News

New WhatsApp Feature Is Set To Transform Voice Chats

An in-chat bubble will let up to 32 users join whenever they’re available.

Published

1 year ago

November 15, 2023

new whatsapp feature is set to transform voice chats

Whether you’re sharing family news or connecting with friends during a nail-biting sports event, there are often moments when you need to talk amongst yourselves in a WhatsApp group chat. Now, the Meta-owned company is introducing an exciting new feature that should revolutionize the messaging platform’s user experience by enabling up to 32 users to seamlessly join conversations without disruption.

Instead of intrusive automatic ringing, group participants will receive push notifications and can tap on a bubble to join the voice chat, offering a more user-friendly and less disruptive experience.

Once in a voice chat, participants can access call controls from the top of the interface. This ensures that users can manage call settings without hampering their ability to send and receive text messages simultaneously.

Voice chats will roll out on iOS and Android in the coming weeks, and in the early stages, WhatsApp will focus on larger group chats with participant ranges of 33 to 128. The latest update marks a significant stride towards refining WhatsApp’s user interface while enhancing group communication and adding an additional layer of security using end-to-end encryption.

Also Read: Top E-Commerce Websites In The Middle East In 2023

The latest WhatsApp update coincides with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s news during the company’s recent earnings report that interactions between users and businesses have surpassed 600 million daily occurrences, with revenue hitting $293 million in Q3 — a 53% year-on-year increase.

WhatsApp now has over 2 billion monthly active users, making it one of the most widely used messaging platforms worldwide.

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

16 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.