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
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
Interview Al-Futtaim targets 2026 UAE rollout for game-changer ultrafast EV charging Lucas Bellieud Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility Managing Director
World Bank report notes improvement Palestinian digital economy The DC-based institution’s report also said that Israeli restrictions and the Palestinian legal framework are impeding further development in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestine
Saudi IT industry to work with German software firm SAP on cloud technology The memorandum of understanding is the latest to come out of the LEAP technology forum in Riyadh, and reflects the kingdom’s diversification efforts. News Brief
Turkish technology fair comes to Azerbaijan Teknofest will take place in Baku in May, following a technological agreement between Turkey and Azerbaijan last year. News Brief
Saudi Arabia partners with China’s Huawei on talent development The US government has warned Middle Eastern states against doing business with the Chinese tech firm, which has been accused of intellectual theft and enabling the internment of Uyghur Muslims. News Brief
FBI admits to obtaining Israeli-made Pegasus spyware The FBI said it bought the controversial spyware tool for “product testing and evaluation only” and never deployed it. Israel
Israel to use laser air defense system within year, PM says Naftali Bennett also said he hopes ongoing talks over Iran's nuclear program "end without agreement." News Brief
Saudi Arabia to invest billions in metaverse, blockchain technology The kingdom, which is seeking to reduce its dependence on oil, made the announcement at the futuristic LEAP technology forum in Riyadh. News Brief
Low-cost internet services reach Syria's al-Bab Internet access in the countryside of Aleppo are rapidly expanding thanks to private companies and intense competition. Syria
Saudi investment fund starts gaming group The fund, which is headed by the crown prince, will work on developing video game competitions with two European companies. News Brief
Human Rights Watch staffer hacked with Pegasus spyware A digital forensic analysis determined phones belonging Lama Fakih, HRW’s crisis and conflict director, were hacked between April and August 2021. News Brief
El Salvador journalists reportedly targeted by Pegasus spyware A cyber watchdog report found the phones of at least 35 journalists and activists in the Latin American country were infected with the controversial Pegasus spyware. Israel
Egypt aims to localize car industry with Emirati support Egypt is trying its best to deliver its plan to localize the automobile industry, as it cooperates with Abu Dhabi to produce and manufacture a specific car in Egyptian factories to meet the needs of the Egyptian local market on the one hand and export it to African countries on the other. Egypt
