Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
SDAIA and ICESCO have agreed to collaborate on implementing the Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence across 53 Islamic countries, establishing a unified ethical AI governance framework. The partnership focuses on responsible AI practices, capacity building, and aligning technology adoption with humanitarian values and sustainable development goals.
Saudi Arabia’s SDAIA and ICESCO have agreed to work together to implement the Riyadh Charter on Artificial Intelligence across 53 Islamic countries. The initiative aims to create a unified, ethical AI governance framework, build national AI capabilities, promote responsible innovation, and align AI development with humanitarian values and sustainable development goals.
ITHCA has launched new funding and accelerator initiatives to help Omani tech startups scale into Saudi Arabia. The move includes rebranding its ideation fund, launching the Baw’wabah Accelerator, and signing a partnership with Saudi-based Vision Ventures to strengthen cross-border investment access.
Saudi Arabia’s rapid advancement toward Vision 2030 has placed cybersecurity at the center of national progress. With over $100 billion invested in AI and digital innovation, and 85% of key initiatives completed, the Kingdom is strengthening digital trust through advanced security frameworks, AI-enabled protection, and sector-wide collaboration. Cybersecurity now underpins economic resilience, public services, and long-term digital leadership.
Magna AI, backed by Trend Micro and Wistron Digital Technology Holding Company, is expanding its operations in Saudi Arabia to meet rising enterprise AI demand and support Vision 2030. The company is building sovereign AI systems, launching major regional initiatives, enhancing cybersecurity capabilities, and enabling national-scale AI adoption across government, energy, finance, healthcare, and smart city sectors.
Zain KSA has launched Mobile-Homestar, the world’s first one-hop-to-home architecture, enabling mobile devices to directly access home computing, storage, and services without public cloud dependency. Powered by 5G-A, MEC, and intelligent algorithms, it revolutionizes gaming and smart-home use cases while preparing for future AI workloads. Designed to be open and scalable, the solution marks a major leap in intelligent mobile connectivity.
Saudi Arabia’s telecom sector generated nearly $21.5 billion in revenues in the first nine months of 2025, with profits rising 5.72% as digital adoption surged. stc accounted for 80% of total sector profits, while Mobily and Zain KSA delivered strong growth. Demand for 5G, cloud services, IoT and AI continues to drive expansion, supported by Vision 2030’s digital transformation agenda.
Saudi Arabia’s GO has rebranded to Etihad GO Telecom as part of a strategic shift aimed at strengthening its presence in the telecom and technology sectors. Approved by shareholders in October, the new identity aligns with the company’s plans to boost technical capabilities, expand digital services, and support Saudi Vision 2030’s national digital transformation agenda. The company’s Tadawul ticker has now been updated to GO TELECOM.
Saudi Arabia’s IT Minister Abdullah Al-Swaha met Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in the US to discuss collaboration in AI, metaverse, and digital innovation, reinforcing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for tech leadership.
Saudi Arabia opened GSR-25 with ITU, uniting 190 nations to address the digital divide. A joint study calls for $2.8 trillion in investment, while Saudi initiatives focus on skills, regulation, and AI-era solutions to achieve universal connectivity.