AI

Feature

Cheap oil, tighter finances, wars constrained Mid East economies in 2025

Low oil prices, tighter financial conditions and elevated geopolitical risk hampered growth across much of the Middle East and North Africa this year.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Interview

Robots can solve UAE construction labor shortage, says Buildroid AI

The US startup announced that it will launch the UAE’s first block-laying robot to speed up real estate and infrastructure projects in the Gulf country.

Anton Glance

Co-founder of Buildroid AI

Saudi Arabia deploys region’s first industrial quantum computer: What to know

The announcement significantly boosts Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy away from oil by the end of the decade.

Saudi Arabia

UAE showcases global AI ambitions with $1B Africa pledge at G20

The Gulf country is the world's top investor in Africa, with Emirati companies committing $100 billion to projects on the continent between 2019 and 2023, according to data from the Financial Times.

United Arab Emirates

Feature

Saudi Arabia leans on AI for real estate growth as gigaprojects slow

The kingdom is increasingly announcing projects merging AI and real estate to cut costs while building smarter, data-driven, and more sustainable infrastructure.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

UAE pledges up to $50B for Canada during Carney's Abu Dhabi visit

The agreement was signed by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday, during the former’s official visit to Abu Dhabi.

United Arab Emirates

Gulf AI ambitions get boost with US approval of advanced chip exports

Washington has been cautious about sending sensitive advanced microchips to Middle East countries with close ties to China, fearing that the technology could end up in Beijing’s hands.

Saudi Arabia

MBS pledges Saudi investment of $1T in Trump meeting

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the move is in line with Saudi Arabia's investment strategy, particularly its desire to increase computing capabilities and develop an artificial intelligence sector.

Saudi Arabia

Live Updates

Trump gives MBS red-carpet welcome, touts F-35 deal, $1T Saudi investment

Trump is hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House in a high-profile visit aimed at resetting US-Saudi ties and securing major defense, nuclear and investment deals.

Saudi Arabia

Analysis

Deals and data: Saudi Crown Prince brings growing AI ambitions on US visit

At the White House, the kingdom's de facto ruler is set to discuss strategic priorities ranging from defense ties to Syria’s reconstruction and beyond — but the visit will also underscore how the US-Saudi partnership is being rewritten for the age of artificial intelligence.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Meet the Silicon Valley-linked AI startup targeting Gulf’s costly inefficiencies 

Bilal Abu-Ghazaleh, formerly a director at Silicon Valley’s Scale AI, shares how he spotted an opportunity to automate complex workflows that could reduce inefficiencies potentially worth over $10 billion across the Gulf's airports, ports, construction and the energy sector.

United Arab Emirates

Egypt courts investors, signs new gas deals at Abu Dhabi ADIPEC summit

Minister Karim Badawi met with executives from companies including Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, UAE state energy holding company TAQA, US conglomerate Halliburton and British Petroleum.

Egypt