Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
e& UAE and Khalifa University have released a white paper outlining an AI-native architecture for future 6G networks, proposing new frameworks for autonomous connectivity, distributed AI systems, and global telecom standardization.
AI adoption across the GCC is accelerating, but compliance requirements are reshaping how organisations deploy the technology. Key trends include stronger regulation, data residency requirements, human oversight, governance maturity challenges, and continuous auditing as companies scale AI responsibly.
An Omani engineer has developed an AI-powered mobile firefighting unit designed for industrial sites, featuring remote operation, thermal detection, solar power, and a large water capacity to improve emergency response in high-risk environments.
Together, the aerial drones and aquatic robots operate within an integrated safety framework supported by trained lifeguards, continuous monitoring, and centralized control systems. The system enhances Dubai Municipality’s ability to respond quickly across wide coastal areas, particularly during complex or time-critical incidents.
Saudi Arabia has named 2026 the “Year of AI” to catalyze its $100 billion investment in the sector. Backed by world-class infrastructure like the Shaheen III supercomputer and the National Data Lake, the Kingdom aims to move beyond regional leadership to become a primary global influencer in AI innovation and ethical governance.
Morocco’s “AI Made in Morocco” initiative targets a 100 billion dirham GDP boost and 50,000 new jobs by 2030. Key developments include the Al-Jazari Institute for Industry X.0 and a national network of centers of excellence. The strategy emphasizes technological sovereignty and ethical AI, positioning Morocco as a regional leader in digital transformation.
Microsoft aims to train 3 million Africans in AI this year to counter the growing influence of China’s DeepSeek. Through a partnership with MTN Group and a $330 million infrastructure investment in South Africa, Microsoft is pushing for widespread adoption of its Copilot ecosystem. Projections suggest AI could contribute $1.5 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2030.
Grameenphone and ZTE have signed an MoU to deploy agentic AI and LLMs for autonomous network operations in Bangladesh. Utilizing ZTE’s AIR Net solution, the partnership aims to automate fault handling and service management. The project also involves TM Forum collaboration to set global standards for AI-driven telecommunications efficiency.
NeutraDC and F5 are collaborating to launch managed AI connectivity services in Indonesia. By integrating F5’s security and application delivery into NeutraDC’s data centers, the partnership aims to support complex AI workloads and multi-cloud architectures, enhancing infrastructure reliability and security for enterprise customers navigating the country’s evolving digital landscape.
Saudi Arabia has designated 2026 as the Year of AI to accelerate its Vision 2030 goals. With $9.1 billion in sector funding and the launch of a new national “AI-Palm” logo, the Kingdom is focusing on large-scale infrastructure like the Hexagon Data Center and global events like the 4th Global AI Summit. The initiative aims to unify national efforts across government and private sectors while training over 11,000 specialists to lead the new digital economy.