The first Thought Leadership Circle event in Kuwait, co-hosted by KDIPA and The Business Year, focused on accelerating digital transformation and AI implementation. Key speakers, including government leaders and industry experts, discussed strategies for leveraging technology to drive economic growth, sustainability, and workforce readiness, in line with Kuwait’s Vision 2035.
Qatar is poised to see a 2.3% increase in GDP and generate $5 billion in AI-driven revenue by 2030. The AI Tour in Doha, hosted by Microsoft, highlighted the nation’s transformation into an AI leader, with a focus on AI integration, job creation, and alignment with Qatar’s Vision 2030.
Ooredoo has partnered with the School Olympic Program as its Official Telecommunications Partner for the 18th edition of the event. The collaboration emphasizes Ooredoo’s commitment to supporting youth sports in Qatar, aligning with the nation’s National Vision 2030, and fostering a healthy, active generation of athletes.
Jordan’s Association of Banks has launched FinApp.jo, the country’s first Financial Awareness Platform, to improve financial literacy and inclusion. The platform, developed with the Central Bank of Jordan and local institutions, focuses on banking, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and fintech to promote responsible financial behavior and economic growth.
Apple has launched Tap to Pay on iPhone in the UAE, enabling businesses to accept in-person, contactless payments using just their iPhone. The feature supports payments via credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets, offering a secure, hardware-free solution for merchants, backed by encryption and privacy protection.
Ooredoo has partnered with Infobip and Microsoft to introduce AI Hub to Qatar, enhancing customer engagement through conversational AI. The AI-driven tool integrates OpenAI with messaging platforms, empowering local businesses to provide efficient, secure, and modern communication, supporting Qatar’s digital transformation and Vision 2030.
Egypt’s four telecom companies have signed agreements to improve service quality, with new penalties for failing to meet standards. The penalties, double the previous amount, will now be reinvested into network improvements. The initiative aims to enhance mobile service quality, especially in remote areas, and improve Egypt’s global telecom ranking.
Batelco has partnered with Almoayyed Contracting Group to build Bahrain’s first White Space Data Center at the Beyon Data Oasis. The facility will be the largest and most power-dense in the kingdom, integrating sustainability with a nearby solar farm and offering scalable, flexible infrastructure to meet growing digital sector demands.
Algeria’s Minister of Health, Abdelhak Saihi, met with UNDP Resident Representative Natasha Van Rijn to discuss strengthening the partnership forged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussions focused on enhancing healthcare for refugees, establishing an international vaccination center, and aligning Algeria’s health priorities with global health security efforts.
The Saudi Journalists Association and Dar Alyaum For Media have launched a pioneering training program in collaboration with the University of Missouri. The program focuses on AI journalism and the Metaverse, offering 100 training seats to media professionals and graduates, positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of digital media innovation.
