OceanQuest will make its international debut at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, spotlighting the deep ocean’s role in climate stability, biodiversity, and sustainability
Technology
Saudi Arabia announces successful trials of drone medicine delivery for Hajj pilgrims
The project represents the first initiative of its kind and aims to enhance the efficiency of healthcare services provided to pilgrims during the 1446 Hajj season
digital economy
Dubai virtual asset watchdog VARA grants licence to tokenisation platform Ctrl Alt
Ctrl Alt was given a VARA license that permits the company to administer licensed activities that include Broker-Dealer services and Issuer services
Artificial intelligence
Kuwait Investment Authority enters AI race by joining MGX-backed AIP
The Kuwaiti sovereign wealth fund becomes the first non-founder financial anchor investor to join the company formed by MGX, Microsoft and BlackRock
AI adoption
Saudi Arabia joins the race to be the next Silicon Valley of the Middle East
The Saudi government’s $40bn AI investment push aims to transform the country into a competitive innovation hub, triggering a large-scale influx of global talent
AI chatbot
Musk’s xAI to use Dubai-based Telegram to roll out its Grok chatbot
One-year deal, yet to be formalised, will see xAI paying Telegram $300mn and equity, and a share of revenue on subscriptions sold
Brand View
HCLTech’s 2025 Cloud Report: Why multicloud, GenAI and modernisation are no longer optional
87 per cent of enterprises now use multiple cloud providers and 98 per cent are exploring GenAI – reshaping business infrastructure and innovation
Abu Dhabi Department of Energy
Abu Dhabi DoE signs AI pact with Presight and AIQ to advance digitisation of energy sector
The three entities will create a leading AI-driven control center platform, providing live analytics for the energy and utilities sector in Abu Dhabi
AI chatbot
UAE consumers say AI customer service fails to meet expectations: Report
UAE consumers show a preference for human interaction in customer support, with at least 68 per cent favouring people over AI systems, the report said
digital transformation
UAE tops global digital government rankings: Report
UAE ranked first globally in the UN indices across various categories
Computex 2025
Synology unveils flagship enterprise storage, cloud surveillance solutions at COMPUTEX 2025
“At Synology, our goal has always been to build a data management ecosystem our customers can trust,” said Philip Wong, Chairman and CEO of Synology
Bitcoin
Pakistan allocates 2,000MW to power Bitcoin mining and AI data centres
Pakistan plans to use surplus electricity to support bitcoin mining and AI centres, aiming to boost jobs and attract investment
digital economy
EXCLUSIVE: Dubai attracts $272 million in European digital investment over 4 years
The investment flow demonstrates “strong and sustained momentum alongside growing global confidence in Dubai’s advanced digital ecosystem,” says DUbai Chambers chief Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah
GITEX
UAE’s $3.76bn IT services sector takes centre stage at GITEX EUROPE
UAE IT and tech firms show capabilities at GITEX EUROPE
Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority
UAE Verify platform certifies nearly 22 million digital documents
The UAE Verify platform has revolutionised document authentication, issuing millions of secure digital certificates to support the nation’s digital transformation
accelerator programme
Google launches second ‘AI First’ accelerator for MENA-T startups amid AI investment boom
Google announces its 12-week ‘AI First’ accelerator to support Seed to Series A startups in MENA and Turkiye with AI tools and mentorship
digital transformation
Port of Fujairah partners with Endava on major digital overhaul to boost efficiency
The Port of Fujairah is modernising with MarHub, enhancing vessel management, cargo handling, and real-time analytics