vb

twitteryou tubefacebookfacebookacp

CONDTEK acts as an asset capturing, verification, and condition assessment tool.

The management of building assets across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has reached a turning point. Facility management (FM) professionals have long grappled with unreliable data and time-consuming manual audits.

Addressing this challenge, Dubai-headquartered HITEK AI, an AI-driven enterprise solutions pioneer and part of the Farnek Group, has launched CONDTEK. This offering is the GCC’s first AI-powered asset capture and condition intelligence solution. It converts lengthy manual building asset surveys into an automatically connected, cost-efficient, and verified digital asset register.

The State of Facility Management and Data Accuracy

This breakthrough addresses stark industry statistics. A survey published in the State of FM Report 2025 by SFG20, the UK industry standard for building maintenance specifications. It highlighted that only 9% of FM professionals believed their asset registers were completely accurate and up to date. A further 37% stated their register is at most 50% accurate, with many still relying on spreadsheets or disconnected systems to manage critical asset data.

Manual surveys typically require specialist assessors and traditionally take weeks to complete. Javeria Aijaz, Managing Director of HITEK AI, noted: “Without reliable data regarding asset condition, maintenance remains reactive and consequently, more costly. CONDTEK presents owners and operators with a single, accurate and up to date source of data for their entire asset base. From day one, that can form the foundation to their asset maintenance strategy,”

How CONDTEK Streamlines Asset Capture

CONDTEK acts as an asset capturing, verification, and condition assessment tool. Any qualified field technician can simply take a photograph of an asset and add a voice note in any language. In just a few minutes, the AI generates a structured, condition-graded asset record.

The AI identifies and classifies each asset, grades its condition, assigns a critical rating, and recommends any necessary maintenance to be carried out. Every record can be reviewed and approved by a supervisor before it enters a live asset register, keeping FM professionals in control at every step, benefiting from ethical AI as part of the process. Although manual capture and snagging work remains offline, the assessment report is generated automatically, sorted by zone, condition and asset type, ready for review on the same day.

A Fully Connected Asset Lifecycle

CONDTEK forms the foundation of a connected asset lifecycle, not a standalone survey tool. It runs on HITEK’s Maestro platform, a single, integrated stack that carries an asset from establishing its current actual condition, through to retirement and replacement, with the same asset record flowing consistently through every stage.

Aijaz further stated: “CONDTEK can capture, verify and assess the condition of every asset and builds a single, accurate, live asset register — the trusted foundation everything downstream depends on,”

The verified register then flows into HITEK’s CAFMTEK platform, where its condition and rating drive a planned maintenance strategy to produce PPM and CM work orders. Connected to BMS and other smart meters, it delivers Fault Detection & Diagnostics (FDD) as well as AI predictive maintenance — moving FM teams from reactive repair to actively preventing failures.

Furthermore, HITEK’s POWERTEK solution records consumption and performance against each asset's condition to pinpoint where a degraded asset may be driving energy waste, turning a maintenance question into a potential capital decision.

Empowering GCC Asset Owners

This technology meets the specific demands of regional real estate. "Asset owners across our region are managing more complex portfolios than ever before, often with incomplete data. CONDTEK gives an accurate and verified overview in a fraction of the time and cost of a manual survey, in any language, on any site, whether it’s for a handover, mobilisation, re-tendering, audit, valuation or CAFM-readiness."

“Being ISO 42001 certified, HITEK uses ethical AI with its full technology stack, ensuring verified data doesn't merely sit in a report, it flows straight into how the asset is maintained, how its energy is optimised, and how its replacement is planned. We're giving owners, developers and managing agents the intelligence to plan, not just react, across the entire asset lifecycle,” added Aijaz.

Ahmed bin Saeed witnesses opening of new manufacturing unit at Dubai Silicon Oasis as tech firm KERNO marks UAE start

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), witnessed the inauguration of the headquarters and first manufacturing facility of KERNO Enterprises.

Located at the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)—a special economic zone and member of DIEZ—this marks a significant milestone for the firm within the UAE.

The ceremony gathered senior government and company representatives, including His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ; and Christopher Caswell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of KERNO Enterprises. This facility establishes KERNO Enterprises as the first manufacturer of enterprise IT hardware operating in the United Arab Emirates.

This development reinforces Dubai’s status as a regional hub for advanced technology manufacturing. By designing, developing, and producing secure technological solutions locally, the company supports national priorities. These include enhancing technological sovereignty, localising advanced industries, and constructing a resilient digital infrastructure for the artificial intelligence era. During his visit, His Highness toured the facility, reviewing advanced production lines, assembly operations, testing procedures, and quality assurance systems.

His Highness was also briefed on KERNO Enterprises' extensive portfolio. Solutions encompass artificial intelligence servers, high-performance computing systems, enterprise servers, and data storage technologies. Boasting an annual capacity exceeding 60,000 technology products, the DSO facility will manufacture enterprise and edge computing servers, UAE-developed x86 multi-purpose platforms, and storage systems designed for mission-critical applications.

Reflecting on the milestone, His Highness said: “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for technology companies and advanced industries, supported by an integrated business environment, world-class infrastructure, and a competitive economic ecosystem that attracts high-value investments and projects.”

He noted that this establishment represents a vital addition to the manufacturing landscape, acting as a cornerstone for building the future economy and advancing diversification in alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.

His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said: “The inauguration of Kerno Enterprises' facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis marks an important step in the UAE's journey towards building a more diversified and competitive economy driven by knowledge, innovation, and advanced technology. It also reflects the country's ability to attract high-value investments in future-focused sectors and transform them into industrial and technological projects that add measurable value to the national economy.”

He added: “This facility is aligned with the UAE's vision of developing an advanced trade and investment ecosystem and strengthening its position as a global hub for advanced industries and digital technologies. Enabling companies to design, develop, and manufacture high-performance solutions within the country supports the competitiveness of national exports and creates broader opportunities for international partnerships.”

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni said: “The inauguration of KERNO Enterprises' facility reflects the growing role of Dubai Silicon Oasis as a dedicated platform for technology, knowledge, and innovation-driven enterprises.”

He added: “The presence of KERNO Enterprises at Dubai Silicon Oasis represents an important addition to Dubai's technology business community, particularly given its focus on the manufacturing of enterprise information technology equipment and secure digital infrastructure. We look forward to this facility contributing to strengthening local technology manufacturing capabilities and supporting Dubai's readiness for the digital economy and artificial intelligence.”

Christopher Caswell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kerno Enterprises, stated: “The selection of Dubai Silicon Oasis as the primary location for the facility reflects its position as a leading hub for knowledge, innovation and future technologies, as well as the enabling environment it provides for the growth of advanced technology companies. The move aligns with KERNO Enterprises' vision to develop and manufacture world-class technologies within the UAE, leveraging DSO's advanced infrastructure and integrated ecosystem, which bring together technical talent, strategic partners and the business enablers required for expansion and innovation.”

According to a new study released by Siemens, the region is rapidly outpacing global counterparts in its commitment to this transformative journey.

The Middle East is entering a new era of infrastructure development that is autonomous, resilient, and sustainable.

According to a new study released by Siemens, the region is rapidly outpacing global counterparts in its commitment to this transformative journey.  Regional leaders are demonstrating stronger investment intentions, alongside a heightened sense of urgency concerning the transition to clean energy.

The comprehensive findings are detailed in the 2026 Middle East Infrastructure Transition Monitor, a report titled 'Powering Transformation: How a new generation of infrastructure assets is reshaping the Middle East'.  Based on a survey of 400 senior executives and in-depth interviews with industry experts, the research reveals a region aligned for impact.  An impressive 66% of executives state the global energy transition needs to accelerate significantly, compared with 57% globally.  This optimism and urgency reflects a region at an inflection point, where governments have set ambitious strategic priorities, prompting organisations to follow suit.

Sustainability and the Decarbonisation Drive

 The Middle East's infrastructure transition is grounded in sustainability by design.  Decarbonisation is a regional priority, with AI-enabled hardware and software embedded directly in the core of infrastructure rather than added as afterthoughts.  Decarbonising core operations has emerged as the leading priority for organisations throughout the region.  A remarkable 70% of these organisations have already set targets for direct and indirect emissions, outperforming the global average of 58%.  Digitalisation is recognised as the critical driver for this massive transformation, with 68% of respondents considering it an essential enabler.

Industrial AI and the Autonomous Future

 Industrial AI is accelerating operational transformation, unlocking unprecedented efficiency, productivity, and sustainability across national systems.  Remarkably, 62% of executives expect AI to reshape infrastructure operations within three years.  Readiness to embrace automation is equally notable.  Currently, 56% of organisations are prepared to implement autonomous systems in buildings, while 57% are actively planning significant investments in this specific area over the coming year.  Demand for smarter technologies is prevalent, with 69% of respondents indicating their organisations require sophisticated solutions to enable rapid data integration, a necessity for overcoming institutional barriers and legacy system challenges.  Consequently, the same percentage is planning to increase spending on data integration technologies.

 "The 2026 Middle East Infrastructure Transition Monitor highlights a significant shift across the Middle East, as infrastructure evolves into a strategic driver of competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable growth," said Hakan Ozdemir, CEO of Siemens Smart Infrastructure in the Middle East and Siemens Qatar.

 "As energy systems grow more complex and demand continues to rise, success will depend on the ability to connect data, intelligence, and physical infrastructure at scale. At Siemens, we see this transformation unfolding every day. By bridging the real and digital worlds, we are helping customers move beyond traditional infrastructure toward industrial AI-enabled systems that not only power autonomous buildings and future grids efficiently but also make them resilient. The next phase of infrastructure transformation will be defined by how intelligently systems can anticipate, adapt, and respond to change."

Resilience as the New Efficiency

 Resilience has become the new efficiency.  The evolving regional landscape requires advanced infrastructure systems that can anticipate failures, isolate issues, and learn from disruptions.  Already, 61% of organisations confirm industrial AI is making critical infrastructure more resilient.  Grid modernisation is central to the clean energy transition and overall resilience, with 64% identifying smart grids and grid software as crucial enablers.  Furthermore, 66% support integrating various energy system components into a single platform.  The region is proactively investing in cross-border interconnections and power-trading arrangements, essential for ensuring reliable electricity supply and strengthening response capabilities during extreme weather.

 Collaboration is a cornerstone of the region's transition, with 65% confirming that businesses and governments are working closely on energy-system policy, surpassing the 59% global average.  As modern infrastructure systems become increasingly interconnected, robust resilience, digital intelligence, and adaptability will be critical components for sustaining long-term regional growth and global competitiveness.

EGA has launched and participated in several targeted initiatives over recent years to ensure long-term systemic inclusion.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE’s largest non-oil industrial company, announced on International Women in Engineering Day that women now hold 25% of all supervisory roles, successfully meeting a target set in 2021.

When EGA initially set this ambitious target in 2021, women occupied just eighteen per cent of supervisory roles. Over the intervening years, the organisation has dedicated substantial resources towards recruitment, training, and retention to bridge this gap by the end of 2025. The results of these focused efforts became particularly evident throughout 2025, a year that saw robust recruitment figures. During this period, more than two hundred women officially joined the company. Notably, this intake included one hundred and thirteen UAE Nationals, further demonstrating EGA’s commitment to domestic talent development. Consequently, the company now employs a total of over eight hundred and thirty women. Highlighting the technical nature of these placements, more than sixty per cent of these female employees are currently working in highly specialised operational roles focused predominantly on engineering.

Leadership and Long-Term Vision
The strategic importance of this demographic shift within the workforce is championed at the highest levels of the organisation. Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, clearly articulated the corporate philosophy underpinning these initiatives. Regarding the milestone, he stated: “Advancing women’s role in industry is essential to building a future-ready workforce that drives excellence. The progress we have achieved reflects our belief that diverse organisations perform better. That’s why we are focused on creating an inclusive environment, and why we will continue to create opportunities for women to contribute, grow, and lead EGA’s and the UAE’s long-term success.”

National Training and Future Targets
Looking beyond the supervisory level, EGA continues to implement robust programmes designed to secure a pipeline of female talent. Last year, the organisation successfully recruited one hundred and ninety-nine young UAE nationals into its comprehensive National Training and Graduate Training programmes. Impressively, ninety-five of these new recruits were women. These specialised training programmes are meticulously structured to prepare high school graduates for demanding technical and administrative positions within the company’s extensive industrial facilities and corporate administration. These ongoing efforts are strictly aligned with EGA's future objectives. The organisation aims to steadily increase overall female representation to fifteen per cent of all roles by the end of 2026. Currently, women account for twelve per cent of the total workforce, a figure that includes frontline operators working directly within the industrial environment.

Cultivating Talent Through Mentorship
EGA has launched and participated in several targeted initiatives over recent years to ensure long-term systemic inclusion. In early 2025, the company introduced Ershaad, a dedicated mentorship programme created specifically for female UAE students. This initiative is carefully designed to encourage young women to pursue fulfilling careers in industry, particularly within STEM fields. Through direct mentoring provided by experienced EGA experts, the Ershaad programme delivers invaluable industry exposure, essential career guidance, and crucial access to professional networks, all of which help young women effectively shape their future careers.

Industry Collaboration and Support Networks
EGA has demonstrated a commitment to advancing gender diversity across the broader industrial landscape, not just internally. In 2023, the organisation launched the Challenger Programme. This collaborative initiative brings together leading industrial companies to collectively address shared, practical challenges related to gender diversity. Complementing this collaborative effort, EGA has actively worked with the American University of Sharjah to rigorously research the specific barriers to women’s participation in the heavy industrial workforce, actively seeking viable solutions to achieve true systemic inclusion. Finally, the foundation for much of this internal support was laid in 2020 with the establishment of the EGA Women’s Network, which continues to provide women at all levels of the company with a vital platform for connection, leadership development, and mutual professional support.

 

Emirates is advancing inflight sustainability through its closed-loop recycling programme. (Image source: Emirates)

Emirates has successfully repurposed over 88,000 kg of plastic from its Economy Class meal services into new onboard products, marking a significant milestone in its closed-loop recycling programme.

The airline is committed to environmental stewardship and has invested approximately US$13.6mn in transitioning to a closed-loop manufacturing model for inflight dining serviceware. Damaged trays, bowls, and snack dishes are collected in Dubai, cleaned, and processed into new items containing up to 25% recycled material. These are then reintroduced onto thousands of flights, supporting circular economy principles and reducing landfill waste. The initiative is delivered alongside deSter, an aviation serviceware provider holding a 'Gold' sustainability rating from Ecovadis. The recycling facility itself employs sustainable design, utilising solar power and efficient water management.

Beyond serviceware, Emirates is reducing its environmental footprint across the cabin. First Class mattress toppers and blankets now use reusable bags made from recycled polyester instead of plastic packaging. Headset packaging across all classes is made from 100% recycled low-density polyethylene. Children's plush toys and bags incorporate at least 50% recycled content , and unnecessary plastic wrapping has been removed.

Amenity kits across cabins feature bio-based materials, kraft paper, and recycled post-consumer polyester. Economy and Premium Economy fleece blankets are now crafted from recycled polyester, with each blanket using the equivalent of 28 recycled plastic bottles. First and Business Class passengers are provided loungewear made from breathable modal fabric sourced from certified botanic fibres , alongside organic skincare products sustainably harvested in Ireland.

Plastic straws have been entirely phased out in favour of paper alternatives , and menus are printed on responsibly sourced paper. Highlighting the natural world, the airline's inflight entertainment is also featuring 100 episodes of acclaimed BBC Earth documentaries narrated by Sir David Attenborough throughout June and July.

More Articles …