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

technology

Technology

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)

What we know about UAE blocking X accounts accused of misinformation

A number of X accounts including Al Arabiya Breaking are now not accessible in the Gulf state as Abu Dhabi navigates regional turmoil.

United Arab Emirates

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)

Interview

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

The Indian tech company's Middle East head, Sahil Dhawan, believes these three forces are reshaping business priorities in the region.

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.

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

Latest News

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

Istanbul

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

Participants visit the Token 2049 crypto conference in Dubai on May 1, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

UAE launches sovereign open-source AI model K2 Think: What to know

Advertisement boards on main road of the city Sheikh Zayed Road.

United Arab Emirates

Interview

Qualcomm sees growing demand for edge AI in the Middle East

An undated image of Wassim Chourbaji, Qualcomm's president for the Middle East & Africa.

Wassim Chourbaji

Wassim Chourbaji

Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa

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

X Linda Yaccarino

Twitter/X erases thousands of Israel-Hamas posts after EU disinfo warning

The 27-nation bloc has also issued similar ultimatums to Meta and TikTok, imploring the companies to take fake posts about the conflict off their social media platforms.

Israeli food-tech advances as Aleph Farms seeks regulatory nod for cell-based steaks

With a focus on alternative protein products, Israel in recent years has emerged as a key player in the global food-tech industry.

David Rosenberg

David Rosenberg

In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech

Huawei

China's Huawei to invest $430M in North African cloud center, developer training

The Chinese tech firm has been increasing its footprint in the Middle East and North Africa.

A man monitors the board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 12, 2019.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia fastest growing crypto economy globally amid regional drive

The kingdom led globally with a 12% increase in crypto transaction volume reaching nearly $31 billion from July 2022 through June 2023, according to an industry report released Tuesday.

By Salim A. Essaid

Solar panels used to generate renewable energy at the Sustainability Pavilion during a media tour at the Dubai Expo 2020, a week ahead of its public opening, in the United Arab Emirates.

UAE places technology at top of COP28 agenda in Dubai

The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Space Agency and COP28 signed an agreement in July to coordinate on technology-focused sustainable solutions ahead of the major climate change conference in Dubai later this year.

United Arab Emirates

Huawei

China’s Huawei opens cloud data center in Riyadh to grow MENA footprint

The Chinese telecoms giant said in February it would invest $400 million in Saudi Arabia's cloud region over the next five years.

Nvidia 1

US denies it had 'blocked' AI chip sales to some Middle Eastern countries

The US Commerce Department was quick to distance itself from the reports — but it did not directly address imposing license restrictions on certain types of chips.

Got Talent Papercup

Middle East offers strong market for AI content dubbing

The region is ripe for translated content as Arabic is widely spoken and there is a strong appetite for digital media due to a young population.

A man types on a keyboard next to the Intel products for sale in Beijing, on April 08, 2008.

US-China tech rivalry hits Israel as Intel cancels Tower Semiconductor deal

The companies canceled the deal after failing to obtain regulatory approval from China.

In this photo illustration, the messaging service Telegram app is seen on a mobile phone on Jan. 11, 2021.

Iraqi militias continue to use Telegram despite block

Iraq’s state media channel switched to the Israeli-founded Viber in response to the ban. Telegram is popular with protesters and militias alike in Iraq.

KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images

Japan’s Nomura subsidiary receives crypto license in UAE

The crypto sector is booming in the United Arab Emirates thanks to clear regulations on virtual assets.

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Amid internal crisis, Israel fights to retain hi-tech industry with tax benefits

The Israeli government has issued a new law to encourage investment in tech startups as firms consider fleeing the country on the back of the judicial overhaul.