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Technology Technology (China), and Com IoT Technologies (UAE), for the first challenge that sought to leverage artificial intelligence for video surveillance systems and create solutions that would reduce crime rates and road congestion. To support the UAE 2021 vision of making the UAE the safest place in the world, the challenge focused on scaleups that could deliver solutions that would analyse behavior and predict crime- related patterns, in addition to enhancing transportation issues like congestion and accidents, and take automated decisions with the use of artificial intelligence on existing video surveillance systems. The second challenge addresses the use of Blockchain to reduce the transactional costs and complexity in business processes for banks, governments and private organisations, with the goal of reducing the costs and complexity by 40 percent over 34 | JANUARY 2019 five years. 300cubits (Hong Kong) was selected for this challenge. Tradefin (USA) was selected for the last challenge that was focused on the adoption of Blockchain to enable exchange across various loyalty currencies and to transform a loyalty currency into a crypto currency that can be used to perform online and physical transactions. In line with the Future Now’s vision of accelerating innovation, the partnerships will fast track the deployment of latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain to avail them to Etisalat’s client base. The scale- up program is a key pillar of the Future Now ecosystem that aims to provide a collaborative platform for innovators, partners and customers to expedite the adoption of such cutting-edge technologies. Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq) & Johnson Controls Celebrate Partnership in Energy Efficiency at Al Qasba, Sharjah T he senior leadership of Sharjah Investment & Development Authority (Shurooq) & Johnson Controls International celebrated their partnership upon the completion of the Energy Efficiency Project for the Chiller Plant serving Al Qasba, a landmark destination in Sharjah that is extremely popular with tourists and residents.  His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said during a meeting on 6th December 2018: “This is a crucial step for Shurooq and for Al Qasba, which has been one of the oldest and most iconic tourism and family landmarks in Sharjah and the UAE. The integration of Johnson Controls’ eco-friendly chillers not