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

Uber snaps up Getir in Turkey as Mubadala exits battered delivery bet

For Uber, the $335 million deal marks a fresh bet on a populous growth market and comes at quite the discount — as recently as 2022, Getir was valued at nearly $12 billion.

Turkey

Crypto crash collides with UAE’s big bet on digital assets

After hitting record highs in 2025, Bitcoin’s sell-off is roiling global markets and making waves in the UAE.

United Arab Emirates

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

Interview

Qualcomm sees growing demand for edge AI in the Middle East

The Middle East's young population is increasingly adopting AI through mobile devices rather than data center-based solutions, Wassim Chourbaji, Qualcomm's president for the Middle East and Africa, told Al-Monitor.

Wassim Chourbaji

Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa

Iran's internet blackout enters third week as filtered access flickers back

The internet monitoring group NetBlocks reports that messaging apps and virtual private networks have become more widely available, but overall international connectivity remains extremely low and online propaganda is rising.

Iran

Iran’s internet crackdown intensifies as Trump eyes Starlink: What to know

Iran has largely gone offline since protests over economic woes escalated into broader demonstrations against the government, with the Trump administration signaling restoring internet access could be a priority.

Iran

Saudi Arabia, UAE accelerate cashless payment push in 2026: What to know

Dubai is targeting 90% cashless transactions by the end of 2026, while Saudi Arabia is now set to enforce an e-payments rule for domestic workers.

Saudi Arabia

Newsletter: FutureVerse

From oil to algorithms: The Gulf’s AI moment

Gulf states launch AI champions, competing for regional dominance with US backing.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Interview

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

The Chinese mobile phone manufacturer's Lay Ren, who heads up the company's business in the Middle East and North Africa regions, said the Gulf is the epicenter of regional growth but stressed that North Africa is poised to follow.

Lay Ren

President of OPPO MENA

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.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Newsletter: FutureVerse

UAE’s MGX joins TikTok’s US overhaul

UAE’s MGX eyes a 15% stake in TikTok US as Gulf investors, Trump’s Gaza tech plan, Syria sanctions, and major Middle East tech deals shape the year-end landscape.

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech