Nearly three years after the new UAE labour law that came into effect - employment experts say you can already see the difference in the employment market. But with the cost of living rising sharply - mostly due to housing costs - it seems like side hustles are becoming the norm for employees in the UAE.

Nearly three years after the new UAE labour law that came into effect - employment experts say you can already see the difference in the employment market. But with the cost of living rising sharply - mostly due to housing costs - it seems like side hustles are becoming the norm for employees in the UAE.

The Agenda is your go-to programme for news, analysis and comment - a daily digest of local and international stories that matter to you. Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE.
From Covid-19, to climate change and community issues, The Agenda covers stories from every walk of life, so get in touch with us and tell us your news.

The Agenda is your go-to programme for news, analysis and comment - a daily digest of local and international stories that matter to you. Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE. From Covid-19, to climate change and community issues, The Agenda covers stories from every walk of life, so get in touch with us and tell us your news.

The Agenda

SIDE HUSTLES

A company that has just opened their regional office in Dubai isn’t hiring junior staff at all. Just C-Suite leaders. Why? Because they believe artificial intelligence can handle the rest. We speak to Heroiks. Then if AI is becoming the new junior staff, what does that mean for HR policies? We pose the question to employment lawyer Luke Tapp.

Is Jarvis real now? When one company tried to bring Ironman’s Jarvis to life, things got weird. Moltbot was a premium AI home assistant designed to automate repetitive digital tasks on a user’s computer like reading and replying to emails, sorting files, or running terminal commands. But suddenly it started thinking for itself.

We often talk about Ramadan as the “golden quarter” for marketers. But a new report is challenging that narrative. According to fresh research, it’s not just one big commercial spike, it’s a rhythm. A series of evolving influence moments, shaped by how people live, give, and gather during the Holy Month.

Between 10pm and 4am, online activity surges. That’s when people are watching, browsing, and crucially, shopping. So what does that mean for retailers, platforms, and logistics? And how do you serve customers who are most active after midnight?

And meet two Filipino longboarders who have just completed a non-stop, four-hour longboarding journey from Dubai all the way to Abu Dhabi. 

A company that has just opened their regional office in Dubai isn&rsquo;t hiring junior staff at all. Just C-Suite leaders. Why? Because they believe artificial intelligence can&nbsp;handle the rest. We speak to Heroiks. Then if AI is becoming the new junior staff, what does that mean for HR policies? We pose the question to employment lawyer Luke Tapp.
Is Jarvis real now? When one company tried to bring Ironman&rsquo;s Jarvis to life, things got weird. Moltbot was a premium AI home assistant designed to automate repetitive digital tasks on a user&rsquo;s computer like reading and replying to emails, sorting files, or running terminal commands. But suddenly it started thinking for itself.
We often talk about Ramadan as the &ldquo;golden quarter&rdquo; for marketers. But a new report is challenging that narrative. According to fresh research, it&rsquo;s not just one big commercial&nbsp;spike, it&rsquo;s a rhythm. A series of evolving influence moments, shaped by how people live, give, and gather during the Holy Month.
Between 10pm and 4am, online activity surges. That&rsquo;s when people are watching, browsing, and crucially, shopping. So what does that mean for retailers, platforms, and&nbsp;logistics? And how do you serve customers who are most active after midnight?
And meet two Filipino longboarders who have just completed a non-stop, four-hour longboarding journey from Dubai all the way to Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;

AI replacing junior staff

With the UAE aiming for Net Zero by 2050, Etihad Rail is expected to play a key role in reducing road traffic, cutting carbon emissions, and shifting residents toward more sustainable mobility. Adhraa Al Mansoori, Director of Public Policy and Sustainability at Etihad Rail.

We discuss disputes between tenants and landlords, eviction cases under Dubai Rental law and rent increase regulations with Dr. Yousef Al Mansoori, Senior First Instance Judge at the Rental Dispute Center in Dubai.

And we find out how economic uncertainty and the arrival of AI affect entry-level roles and how these make job hunting more difficult for young people.

With the UAE aiming for Net Zero by 2050, Etihad Rail is expected to play a key role in reducing road traffic, cutting carbon emissions, and shifting residents toward more sustainable mobility. Adhraa Al Mansoori, Director of Public Policy and Sustainability at Etihad Rail.
We discuss disputes between tenants and landlords, eviction cases under Dubai Rental law and rent increase regulations with Dr. Yousef Al Mansoori, Senior First Instance Judge at the Rental Dispute Center in Dubai.
And we find out how economic uncertainty and the arrival of AI affect entry-level roles and how these make job hunting more difficult for young people.

Etihad Rail on track to begin operations in 2026

Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has just announced the launch of K2 Think V2, a cutting-edge model being described as the country’s most powerful sovereign AI reasoning system to date.

That power bank in your bag? It might be more dangerous than you think. 

The Child Digital Safety Law which has come into force and it brings new rules around age verification, harmful content, and platform accountability. How does this reshape the legal landscape for global tech companies operating in the UAE? What does it mean for ISPs and telecom providers? And how will these rules be enforced?

Some airports in Asia have started to screen passengers after a virus outbreak in India. What is Nipah virus? How does it transmit from one person to another?

A team of scientists from NYU Abu Dhabi has just wrapped up the first nationwide coral “stress test”. 

As Gulfood 2026 continues here in Dubai, one of the most talked-about themes this year is the future of protein. Not just where it comes from but how it’s made, how it tastes and how sustainable it really is.

And we hear about a global challenge to build the world’s first fully robot-constructed residential villa.

Abu Dhabi&rsquo;s Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has just announced the launch of K2 Think V2, a cutting-edge model being described as the&nbsp;country&rsquo;s most powerful sovereign AI reasoning system to date.
That power bank in your bag? It might be more dangerous than you think.&nbsp;
The Child Digital Safety Law which has come into force and it brings new rules around age verification, harmful content, and platform accountability. How does this reshape the&nbsp;legal landscape for global tech companies operating in the UAE? What does it mean for ISPs and telecom providers? And how will these rules be enforced?
Some airports in Asia have started to screen passengers after a virus outbreak in India. What is Nipah virus? How does it transmit from one person to another?
A team of scientists from NYU Abu Dhabi has just wrapped up the first nationwide coral &ldquo;stress test&rdquo;.&nbsp;
As Gulfood 2026 continues here in Dubai, one of the most talked-about themes this year is the future of protein. Not just where it comes from but how it&rsquo;s made, how it&nbsp;tastes and how sustainable it really is.
And we hear about a global challenge to build the world&rsquo;s first fully robot-constructed residential villa.

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