AI Champion: How the UAE Secured the Global Lead in Generative AI Adoption

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  The United Arab Emirates has officially solidified its position as the global leader in artificial intelligence adoption. According to recent data from Microsoft’s AI Economy Institute, a staggering 73.3 percent of the UAE's working-age population actively utilized generative AI tools during the second quarter of 2026. This reflects a steady rise from 70.1 percent in Q1, widening the gap between the Emirates and other tech-forward nations like Singapore, which stands at 64.3 percent. In my view, this rapid growth is not merely a statistical anomaly or a temporary wave of corporate enthusiasm. It is the direct result of a bold, top-down government commitment to digital transformation. While Western economies often debate the ethical boundaries and regulatory constraints of emerging technologies, the UAE has chosen a proactive approach, integrating AI into public administration, national education, and corporate enterprise. Why Is the UAE Leading the World in Generative AI Usage?...
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12 Best Things to Eat in Vigan: Authentic Ilocano Food Guide

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By sunrise, Calle Crisologo is already humming with sound — oil sizzling, garlic crisping, and vendors greeting the day. This is Vigan, where food isn’t just made, it’s remembered.

Vigan’s cuisine reflects the Ilocano way of life: humble, resourceful, and full of heart. Here are 12 of the best things to eat in Vigan — dishes that define the city’s timeless flavor.

  1. Vigan Longganisa – Garlicky, tangy, and locally made, this sausage is best enjoyed with vinegar and rice.

  2. Bagnet – Crispy deep-fried pork belly, crunchy outside and juicy inside — an Ilocano favorite.

  3. Empanada – A golden, crispy pastry stuffed with egg, papaya, and longganisa, freshly cooked on the street.

  4. Sinanglao – A beef soup flavored with bile and vinegar, loved for its unique tangy bitterness.

  5. Pinakbet РMixed local vegetables saut̩ed with bagoong (shrimp paste), a staple in every Ilocano home.

  6. Miki Vigan – A comforting noodle soup with thick orange noodles, topped with pork and garlic.

  7. Tinubong – Sticky rice cooked inside bamboo tubes, slightly sweet and fragrant.

  8. Royal Bibingka – A chewy, rich rice cake made with coconut milk and eggs — perfect for dessert.

  9. Okoy – Crispy shrimp fritters best eaten hot with spiced vinegar.

  10. Poqui-Poqui – Grilled eggplant mixed with tomato and egg — simple yet flavorful.

  11. Dinardaraan – The Ilocano version of dinuguan, thick and intensely flavored with pork blood.

  12. Lomo-Lomo – A hearty pork soup often served during chilly mornings in Vigan.

Vigan doesn’t reinvent food — it preserves it. And that’s what makes eating here special. Every bite feels like coming home.

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