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Inaugural ‘Design Next’ exhibition kicks off tomorrow in d3

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Curated by Dubai Design District (d3) and the prestigious Isola Design Group, the world’s first digital and physical design community platform committed to sustainable designMore than 40 designers and studios from 18 countries to highlight design’s crucial role in the circular economy, including the UAE’s Colab and Sulmi and leading international names such as Arper, ecoLogicStudio, Rombolà and Andreu WorldInnovative sustainable design concepts and products to be showcased across furniture, lighting, vases, rugs, tumblers, bowls and ceramicsIndustry thought leaders in the field of sustainable design will dive into insightful conversations and panel discussions on shaping the sustainable future of the industry (schedule detailed below)

DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Design Next, a first-of-its-kind exhibition in the UAE promoting the circular economy, is bringing an inspiring showcase of sustainable design and insight from around the world to the 10th-anniversary edition of Dubai Design Week.

The exhibition, launched by Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, and the prestigious Isola Design Group, kicks off tomorrow, showcasing ideas and solutions to empower the circular economy and inspire visitors to play a greater part in shaping a sustainable world. The exhibition will run in Building 6 at d3 from 5-10 November 2024.

“Consumers want to see bold statements around sustainability transform into tangible, accessible reality. Design Next offers businesses, creatives and the public a glimpse of how local, regional and global brands are leveraging circular design to deliver attractive and functional products for personal and commercial use,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3) – part of TECOM Group PJSC. “We are delighted to work with such a prestigious brand in the global design space to create this programme that emphasises the breadth and depth of creativity shaping a sustainable future through displays and insightful conversations by brilliant minds. We hope Design Next will catalyse a greater movement towards a circular economy while powering growth in Dubai‘s creative industries, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ ambitions.” 

The inaugural line-up for Design Next comprises the creativity and innovations of more than 40 local, regional and international independent designers and studios, sustainable brands, and design tech start-ups presenting innovative, eco-conscious products to circular construction materials. From compostable smartphone cases to plant-derived furniture, interior materials, and homewares, the exhibition will illustrate contemporary applications of design created from innovative technology and alternative materials. Among the talents presenting are Aga Blonska, Chinara Darwish, Eleonora Rombolà, Grob Design and IOUS Studio, amongst many more.

Design Next will also include a dynamic and engaging platform of panel discussions hosted by industry thought leaders and live performances that bring the values of sustainable design thinking to life. These discussions start on 6 November, with Fahad Ahmed Al Obaidly, Acting Director of Doha Biennale, Samer Yamani, Founder and Director of design consultancy Creative Dialogue, and Wael Al Awar, architect and founding partner waiwai design studio among the line-up of panellists.

“We are pleased to bring our international design community and years of dedicated research in circular design, innovative materials, and cutting-edge design tech solutions to Dubai. We are confident that our partnership with d3 and Design Next will contribute meaningfully to advancing the regional design dialogue, setting new standards in environment-conscious practices and industry collaboration. Through this initiative, we aim to inspire the design sector in the region and to share the tools needed to shape a more resilient and forward-thinking future,” said Gabriele Cavallaro, CEO and co-founder of Isola Design Group.

Announced in October 2024, Design Next marks the first joint initiative between d3 and the innovative Isola Design Group. The Milan-based design company, renowned for providing visibility and opportunities to independent designers, design studios, and brands worldwide, recently expanded to the Middle East with a new regional headquarters at d3’s global creative ecosystem.

Promoting homegrown and regional talents

Among the homegrown UAE-based talents on show will be Generation 3D, Desert Board, Sulmi, NYXO and the region’s first purpose-built digital material library, Colab. Sulmi designs scalable and sustainable systems, combining energy generation and storage with their electric motorcycles for maximum environmental impact, which will be available for viewing. Colab joins to showcase its online database of materials that enables design professionals and businesses to discover innovative, commercially available materials and directly engage suppliers. Alongside Colab, d3’s own community will be represented by Andreu World, the global sustainability-focused furniture design brand from Spain, which opens its first UAE-based showroom in d3 on the first day of Dubai Design Week.

Representing regional talent are Egyptian furniture designers Aya Moug and Shell Homage. Moug masterminded Byblos, an innovative plant-based material that transforms papyrus plants from along the Nile’s shore into versatile biomaterials. The plant is an eco-friendly alternative to wood, stone, and marble to create attractive furniture products that combine Egyptian heritage with modern applications.  

Additional MENA-based brands include: Chinara Darwish (UAE), CIFRA (UAE), Cinar Fine Rugs (UAE), Colab (UAE), DesertBoard (UAE), Faheem Khan (Qatar), Generation 3D (UAE), High Sense (UAE), NYXO (UAE), PlyPalm (UAE), Sulmi (UAE), and YAKIN (Lebanon).

Outstanding international design representation  

The exhibition will see 18 countries represented. Joining Design Next from further afield are:

iGreen (Italy): Fully compostable smartphone covers comprising seeds which can be planted after use to grow basil, forget-me-nots and daisies, reducing plastic waste in landfills and encouraging sustainable practices.CoWave by Aga Blonska (Netherlands): An innovative design method to create the world’s first acoustic panel based on emotional reactions. Brain scans recording electrical activity are translated into AI-legible data that design and produce 3D-printed objects using recycled plastic.  NOWO Lamp Project by Oliwia Ledzinska (Poland): Blending digital craftsmanship with traditional techniques, the NOWO lamp uses proprietary biomaterial made from a combination of protein and mixed paper, wood and textile waste. The 3D-printed lampshades are made from corn-derived bioplastic, making the product’s exteriors biodegradable and compostable and its interior electronic components reusable. 

International participants include: Andreau World (Spain), Anett Papp (Hungary), Armourcoat (UK), Arper (Italy), Chryssa Kotoula (Greece), Ek Kalakaar (India), ecoLogicStudio (UK/Italy), Eleonora Rombolà (Italy), Floris Mejer (Netherlands), Grob Design (Turkey), Halle Design (Netherlands), Harshita Jhamtani (India), House of Piranesi (India), iGuzzini (Italy), IOUS Studio (Netherlands), KeepLife (Italy), Maki Izawa (Japan), Martin Oberhauser (Italy), Masquespacio (Spain), Mattice Boets (Belgium), MODedition (Turkey), Myceen (Estonia), Oorjaa (India), Shape & Shade (Kosovo), Tectona Grandis Furniture (Turkey), VANK (Poland), and WKND Lab (South Korea).

The exhibition will feature live performances by Masquespacio (Spain) and MODedition (Turkey). Meanwhile, Fromm, a luxury contemporary furniture and accessories brand founded in Italy and Qatar, will host an immersive masterclass providing designers with valuable strategies, insights and tools to create circular products.

Insightful panel discussions by industry leaders

Alongside the exhibition, Design Next includes a packed schedule of insightful industry talks and discussions exploring a range of subjects. From sustainable design champions addressing the power of design in shaping the future to emerging materials enabling circular sustainable interior and architecture design, talks on new-age Arab design and Dubai‘s cementing status as a global creative business hub.

The complete panel schedule for 6 to 9 November is available below. 

Design Next will be the first of many initiatives launched between d3 and Isola Design Group, who will continue collaborating on an array of events and services to further cement the region’s flourishing design scene and support exciting local and regional design talent. Design Next will be a biennial event, and the d3 Architecture Exhibition will be held in the intervening years.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS (6 – 9 NOVEMBER)

Time

Wed,
6 November

Content vs. Form: Intersections of Design, Art and Technology:

As the lines between design, art, and technology blur, the debate over content versus form takes
centre stage. Speakers will discuss how these fields intersect to create meaningful experiences,
challenging traditional boundaries and redefining aesthetics. The focus will be on how blending
content and form can spark innovation and inspire new thinking methods in today’s creative
world.

2 – 2:45 PM

 

The Role of Design Brands in Driving the Industry Towards a Better Future

Dive into how design brands play a key role in creating a more conscious future for the industry.
Design thinkers from leading brands will examine how they influence consumer behaviour,
promote ethical practices, and lead the integration of circular materials and innovative processes.

3 – 3:45 PM

Behind the project: The Award-winning UAE National Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia

This engaging panel discussion will include prominent figures in the region’s architectural and
design landscape. Wael Al Awar (National Pavilion UAE Curator of Wetland at La Biennale
Architettura 2021), Nada Taryam (Chief Real Estate Officer at Bee’ah), and Azza Aboualam
(National Pavilion UAE Curator at La Biennale Architettura 2025) as moderator will examine
how local knowledge, innovative materials, and environmental conditions are influencing the
future of sustainable architecture in the UAE.

4 – 4:45 PM

The Future of Sustainable Design: From Material Innovation to Circular Systems

Beyond the traditional focus on eco-friendly materials, interior and architectural designers are
now embracing fully circular systems and regenerative design to extend the lifecycle of spaces
and structures. This panel explores forward-thinking concepts such as bio-inspired materials
that mimic nature’s resilience, like self-repairing surfaces and regenerative facades, and adaptive
structures that respond to environmental changes, allowing interiors to evolve with minimal waste.

5 – 5:45 PM

Thursday,
7 November

Waste to Worth: Circular Design in Practice

The masterclass emphasises the critical role of sustainability in design within the
context of the circular economy, exploring innovative strategies that allow designers to reimagine materials and
concepts. This session will provide designers with valuable insights and practical tools to create
sustainable products that cater to the future of the industry.

10:30 AM – 
1 PM

High-Performance Interiors: Integrating User Experience and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The future of interiors lies in intelligent environments that harness the power of AI to create
spaces responsive to every user’s needs and preferences. This panel dives into how
groundbreaking advancements in AI-driven personalisation allow spaces to adapt to user needs,
habits, and emotions in real time. Discussions will cover predictive ambience control, adaptive
spatial zoning (where layouts morph to accommodate fluctuating occupancy and activity levels),
and smart materials. 

2 – 2:45 PM

Designing for the Future: How the Circular Economy is Impacting the Industry

As the world shifts towards sustainability, the circular economy is redefining design practices
across various industries. This panel will explore how integrating circular principles shapes
innovative design solutions, highlighting its potential to drive economic resilience, foster
creativity, and create a more sustainable future for all.

3 – 3:45 PM

From the Past to the Future: A New Perspective on Arab Design

The panel will explore the evolution of Arab design in recent years, highlighting its deep roots in
traditional craftsmanship while envisioning its role in shaping future creative landscapes.
Speakers will discuss how Arab design is influenced by past aesthetics and current social and
environmental needs while embracing forward-thinking approaches through modern practices
and independent design studios.

4 – 4:45 PM

Future Cities: Micro-Architecture and Design

The need for adaptable, space-efficient interiors has never been greater in dense urban settings.
This panel explores cutting-edge modular and multi-flexible design concepts that optimise urban
spaces with innovative, customisable solutions. Key themes include sustainable micro-living
designs that balance comfort and utility in small spaces, rapidly deployable furniture and fittings
that adapt to various configurations, and how Building Information Modelling (BIM) and
interoperable systems streamline planning, allowing seamless integration of modular elements.

5 – 5:45 PM

Friday,
8 November

Public Art in Dubai: A Conversation

This conversation, moderated by architect Abdalla Almulla and artist Areen Hassan, will explore
public art in Dubai and introduce the new edition of the public art education programme. The
practitioners will provide valuable insights into the creative process, challenges faced, and the
rewards of working on public art projects, while examining the opportunities that lie ahead.

3:30 – 4:15 PM

Crafting Tomorrow: The Intersection of AI and Human Creativity

This talk explores the evolving landscape where AI and human creativity intersect, with insights
into how AI advancements are reshaping design and creative industries. The panel will
investigate opportunities and challenges while highlighting how AI complements and enhances
human imagination and traditional practices.

4:30 – 5:15 PM

Saturday,
9 November

How Innovative Materials are Shaping the Design and Architecture Industry

As the design and architecture industry evolves, new materials play a key role in shaping this
transformation and design practices.

2 – 2:45 PM

Transforming Cities Through New Spaces for Creative Communities

In a rapidly evolving urban landscape, creating innovative spaces for creative communities is
essential for fostering collaboration and cultural exchange. This panel will explore how
thoughtfully designed environments can revitalise cities, supporting creators and entrepreneurs,
by covering concepts and case studies that illustrate the transformative power of creative spaces
in enhancing social cohesion and driving economic growth.

3 – 3:45 PM

Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group PJSC, is a global creative ecosystem that fosters local creative economy growth. It represents a dynamic design community of more than 1,000 businesses, ranging from multinationals to start-ups, and is a strategic partner of Dubai Design Week.

NOTES TO THE EDITORS

About Isola Design Group

Isola Design Group provides visibility and opportunities to independent designers, design studios, and brands worldwide. The venture runs both Isola Design, the community platform featuring profiles, project portfolios, and direct messaging for the exchange of ideas, and the recently launched Isola Studio, a consultancy studio for future-thinking design brands and organisations.

Isola Design (www.isola.design) is the world’s first digital and physical platform bringing visibility to independent designers and design studios, by connecting them to design professionals, companies, curators, journalists, and potential clients. Its dedicated curatorial team selects projects with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and handcraft.

Founded in 2017 in Milan, Isola Design District immediately became one of the main official areas of the Milan Design Week, with special attention to international and emerging designers. Isola Design also organizes various in-person events under the umbrella of Isola Design Festival, which takes place throughout the year, hosting dozens of exhibitions, hundreds of exhibitors, and thousands of visitors.

Since 2019, Isola Design has participated in the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, becoming the first Italian design district to participate in a foreign event. Isola Design expanded its borders even further in 2022, when for the first time it led a curated group of designers to the United Arab Emirates for Downtown Design during Dubai Design Week, and in 2023 by taking part in Material Matters at the London Design Festival and Tanween, Ithra’s Conference of Creativity, the largest creativity platform in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Launched in 2021 with more than 1.500 designers from 65+ countries and 2,450+ projects published, Isola Design offers a community for creative people around the globe through its digital platform, with dedicated profiles and portfolio pages. The digital platform aims to spark direct community interactions, discussions, and the sharing of expertise.

In 2024, Isola Design Group founded Isola Studio (www.isola.design/studio), the new consultancy lab for design brands, organizations, and institutions. Dedicated to creating innovative solutions, Isola Studio shares its multifocal vision with design professionals, startups, companies, and event organizers. Already active in a hybrid form across many countries that are part of the global Isola Design community, Isola Studio has initiated international calls to connect design brands, from lighting to product design, with emerging talents. It has also crafted special setups for Italian companies with branches in Europe and the Middle East, as well as international organizations such as B&T (Turkey), iGuzzini (UAE), Ithra (Saudi Arabia), Masquespacio (Spain), Monkey47 (Germany), Re-Mat (Italy) e The Good Plastic Company (Netherlands), to name a few.

Moreover, via the upcoming Marketplace by Isola, each verified designer and creative studio will get the chance to sell their physical products, digital assets, and NFTs. 

About Dubai Design District (d3)

Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, is a global creative ecosystem dedicated to design, fashion, architecture and art. In line with Dubai‘s position as the leading business destination for the region and beyond, d3 is an industry-pioneering concept that enables people and businesses to grow and co-create whilst simultaneously providing a solid platform for creativity. Strategically located in the heart of Dubai, d3 is one of the city’s lifestyle and business districts that challenges thousands of people to rethink the regular. 

With state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to meet the needs of the industry and a business-friendly framework, the community offers creative talent the tools for collaboration and growth, further reinforcing Dubai‘s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Design. d3 is a cutting-edge retail district offering a variety of multi-brand boutiques, fashion brands, and art and design studios. The world’s leading luxury brands, design companies and creatives, including architects, interior designers, photography studios, product and fashion designers, call d3 home. Some of the region’s most popular events take place in d3 and attract international artists and audiences to cultural and fashion exhibitions and gatherings including Dubai Fashion Week (DFW), Dubai‘s official fashion week co-founded by Dubai Design District (d3) and Arab Fashion Council, as well as Dubai Design Week and Sole DXB. The district also regularly hosts a roster of industry talks, workshops and educational programming, accessible to people of all ages.

d3 is home to TECOM Group PJSC’s business incubator – in5 Design – that aims to support the fashion and design industries by offering students and entrepreneurs the opportunity to transform their ideas into successful commercial ventures. This ecosystem is further supported by the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), the region’s only university exclusively dedicated to design and innovation, which offers a curriculum crafted with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and The New School’s Parsons School of Design. The district also features the city’s first canal side recreational development, The Block. The open-air destination offers a range of different outdoor and leisure areas including a basketball and volleyball court, a skate park, outdoor gym and climbing wall.

For more information, please visit: www.dubaidesigndistrict.com  

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2548048/Dubai_Design_District_d3.jpg

 

 

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Emdoor Launches “Ailyn” AI Hub at WAIC 2026: Unifying Intelligence Across Every Device

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SHANGHAI, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Emdoor, a leading provider of intelligent computing devices, unveiled its latest innovation — Ailyn, an integrated software-hardware AI hub — at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026. Under the theme “Intelligence in All Things, Boundless Edge Intelligence”, Emdoor’s Booth X1B-804 showcases four immersive scenarios spanning personal, home, enterprise, and industrial use cases, demonstrating how AI can flow seamlessly across devices.

With decades of experience across cloud, edge, device, and wearable form factors, Emdoor has established one of the industry’s most comprehensive intelligent hardware portfolios. Yet the company recognized a critical gap: while individual devices grow smarter, they often operate in isolation.

Ailyn is Emdoor’s answer to this challenge. Introduced on the WAIC Magic Box stage, Ailyn serves as a unified intelligence layer that orchestrates storage, computing power, AI models, and data across PCs, NAS systems, computing boxes, and IoT devices. The result is a scalable, centrally managed intelligence platform that delivers seamless cross-device collaboration, data privacy, and AI capabilities that improve with use.

At its core, Ailyn follows a device-first, multi-device connected philosophy. By prioritizing on-device model deployment, it reduces costs while preserving privacy, minimizing latency, and enabling offline functionality. Key capabilities include unified data access, uninterrupted task handoff between devices, intelligent multi-model routing, and dynamic compute scaling — plus built-in features for knowledge accumulation, skill expansion, persona customization, and automated task execution.

Four Scenarios, One Intelligent Ecosystem

The enterprise lineup features high-performance AI workstations, AI servers, AI NAS, Mini PCs, and motherboards. Workstations support up to 96-core processors and four double-width GPUs with integrated BMC remote management. AI servers run dual Intel Xeon scalable processors with up to eight mainstream AI accelerators. The single-GPU workstation series offers dual-platform compatibility with both Intel and AMD, featuring a PCIe 5.0 ×16 slot and up to 128GB DDR5 memory. Available in two form factors — a 23.9L tower chassis and a 15.3L compact chassis with tempered glass side panel — it delivers balanced performance for both creative workloads and local AI inference. The AI NAS unifies storage and AI computing power in one device, with192GB of octa-channel LPDDR5X memory to support local large model deployment. Ailyn unifies these resources into a private computing backbone, intelligently offloading heavy workloads so users get instant on-device responsiveness with datacenter-grade power on demand.

For individual users, the showcase includes Mini PCs, AI PCs, AI tablets, and multimodal wearables. The AP16, powered by Intel’s 3rd Generation Core™ Ultra processor, delivers 180 TOPS of AI performance with sustained 54W output — capable of running large models locally. Multimodal wearable solutions built on Qualcomm and BES chips offer faster time-to-market for brand partners. Within the Ailyn ecosystem, PCs handle heavy computing while wearables provide continuous environmental awareness, each device strengthening the whole.

Industrial visitors will find AI BOX units, rugged AI notebooks, handheld terminals, and industrial PCs. AI BOX devices come preloaded with industry-specific models for production line visual inspection. Rugged notebooks deliver reliable performance for mobile field operations. Industrial PCs feature industrial-grade architecture for 24/7 uptime. Through Ailyn, these connected devices break down traditional data silos, enabling intelligent resource orchestration and a closed-loop perception-decision-execution system that accelerates industrial digital transformation.

At the center of the home scenario are AI tablets and home NAS, connected to a full-house AIoT network. The NAS acts as the family’s private data and computing hub, while the tablet serves as the primary interface for senior health reminders and children’s learning support. Ailyn weaves these devices into a cohesive system covering family memories, health care, companionship, and home security — bringing intelligence into daily life without intruding on it.

The launch of Ailyn marks a significant evolution for Emdoor — shifting from a hardware manufacturer to a builder of intelligent infrastructure. It represents the convergence of the company’s deep hardware heritage and its AI innovation roadmap. Moving forward, Emdoor will continue investing in edge AI technology and expanding the Ailyn ecosystem alongside partners, bringing distributed intelligence from the showroom into everyday life.

Company: Emdoor Digital Technology Co.,Ltd.
Contact Person: Yao Zhou
Email: marketing.digi@emdoor.com
Website: http://www.emdoordigi.com/
City: Shenzhen, China

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AI-Powered Connectivity: APAC Charts a Path to a Smarter Digital Future

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Asia-Pacific’s first Broadband Development Summit brings regulators and operators to Bangkok to set the agenda

BANGKOK, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Government officials, standards bodies and telecom operators gathered in Bangkok on 14 July for the inaugural Broadband Development Summit APAC 2026, convened by the World Broadband Association (WBBA) to build consensus on AI-era networks.

Participants included the ITU, Thailand’s National Board of the Digital Economy and Society, WBBA, IAB, FNCAP, WAA, NIDA and the IPv6 Council, alongside operators Telkomsel, XLSmart, Surge, Globe, AIS, CMI and HKT and Huawei.

Denny Deng, President of Huawei Asia Pacific Carrier Business, envisions a “faster, smarter, greener” Asia-Pacific.

VOICES FROM THE SUMMIT

“To seize the opportunities of the AI era, we call on the industry to accelerate broadband evolution, advance computing-network synergy, and strengthen the cross-border connectivity. Together, let us build faster, smarter, and greener digital infrastructure for Asia-Pacific.”
— Denny Deng, President of Asia Pacific Carrier Business, Huawei

“High-speed broadband is no longer just about ‘getting online’ — it is the vital infrastructure upon which the entire AI revolution is being built. We view AI not merely as a tool, but as a primary engine for national competitiveness and a catalyst for improving the quality of life for all.”
— Wetang Phuangsup, Ph.D., Secretary-General, the National Board of the Digital Economy and Society, Thailand

“Three initiatives define the road to 2030. We must close the quality divide so the value of broadband reaches everyone. We must build AI-ready networks — 10G access, 800GE cores, intelligence end to end. And we must do it together, through shared standards.”
— Martin Creaner, Director General of WBBA

“Moving towards next-generation networks, network architectures must continue to evolve to deliver broader connectivity, superior quality, enhanced security, and greater intelligence. This evolution is essential for Net5.5G, positioning the network not simply as infrastructure, but as the foundation that enables AI, strengthens resilience and efficiency, and supports digital transformation across industries.”
— Dhruv Dhody, Industry Standardization Expert at Huawei, Chair of the IAB, IETF

“Across Asia-Pacific, fibre is extending beyond homes and offices into rooms, devices, and machines. By working together, we can accelerate fibre innovation and adoption to build truly AI-ready infrastructure.”
— Ilham Nandana, Chair of the Market Intelligence Committee, Fiber Network Council APAC (FNCAP)

“We fixed it before you feel it!  AIS is redefining premium home broadband by combining ultra-fast connectivity with AI-driven network intelligence and smart home ecosystem — delivering proactive, invisible service excellence that transforms connectivity into differentiated customer value and sustainable ARPU growth.”
— Thanit Chaiyaboonthanit, Head of Technology Department, Broadband Business, AIS

“Connecting the Unconnected: Affordable Broadband at Scale. Create equal access to global information and empower Indonesia’s digital society.”
— Shannedy Ong, CTO of Surge Indonesia

“Beyond Connectivity: Telkomsel is transforming into a true value creator. By leveraging our FBB market-leading footprint, we power growth through service excellence, customer loyalty, and a next-generation home ecosystem.”
— Stanislaus Susatyo, Director of Sales, Telkomsel Indonesia

“We stopped treating AI as an add-on feature. Instead, our approach at Globe starts with architecture, embedding intelligence into the very core of how we build, how we sell, and how we operate.
AI continuously monitors network health, customer behavior and service quality. Rather than waiting for failures, the system predicts degradation and initiates corrective actions. By maintaining minute-level awareness of network health, our systems automatically resolve 30% of all Wi-Fi issues without any human intervention.”
— Danny Theseira, Head of Broadband Business Group at Globe Telecom

“Huawei is driving the Optics-AI Synergy to foster their collaborative growth. Through AI-ON, operators could build an AI-centric all-optical target network and establish 1-5-20ms latency circles across the Asia Pacific region. AI-ON also supports efficient computing access and usage while delivering an ultimate network experience through gigabit/ultra-gigabit home broadband, accelerating the widespread adoption of AI services.”
— Kim Jin, Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Optical Business Product Line, Huawei

“Connectivity is not just about technology. It is a lifeline, a platform for opportunity, and a driver of sustainable development. I believe the intersection of connectivity and artificial intelligence will shape the future of smarter, more resilient networks.”
— Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau, ITU

“Performance and user experience are the essential path to the next-generation WLAN. Based on standards and AI-driven innovation, let’s jointly explore the path to the future autonomous WLAN with all the stakeholders.”
— Dr. Crane H. Yang, Secretary-General, World WLAN Application Alliance (WAA)

“At the summit, NIDA and WBBA signed an MOU to accelerate next-generation network evolution and establish pioneering smart city benchmarks through the co-development of industry standards, the harmonization of global regulations, and the sharing of vertical industry insights.
NIDA focuses on advancing network architecture standards, while WBBA drives global consensus on broadband evolution. This natural strategic complementarity creates vast opportunities for future collaboration.”
— Joey Deng, Secretary-General of NIDA

“ION-2030 develops the global standard for next generation optical networks in the AI era. It provides exceptional AI application and service experience. The WBBA and ITU will jointly accelerate its development, and this is a unique opportunity for Asia-Pacific stakeholders to actively influence the future of optical broadband networks.”
— Dr. Marcus Brunner, Chief Expert Standardization, WBBA WG1 Chair and Vice-Chair of ETSI ISG F5G

“The transition into the AI era demands a high-quality, deterministic digital foundation. By releasing Net5.5G policy guidelines, Malaysia is accelerating the evolution of next-generation network standards based on IPv6, establishing an innovative infrastructure to unleash AI’s value and drive a prosperous digital economy for 2030.”
— Prof. Sureswaran Ramadass, Chair of APAC at IPv6 Council, Industry Partner of WBBA

“The digital economy is thriving across the Asia-Pacific region, with AI emerging as a core catalyst for intelligent transformation. China Mobile International (CMI) is driving regional growth by integrating China’s advanced AI capabilities with comprehensive communications, computing, and AI services. Moving forward, CMI will collaborate closely with industry partners to foster a shared, AI-driven future for the region.”
— Paul Lin, Managing Director of Commercial and Technology, Asia Pacific, China Mobile International

“Next-generation network infrastructure is the oxygen of the intelligent economy. By integrating cutting-edge 800G connectivity with quantum-safe security, HKT is laying the essential foundations to keep Hong Kong’s enterprises highly competitive, secure, and ready for the computing paradigm shifts of tomorrow.”
— Wilson Cheung, Vice President, Broadband Design & Cyber Security, HKT

“The evolution toward Net5.5G AI WAN is an important step in strengthening XLSMART’s transport network for the future. By progressively adopting AI-assisted operations, SRv6, SDN, service differentiation, and higher-capacity transport infrastructure, we are enhancing network intelligence, operational efficiency, and service resilience while supporting long-term sustainability. This transformation is a continuous journey that aligns with the industry’s vision of AI-native broadband networks. Through collaboration with our technology partners and the broader ecosystem, we will continue to develop capabilities that deliver better network performance and support Indonesia’s growing digital connectivity needs.”
— Regie Ginanjar, Head of Transport Autonomy & Orchestration, Transport Network Transformation, XLSMART

“For the AI era, Huawei upgrades the IP bearer network via security resilience, multi-dimensional awareness, and network autonomy. This empowers carriers to guarantee service experience, accelerate monetization, and enhance efficiency, ushering in a new chapter of intelligent connectivity.”
— Arthur Wang, Vice President of Data Communication Product Line, Huawei

A CONVERGING VIEW

Speakers agreed AI is shifting networks from connectivity to intelligent connectivity, as broadband, IP, computing and cross-border infrastructure converge to support innovation and coordination.

WBBA launched the AI-Net Certification, a global benchmark for national policy, industrial ecosystems and network intelligence. XLSmart was named first AI-Net Champion, and Indonesia was among the first with a certified operator, backed by its Net5.5G roadmap.

In another high-profile segment, WBBA Director General Martin Creaner presented the Gigacity Certification to KOMDIGI, SURGE, Telkomsel, AIS, TRUE, HKT and Globe, recognizing regional broadband pioneers.

 

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Laifen Expands U.S. Retail Footprint with Costco Launch of Best-Selling SE Hair Dryer

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Starting July 18, Costco Members Can Shop Laifen’s Award-Winning Hair Dryer in Select Warehouse Locations Across the U.S.

NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Laifen, ranked the world’s No.1 high-speed hair dryer brand, today announced the launch of its best-selling SE High-Speed Hair Dryer at select Costco warehouse locations, marking the brand’s largest U.S. retail expansion to date and bringing its award-winning haircare technology to Costco members across select U.S. markets.

The launch brings Laifen’s award-winning haircare technology to Costco, making it easier for consumers to experience the brand through one of the nation’s leading membership retailers. Laifen joins Costco’s growing portfolio of premium beauty and personal care brands. The initial rollout includes select Costco warehouse locations across the United States, with a strong presence across the Western U.S., including California, the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest.

Costco’s reputation for quality and its highly selective merchandising approach make this partnership especially meaningful. The Costco launch reflects Laifen’s continued expansion beyond direct-to-consumer channels as the brand accelerates its U.S. omnichannel retail strategy. “Costco represents an important milestone in our U.S. retail strategy,” said Romeo, General Manager of International Business of Laifen. “As more consumers seek salon-quality performance at an accessible price, we’re excited to make Laifen available through one of America’s most trusted retailers.”

Engineered to deliver professional-level performance in a sleek, lightweight design, the Laifen SE is powered by the brand’s proprietary high-speed brushless motor, delivering fast drying, reduced heat damage and smoother styling. An intelligent temperature control system continuously monitors airflow to help minimize frizz while protecting hair from excessive heat.

The Costco launch represents the next phase of Laifen’s U.S. retail expansion as the brand continues to grow beyond its direct-to-consumer and online channels. By expanding into one of the nation’s most trusted retailers, Laifen aims to broaden access to its category-disrupting haircare solutions while advancing its mission to bring more thoughtful design and everyday excellence into more homes.

The Laifen SE High-Speed Hair Dryer in White will be available at select Costco locations, while Costco.com shoppers will have access to additional color options including Purple and Pink, alongside the White model.

For more information on Laifen, please visit LaifenTech.com.

About Laifen: 

Founded in 2019, Laifen is a global personal care technology brand combining high-performance engineering with modern design across hair care, oral care, and grooming categories. Ranked the world’s No. 1 high-speed hair dryer brand by Euromonitor International, Laifen first gained recognition for its self-developed 110,000 RPM high-speed brushless motor, the proprietary technology behind its award-winning hair dryers.

Building on this innovation, Laifen has expanded its portfolio to include electric toothbrushes and shavers, delivering premium technology and elevated everyday experiences to consumers worldwide. Today, Laifen products and accessories are used by over 22 million households across more than 60 countries, supported by more than 600 patents and recognized with over 50 international design and innovation awards. Driven by continuous technological breakthroughs, Laifen is committed to making cutting-edge personal care technology more accessible to consumers around the world.

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SOURCE Laifen

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