The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) was inescapable at this year’s World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Whether dialogues were focused on the global economic outlook, the future of the labour force, or the energy transition, the spectre of AI was ever present. And it’s not hard to see why.
With breakthrough technologies and innovations making their way from research labs to factories, supply and value chains, we are on the brink of a new era of social, economic and human possibility. Harnessing and integrating these technological breakthroughs into the global energy system will be crucial to unlocking this immense potential.
This consensus from the Swiss mountains in Davos was also echoed at the International Day of Clean Energy. At a dedicated session hosted at the UAE pavilion at the annual meeting on January 22, global leaders who had gathered underscored the need for greater ambition and faster adoption of technologies to meet the UAE Consensus goals of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030.
With 2024 marking the first time that the 1.5°C warming threshold has been breached for the year on average, long-term solutions are as desperately needed, as our time to deploy them is short.
Right now, the research suggests that, if scaled at the right pace, digital technologies can reduce emissions by 20 per cent by 2050 in the three highest-emitting sectors: energy, materials and mobility. That represents a significant portion of the emissions reductions needed to keep a 1.5°C future in our sights.
The UAE, as a global leader in renewable energy, is already demonstrating how AI can be harnessed to achieve energy resilience and security
There is, however, a dichotomy at the centre of the AI-energy revolution. The more AI technologies and tools that are developed, the higher the demand for the energy that supports them will grow. Thus, energy demand is only set to increase the more we depend on AI tools and networks.
A World Economic Forum report from the start of 2024 pointed out that AI’s energy use is currently estimated to be around 2-3 per cent of total global emissions. But that is likely to change rapidly as more companies, governments and organisations use AI to drive efficiency and productivity.
And, when we realise that AI, and in particular generative AI systems might use up to 33 times more energy to complete a task than task-specific software would, it also comes with a renewed sense to make our energy supplies clean and renewable.
For now, the early signs of AI’s effect on the energy sector are encouraging. We are already seeing a wave of technological disruption reshaping the energy system – from transforming renewable energy generation and fundamentally altering how energy is consumed across end-use sectors.
On the supply side, innovations such as advanced solar photovoltaic systems, offshore wind turbines and next-generation grid-scale battery storage are enabling cleaner, more efficient energy production while improving grid reliability.
When transmitted to end-use sectors like transport, buildings, and industry, technologies such as green hydrogen, smart grids and electrification are driving significant reductions in carbon emissions. What’s more, digital tools such as AI and blockchain are optimising energy efficiency and facilitating the integration of decentralised renewable energy systems.
This tech-driven energy revolution is simultaneously transforming how we produce and consume energy, and creating a new development pathway that prioritises clean, affordable and accessible energy.
The integration of AI with renewables is also helping enhance community resilience in vulnerable regions. For example, machine learning algorithms are being used to optimise microgrids, ensuring uninterrupted power supplies during extreme weather events. AI-powered predictive maintenance tools are reducing downtime in solar and wind facilities, while advanced forecasting models improve energy storage and grid balancing to accommodate variability in renewable energy sources. Such digital solutions are critical in scaling renewable energy systems globally and ensuring they are resilient to disruptions.
The UAE, as a global leader in renewable energy, is already demonstrating how AI can be harnessed to achieve energy resilience and security. For instance, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park uses AI to optimise solar panel cleaning schedules and enhance energy output.
The UAE has also integrated AI into its energy planning systems, enabling real-time monitoring of grid performance and predictive analytics to mitigate potential outages. Through initiatives such as Masdar City and partnerships with global technology leaders, the UAE is using AI to drive efficiencies, reduce emissions and future-proof its energy systems.
The convergence of AI and the energy transition presents an unprecedented opportunity to tackle the twin challenges of decarbonisation and growing energy demand. However, realising this potential requires co-ordinated global action. Policymakers must prioritise investments in clean energy technologies, while industry stakeholders adopt AI solutions responsibly to ensure they align with sustainability goals.
The UAE is showing what is possible when innovation meets ambition, but it cannot do this alone. If we want to keep 1.5°C within reach and create a future powered by clean, reliable energy, the time to act is now. AI, when integrated thoughtfully and equitably into energy systems, can help us achieve a transformative and sustainable future. But only if we commit to scaling the technologies and policies that make it possible.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
The Kites
Romain Gary
Penguin Modern Classics
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
RESULT
Arsenal 0 Chelsea 3
Chelsea: Willian (40'), Batshuayi (42', 49')
Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
The%20specs
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How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
The%20specs
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time
Sector: Renewable energy
Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.
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
Asia Cup 2018 final
Who: India v Bangladesh
When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium
Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD
The biog
Name: Mariam Ketait
Emirate: Dubai
Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language
Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown
Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures
THE SCORES
Ireland 125 all out
(20 overs; Stirling 72, Mustafa 4-18)
UAE 125 for 5
(17 overs, Mustafa 39, D’Silva 29, Usman 29)
UAE won by five wickets
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Honeymoonish
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Aggro%20Dr1ft
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MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
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
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
