Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
A Red Sea coral restoration project uses AI to accelerate monitoring and resilience enhancement across 100 hectares. DigiLab and KAUST’s initiative includes an AI-powered digital twin and advanced sensor optimization, reducing monitoring times and enabling data-driven reef restoration at an unprecedented scale targeting two million corals by 2030.
GlobalTech Corporation and Omantel have signed a non-binding MoU to explore a partnership leveraging AI and Big Data technologies. The collaboration aims to deliver innovative AI solutions across multiple industries, supporting Oman’s Digital Transformation and economic diversification efforts under Vision 2040.
Moroccan ministries and partners signed MOUs to promote ethical AI use, including a strategic data center partnership between the Ministry of Digital Transition and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. The collaboration focuses on innovation, training, sustainability, and digital sovereignty to strengthen national capacity in data governance.
SLT-MOBITEL Mobile and Redblocks AI have launched AI Pazz, Sri Lanka’s first AI-powered legal research platform, offering advanced tools and the largest digital legal library. The platform enhances research efficiency for law students and professionals, with exclusive discounts and free trials for SLT-MOBITEL customers.
Morocco became a founding member of the global ethical AI initiative Current AI during its first National AI Summit. The partnership, supported by significant government funding, commits Morocco to developing inclusive, values-driven AI technologies that promote the common good across Africa and beyond.
GiveDirectly partnered with Bangladesh’s government to pilot MobileAid, an AI-driven method using anonymized mobile phone data to identify low-income households quickly and cost-effectively. The approach outperformed community targeting and rivaled traditional surveys, enabling faster, cheaper poverty relief through mobile money transfers. Challenges for scaling include regulatory approvals, telecom cooperation, and building trust, highlighting the need for combining technology with community outreach. MobileAid shows strong potential for rapid social protection, especially in disaster response, by providing timely, accurate targeting aligned with real-world needs.
Alibaba Cloud is expanding its Southeast Asia footprint with new data centres, AI competency centres, upgraded cloud services, and sustainability solutions, reinforcing its role in accelerating AI adoption and cloud innovation globally.
Ooredoo’s launch of AI cloud services powered by NVIDIA GPUs delivers high-performance, secure, and locally hosted AI infrastructure in Qatar, accelerating AI adoption across key industries and supporting national digital transformation goals.
AI is at the heart of Middle East national strategies, driving transformation across energy, manufacturing, tourism, and healthcare. With bold government targets and integrated tech ecosystems, the region is poised to lead global AI innovation by 2030.
Morocco’s Deputy Minister emphasized the urgent need to integrate AI into national strategies to protect sovereignty and promote social equity. Speaking at the inaugural National AI Conference, she urged the public sector to adapt and lead AI adoption aligned with Morocco’s Digital 2030 vision, reinforcing the country’s role in shaping Africa’s technological future.