News

UAE-Produced “Mansour: Age Of AI” Premieres On Shahid & MBC3

The freshly reimagined version of the beloved children’s series explores themes including technology, friendship, and Emirati culture.

Published

1 year ago

September 16, 2024

Nour Nasir

uae-produced cartoon mansour age of ai premieres on shahid and mbc3

Bidaya Media

Bidaya Media and MBC Group have announced the release of the hotly anticipated “Mansour: Age of AI” an exciting new animated series produced in the United Arab Emirates.

The cartoon premiered on Sunday, September 15, and is now streaming on the Shahid platform, reaching audiences throughout the Middle East and North Africa, primarily in Arabic. Additionally, “Mansour: Age of AI” will air on MBC3 TV starting in October.

“We are excited to bring Mansour: Age of AI to leading streaming platforms and kids TV channels, such as Shahid and MBC3 respectively, across the MENA region in both Arabic and English,” announced Noura Al Hammadi, General Manager of Bidaya Media, adding: “This series not only entertains but also educates young people on crucial issues today that will increasingly be part of their lives in the coming years, which is central to Bidaya’s commitment to supporting young people across the region”.

“Mansour: Age of AI” is a fresh reimagining of the well-loved children’s cartoon “Mansour,” which has captured the hearts of millions across the Middle East and beyond. Celebrated for promoting Arabic culture, the original series not only received numerous awards but also amassed a staggering 3.3 billion online views.

Also Read: Best Video Streaming Services In The Middle East

The reboot centers around Mansour, a 12-year-old tech-savvy boy, and Blink, a cheeky AI companion, as they explore the rapidly evolving world of futuristic technology.

Produced with support from Mubadala Investment Company and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, “Mansour: Age of AI” masterfully weaves humor and adventure into its storylines while highlighting the vital themes of friendship and human connections in an increasingly tech-driven society. The series is not only entertaining for young audiences but also imparts valuable lessons on life and relationships while preparing future generations for a dynamic and diverse world centered around sustainability, AI, and even space travel.

News

Saudi Digital Payments Reach 80% As Cash Use Shrinks

Visa data shows cards and mobile wallets dominate spending, with smartphones now driving a growing share of daily transactions.

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2026

Nour Nasir

saudi digital payments reach 80% as cash use shrinks

Digital payments now account for 80% of all transactions in Saudi Arabia, according to Visa’s latest Where Cash Hides report, another marker of how quickly the Kingdom is moving away from cash.

The share is up four percentage points from a year ago. Around 67% of consumers are now largely non-cash users, paying mainly with cards or mobile wallets. Smartphones are taking a bigger role, with mobile payments making up 16% of transactions.

visa where cash hides saudi arabia 2026

Cash is retreating in routine spending. Eating out dropped 9%. Bill payments fell 8%, as shoppers opt for faster checkouts and app-based payments.

“The data shows a steady move toward digital payments in Saudi Arabia. Such progress is possible only because banks, fintechs, merchants, and technology partners are moving together in the same direction, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” said Ali Bailoun, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.

Also Read: UAE Users Sleep Less, But More Efficiently, ŌURA Data Reveals

Despite the recent findings, it’s important to note that cash hasn’t yet disappeared. It still shows up for tips (39%), peer-to-peer transfers (28%) and rent (14%).

Visa points to security features such as tokenization, along with rewards and cashback, as factors nudging more spending onto cards and phones — a shift that tracks with Saudi Arabia’s wider Vision 2030 push to digitize commerce.