Technology

Participants visit the Token 2049 crypto conference in Dubai on May 1, 2025.

Crypto crash collides with UAE’s big bet on digital assets

After hitting record highs in 2025, Bitcoin’s sell-off is roiling global markets and making waves in the UAE.

United Arab Emirates

Men use their mobile phones while sitting at a coffee shop in Tehran, on Jan. 7, 2026.

Iran internet blackout estimated to cost $37M+ daily, crippling businesses and society

The ongoing digital disconnection is severely stalling commerce, draining millions of dollars daily and pushing many businesses toward collapse.

An undated image of Wassim Chourbaji, Qualcomm's president for the Middle East & Africa.

Interview

Qualcomm sees growing demand for edge AI in the Middle East

The Middle East's young population is increasingly adopting AI through mobile devices rather than data center-based solutions, Wassim Chourbaji, Qualcomm's president for the Middle East and Africa, told Al-Monitor.

Wassim Chourbaji

Wassim Chourbaji

Qualcomm president for the Middle East & Africa

ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

Iran plans to create closed internet network offering tiered access: Report

The shift heralds a new era in which internet access is no longer a right but a government-granted privilege, according to FilterWatch, a US-based group that monitors internet freedom in the Middle East.

Latest News

Tehran jams Starlink as Iranians take risks to skirt internet blackout

Backlit image of Iranian demonstrators holding national flags and portraits during an antiKhamenei protest at Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece, on January 11, 2026. What stands out is a woman holding a placard featuring a Wi Fi symbol and the message "Iran has no internet," referencing an internet blackout in Iran. The gathering takes place in front of the Hellenic Parliament, where protesters primarily supporters of the former Shah express opposition to the current Iranian regime and denounce restrictions

Iran’s internet crackdown intensifies as Trump eyes Starlink: What to know

Flag of Iran on a computer binary codes falling from the top and fading away.

Saudi Arabia, UAE accelerate cashless payment push in 2026: What to know

The close-up of a phone tapping a POS at the coffee shop highlights the ease of contactless transactions.

Interview

Youth, strong AI adoption make MENA leading region for smartphones: OPPO

Lay Ren

Lay Ren

Lay Ren

President of OPPO MENA

Kobi Gideon/GPO

Chad President to inaugurate new embassy in Israel, as Netanyahu opens to Africa

"Israel’s coming back to Africa and Africa [is] coming back to Israel," Netanyahu told Chadian President Mahamat Deby ahead of opening embassy on Thursday.

THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP via Getty Images

Israel approves $33 million for quantum computing consortium

Building on its technological knowhow and entrepreneurship, Israel hopes to become a major player in quantum computing.

A man watches stock movements on a display at the Dubai Financial Market stock exchange, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 12, 2022.

Analysis

Can Islamic cryptocurrencies save the industry?

Cryptocurrencies lost over a trillion dollars in value in 2022, yet Islamic coins are emerging with ethical practices claiming to potentially resist such losses.

By Salim A. Essaid

Metatut, the first Egyptian city entering the metaverse.

Egypt launches first city on metaverse

Egypt opens the first city on the metaverse inspired by Egyptian civilization.

Egypt women

Culture

Feminist podcasts in Egypt open new space for ideas

Although it is a difficult space to track, its gradual rise is allowing new voices to be heard in the country’s communicative space.

Sarah Al-Ameri, the UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Future Technology, during the opening address of the Abu Dhabi Space Debate (ADSD) on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022.

UAE, Israel align interests at international space event

Conference shows that space exploration and commercialization is opening up to more countries.

Iran unveils its first homemade vehicle with Euro-6 emissions technology on Dec. 4, 2022.

Iran produces pickup truck in compliance with EU emission standards

Khodro’s Foton Tunland complies with the European Union’s Euro VI emission standards for heavy vehicles.

Autonomous bus

Israel launches $17m self-driving public bus project

The Transportation Ministry decided on the companies that would be authorized to launch a two-year pilot program of autonomous public transportation.

A worker cleans a car near graffiti of Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 5, 2017.

Saudi electric car company Ceer to build factory near Red Sea

Ceer, which will be Saudi Arabia’s first electric vehicle-maker, is the latest Saudi project to help the oil-rich kingdom diversify.

500 Global.

American VC fund 500 Global comes to Egypt despite tech downturn

Some startups in Egypt are struggling, which is part of a wider regional trend.

Completed customer orders are seen in their boxes, awaiting delivery, at the Amazon Fulfillment Center.

Amazon to open online grocery store in UAE

The US retail giant has also been in the news regarding Saudi Arabia and Egypt recently.

United Arab Emirates

Google invests more than $15 million in Israeli high-tech training