regard.”
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The five pillars of Islam
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
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The biog
Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.
Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.
Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
Favourite food: Dim sum
Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.
SPECS
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rest
(Because Music)
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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