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- Big Tech is 'Disgusting'; UAE Royal Buys into Trump-Linked Firm; HP Exec: "Only 20% Have a Healthy Relationship with Work"
Big Tech is 'Disgusting'; UAE Royal Buys into Trump-Linked Firm; HP Exec: "Only 20% Have a Healthy Relationship with Work"
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Happy Thursday everyone!
Web Summit Qatar ended with many a people counting their steps on their wearables (think watches, rings, whoop and whatnot). The three-day average, through common consensus, came out to be 50,000! But was it worth it? A BIG YES! We have a special interview from there with the the next ‘Upscrolled’ from the world of chatbots, Thaura AI.
Next up are two more interesting events that we are media partners with: STEP Dubai 2026 and Ai Everything Egypt. We will bring you exclusive interviews, and updates, live from the ground on socials and here too.
In other news from MENA, a UAE Royal has bought a stake in US President Donald Trump-linked crypto venture, which Trump says is owned by his sons. And HP executive says that only 20% people have a healthy relationship with work.
Markets
EGX 30 | 49,631.56 | 1.33% |
DFMGI | 6,662.12 | 0.735% |
ADX | 10,542.48 | 0.668% |
Tadawul | 11,341.27 | 0.11% |
‘Big Tech Needs a Revolution’: Syrian Brothers in Germany Launch Ethical AI Chatbot Thaura
Saeed and Hani Chihabi, two Syrian brothers now based in Germany, told Smashi Business at Web Summit Qatar 2026 that there is a need to build an alternative tech industry which is more ethical. “Big Tech is generally a handful of major tech companies that don’t give a duck about us,” Saeed said, arguing that large platforms “dominate our digital lives… control how we communicate, what we think and what we see.”
The brothers left what they described as comfortable jobs to launch Thaura — a name that “means revolution in Arabic.” Saeed explained that while anti-Big Tech sentiment has been growing, “we always figured that there wasn’t a real alternative to ChatGPT or mainstream AI platforms. So we basically decided to create one.”
Launched two months ago, the platform has already attracted around 80,000 users. “We have zero investments — and this is by choice because we want to keep mission integrity,” he said, adding that the company is already profitable. Thaura offers a limited free tier and a $10-a-month subscription.
The brothers say a community of ethically minded users helped fuel momentum. “This is where we kind of found our tribe,” Saeed said. Their goal now, he added, is simple: “We’re trying to spread awareness… a revolution can only happen together.”
Step Dubai 2026 Appoints Augustus Media as Official Media Partner
Step Dubai 2026 has named Augustus Media as its official media partner, with Lovin Dubai, Smashi Business and Odeum Studio leading coverage of the Middle East’s flagship tech and startup festival.
The two-day event will take place on 11–12 February 2026 at Dubai Internet City, bringing together thousands of founders, investors, operators and decision-makers from across the GCC and global markets.
Now in its 14th year, Step Dubai runs under the theme “Intelligence Everywhere: The AI Economy.” Founder Ray Dargham, who launched Step in 2012, said artificial intelligence is “no longer a vertical or a niche, but the economic infrastructure of the future.” Held in partnership with Dubai Internet City, the event aligns with the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a global hub for AI innovation, talent and adoption.
UAE Royal Takes Major Stake in Trump-Linked Crypto Firm
What Is It About?
His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s National Security Adviser and manager of its largest wealth fund, has acquired a 49% stake in World Liberty Financial for around $500 million, according to The Wall Street Journal. The investment was made through Aryam Investment, making it the largest known shareholder in the crypto company. World Liberty Financial is behind USD1, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar and backed by short-term US Treasuries and cash equivalents. The move places one of the Gulf’s most powerful financial figures directly into the US digital asset space.
Why It Matters?
The deal highlights the deepening financial and technological ties between the UAE and the US, particularly in emerging sectors like blockchain, AI, and digital finance. It also reflects how Gulf capital is increasingly targeting strategic US tech platforms. Notably, months after the investment, Washington approved the sale of advanced AI chips to the UAE, including allocations to G42, HH Sheikh Tahnoon’s AI company.
What’s Next?
Analysts will watch how this shapes future US-Gulf tech partnerships, especially after the UAE announced a $1.4 trillion, 10-year investment framework into the US economy following a high-level meeting last year between HH Sheikh Tahnoon and President Trump.
HP's Peter Oganesean Warns: "Only 20% Have a Healthy Relationship with Work, And That's Alarming"
The future of work isn't just evolving—it's demanding urgent attention. According to Peter Oganesean, Managing Director of HP Middle East and East Africa, a staggering 80% of knowledge workers are struggling with their relationship to work, and technology companies need to "wake up."
In an exclusive interview with Smashi Business, Oganesean unpacked HP's 2025 Work Relationship Index, a comprehensive survey of 15,000 people across 14 countries. The findings paint a concerning picture: employee satisfaction has dropped from 27% in 2023 to just 20% today.
"This shows that we have something structurally wrong," Peter Oganesean stated bluntly. "Our employees are not happy with what we provide."
The AI Solution
The answer, according to HP's research, lies in artificial intelligence. The data reveals that 42% of fulfilled workers use AI daily, and 68% believe AI will make their work better. But it's not about flashy features—it's about eliminating the mundane.
"AI is going to eliminate all repetitive tasks," Peter Oganesean explained. "We want to do what we like. When we do what we like, we improve productivity for the companies."
HP is responding by embedding AI capabilities across its product lineup, from AI-enabled PCs to printers with intelligent features.
Hybrid Work: More Than Just Remote
A common misconception, Peter Oganesean notes, is that hybrid work simply means working from home. "Actually not," he clarified. "Hybrid is being as productive as possible from wherever you want."
The challenge? Delivering that productivity without compromising security. Today, HP offers end-to-end solutions, from AI PCs with integrated Poly Studio to fully equipped meeting rooms, ensuring seamless collaboration whether employees are at home, in a coffee shop, or in the office.
Security remains paramount through HP Wolf Security, which protects devices regardless of location. "We're building the support and security service that will protect your device wherever you are," Peter Oganesean emphasized.
The Path Forward
At HP, employees work three days per week from the office for collaboration and creativity. "Sometimes working from home, we forget how great it is to speak to people and how quickly we find solutions," Peter Oganesean reflected.
His message to business leaders is crystal clear: "Embrace AI and hybrid work. It's there to stay, and it's going to accelerate."
With 85% of fulfillment drivers within company control, Oganessian believes organizations must acknowledge the problem and take action. "One-size-fits-all doesn't work any longer," he concluded.
After more than 20 years at HP, including a Stanford leadership program in 2018, Peter Oganesean's advice resonates: get out of your comfort zone, or risk becoming irrelevant. In a world transformed by AI and hybrid work, that's advice worth heeding.
🦄 World of Startups
Dubai-based Antoine Kanaan’s Haqq AI, a legal-tech platform, raised $3M.
Notion Expands into Middle East with Launch of Arabic Support
Wio Bank Partners with Pine Labs to Revolutionise UAE Payment Processing
Vennre Secures $9.6M to Democratise Wealth-Building in Saudi Arabia
Jeel and Ripple Join Forces to Revolutionise Saudi Payments with Blockchain
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
KHC, OIA, QIA and MGX-backed SpaceX and xAI merge.
Beauty mogul Mona Kattan is using her platform for good, calling on millions of followers to help support Iran.
Emmy-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda says TikTok has permanently banned her account.
Dubai-born Noon smartly turns the viral penguin into a delivery hero
🔍In other news…
QatarEnergy inks long-term LNG supply agreement with Japan’s JERA amid rising demand
AD Ports secures financing to develop Egypt’s Safaga port terminal
Safeya Binzagr artwork sells for $2.1 million, setting new auction record for Saudi artist
Private credit firm Ruya targets $400 million Middle East fundraise
🗓️ Plan Your Events (Jan-Feb 2026)
UAE
3-5 February: The World Governments Summit, Dubai.
9-12 February: World Health Expo (WHX), Dubai.
11-12 February: STEP Dubai Conference, Dubai Internet City. (Media Partners)
Saudi Arabia
2-4 February: Saudi Media Forum, Riyadh.
2-4 February: Women Leaders Summit and Awards KSA, Riyadh.
8-12 February: World Defense Show, Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh.
Egypt
5-7 February: RiseUp Summit, Cairo. (Media Partners)
11-12 February: Ai Everything Egypt (Organized by GITEX Global), Cairo. (Media Partners)
Qatar
1-4 February: Web Summit Qatar, Doha. (Media Partners)
2-5 February: 21st International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG2026)
