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Analysis

India's Modi arrives in Israel as fears grow of US-Iran conflict

The Indian prime minister’s visit highlights growing cooperation on defense, AI, drones and regional trade, while signaling closer diplomatic coordination.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A man and woman walk along a promenade overlooking the Burj al-Arab and Dubai skyline on January 4, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

AI, cybersecurity high on Mideast priorities amid global tech rivalry: Tech Mahindra

The Indian tech company's Middle East head, Sahil Dhawan, believes these three forces are reshaping business priorities in the region.

Detailed image of Middle Eastern developer in front of desktop pc monitoring a complex network, ensuring data security and efficient computing using cloud, AI and machine learning.

Mideast’s AI startups capture record $858M in funding during 2025, doubling share

The growth represents a sizable jump from recent years, when local AI companies captured just a sliver of dealmaking, and Magnitt now predicts funding for MENA’s AI startups will easily surpass $1 billion in 2026.

United Arab Emirates

Advertisement boards on main road of the city Sheikh Zayed Road.

UAE launches sovereign open-source AI model K2 Think: What to know

The Gulf state is one of the few countries in the world developing its own sovereign open-source AI model to counter the dominance of the United States and China in the sector.

United Arab Emirates

Latest News

Interview

Qualcomm sees growing demand for edge AI in the Middle East

An undated image of Wassim Chourbaji, Qualcomm's president for the Middle East & Africa.

Wassim Chourbaji

Wassim Chourbaji

Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa

Syria’s Sharaa heads to Davos, ending years of global isolation

President of Syria Ahmed al-Shara arrives for the 80th session of the UN’s General Assembly (UNGA) at UN Headquarters on Sept. 23, 2025 in New York City. — Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Saudi SABIC sells $950M in overseas assets amid global chemicals slump

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Interview

Youth, strong AI adoption make MENA leading region for smartphones: OPPO

Lay Ren

Lay Ren

Lay Ren

President of OPPO MENA

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, head of the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia's influential sovereign wealth fund, addresses the opening ceremony of the Future Investment Initiative, in Riyadh, on Oct. 28, 2025.

Gulf accounted for 43% of global sovereign wealth fund investment in 2025

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was the world's highest spending sovereign wealth fund in 2025, investing some $36.2 billion.

Guests stand at the booth of Saudi AI company Humain during the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh on Oct. 29, 2025.

Analysis

Middle East adapts to Trump’s tech agenda as Gulf AI gamble grows in 2025

This year saw a wave of dealmaking across data centers, chips, critical minerals and AI collaboration as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE eagerly aligned with President Trump’s tech agenda amid sharp swings in US foreign policy.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Saudi Air Force advanced F-15SA fighter jets perform during a ceremony in Riyadh on Jan. 25, 2017.

Analysis

2025: Why Gulf defense megadeals finally met reality

From fighter jet debates to drones and megadeals, Gulf defense planners are shifting from political signaling to tangible results.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

A picture taken from a station of Dubai's Palm Monorail shows traffic on a road in Palm Jumeirah on Aug. 28, 2025.

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.

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

Buildroid AI

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

Anton Glance

Co-founder of Buildroid AI

A model of IBM Quantum shows the three chandeliers that would be a part of the System Two installation, the System One comprises of one such chandelier, seen during the inauguration of Europe's first IBM Quantum Data Center, on Oct. 1, 2024, in Ehningen, Germany.

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.

His Excellency President CyrilRamaphosa welcomes G20 Heads of State and Government to the G20 Leaders’ Summit, hosted by South Africa at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Gauteng, on Nov. 22, 2025.

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

A view of Al Majdoul, a skyscraper in Riyadh, Aug. 1, 2023.

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.

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

Mark Carney in UAE

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

Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman (R) arrives as US President Donald Trump is seen on a screen.

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.

US President Donald Trump meets with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025.

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.

an waves as they walk down the Colonnade on the way to the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2025.

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.