Happy Saturday everyone!

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths says AI-powered pilotless flights will become reality within his lifetime, sparking global debate on trust in autonomous aviation. Meanwhile, Dubai entrepreneur Saif Kidwai is urging leaders to make “brutal calls” to protect performance, challenging the culture of avoiding tough decisions. And in Abu Dhabi, UK-based Themis launched its AI Investigator™, positioning the capital as a global hub for AI-driven compliance and financial crime prevention. The UAE’s bold embrace of technology and leadership is setting the pace for the region and beyond.

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Dubai Airports CEO Predicts AI-Powered Pilotless Flights Within His Lifetime

🔹 What Is It About

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths has predicted that commercial flights piloted entirely by artificial intelligence will become reality within his lifetime. In a recent LinkedIn post, Griffiths said AI-driven aircraft could soon become the norm, arguing that the technology has the potential to outperform human pilots in safety, precision, and decision-making. He even pledged to be “first in the queue” to board when pilotless planes take to the skies.

🔹 Why It Matters

Griffiths’ comments arrive at a pivotal time for the aviation industry, which is increasingly exploring automation and AI. He likened skepticism around AI pilots to past doubts over historic innovations such as commercial air travel, the London Underground, and electric cars — all of which eventually became mainstream. His remarks highlight growing industry confidence that AI can reshape aviation safety and efficiency, though passenger trust remains a significant hurdle to overcome.

🔹 What’s Next

The debate over AI-piloted flights is expected to intensify as airlines, regulators, and manufacturers weigh technical feasibility against public acceptance. While AI technology continues to advance rapidly, widespread adoption will depend on rigorous safety testing and global regulatory approval. Industry experts believe the next decade will be crucial in determining whether passengers embrace the concept of stepping onto a plane with no human pilot at the controls.

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Dubai Entrepreneur Saif Kidwai Says Leaders Must Make “Brutal Calls” To Protect Business Performance

🔹 What Is It About

Dubai entrepreneur Saif Kidwai has ignited debate with a LinkedIn post urging leaders to make tough decisions rather than avoid them. He recounted meeting a CEO who had not fired anyone in five years, which, beneath the surface, led to mediocrity, politics, and in-fighting. Kidwai argued that unchecked complacency can spread “like a cancer” in organizations, stressing that leadership means knowing when to make the “big, brutal decisions.”

🔹 Why It Matters

Kidwai challenged the widely accepted notion of treating a company like a family, noting that unlike families, businesses must let go of underperformers to protect culture and performance. He highlighted that avoiding such decisions is a recurring issue in the Middle East, where cultural and organizational reluctance to part ways with employees often leads to long-term damage. His stance reframes decisiveness not as cruelty, but as an essential leadership responsibility.

🔹 What’s Next

Kidwai’s post has sparked regional discussion on balancing loyalty with performance in fast-growing business environments. The debate now centers on whether leaders who make tough calls ultimately gain more respect from their teams. As Middle Eastern companies scale, the question of how to maintain strong culture and performance while upholding fairness is set to remain at the heart of leadership conversations.

Abu Dhabi Becomes The Launchpad For AI-Powered Fight Against Financial Crime, Says Themis CEO

🔹 What Is It About

Themis, a UK-based financial crime intelligence firm, has launched its AI Investigator™ platform in Abu Dhabi, promising to revolutionize compliance by generating enhanced due diligence reports in minutes. CEO Dickon Johnstone described the launch as an “emotional day,” noting the system’s ability to scan ownership structures, adverse media, and regulatory filings at scale, making it accessible even for those without compliance expertise.

🔹 Why It Matters

Johnstone hailed Abu Dhabi as the ideal proving ground for AI compliance innovation, citing the UAE’s AI University, national strategy, and strong commitment to emerging technologies. The launch reflects the country’s growing role as a global hub for AI-driven solutions. With automation reducing weeks of manual investigation to seconds, the platform aims to reshape how institutions worldwide combat financial crime.

🔹 What’s Next

With Abu Dhabi allocating AED13 billion to AI between 2025 and 2027, Themis sees the city not only adopting but also defining the future of AI compliance. Johnstone praised his team of AI and financial crime specialists for pushing boundaries, adding that the launch is just the beginning of scaling globally. The spotlight now turns to how regulators and institutions integrate AI into everyday compliance frameworks.

👨‍💻From Smashi Business’ Desk

• Dreamers: Shakour Abu Ghazalah, once left with nothing after a bank collapse, turned resilience into Albaik—the Middle East’s fast-food giant.

• Saudi Arabia Unveils $1.8B Qiddiya Olympic Stadium to Anchor 2030 Sports Vision.

• Copycat Shut Down: “Salt London” Locked Out After Lease Forfeiture in Leicester Square.

🔍In other news…

• PwC Sheds Around 60 Partners and 1,500 Staff in MidEast, FT Says

• Jasim Al Awadi, Chief ICT Officer at du, said the company has du has outlined ambitious plans to lead in 6G development and AI-powered services.

• HH Sheikh Hamdan appoints new CEO for Dubai’s RERA

• Egyptian fintech MNT-Halan sets sights on GCC: AGBI Exclusive

• Saudi Arabia climbs to 46th in UN Global Innovation Index 

• Saudi Arabia's PIF To Launch New Investments In Egypt in tourism, industry, and real estate.

• UAE's and Saudi Arabia's holdings of US Treasuries increased in July

🏦 Crypto Corner

• Michael Saylor — Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy and one of Bitcoin’s most vocal corporate advocates — will make his first-ever appearance in the UAE at Bitcoin MENA in Abu Dhabi.

• Hut 8, part of a American BTC which is partially owned by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Gets Approval to Operate in Dubai Financial Hub.

• Abu Dhabi Judicial Department now accept AE Coin.

We are launching a Smashi Crypto newsletter in September 2025! Subscribe to it here to get the weekly updates from the world of digital assets.

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