Issue 79: It’s Time to Read More Science Fiction

Nothing exists that wasn’t first imagined.

BackstoryWisam AmidJuly 28, 2021UAE, Dubai, digital wellbeing, Digital Detox, sustainability, travel, tourism, covid-19, Cryptocurrency, data, data privacy, content, social media

Issue 78: Middle Sunday and You

A break amid a large project can sometimes be exactly what you need.

BackstoryWisam AmidJuly 13, 2021UAE, Dubai, digital wellbeing, Digital Detox, sustainability, travel, tourism, covid-19, Cryptocurrency, data, data privacy, content, social media

Issue 71: What a Year It’s Been

Taking stock of the turbulent events of 2020.

BackstoryWisam AmidAugust 5, 2020UAE, Dubai, Remote Work, agile government, space, space exploration, UAE Space Programme, Hope Mars Mission, Data, data privacy, governance, big data, google, apple, facebook, amazon, coronavirus, covid-19

Issue 70: Big Tech in the Hot Seat

Leading technology companies have an antitrust problem.

BackstoryWisam AmidJuly 29, 2020UAE, Dubai, Remote Work, agile government, space, space exploration, UAE Space Programme, Hope Mars Mission, Data, data privacy, governance, big data, google, apple, facebook, amazon

Issue 66: The Secret Is Culture

How the Gulf is embracing one of its greatest assets.

BackstoryWisam AmidJuly 2, 2020UAE, Dubai, Remote Work, covid-19, coronavirus, remote work, data privacy, Saudi Arabia, culture, Arab culture

Issue 65: The Slow Road to Sudden Change

Design fundamentals are transforming in a major way.

BackstoryWisam AmidJune 25, 2020UAE, Dubai, Remote Work, covid-19, coronavirus, remote work, urbanism, urban, urban design, digital banking, data privacy

It's Time To Overhaul Our Digital Culture

The National — The global response to Covid-19 has been a watershed moment for Big Tech. The actions we take today will have lasting impact beyond the pandemic.

Opinion, Published, Culture, DataWisam AmidMay 10, 2020coronavirus, covid-19, UAE, data, data regulation, data privacy, Zoom, Google, Apple, GDPR

Who Really Owns Your Information?

We are all data creators. But who is creating value from our data?

Opinion, DataWisam AmidFebruary 10, 2020Big data, data, surveillance capitalism, vectoralist, Capital is Dead, data regulation, data privacy, data science

California's Data Law and the Power of Small States

California's new data law is a deliberate step forward that shows the power of small states to influence broad changes in the technology industry.

Opinion, DataWisam AmidJanuary 29, 2020data, data regulation, data privacy, California, UAE, Dubai

We Can Fix the AI Bias Problem

People are responsible for bias in algorithms. Diverse communities with agile governments are poised to deliver a solution.

Opinion, Artificial IntelligenceWisam AmidDecember 13, 2019small states, Dubai, UAE, USA, knowledge economy, bias, algorithm, data privacy, regulation

Issue 35: How to Build a Nation

The secret starts with a strong national identity.

BackstoryWisam AmidNovember 28, 2019UAE, Dubai, artificial intelligence, AI, technology, nation, nation brand, National Day, data, data privacy, work, working, Fourth Industrial Revolution, 4IR

Privacy on Demand

Welcome to the luxury internet, where privacy is available — for a price.

Opinion, DataWisam AmidNovember 15, 2019data, data privacy, privacy, Facebook, Google, Apple, the New York Times, Internet

Fit in the City

The fitness tracker market is booming, but privacy questions loom. Blockchain for healthcare is a solution.

Opinion, BlockchainWisam AmidNovember 4, 2019Apple, Apple Watch, fitness, FitBit, Google, Estonia, Dubai, Blockchain, Health, Healthcare, technology, data, data privacy

Issue 27: You Should Get Paid for Your Data

A simple idea could transform the internet for the better.

BackstoryWisam AmidOctober 2, 2019ISS, space, space exploration, UAE Space Programme, technology, Blockchain, Estonia, e-residency, virtual license, AI, artificial intelligence, art, data, regulation, data privacy

The Bold Idea Behind Data Dignity

The global data economy is worth trillions of dollars. Is it crazy to think users might be able to enjoy a piece of the pie?

Opinion, DataWisam AmidSeptember 28, 2019data, data regulation, data privacy, advertising, privacy

Facing up to Challenges in Facial Recognition

How can we use this powerful technology for good while ensuring it is not abused by opportunistic companies?

Opinion, Artificial IntelligenceWisam AmidJuly 21, 2019Amazon, Oakland, OkCupid, Facial recognition, AI, artificial intelligence, regulation, data privacy, data

Issue 12: Our Bespoke Future

Data collection has transformed how we live, eat, and shop.

BackstoryWisam AmidJune 19, 2019data privacy, customer experience, e-Estonia, Estonia, e-residency, Africa, UAE, investment, payments, BASIC, antitrust, Apple, Google, Amazon, Facebook

GDPR One Year Later

One year ago, GDPR sent digital businesses scurrying to hire lawyers and update their privacy policies. In many ways, the digital privacy movement has only just begun.