Technology - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

technology

Technology

People sit in a cafe outside the Apple Store in Dubai on May 8, 2025.

Iran names US tech, finance firms in new Middle East threat list

Firms listed as potential targets included Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, Palantir and Nvidia, while banking giant JPMorgan and UAE-based AI firm G42 were also listed.

Traffic rolls along a main throughfare under a banner with images of past and present leaders that reads in Farsi, "Domino fall", as daily life returns to the streets following nationwide protests, in the Iranian capital Tehran on January 19, 2026. Demonstrations sparked in late December by anger over economic hardship exploded into protests widely seen as the biggest challenge to the Iranian leadership in years. Limited internet access briefly returned in Iran before dropping again, a monitor said January

Analysis

Iran’s longest-ever internet blackout leaves 99% offline: What to know

Facing a historic internet blackout, Iranians are locked in a struggle with authorities to find loopholes to get around this communications crackdown, leading to "shutdowns within a shutdown."

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

What we know about UAE blocking X accounts accused of misinformation

Attendees take a picture of French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe as he delivers a speech during a visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum on February 10, 2018, on Saadiyat island in the Emirati capital, to launch the French-Emirati "Year of Cultural Dialogue". (Photo by KARIM SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Interview

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

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)

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

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.

United Arab Emirates

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

David Rosenberg

In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech

The Barakah nuclear plant, seen here in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi.

UAE expands nuclear power plant, doubles electricity production

The UAE is still reliant on oil and gas, though nuclear energy is rising in the country and across the region.

United Arab Emirates

Iran tech

Iran to offer visas for startups

The purpose of the visa is to attract foreign investment and innovation to Iran. The Iranian economy has been struggling recently for several reasons, including government mismanagement and US sanctions.

NEOM.

Saudi’s future city, NEOM, launches renewable energy project

Saudi Arabia has grand plans for the city, but the endeavor’s land use and sustainability plans have faced pushback.

Visitors stand in front of a painting by artist Prabhakar Pachpute on display during the 15th edition of Art Dubai.

Art Dubai embraces digital, NFTs, Global South

At Art Dubai, digital art and the Global South are spotlighted at the fair’s largest edition to date.

DONT USE - Gulf Pulse

A student uses a computer in a lab room at the IT training center in Morocco's central city of Khouribga on Nov. 17, 2020.

World Bank says Mideast, North Africa ripe for 'digital transformation'

Despite the regions' potential, the use of the internet for financial transactions is low in the Middle East and North Africa, according to a new World Bank report.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff

Nanotech

Iran among world leaders in nanotechnology

The Islamic Republic has prioritized making products via nanotechnology, which refers to the production of materials and objects from molecules or atoms.

Plantish 3D-printed salmon

Israeli startup to 3D print salmon

The Jerusalem-based investment platform OurCrowd held an event on 3D printing, featuring several Israeli companies as well as popular Arab-Israeli vlogger Nas Daily.

Hanadi Abu Harbid stands next to the food dehydrator.

Gazan engineer creates solar food dehydrator

Engineer Hanadi Abu Harbid from the Gaza Strip has developed a food dehydrator that relies on solar power and locally available resources.

Egypt fintech

Regional entrepreneurs say Middle East well-suited for fintech growth

An Atlantic Council event highlighted how fintech can help traditional financial networks and professions in Egypt, Tunisia, and the Gulf.

electric car

Electric SUV race coming to Saudi Arabia’s NEOM

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has prioritized investing in new types of sports as part of his Vision 2030 initiative.

Visitors at a display by Israel’s Manufacturers Association at Israeli Expo technology exhibit in Tel Aviv. Sept. 3, 2019.

Arab-Israelis, ultra-Orthodox, Palestinians shape future of Israeli tech

Starving for experienced workers, Israeli authorities and high-tech companies are investing in training young Palestinians and young people from the Israeli-Arab sector and the ultra-Orthodox community.

UAE bank

Abu Dhabi firm receives green light for new fintech app

ADQ will launch a new digital banking platform called Wio, which investors hope will help boost the United Arab Emirates’ digital economy.

AL-MONITOR Staff

By AL-MONITOR Staff