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Dubai Is Set To Become A Metaverse & Blockchain Hub
The city has already established itself as the global capital of Web 3.0, hosting a vast array of metaverse and blockchain technology and startups.

Having already adopted a comprehensive “Metaverse Strategy“, Dubai has made rapid progress as a smart city of the future, using a carefully crafted regulatory framework to attract innovation and talent to its modern, tech-central environment.
Although the metaverse — a blockchain-based virtual world — is still in its early stages of development, it promises to deliver massive potential for millions of users over the coming years, shaking up the entire world’s economy and online culture.
The global market share of the metaverse is thought to have the potential to reach $1.6 trillion by 2030, with tech giants such as Facebook, Google, and Nvidia heavily invested in Web 3.0 development. For that reason, the UAE is already aiming to be a market leader, with over 1,000 metaverse-related companies headquartered in the region.
“From retail shopping to healthcare and manufacturing, the metaverse is becoming pervasive in countless industries. It is transforming industries by expediting virtual operations seamlessly and offering business opportunities for investors,” says Pratik Rawal, Managing Partner, Ascent Partners.
Also Read: Everdome Announces First-Ever Metaverse Soundtrack
Dubai’s strategy aims to funnel $4 billion of the UAE’s GDP into related projects over the next five years, bringing an estimated 40,000 virtual jobs to the metaverse by 2030. Augmented reality and blockchain projects currently bring over $500 million to UAE’s economy, with the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) accounting for a sizable portion of that figure.
As the metaverse builds into a thriving, heavily populated augmented-reality world, Dubai and the whole of the UAE will be poised to become the epicenter of this advanced technological revolution, bringing all of the benefits of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and augmented reality to the everyday lives of users worldwide.
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Google Launches Flow And Gemini Photo-To-Video In MENA
Creators in the Middle East and North Africa can now use Gemini to turn photos into short videos, and access Google’s new AI filmmaking tool, Flow.

Google has rolled out new AI-powered creative tools across the Middle East and North Africa, including a photo-to-video feature in Gemini and the regional launch of its AI filmmaking platform, Flow.
The photo-to-video tool is available to Gemini Advanced users on Pro and Ultra plans. It allows users to transform still images into animated, sound-enhanced video clips up to eight seconds long. To use the feature, users select “Videos” from the Gemini prompt menu, upload an image, and describe the desired animation and audio. The tool then generates a short video that can be shared or downloaded directly from the interface.
Designed to animate static moments, the feature supports a range of creative use cases — from bringing illustrations and paintings to life to adding movement to everyday scenes or natural landscapes.
Alongside this, Google is launching Flow: a more advanced platform for AI-assisted video creation. Built on Google’s Veo, Imagen, and Gemini models, Flow is designed for both professional filmmakers and beginners looking to build scenes, experiment with visuals, or explore new storytelling formats.
Flow includes tools such as:
- Camera Controls for setting motion paths, angles, and perspectives.
- Scenebuilder for extending or linking shots with smooth transitions and consistent subjects.
- Asset Management for organizing prompts and generated material.
Also Read: Getting Started With Google Gemini: A Beginner’s Guide
Flow is now accessible in Arabic and across MENA markets. Google reports over 40 million Veo 3 video generations have been made across Gemini and Flow in the past seven weeks alone. All content includes a visible AI watermark and an invisible SynthID marker to ensure traceability.
Both Flow and Gemini’s photo-to-video tools are available through Google’s subscription-based AI tiers.
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