AI Platform Updates You Need to Know From May 2026
In May 2026 OpenAI rolled out major ChatGPT upgrades, adding persistent memory, a built‑in shopping experience and deeper integrations with Dropbox, GitHub and Google Drive. Canva expanded its AI toolkit by embedding Anthropic’s Claude Design and linking directly with Google Gemini, creating a seamless design‑to‑publish workflow. Google announced Gemini as the official technology sponsor of Iraq and Morocco’s national football teams, leveraging AI to boost fan engagement. Meta introduced new parental‑control features and an AI Wellbeing Expert Council to safeguard teen interactions with its AI services.
The Platform Updates You Need to Know From May 2026
Google unveiled Gemini’s Personal Intelligence, linking Gmail and Photos while keeping user control. Meta introduced teen‑focused AI supervision tools, conversation starters, and an AI Wellbeing Expert Council. LinkedIn added daily caps to its Easy Apply feature and safety prompts for...
Ariel Taps Into the Emotional Load Behind Everyday Household Moments
Ariel unveiled the "Mara wahda khalest ala il boaa" campaign in Egypt, spotlighting the everyday emotional load women and mothers carry. Developed by Cairo‑based People of the Internet, the digital‑first effort uses authentic, culturally‑tuned storytelling and features Egyptian star Nelly...
Dubai DET Supports Filming, Release of Amazon MGM Studios’ Jack Ryan: Ghost War
Amazon MGM Studios announced the global release of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War, with key scenes shot in Dubai under a partnership with the Dubai Media Council and the Department of Economy and Tourism. The film, starring John Krasinski and new cast...
Almarai Achieves 15m+ Reach, Attracts 9m+ Visitors with Immersive AR Experiences on Snap Map
Snap Inc. and Saudi FMCG giant Almarai, together with Starcom KSA, launched the Harat ALYOUM Ramadan activation that blended Snap Map’s Promoted Places with an immersive AR Lens across Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. The experience transformed everyday locations into a virtual...
Publicis Sapient, Salesforce Signal New Era for Retailers with Agentic Commerce Report
Salesforce and Publicis Sapient released a joint whitepaper titled “Agentic Commerce: Unlocking the Emerging Shopping Experience,” forecasting AI‑agent‑orchestrated commerce could generate $3‑5 trillion in global revenue by 2030. The report highlights rapid consumer shifts, with 44% of AI‑search users preferring it for...
Creative Media Authority Partners with US Production Company Antoinette
Creative Media Authority (CMA) of Abu Dhabi has entered a three‑year strategic partnership with US production house Antoinette Media. The deal obligates Antoinette to deliver at least six major film, TV or commercial projects, with half of the on‑set workforce...
The Day Luxury Remembered Who It Was and the Room Where It Happened
Luxury brands are shifting from screen‑heavy campaigns to immersive physical experiences, a trend backed by Launchmetrics data showing a 54% rise in brand activations and a 65% jump in attendance since 2019. The move addresses an attention crisis, with physical...
Campaign Retail & Commerce Media Briefing: Maximising Agentic AI, Closed-Loop Outcomes & Creator-Led Commerce
Campaign Middle East’s Retail & Commerce Media 2026 briefing gathered nearly 200 marketers to examine AI‑assisted shopping, agentic commerce, retail‑media orchestration, and creator‑commerce convergence. Speakers warned that AI assistants now shortlist products, shrinking the shelf to a handful of recommendations and...
Animotion Brings Feed-Style Series to In-Flight Entertainment
Animotion Media Group announced a partnership with China Eastern Airlines to bring its animated edutainment series The Fixies to the carrier’s in‑flight entertainment. The series will be delivered through a feed‑style, short‑form viewing format that passengers can access on personal...
Publsh Media Group, Vivenda Group Partner Across the UAE, Italy, and Spain
Publsh Media Group and Vivenda Group have signed an exclusive strategic agreement to jointly market premium out‑of‑home (OOH) inventory across the United Arab Emirates, Italy and Spain. The deal gives Vivenda exclusive rights to represent Publsh’s flagship J1 Beach asset...
What House of the Dragon Is Teaching Streaming Platforms About Audience Behaviour
The teaser for Season 3 of *House of the Dragon* released on April 28 caused a more than 50% surge in viewership of Seasons 1 and 2 on OSN+ before any new episode aired. Parrot Analytics data shows the franchise generating 20‑times the average...
BOUNCE Riyadh Opens with ‘This Is Social’ Campaign
BOUNCE, a trampoline and freestyle playground brand, launched its first venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, backed by the socially‑focused "This Is Social" campaign. Developed with Dubai‑based Stereo Creative, the initiative aims to give GCC teens a physical space for genuine...
How Brands in the Middle East Can Triumph During the 2026 FIFA World Cup
WPP Media argues Middle Eastern brands must move beyond distant global sponsorships and focus on fan‑centric, digital experiences for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. By creating mobile‑first digital fan zones, deploying creator crews in both the MENA region and North...
WATCH IT Launches ‘Mini-Drama’: Drama that Fits Your Scroll
WATCH IT, the leading Egyptian streaming service, has introduced Mini‑Dramas – a short‑form series format with episodes under two minutes. The launch features two original productions, “Ebn El Sherka” and “Alb Maftouh,” spanning roughly 60 micro‑episodes optimized for vertical viewing on...