Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Punjab’s Acting Governor has called for AI and digital education to begin at primary level by 2030, citing past skill gaps and inequality in public schools. The Punjab government plans to train 500,000 students, deliver one million digital courses, and establish 4,000 AI labs in high schools.
Egypt is using AI and satellite imagery to track and remove water hyacinth from the Nile, modernising irrigation management. Integrated with platforms like Google Earth Engine, the system enables real-time monitoring, faster decisions, and targeted removal, addressing a century-old ecological threat that disrupts canals, farmers, and national water security.
stc Bahrain has signed an MoU with Huawei to advance its Evolve 2.0 programme, accelerating its shift into a TechCo. The partnership focuses on AI, cloud, data intelligence, and autonomous operations, enabling enterprise-grade intelligence, zero-touch networks, and scalable digital services for sustainable growth.
AI-generated protest videos are flooding social media as Iran’s internet blackout limits real footage. NewsGuard identified seven deepfakes with 3.5 million views, shared by both sides to shape narratives. Experts warn “hallucinated” visuals now dominate breaking news, distorting reality and exploiting information vacuums.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber opened ADSW 2026 by framing AI as a transformative force dependent on energy. He warned of surging data centre demand, urged pragmatic growth, and positioned the UAE as a long-term leader balancing hydrocarbons with renewables, anchored by Masdar’s global clean energy legacy.
Morocco has climbed 14 places in the 2025 Government AI Readiness Index and launched the Jazari Institutes and Jazari Root to build a national AI ecosystem. The initiative strengthens technological sovereignty, supports inclusive development, and positions Morocco as a leading AI hub across Africa and the Global South.
ABC Labs has been named among Global Finance’s World’s Best Financial Innovation Labs for the fourth time. The recognition reflects Bank ABC’s leadership in AI, automation, digital onboarding, and tokenised assets, delivering measurable gains in productivity, customer experience, and time-to-market across its regional and global operations.
Oman’s statistics authority and Omantel’s Future Cities have signed an MoU to advance digital transformation through AI, data quality, and IoT solutions. The partnership will enhance national data capabilities, support smarter government services, and strengthen Oman’s readiness for big data and smart city development.
Prime Investment Group engaged with NVIDIA and MicroStrategy leaders at CES 2026, focusing on artificial intelligence, digital assets, and the future of data-driven economies. The group announced plans to double AI investments in 2026, underscoring its belief in AI and blockchain as foundational pillars of global business transformation.
Red Sea Global and Bunat VC have launched Saudi Arabia’s first AI-focused investment fund to support startups from early to growth stages. The initiative combines capital with real-world testing environments to accelerate innovation and strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global AI and digital transformation hub.