Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Meta has launched its first standalone AI assistant app, offering personalized voice interactions and a social feed for sharing AI-generated content. The app also integrates with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and features a conversational AI mode. Meta’s open-source Llama model allows developers to customize AI software to their needs.
The TP Innovation Centre has opened in Dubai Internet City, offering immersive experiences, design thinking labs, and workshops tailored to key industries like banking, healthcare, and retail. The center focuses on co-creation, talent development, and digital competitiveness, aiming to drive innovation and support Dubai’s ambitious digital future goals.
Alba has become the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East to adopt Seeq, an AI-powered analytics platform, through a strategic partnership with Crucial Solutions and Services (CSS). This move aims to enhance Alba’s operational efficiency, quality control, and asset reliability, setting a new regional standard for industrial innovation.
Huawei’s Digital Morocco Summit in Marrakech brought together over 200 leaders to discuss AI and digital transformation under the theme “Amplify Intelligence: Shaping the Future with Digital Morocco 2030.” The summit featured key speakers from government, industry, and academia, addressing AI’s impact on various sectors in Morocco’s digital future.
A human rights organization has warned of growing threats to privacy and freedom of expression in the UAE due to the widespread use of AI surveillance systems. The deployment of AI technologies, including facial recognition and spyware, raises concerns about government overreach, data privacy, and the suppression of dissent.
The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) have launched an AI trade and investment hub to foster cross-border collaboration between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The hub aims to support AI startups, unlock new investment opportunities, and drive innovation across emerging markets.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment (MBRHE) has partnered with Beyond Limits to develop AI-driven solutions aimed at enhancing housing services in Dubai. The collaboration will focus on smart housing technology, institutional efficiency, and digital transformation, aligning with Dubai’s Vision 2033 to create sustainable, innovative cities.
Oman Data Park has partnered with AIonOS to accelerate AI solutions development across key industries in Oman, including telecom, banking, and logistics. This collaboration aims to align with Oman’s Vision 2040, focusing on localized, scalable AI solutions, talent development, and innovation, leveraging ODP’s sovereign cloud infrastructure.
Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and Google Cloud have launched an upskilling initiative to advance AI leadership in Dubai’s government. The program will appoint Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) across entities, providing them with cutting-edge AI tools and training to drive innovation and achieve impactful deployments, furthering Dubai’s position as a global AI leader.
Octolane has raised USD 2.6 million in seed funding to launch the world’s first AI-powered self-driving CRM platform. The platform automates tasks like data entry, customer interaction analysis, and follow-ups, improving sales team productivity. Octolane aims to scale operations and refine its AI engine with this funding.