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
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. Saudi Arabia
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
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. By AL-MONITOR Staff
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. Iran
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. Israel
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. Palestine
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. Egypt
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. Saudi Arabia
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. Israel
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. By AL-MONITOR Staff
European bank invests in rideshare app to keep Egyptian women safe The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development is investing $10 million in the startup Swvl, which operates in Egypt. By AL-MONITOR Staff
Israel freezes spyware exports Israel's Defense Ministry has taken multiple steps to control the exportation of spyware, but the Pegasus affair continues to grow in Israel and abroad. Israel