Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 40 | Page 7

NEWS Etihad Airways and Microsoft team up to launch region’s first AI academy every employee to deliver more value to the company and its customers. Microsoft specialists will also conduct a series of AI business workshops and hands-on technical lab sessions to help identify business challenges that can be optimised with AI. Ihsan Anabtawi, COO and CMO of Microsoft Gulf, and Tony Douglas, Etihad Airways E tihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft to launch the first ever in-house AI Academy in the region, which will revolutionise the way the airline serves its customers by upskilling its workforce, optimising operations and creating alternate revenue streams. As part of the AI Academy, all Etihad employees will be given access to an online training programme, and instructor led classes, to drive companywide AI literacy, empowering Etihad is currently embarking on a Digital Transformation journey in order to enhance the capacity and quality of its services to the almost 20 million passengers it carries each year. “There is a simple reason that we are long-term partners with Microsoft – we think alike,” said, Tony Douglas Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group. “Our people make us who we are. By upskilling them to use technology powered by AI, we are future-proofing our organisation. We believe that human interaction augmented by technology delivers an enhanced experience for our guests which will give us a competitive edge.” ///////////////// Dubai Police host second edition of cybersecurity challenge D ubai Police have hosted the second annual cybersecurity challenge, called ‘Capture the Flag’ (CTF), to strengthen the problem-solving skills of cybersecurity enthusiasts. CTF has been designed to encourage the younger generation to develop ideas and solutions through a cybersecurity problem-solving challenge that encompasses forensics and defence methods. The challenge, which took place at Hub Zero, City Walk, provided an opportunity to apply penetration testing and analytical skills in a real-world cybersecurity scenario. Professional competitors participated through registering via the challenge’s website to showcase their skills and usage of the latest technologies in defeating cybercrime attacks. The launch of CTF highlighted the efforts of Dubai Police in addressing cybersecurity challenges and preparing www.intelligentcio.com young people for the future by acquiring skills in the cybersecurity field and building competencies for the future job market. HE Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said: “The launch of the second edition of the challenge is in line with the vision of our wise leadership, which gives a top priority to nurturing generations of specialists and professionals in various technological sectors that are able to contribute to building a knowledge-based economy, achieve technological breakthroughs and keep up with changes in the job market.” INTELLIGENTCIO 7