Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia will host the WAM Saudi Summit & Expo 2026 in Riyadh, bringing together global technology leaders, manufacturers, and investors to explore AI-driven manufacturing, smart logistics, and next-generation mobility, reinforcing the Kingdom’s ambition to position itself as a leading advanced manufacturing and industrial innovation hub.
Saudi leaders and Oracle executives highlighted the Kingdom’s AI ambitions at Oracle AI World Tour Riyadh, noting AI’s role in digital transformation under Vision 2030. With over $40 billion planned investment and strong data sovereignty focus, Saudi Arabia aims to become a global AI hub.
Saudi Arabia launched SMAI 2 to strengthen national data and AI capabilities through coordinated public-sector training, building on earlier programs that reached over one million Saudis and supporting responsible AI adoption across 11 government ministries.
Saudi Arabia concluded a major digital empowerment forum with the launch of a SAR100 million lending portfolio for non-profits, alongside new advisory and revenue-building initiatives. The event brought together over 3,000 participants to advance digital transformation, data protection, and impact measurement, strengthening the sector’s financial resilience under Vision 2030.
Jordanian technologist Tareq Amin has been named among the world’s top ten AI leaders for 2026, recognized for leading a PIF-backed, full-stack AI platform and shaping Saudi Arabia’s long-term artificial intelligence ambitions through national-scale innovation.
Manara launched the Cloud Catalyst Forum in Riyadh, bringing together Saudi hiring partners and emerging engineers, featuring a 1,000-participant AI hackathon and deep AWS collaboration. The initiative strengthens cloud and AI talent pathways aligned with Vision 2030, backed by a $2.8 million AWS training commitment.
IKEA Saudi Arabia and Bahrain has signed a three-year agreement with HITEK AI to deploy the SAFETEK HSSE digital platform, enabling real-time safety, compliance, and risk management across regional operations while modernizing policies, procedures, and employee engagement in health, safety, security, and environmental governance.
Saudi Arabia’s Oracle AI World Tour highlighted the Kingdom’s growing focus on artificial intelligence as a driver of economic diversification, with leaders emphasizing cloud innovation, enterprise adoption, and large-scale investment aligned with Vision 2030 goals across government and industry.
ShaikhTech has launched AmanaVest, a new invitation-only platform giving global investors secure, transparent access to curated Saudi real estate opportunities, aligning with new foreign ownership regulations and positioning the Kingdom as an accessible destination for cross-border property investment.
Saudi Arabia’s shift toward a cashless economy is accelerating, with 67% of consumers now relying mainly on digital payments. Visa reports declining cash use across everyday purchases as mobile and card payments gain ground. Coordinated efforts under Vision 2030 are driving safer, faster, and more convenient payment experiences nationwide.