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
Riyadh Air and IBM are building the world’s first AI-native airline, eliminating legacy systems and using generative and agentic AI to transform operations, customer experience, and employee workflows. With 59 coordinated workstreams and over 60 partners, the airline is engineered for next-generation aviation and will begin commercial service in early 2026.
Qatar has launched Qai, a new sovereign-backed AI company under the Qatar Investment Authority, to invest in AI infrastructure and commercialize advanced technologies. Unlike regional peers, Qai will not build its own language models but will focus on deploying trusted AI systems and emerging technologies. The move signals Qatar’s formal entry into the Gulf’s rapidly expanding state-led AI race.
Telenor Asia’s 2025 report shows that AI adoption in Bangladesh has surged, with 96 percent of internet users now using AI regularly. Daily AI usage is widespread in content creation, education, and personal assistance, while workplace adoption has jumped to 62 percent. However, gaps remain in formal AI strategies, automation use, and digital inclusion, especially as younger users voice privacy and job security concerns.
Entreprenelle and ITIDA have launched the second mini edition of “SHE CAN – Tech & AI” in Cairo, attracting over 1,000 attendees and 45 speakers. The event focused on empowering women through technology, artificial intelligence, career development, and digital entrepreneurship. Backed by major partners including KFH-Egypt and Capgemini Egypt, the initiative highlights the rapid growth of Egypt’s tech workforce and the expanding role of women in the sector, with national employment expected to reach 500,000 by 2026.
Kuwait’s Public Authority for Civil Information has made significant strides in digitising government services through nationwide ID systems, unified data exchange platforms, and electronic contract registration. Major projects include a central government data-sharing platform that eliminates paper-based verification, the expansion of the Sahel application, and the rollout of electronic lease contracts. PACI is also adopting artificial intelligence to automate GIS data updates, reinforcing Kuwait’s broader smart government and digital transformation agenda.
Google Cloud and Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology have renewed their strategic Master Framework Agreement at MWC Doha, strengthening their long-term collaboration to support Qatar National Vision 2030. The partnership builds on the success of the Google Cloud Doha region and will continue enabling secure cloud adoption, generative AI, and advanced data solutions across the government sector to drive large-scale digital transformation.
HPE has announced a major expansion of its GreenLake hybrid cloud platform at Discover Barcelona 2025, introducing new AI-driven virtualization, security, automation, and data protection capabilities. Key updates include enhanced HPE Morpheus virtualization, zero-trust networking, Kubernetes support, AI-ready storage powered by NVIDIA, next-generation backup systems, and expanded confidential computing. These innovations aim to help enterprises modernize securely, reduce operational costs, and accelerate hybrid cloud adoption.
Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship has partnered with OpenAI to enhance Siraj, an AI-powered educational assistant designed to support students and teachers with interactive, curriculum-aligned learning. Following a successful pilot involving over 150,000 users, the collaboration will improve capabilities, strengthen data governance, and advance digital learning across public schools.
Qatar’s MCIT has partnered with PwC Middle East and OpenAI to build a national AI ecosystem. The agreement focuses on an AI testbed, public-sector productivity, and new AI-driven projects. The collaboration will accelerate digital transformation, strengthen governance, expand safe adoption, and support Qatar’s shift toward a competitive, knowledge-based economy.
Saudi Arabia ranks third globally in AI model development and AI job growth, according to the Stanford AI Index. With strong performance in language model progress, talent attraction, and scientific citations, the Kingdom’s AI ecosystem is rapidly advancing under Vision 2030 and national initiatives such as SAMAI.