Newsletter: FutureVerse China holds its ground in Middle East AI race Last Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Egypt for the first time in a decade, with the trip coinciding with efforts by Beijing to expand its AI footprint in the country. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Who is Amir Yaryab, IRGC’s cyber commander in US crosshairs? The US State Department has offered up to $10 million for information on Amir Yaryab, who oversees a key part of Iran’s cyber operations. Iran
Saudi Arabia taps China’s MiniMax for Arabic AI model The development signals that the kingdom continues deepening AI ties with China while simultaneously pursuing major US technology partnerships, keeping the Gulf state at the center of an intensifying technology race between the superpowers. Saudi Arabia
Newsletter: FutureVerse LEAP’s comeback The fifth edition of the gathering offers a temperature check for the Gulf’s AI ambitions amid fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Economic D-day’s tech risks By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Coinbase joins UAE crypto rush By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Middle East's EV bet faces reality check By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: FutureVerse Red Sea tech risks resurface By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Cybersecurity powerhouse Israel remains open to hackers Numbers show that Israeli institutions, ministries, municipalities and companies are increasingly targeted by attempted cyberattacks, mostly from Iranian hackers. Israel
Saudi crown prince unveils national strategy for esports, video games Investment in video games is officially forming part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative for economic diversification. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia plans new AI center The agreement between the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence and King Abdullah University was made on the sidelines of an artificial intelligence summit in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Egypt enlists Australian company to help develop green hydrogen project Green hydrogen is receiving more attention in Egypt ahead of the upcoming UN climate change conference in Sharm el-Sheikh. Egypt
Tech entrepreneur Rama Chakaki discusses opportunities, challenges for AI in Mideast in Al-Monitor PRO webinar Chakaki discussed artificial intelligence’s growth in the Middle East, differences between men and women investors and much more at the Al-Monitor live webinar. Legacy: Gulf
Dubai-based firm to build offshore wind farm in UK Many Emirati companies are working on renewable energy projects. United Arab Emirates
China’s NWTN to build electric vehicle facility in Abu Dhabi The deal represents the UAE’s push toward green technology, as well as China’s growing influence in the wider region. Legacy: Gulf
Investment in Israeli food tech doubles Israel is quickly becoming one of the world leaders in cultivated meat, dairy and seafood products. Israel
Qatar to build new plant to produce blue ammonia Several Gulf states are experimenting with blue ammonia and carbon capture technology, which has energy-related potential but a mixed impact on the environment. Legacy: Gulf
Russia, South Korea cooperate on Egypt’s Dabaa nuclear plant South Korea has won a $2.25 billion deal to construct turbine buildings for Egypt’s first nuclear power plant in Dabaa, which Russia is currently constructing. Egypt
Saudi firm Alfanar to build green hydrogen plant in Egypt Saudi Arabia is helping Egypt boost its renewable energy capabilities. Egypt
Qatar issues first digital payment licenses to fintech providers Qatar as well as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are seeking to bolster their fintech sectors. Legacy: Gulf