BMW Group will expand its BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant in 2026 by integrating Amazon’s Alexa+ artificial intelligence architecture, marking a major step forward in natural voice interaction between drivers, passengers and vehicles.

BMW will become the first automotive manufacturer to bring the new Alexa+-powered assistant into production vehicles, beginning with the BMW iX3. The enhanced system enables intuitive, conversational interaction, allowing users to control vehicle functions, access information beyond the car, and ask multiple questions in a single sentence.

The next-generation assistant will also allow seamless linking with Amazon accounts, enabling easier access to music streaming, news updates and a broad range of digital content.

“Our partnership with Amazon is based on a shared vision of technological excellence,” said Stephan Durach, BMW Group – senior vice president Development, Digital Services, Infotainment, Connected Company. “This has resulted in a product that sets new standards in the naturalness of human-vehicle interaction through the use of artificial intelligence. With the addition of Amazon’s Alexa+ technology to the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, the vehicle becomes an intelligent companion for its users.”

“BMW Group has been fantastic to work with as we introduce the first implementation of the new Alexa Custom Assistant. BMW’s advanced technology, combined with the intelligence and conversational capabilities of Alexa+, creates a truly sophisticated in-vehicle experience,” said Daniel Rausch, vice president of Alexa and Echo.

Natural, conversational AI inside the vehicle

Powered by a Large Language Model (LLM), the AI-enabled BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant no longer relies on predefined voice commands. Instead, it supports free-flowing dialogue, contextual understanding and follow-up questions, allowing interactions that mirror natural human conversation.

For example, users can ask a general knowledge question and then seamlessly link it to a vehicle function, such as navigation, without repeating commands. Over time, the system adapts to user behaviour to anticipate intent and deliver more precise responses.

Rollout timeline and availability

The enhanced BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant powered by Amazon Alexa+ will be unveiled publicly at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Initial availability will begin in the second half of 2026 for BMW iX3 customers in Germany and the United States, with additional markets and model lines to follow.

The BMW iX3 interface will be built on the new BMW Panoramic iDrive concept with BMW Operating System X, supporting the company’s broader transition toward the software-defined vehicle (SDV).

Building on a long-term partnership

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant has been a core element of the BMW iDrive ecosystem since 2018. In 2022, BMW introduced Amazon Alexa Custom Assistant, expanding information access and response speed. In 2025, additional AI-driven features such as music discovery, news and general knowledge were introduced across vehicles running BMW Operating System 9.

The integration of Amazon Alexa+ represents the next phase of this collaboration, reinforcing BMW Group’s strategy to deploy advanced AI technologies across its entire vehicle portfolio.

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The UAE is continuing to recalibrate its visa and residency framework as part of a broader push to attract talent, capital, tourists and long-term residents. Over the past year, Dubai and federal authorities have introduced a series of targeted reforms spanning golden visas, visit visas, digital processing and regional mobility, reinforcing the country’s ambition to remain one of the world’s most competitive destinations for work and investment.

Below is a breakdown of the most significant developments shaping the different types of UAE’s visa.

Golden visa privileges expand beyond residency

Holders of the UAE’s 10-year Golden Visa are now receiving benefits that go beyond long-term residency. In a move announced at GITEX Global 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, extended selected consular services to foreign Golden Visa holders when travelling abroad.

Previously reserved for Emirati nationals, these services are intended to offer additional support to long-term residents overseas, signalling a deeper integration of Golden Visa holders into the UAE’s institutional framework. Authorities described the move as unprecedented and aligned with the country’s “Year of Community” agenda.

New golden visa category targets philanthropy

Dubai has also expanded eligibility for Golden Visas by introducing a new category for donors supporting humanitarian and charitable causes. Under an agreement between the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai and the Endowments and Minors Affairs Foundation, qualifying waqf donors can now be nominated for long-term residency as financial supporters of humanitarian work.

The category is open to both residents and non-residents, with nominations assessed against eligibility criteria set out in Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2022. The move reflects a broader effort to recognise social impact alongside economic contribution.

Visit visas broadened for specialised sectors

At the federal level, the UAE has introduced four new visit visa categories aimed at specialists and high-mobility sectors. These include visas for artificial intelligence professionals, entertainment industry participants, event attendees, and maritime tourism visitors such as cruise passengers and leisure boat travellers.

In parallel, authorities have revised several existing visa types, including humanitarian residence permits, visit visas for friends of UAE residents, and truck driver visas. The changes are designed to add flexibility while supporting fast-growing sectors linked to tourism, technology and events.

Read: UAE introduces new visa categories in sweeping 2025 reforms

Blue Visa launched for environmental contributors

The UAE formally launched the Blue Visa in early 2025, following its initial announcement the previous year. This 10-year residency visa is aimed at individuals who have made a measurable positive contribution to environmental protection and sustainability, either within the UAE or internationally.

Eligible candidates include environmental activists, researchers, global award winners, and members of international organisations focused on climate and conservation. Applications are available around the clock through federal digital channels, positioning sustainability as a long-term pillar of residency policy.

Unified GCC tourist visa moves closer to launch

One of the most closely watched developments is the forthcoming GCC unified tourist visa, officially branded as “GCC Grand Tours”. The Schengen-style visa will allow visitors to travel freely across all six Gulf Cooperation Council states using a single permit.

According to GCC officials, the visa is in its final approval stages, with a pilot phase expected to launch before the end of 2025. A digital application platform is planned, and UAE authorities have indicated that the initial rollout will begin on a trial basis before full implementation.

Sector-specific golden visas expand

Dubai has continued to deploy the Golden Visa as a tool to retain critical talent across key sectors. Nurses with more than 15 years of service in the emirate’s healthcare system have been granted 10-year residency visas, following a directive issued on International Nurses Day.

Educators have also been brought into the Golden Visa framework. Exceptional teachers in Dubai’s private education sector are eligible based on performance, institutional impact and broader contributions to education quality, with applications overseen by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

In the creative economy, influencers, photographers, writers and digital creators can now apply for long-term residency through Creators HQ, an initiative launched after the 1 Billion Followers Summit. The programme aims to support up to 10,000 content creators who demonstrate strong creative impact and growth potential.

AI-powered visa services go live in Dubai

Dubai has also rolled out an AI-enabled platform, Salama, to streamline visa renewals and related residency services. Launched by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, the system allows residents to renew visas, manage sponsored dependants and access information within minutes, reducing processing times and administrative friction.

Visa renewals linked to traffic compliance

In a further step towards integrated digital governance, Dubai has linked visa renewal and cancellation processes with Dubai Police systems. Residents renewing or cancelling visas are now prompted to settle any outstanding traffic fines, either in full or through approved instalment plans, before completing immigration transactions.

While the system does not block visa processing outright, it reinforces compliance with local regulations and ensures liabilities are addressed before residency status changes.

Emaar Hospitality Group, in collaboration with Lootah Biofuels, has announced the rollout of a sustainable yacht fuel offering at Dubai Marina Yacht Club and Creek Marina Yacht Club, marking one of the first such initiatives in the GCC’s leisure marine sector.

The initiative positions both marinas among the region’s early adopters of sustainable biofuel solutions for recreational vessels, reinforcing Emaar’s practical approach to sustainability and its alignment with the UAE Net Zero 2050 vision.

Under the collaboration, both marinas will begin supplying Sustainable Bio Yacht Fuel (SBYF) produced by Lootah Biofuels. The fuel is derived from recycled cooking oil collected from hotels, residences, and Emaar’s integrated developments, creating a circular process that converts waste oil into marine-grade biofuel. Yacht owners will be able to access this lower-carbon alternative directly at their home marinas.

“Sustainability is at the heart of how we operate across our Marinas and Hospitality assets. By introducing Sustainable Bio Yacht Fuel, we are giving our members a tangible, responsible choice that aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 goals, while setting a new standard for eco-innovation in the leisure marine sector,” said Nicolas Belleton of Emaar Hospitality Group.

The introduction of SBYF will follow a phased operational rollout to ensure logistical reliability, consistent fuel quality, and long-term sustainability across marina operations. Dedicated refuelling points at Dubai Marina Yacht Club and Creek Marina Yacht Club will provide yacht owners and club members with convenient access to the new fuel.

By implementing this initiative across its marina portfolio, Emaar continues to adopt a measured, regionally relevant approach to decarbonisation, focusing on actionable and locally sourced solutions rather than broad sustainability claims. The collaboration also demonstrates how circular economy principles can be embedded into hospitality, leisure, and marine operations.

Lootah Biofuels will oversee the collection, processing, and supply of SBYF to both marinas. The company specialises in biodiesel blends derived from used cooking oil, with solutions that have demonstrated meaningful reductions in carbon emissions compared with conventional marine fuels.

“We are proud to partner with Emaar to bring Sustainable Bio Yacht Fuel to Dubai’s Leisure Marine sector. This initiative demonstrates how locally sourced waste materials can be transformed into high-value energy solutions, supporting both environmental and operational progress across the UAE,” said Yousif Saeed Lootah, CEO of Lootah Biofuels.

During the initial phase, sustainable fuelling operations at both marinas will be available on a scheduled basis, with the potential for expansion depending on demand and uptake. The initiative is expected to contribute incrementally to reducing CO₂ emissions associated with leisure marine activity in the region.

Dubai Marina Yacht Club already holds Fish Friendly and Clean Marina accreditations, underscoring its commitment to responsible marine practices. The marina has also introduced a sustainable drinking water initiative using air-water technology, which converts atmospheric humidity into potable water and has been supplying captains and crew for the past year. The launch of SBYF builds on this foundation, further advancing Emaar’s sustainability agenda within the marine leisure sector.

This move forms part of Emaar’s broader efforts to embed sustainability across its operations and offerings, providing yacht owners and members with a practical, environmentally responsible fuelling alternative.

“Our goal is to make sustainability actionable, not just aspirational. This partnership is a concrete step toward a cleaner, greener marine experience for all our guests,” Belleton concluded.

The Ministry of Labour in Oman has finalised a comprehensive national plan for employment and skills development, underscoring a strategic push to accelerate job creation and strengthen workforce competitiveness.

The plan is built on an integrated partnership framework involving the government sector, government-owned companies, and private sector establishments, aimed at implementing royal directives to provide 60,000 job opportunities for citizens during 2026.

According to the ministry, the plan reflects a coordinated national effort to align employment growth with economic priorities, while ensuring sustainability and quality across job opportunities. The initiative is designed to address labour market needs through a structured and data-driven approach that links employment pathways to sectors with high value added to the national economy, an Oman News Agency report said.

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The ministry clarified that the preparation of the plan was grounded in a precise analysis of labour market requirements. This approach seeks to enhance alignment between education and training outputs and the evolving needs of the national economy, contributing to improved efficiency and competitiveness of the Omani workforce.

By linking employment opportunities to priority sectors, the plan aims to ensure that citizens are equipped with relevant skills that support long-term employability. The emphasis on skills development reflects a broader objective of preparing the workforce to adapt to economic and technological transformations while meeting immediate market demand.

Government sector hiring focus

As part of the plan, 10,000 job opportunities will be provided in the government sector, covering civil, military, and security roles. These positions are allocated based on studied and actual needs, with the objective of enhancing the efficiency of the state’s administrative apparatus.

The ministry noted that this allocation will also contribute to improving the quality of public services, with particular attention given to vital sectors that carry developmental and service-related priorities. The targeted hiring is expected to strengthen institutional capacity while supporting broader national development goals.

In addition to direct government employment, 17,000 opportunities will be offered through government support pathways. These include wage support programmes, training linked to employment, and on-the-job training initiatives.

These pathways are designed to help job seekers acquire practical and professional skills required by employers, improve employability, and ensure sustainable integration into the labour market. The ministry emphasised that these programs play a critical role in bridging the gap between job seekers and available opportunities.

Private sector as the growth engine

The private sector, identified as the primary driver of employment and economic growth, will account for the largest share of the plan, with 33,000 job opportunities. These roles will be created through partnerships with private sector institutions and will be subject to direct supervision and follow-up by employment governance committees.

Opportunities span a wide range of strategic sectors, including industry, oil and gas, transport and logistics, tourism, banking, health, education, real estate development, information technology, communications, food security, public services, financial services, mining, retail, construction, and other sectors supporting economic diversification.

Minister highlights sustainable job creation

Dr Mahad Said Ba’awain, minister of labour, said the royal directives of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik reflect a forward-looking vision for building a balanced economy led by qualified Omani talent.

He stressed that the national employment plan goes beyond numerical targets, focusing instead on creating quality and sustainable jobs supported by training and qualification. He added that the plan is being implemented through clear performance indicators, precise governance mechanisms, and periodic follow-up to ensure transparency, efficiency, and maximum developmental impact.

Dr Ba’awain also highlighted the integration of employment, education, and training policies as a core pillar of the initiative. He called for broad cooperation across the economic ecosystem, emphasising that employment is a shared national responsibility and a cornerstone of sustainable development.

Binance, the global cryptocurrency exchange, has appointed Tarik Erk as its new regional head for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT), in addition to assuming the role of senior executive officer for Abu Dhabi. The appointment reinforces Binance’s long-term commitment to the region as it continues to expand its regulated presence and advance the digital finance ecosystem.

Based in the UAE, Erk will oversee Binance’s strategic growth across MENAT, with a focus on regulatory engagement, market expansion and strengthening institutional trust. He brings more than a decade of experience spanning regulatory compliance, government affairs, product launches and regional scaling within the digital asset and financial services sectors.

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Erk began his career in traditional finance, holding roles at major institutions including JPMorgan Chase and Commerzbank, before entering the digital asset space in 2017 at Paxos in New York City. Prior to joining Binance, he served as general manager for the Middle East and Africa in the digital asset sector, where he played a key role in expanding regulated operations across the region.

Erk has also been recognised as one of the most influential figures in Singapore’s fintech ecosystem by FinTech Nation and previously served as a board member of the Singapore Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Industry Association.

“I am proud to take on this exciting opportunity at Binance as the company continues to navigate evolving regulatory frameworks and strengthen its presence across the MENAT region,” said Erk. “I look forward to exploring new growth opportunities and helping shape the future of digital finance within the region and beyond.”

The appointment underscores Binance’s strategic focus on compliance-led growth and deeper collaboration with regulators and stakeholders, as MENAT continues to position itself as a global hub for digital assets, blockchain innovation and financial technology.

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