Dubai Police to host expanded esports event amid UAE gaming push: What to know The UAE wants to grow its esports sector as part of its economic diversification plans, mirroring a similar endeavor in neighboring Saudi Arabia. United Arab Emirates
Analysis Netflix teams up with MBC’s Shahid in Saudi Arabia: An end to streaming wars? A new agreement between MBC Group and the US industry giant appears to signal a shift in the Middle East's streaming market, with top players opting for collaboration over competition. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis AI pivot: Trump loosens export rules, opening path for Gulf tech surge Gulf states have been lobbying the Trump administration to loosen export restrictions on AI technology, although concerns have lingered among some within the current administration over security risks regarding China. By Jared Szuba , Samuel Wendel
Meet Karim Attiyeh, youngest Arab American billionaire of Lebanese origin Karim Attiyeh, a Lebanese-born technologist, has been named by Forbes Middle East as the youngest billionaire of Arab origin in the United States, joining the list of the 125 richest immigrant billionaires in the US. Lebanon
Analysis Israel's war in Iran redefining AI’s warfare role: The Gulf is taking notes By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Interview Saudi Arabia's giga-projects to offer 'testing ground' for British technology Saudi startups and fintech firms are looking to tap into the United Kingdom's $1 trillion tech market. Matt Jones Saudi British Joint Business Council Project Officer
What Binance's new Dubai license means for UAE cryptocurrency sector Binance, one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world, has experienced some legal setbacks recently and is the latest firm to receive Dubai’s coveted VASP license. United Arab Emirates
Google fires 28 staffers after protesting Israel cloud contract More than two dozen staff members have been fired after being arrested for protesting Google’s involvement in Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion Israeli government cloud contract that also includes e-commerce giant Amazon. Israel
Microsoft pumps $1.5B into UAE's G42 amid US-China tech power struggle Washington reportedly threatened to punish G42 if it did not reduce its ties with Beijing and strengthen its US commitments. United Arab Emirates
IDF scrambles GPS systems in central Israel against potential Iranian reprisal The Israeli military is apparently behind disturbances to location-based applications in central Israel in an effort to thwart potential airstrikes from Iran and its proxy forces. Israel
With $40B fund, Saudi Arabia looks to become world leader in AI The fund would make the Gulf state the world’s largest investor in AI and help the kingdom realize its Vision 2030 agenda to diversify the economy away from oil. Saudi Arabia
Israeli cryptocurrency exchange to launch shekel-backed stablecoin Stablecoins, which are digital currencies that are pegged to stable assets such as fiat currencies, have a degree of appeal in the Middle East. Israel
What to know about MGX, UAE’s latest AI investment firm The launch of the AI-focused firm follows the UAE’s largest company appointing an AI bot to its board, as Abu Dhabi seeks to become a world player in artificial intelligence. United Arab Emirates
AI and cloud investments dominate Saudi Arabia's LEAP tech summit Amazon Web Services and DataVolt were among the companies that made significant cloud investments in the kingdom, which is looking to become a global technology hub. Saudi Arabia
Iran showcases Shahed drones, missiles at Qatar's defense exhibition This year’s Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference features Iranian drones, Russian warships and delegations from across Asia and Africa. Legacy: Gulf
UAE's largest company IHC appoints AI bot to board Several international companies have named AI-based entities to their leadership structures in recent years. The UAE is seeking to become a world leader in artificial intelligence. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi tech giant expands investments into China, AI as part of $100B plans Alat plans to invest $100 billion by 2030 to coincide with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan to wean the kingdom’s economy off of its reliance on oil. Saudi Arabia
