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
OPEC loans $100 million to Morocco to promote financial inclusivity Financial technology (fintech) is expanding across the Middle East and enabling more people to use financial tools. But some cultural barriers remain. Morocco
Israeli innovations in medical tech embraced worldwide In Europe, the US, Africa, and now also in Gulf states, hospitals and healthcare systems are adopting Israeli med-tech companies' new products. Israel
Quantum computing is the next revolution, Israeli cyber expert says Israeli intelligence commander-turned-tech executive Nadav Zafrir discussed cybersecurity’s relation to terrorism, the pros and cons of remote work, machines superseding humans and more on Al-Monitor’s 'On Israel' podcast. Israel
Egypt ramps up cyber, data security capabilities Egyptian government agencies are coordinating efforts to be prepared for future cyberattacks. Egypt
Saudi Aramco pursues diversification with artificial intelligence center The Saudi energy giant is flush with cash from oil sales abroad. Saudi Arabia
Report: One third of Israelis and Emiratis own cryptocurrency Both Israel and the UAE have emerged as centers of cryptocurrency in the Middle East. Israel
Intel increases footprint in Israel with acquisition of Granulate The Silicon Valley computer chip manufacturer has acquired two major Israeli tech companies this year. Israel
Bybit, Crypto.com head for Dubai as UAE pushes cryptocurrency The Emirates wants to become a cryptocurrency hub for the region, but faces some competition from Israel. United Arab Emirates
Israeli bank Leumi becomes first in country to allow cryptocurrency trading The cryptocurrency market is expanding in Israel and the Palestinian territories, but authorities want the industry to be more regulated. Israel
Israeli crypto firm Coinmama bought for $3 million Coinmama is one of the relatively few cryptocurrency platforms that allows users to buy coins with a credit card, and is part of Israel’s growing crypto ecosystem. Israel
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 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. Iran