@stefanwestdijk.bsky.social
According to Gartner, only 36% of CPOs feel very confident redesigning roles and processes around AI.
The result is that teams are seeing individual productivity gains from AI, but very little transformation at an organisational level.
#AI #Strategy #Leadership
The result is that teams are seeing individual productivity gains from AI, but very little transformation at an organisational level.
#AI #Strategy #Leadership
Gartner: Confidence Gaps in AI Operational Redesign
Gartner revealed a productivity gap as individual AI gains fail to translate into team-level improvements, with low confidence in restructuring operations
supplychaindigital.com
June 4, 2026 at 7:57 AM
According to Gartner, only 36% of CPOs feel very confident redesigning roles and processes around AI.
The result is that teams are seeing individual productivity gains from AI, but very little transformation at an organisational level.
#AI #Strategy #Leadership
The result is that teams are seeing individual productivity gains from AI, but very little transformation at an organisational level.
#AI #Strategy #Leadership
The #UAE has launched four government-run #AI agents designed to accelerate procurement, tax audits, customer support, and technical operations, as part of a broader plan to move 50% of public services onto AI-powered systems within two years.
UAE Rolls Out 4 AI Agents to Speed Procurement, Audits, and Support
This follows a spree of AI-focused initiatives the country has announced recently.
www.mitsloanme.com
June 1, 2026 at 6:46 AM
Recent disruptions in the ME exposed the risks of overdependence on extended global production networks. Countries like Saudi and the wider GCC are now rethinking manufacturing through a different lens: economic security, workforce development, and long-term competitiveness.
Why Local Manufacturing Has Become A Strategic Necessity In Saudi Arabia - MEP Middle East
Local production is emerging as a critical pillar of economic resilience, industrial growth, and long-term diversification in a transforming GCC region, especially in Saudi Arabia. Why Local Manufacturing Has Become a Strategic Necessity in Saudi Arabia. exclusive, local manufacturing, MEP, Opinion, Saudi Arabia. Opinion.
www.mepmiddleeast.com
May 28, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Recent disruptions in the ME exposed the risks of overdependence on extended global production networks. Countries like Saudi and the wider GCC are now rethinking manufacturing through a different lens: economic security, workforce development, and long-term competitiveness.
SAP launches an "Autonomous Enterprise" suite that brings together AI, automation, cloud, and data capabilities into 1 operational ecosystem.
Most organisations no longer struggle with access to AI; they struggle with fragmentation, which is why this launch is worth keeping an eye on.
Via WSJ.
Most organisations no longer struggle with access to AI; they struggle with fragmentation, which is why this launch is worth keeping an eye on.
Via WSJ.
May 25, 2026 at 7:47 AM
SAP launches an "Autonomous Enterprise" suite that brings together AI, automation, cloud, and data capabilities into 1 operational ecosystem.
Most organisations no longer struggle with access to AI; they struggle with fragmentation, which is why this launch is worth keeping an eye on.
Via WSJ.
Most organisations no longer struggle with access to AI; they struggle with fragmentation, which is why this launch is worth keeping an eye on.
Via WSJ.
Supply chains are moving beyond the sustainability conversation.
For years, the focus was on reducing harm through lower emissions, less waste, and better compliance. The bigger issue now is resilience.👇
https://www.scmr.com/article/why-do-supply-chains-need-to-think-beyond-sustainability
For years, the focus was on reducing harm through lower emissions, less waste, and better compliance. The bigger issue now is resilience.👇
https://www.scmr.com/article/why-do-supply-chains-need-to-think-beyond-sustainability
May 22, 2026 at 5:48 AM
Supply chains are moving beyond the sustainability conversation.
For years, the focus was on reducing harm through lower emissions, less waste, and better compliance. The bigger issue now is resilience.👇
https://www.scmr.com/article/why-do-supply-chains-need-to-think-beyond-sustainability
For years, the focus was on reducing harm through lower emissions, less waste, and better compliance. The bigger issue now is resilience.👇
https://www.scmr.com/article/why-do-supply-chains-need-to-think-beyond-sustainability
The Strait of Hormuz slows down and procurement breaks on a global scale. We're already seeing: PCB prices up ~40% in a month, helium shortages hitting chip production, and key resins offline after regional attacks.
https://procurementmag.com/news/middle-east-conflict-disrupting-global-procurement
https://procurementmag.com/news/middle-east-conflict-disrupting-global-procurement
May 14, 2026 at 7:38 AM
The Strait of Hormuz slows down and procurement breaks on a global scale. We're already seeing: PCB prices up ~40% in a month, helium shortages hitting chip production, and key resins offline after regional attacks.
https://procurementmag.com/news/middle-east-conflict-disrupting-global-procurement
https://procurementmag.com/news/middle-east-conflict-disrupting-global-procurement
Up until very recently, supply chains were built on three assumptions: you know the route, you know the timing, and you can track the asset. All three are now breaking down.
An interesting clarification of why this is in the article below.
An interesting clarification of why this is in the article below.
What happens when supply chains go dark - LSE Business Review
What happens when businesses are unable to track their shipments?
blogs.lse.ac.uk
May 11, 2026 at 5:45 AM
Up until very recently, supply chains were built on three assumptions: you know the route, you know the timing, and you can track the asset. All three are now breaking down.
An interesting clarification of why this is in the article below.
An interesting clarification of why this is in the article below.
Payments, logistics, communications, decision-making- take out the infrastructure, and the impact cascades far beyond the site itself. What used to be a backend consideration is becoming front-of-mind investment logic.
The Middle East is where this shift is most visible right now.
The Middle East is where this shift is most visible right now.
Middle East War Turns AI Data Center Security Into Its Own Boom
Here’s how the Iran war—and Iran’s drone attacks on Amazon data centers—is impacting how capital-intensive AI data center projects are thinking about security.
www.forbes.com
May 7, 2026 at 7:35 AM
Payments, logistics, communications, decision-making- take out the infrastructure, and the impact cascades far beyond the site itself. What used to be a backend consideration is becoming front-of-mind investment logic.
The Middle East is where this shift is most visible right now.
The Middle East is where this shift is most visible right now.
Private capital is concentrating. APAC & the Middle East are setting the pace: stronger pipelines, faster deployment, rising LP confidence (73%).
But talent is the bottleneck. Capital is there. Deals are back. Execution isn’t.
That’s why leadership is shifting to Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai.
But talent is the bottleneck. Capital is there. Deals are back. Execution isn’t.
That’s why leadership is shifting to Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai.
May 5, 2026 at 6:40 AM
Private capital is concentrating. APAC & the Middle East are setting the pace: stronger pipelines, faster deployment, rising LP confidence (73%).
But talent is the bottleneck. Capital is there. Deals are back. Execution isn’t.
That’s why leadership is shifting to Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai.
But talent is the bottleneck. Capital is there. Deals are back. Execution isn’t.
That’s why leadership is shifting to Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai.
Omnicom and Google are rolling out an AI-powered creative intelligence system in the Middle East that scores campaigns before they go live.
In a region where cultural nuance can make or break performance, that additional layer matters more than most realise.
In a region where cultural nuance can make or break performance, that additional layer matters more than most realise.
Omnicom and Google Launch AI-Powered Creative Intelligence System in Middle East - TechAfrica News
The tool applies Google’s ABCD framework for YouTube creatives, assessing four key performance pillars: Attention, Branding, Connection, and Direction, which determine how effectively campaigns capture attention, reinforce brand recall, build emotional engagement, and drive action.
techafricanews.com
May 4, 2026 at 4:46 AM
Omnicom and Google are rolling out an AI-powered creative intelligence system in the Middle East that scores campaigns before they go live.
In a region where cultural nuance can make or break performance, that additional layer matters more than most realise.
In a region where cultural nuance can make or break performance, that additional layer matters more than most realise.
Mubadala Investment Company, reporting over 10% long-term returns, with AUM reaching Dh1.4 trillion, is worth paying attention to because of the context. Markets have been volatile. Liquidity has been uneven. Exits haven’t been straightforward, and yet performance has held.
Mubadala scales to Dh1.4 trillion with UAE portfolio at core of growth
Mubadala AUM jumps 17% to Dh1.4 trillion in 2025, powered by UAE investments, record capital deployment and resilient long-term returns amid global volatility.
gulfnews.com
April 23, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Mubadala Investment Company, reporting over 10% long-term returns, with AUM reaching Dh1.4 trillion, is worth paying attention to because of the context. Markets have been volatile. Liquidity has been uneven. Exits haven’t been straightforward, and yet performance has held.
Private equity is recycling.
What used to be a niche part of the market is now one of the fastest-growing. According to Financial Times reporting, secondaries volumes reached around $240bn last year, with major firms like KKR, EQT Group, and Apollo Global Management all moving in aggressively.
What used to be a niche part of the market is now one of the fastest-growing. According to Financial Times reporting, secondaries volumes reached around $240bn last year, with major firms like KKR, EQT Group, and Apollo Global Management all moving in aggressively.
How private equity became hooked on second-hand deals
Elite private capital firms have piled into the secondaries market as they race to attract assets
www.ft.com
April 20, 2026 at 4:46 AM
Private equity is recycling.
What used to be a niche part of the market is now one of the fastest-growing. According to Financial Times reporting, secondaries volumes reached around $240bn last year, with major firms like KKR, EQT Group, and Apollo Global Management all moving in aggressively.
What used to be a niche part of the market is now one of the fastest-growing. According to Financial Times reporting, secondaries volumes reached around $240bn last year, with major firms like KKR, EQT Group, and Apollo Global Management all moving in aggressively.
43% of consumers are already using AI to guide purchases. But only 30% actually trust what it tells them. An interesting gap.
It means people are willing to use the technology but not rely on it.
It means people are willing to use the technology but not rely on it.
AI is changing how people shop in the Middle East but not yet how they trust
43% of Middle East shoppers use AI to guide purchases — but only 30% fully trust it.
fastcompanyme.com
April 16, 2026 at 12:48 PM
43% of consumers are already using AI to guide purchases. But only 30% actually trust what it tells them. An interesting gap.
It means people are willing to use the technology but not rely on it.
It means people are willing to use the technology but not rely on it.
The past weeks have shown us that #supplychains don't break when supply disappears. They break when demand becomes unpredictable.
Most supply chains are designed around relatively stable demand patterns. When those patterns spike or distort, that’s the part many plans don’t account for.
Most supply chains are designed around relatively stable demand patterns. When those patterns spike or distort, that’s the part many plans don’t account for.
April 13, 2026 at 6:31 AM
The past weeks have shown us that #supplychains don't break when supply disappears. They break when demand becomes unpredictable.
Most supply chains are designed around relatively stable demand patterns. When those patterns spike or distort, that’s the part many plans don’t account for.
Most supply chains are designed around relatively stable demand patterns. When those patterns spike or distort, that’s the part many plans don’t account for.
For years, the focus has been on efficiency. Leaner, faster, tighter systems. But those systems depend on stability.
When that disappears, the priority shifts quickly. Not to speed or cost, but to continuity. Who can still move goods? Who can still deliver? That’s what matters now.
When that disappears, the priority shifts quickly. Not to speed or cost, but to continuity. Who can still move goods? Who can still deliver? That’s what matters now.
How Will The Energy Crisis Affect Global Supply Chains?
IEA highlights unprecedented disruption as chokepoints, damaged infrastructure and rising costs strain global logistics and supply chain resilience key now
supplychaindigital.com
April 8, 2026 at 6:47 AM
For years, the focus has been on efficiency. Leaner, faster, tighter systems. But those systems depend on stability.
When that disappears, the priority shifts quickly. Not to speed or cost, but to continuity. Who can still move goods? Who can still deliver? That’s what matters now.
When that disappears, the priority shifts quickly. Not to speed or cost, but to continuity. Who can still move goods? Who can still deliver? That’s what matters now.
AI has a supply chain problem nobody wants to talk about.
We’ve optimised these systems for efficiency for years. That works until it doesn’t. Now the question is much simpler: how resilient is the system we’ve built?
We’ve optimised these systems for efficiency for years. That works until it doesn’t. Now the question is much simpler: how resilient is the system we’ve built?
How the Iran war could derail the AI boom
The entire chip supply chain depends on energy and chemical imports from the Middle East
www.ft.com
April 6, 2026 at 5:47 AM
AI has a supply chain problem nobody wants to talk about.
We’ve optimised these systems for efficiency for years. That works until it doesn’t. Now the question is much simpler: how resilient is the system we’ve built?
We’ve optimised these systems for efficiency for years. That works until it doesn’t. Now the question is much simpler: how resilient is the system we’ve built?
Board structures in the Middle East are evolving, but NED roles haven’t fully caught up. Too much early alignment reduces real challenge.
Strong boards delay agreement, test assumptions, and apply pressure where it matters most.
Strong boards delay agreement, test assumptions, and apply pressure where it matters most.
March 31, 2026 at 6:13 AM
Board structures in the Middle East are evolving, but NED roles haven’t fully caught up. Too much early alignment reduces real challenge.
Strong boards delay agreement, test assumptions, and apply pressure where it matters most.
Strong boards delay agreement, test assumptions, and apply pressure where it matters most.
Consumer confidence in the MENA region is improving... but grocery growth isn't following.
According to McKinsey, shoppers across the region feel better about spending, but the retail model hasn't evolved fast enough to capture that demand.
According to McKinsey, shoppers across the region feel better about spending, but the retail model hasn't evolved fast enough to capture that demand.
March 19, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Consumer confidence in the MENA region is improving... but grocery growth isn't following.
According to McKinsey, shoppers across the region feel better about spending, but the retail model hasn't evolved fast enough to capture that demand.
According to McKinsey, shoppers across the region feel better about spending, but the retail model hasn't evolved fast enough to capture that demand.
The Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah has now digitised 100% of its customer-facing services, meaning all 53 economic services can be accessed online without visiting a service centre.
The ease of doing business is becoming a competitive differentiator between emirates.
The ease of doing business is becoming a competitive differentiator between emirates.
March 17, 2026 at 6:47 AM
The Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah has now digitised 100% of its customer-facing services, meaning all 53 economic services can be accessed online without visiting a service centre.
The ease of doing business is becoming a competitive differentiator between emirates.
The ease of doing business is becoming a competitive differentiator between emirates.
Over the past few days, many of us watched events in the region with understandable concern. It's in moments like this that leadership is tested quietly.
Grateful for the safety, structure, and strength this country continues to show and the leadership that guarantees it. 🇦🇪
Grateful for the safety, structure, and strength this country continues to show and the leadership that guarantees it. 🇦🇪
March 4, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Over the past few days, many of us watched events in the region with understandable concern. It's in moments like this that leadership is tested quietly.
Grateful for the safety, structure, and strength this country continues to show and the leadership that guarantees it. 🇦🇪
Grateful for the safety, structure, and strength this country continues to show and the leadership that guarantees it. 🇦🇪
An #ERP transformation in the Middle East should be a governance reset.
Unlike Europe’s compliance-driven culture, Gulf organisations run on speed, hierarchy, and negotiation. If you don’t design for that reality, the ERP may go live successfully, but underperform operationally.
Unlike Europe’s compliance-driven culture, Gulf organisations run on speed, hierarchy, and negotiation. If you don’t design for that reality, the ERP may go live successfully, but underperform operationally.
February 24, 2026 at 6:48 AM
An #ERP transformation in the Middle East should be a governance reset.
Unlike Europe’s compliance-driven culture, Gulf organisations run on speed, hierarchy, and negotiation. If you don’t design for that reality, the ERP may go live successfully, but underperform operationally.
Unlike Europe’s compliance-driven culture, Gulf organisations run on speed, hierarchy, and negotiation. If you don’t design for that reality, the ERP may go live successfully, but underperform operationally.
>McKinsey's new #PE report. In a nutshell, #privateequity isn't "back." It's just more demanding.
On the surface, the headlines are easy to celebrate. In 2025:
On paper it looks like momentum has returned, but in reality, the operating environment beneath those numbers is far less forgiving.
On the surface, the headlines are easy to celebrate. In 2025:
On paper it looks like momentum has returned, but in reality, the operating environment beneath those numbers is far less forgiving.
Global Private Equity Report 2026 | McKinsey
In McKinsey’s latest annual Global Private Equity Report, we look at some of the biggest trends shaping private markets in 2026 and beyond.
www.mckinsey.com
February 23, 2026 at 3:48 AM
>McKinsey's new #PE report. In a nutshell, #privateequity isn't "back." It's just more demanding.
On the surface, the headlines are easy to celebrate. In 2025:
On paper it looks like momentum has returned, but in reality, the operating environment beneath those numbers is far less forgiving.
On the surface, the headlines are easy to celebrate. In 2025:
On paper it looks like momentum has returned, but in reality, the operating environment beneath those numbers is far less forgiving.
While Europe debates #regulation and the US wrestles with grid constraints, the Middle East is executing through faster permitting, faster capital mobilisation, faster infrastructure build-out.
That’s why global capital keeps showing up. Not for beta, but for leverage.
That’s why global capital keeps showing up. Not for beta, but for leverage.
February 19, 2026 at 6:45 AM
While Europe debates #regulation and the US wrestles with grid constraints, the Middle East is executing through faster permitting, faster capital mobilisation, faster infrastructure build-out.
That’s why global capital keeps showing up. Not for beta, but for leverage.
That’s why global capital keeps showing up. Not for beta, but for leverage.