News

Apple Wallet Will Be Able To Store COVID-19 Vaccination Cards

The feature will be available in the next iOS update.

Published

3 years ago

September 23, 2021

David Morelo

Apple

Since the recent public release of iOS 15, iPhone users have been able to store COVID-19 immunizations and test results in the Health app and share them with approved third-party apps. We now know that the upcoming iOS 15.1 update, whose beta version has just been released to developers, will add the ability to store COVID-19 vaccination cards in the Apple Wallet app to present to businesses, venues, and more.

The vaccination information will be stored using the SMART Health Card standard, whose goal is to make presenting this kind of information in a verifiable manner to another party as easy as possible.

Apple

“Organizations that issue SMART Health Cards will soon be able to use a new button to let users know that they can securely download and store their vaccination information in the Health app and quickly add and present it from Wallet,” states Apple on its developer website.

Because the standard is open, there’s nothing stopping any health organization from implementing it to produce a digital proof of vaccination whose verification is as easy as scanning a QR code.

Also Read: Samsung Pay Introduces Support For Digital COVID-19 Vaccination Cards

We don’t know when the iOS 15.1 update will be released, but our guess is that it won’t take too long considering that minor updates are usually spaced approximately one month apart.

The SMART Health Card standard is just one of many examples of how the disruption and challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic have promoted innovation. We can now only hope that it won’t take too long before presenting vaccination information in any form will, once again, be reserved only for very rare occasions.

News

“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships

The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.

Published

18 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Nour Nasir

ai seal certification now required for dubai gov partnerships

Dubai Media Office

Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.

Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.

The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.

dubai ai seal certification

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.

All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.