Microsoft’s AI Tour stopped in Muscat, showcasing the potential of AI to support Oman’s Vision 2040. The event featured discussions with key leaders from Microsoft and highlighted real-world AI applications in education, business, and cybersecurity. AI Excellence Awards were presented to recognize organizations driving innovation in the digital economy.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) held a seminar on AI technology and e-sports, focusing on their impact on athlete performance and the growing role of e-sports in the Asian Games. Experts discussed AI-driven sports advancements, VR/AR innovations, and the global reach of e-sports, marking a pivotal moment in sports evolution.
SLT-MOBITEL has launched the ‘Hello AI’ mobile package, offering Sri Lankan youth affordable access to AI tools and educational platforms. Priced at Rs. 799, it includes 40GB of data and 10GB dedicated to AI learning. This initiative supports digital transformation, skills development, and empowers youth for a competitive future.
Pure Harvest Smart Farms and PlanTFarm have launched an AI-powered high-tech farming facility in Al Ain, UAE, aimed at enhancing food security with minimal resources. The site features a pilot project for animal fodder with 95% less water and uses hybrid technology to grow local crops year-round, addressing food security challenges.
Visit Qatar and Microsoft have partnered to introduce AI-powered travel solutions, including personalized itineraries, smart mapping, and real-time assistance, transforming the travel experience. This initiative aligns with Qatar’s Vision for smart tourism, enhancing convenience and engagement for international visitors, with a focus on AI-driven innovation in the tourism industry.
Gemini Code Assist for individuals has launched a public preview, offering free, AI-assisted coding help to developers. With up to 180,000 code completions monthly and AI-powered code reviews for GitHub repositories, it provides generous access, enhancing productivity and code quality for developers, students, and startups.
Metito Utilities has partnered with SAP to accelerate its digital transformation using GROW with SAP, implementing SAP S/4HANA Cloud to optimize operations, financial agility, and workforce management. The partnership supports Metito’s global expansion, driving innovation and sustainability in water management solutions across multiple regions, starting with the UAE.
UAE’s AI market is projected to grow from $3.47 billion to $46.3 billion by 2030, contributing 14% to the country’s GDP. With massive investments in AI infrastructure and strong government initiatives, the UAE is positioning itself as a global leader in AI, attracting wealthy investors and top talent.
Dubai’s GDRFA introduces ‘Salama,’ an AI-powered platform to streamline residency services. The platform allows users to renew or cancel residency permits, make payments, and complete transactions without paperwork. It supports over 40 languages and aims to enhance government services, making them faster and more efficient.
Meta has expanded its AI chatbot to the MENA region, offering Arabic language support and new features like virtual assistants, personalized recommendations, and stylistic selfies. The service is now available in 42 countries, with plans for multimodal features and continued rollout across more regions.
