Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 39 | Page 15

Zain adopts smart technology at launch of new branch Z ain Kuwait has launched a first-of-its-kind interactive touchscreen in a new high-profile branch. The telecom company, which has the biggest network of branches in Kuwait, is offering its innovative Smart Mall screen service to customers at its new retail branch in the latest phase of the Avenues Mall in Kuwait City called The Forum. The Smart Mall is an interactive touch screen that uses the latest and most advanced technologies, offering customers the opportunity to virtually shop without the need for branch staff to be present. Customers can simply touch the screen and interact with the 3D modelled products, select the desired items, complete the transaction using their bank card, and specify the delivery location to get their order delivered wherever they need. The Smart Mall features a wide range of the latest electronics, smart devices, accessories and more from Kuwait’s leading providers. The smart branch offers Zain’s customers with new service options that were previously not available through a traditional self-service machine and works automatically through advanced technology without the need of the presence of branch staff. Equipped with a smart interface, the smart branch recognises a customer’s identity through the advanced face recognition feature, where the branch scans the customers’ civil ID and matches their photo with their face on-the-spot. The opening of Zain’s latest branch comes under the umbrella of its expansion strategy and reflects Zain’s leadership position in the Kuwaiti market. ///////////////// / E-Government Forum in Kuwait looks at power of AI M icrosoft has participated as the platinum sponsor at the sixth E-Government Forum taking place at the Al-Baraka Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Kuwait City. The company demonstrated the power of its cloud and Artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to accelerate the government’s efforts towards e-services and drive Digital Transformation across all sectors in the country. “Kuwait is undergoing a massive transformation and is seen accelerating towards the digital era,” said Qusai Al-Shatti, Deputy Director General for Information Technology Sector at Kuwait’s Central Agency for Information Technology. “Our objective is to empower the government entities in the country with innovative and state-of-the art technologies to accelerate digitisation and achieve sustained growth. In this process, it is imperative for us to rely on a technology provider who can deliver on these lines and can be relied upon. We are proud to have a partner like Microsoft on our side in this journey to become a truly digital and connected government of Kuwait”. Currently in its sixth year, the E-Government forum (EGOV6) in collaboration with Kuwait’s Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), focuses on ‘Managing Change Towards Digitisation’ and places emphasis on the change management practices that need to be implemented in order to boost e-Government programme implementation, and make the best use of all available resources along the way. www.intelligentcio.com INTELLIGENTCIO 15