$40 billion Saudi ICT market; 2023 predictions
Middle East AI News weekly news digest...
Good morning!
Here’s your first Middle East AI News of 2023!
Scroll down to find my weekly digest of AI and emerging tech news from around the region, plus my Middle East AI News predictions for 2023!
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/Carrington
FEATURED STORY
2023 Middle East AI News Predictions
The Middle East spent billions of dollars on technology in 2022 and invested billions more in local industry and tech programmes, some of which could bring about fundamental changes across the region. We can expect 2023 to be just as significant. (Middle East AI News)
Startups
Saudi’s Future Look acquires France’s Calldesk in a $11M deal
#Saudi #M&A - Saudi-based AI tech company Future Look, which owns 8 startup companies specialising in artificial intelligence and data science, has acquired French company Calldesk in a deal valued at $11 million. (WAYA)
Saudi Health Ministry, Alphaiota sign deal in data, AI
#Saudi #healthcare - The Saudi Ministry of Health's Seha Virtual Hospital and the Innovation Empowerment Center, have signed an agreement with Saudi AI startup Alphaiota to develop work in artificial intelligence and data analysis. (Arab News)
RAM Investments plans AI City in Dubai
#UAE #startups - RAM Investments has signed a deal with Europe’s leading AI venture studio and ecosystem Merantix to create an AI City in Dubai. where AI solutions can be pioneered, implemented and scaled. The concept is based on the Merantix AI Campus in Berlin, Germany, which opened in 2021 and provides 5,400 square meters for AI ventures. (Zawya)
Omantel Accelerator selects second cohort
#Oman #startups - Omantel has announced the startups selected for the 2nd cohort of the Omantel Accelerator programme managed by Omantel Innovation Labs. The startups include AirGo, developer of an unmanned traffic management system. (Times of Oman)
2022
Saudi ICT spending tops $40 billion
#Saudi #ICT - Saudi Arabia’s ICT market hit SR 154 billion ($40.9 billion) in 2022, according to new figures released by the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST). (Arab News)
Education
Nurturing Emirati aspiration for AI
#UAE #education - With initiatives in computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing and more, Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is enabling top talent to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues. (WIRED ME)
MBZUAI boosts UAE ambitions for global AI prominence
#UAE #education - Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) grown and increased its academic influence in 2022, according to a state-of-the-university address delivered by President and University Professor Eric Xing. (Zawya)
UAE AI Office and Chainalysis train ADCB staff
#UAE #training - The Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office in collaboration with blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, organised a training programme for Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank’s (ADCB) employees and directors. (Gulf Today)
Cyber Security
Moro Hub, EY launch UAE's first AI driven Managed Security Service for Operation Technology
#UAE #cybersecurity - Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's digital arm, in association with EY, has launched an AI-driven managed service for the cyber security of Operation Technology (OT). (Emirates News Agency)
Metaverse
Chalhoub Group publishes metaverse & luxury report
#UAE #luxuryretail - Chalhoub Group last month unveiled “GCC State of the Metaverse and its Potential for Luxury Retail,” a report which revealed the thoughts of Gulf consumers about Web3, which includes the metaverse, cryptocurrencies and NFTs. (Arab News)
EHS launches telemedicine solution project
#UAE #telemedicine - The Emirates Health Services (EHS), a federal government health services organisation, has announced the launch of a telemedicine solution using 3D virtual reality technology. EHS will use the solution to deliver virtual medical consultation services via patients' smart devices. (Zawya)
Electric Vehicles
Hyundai may build vehicle plant in Saudi Arabia
#Saudi #EVs - Hyundai Motor Company has signed a MoU with the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to boost co-operation in vehicle manufacturing in the region. A production plant for electric vehicles and internal combustion engines cars is being considered. (Zawya)
Defence
A busy year for Task Force 59
#Bahrain #unmannedsystems - Formed in September 2021 by the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), Task Force 59 (or TF59) is a first-of-its-kind U.S. Navy initiative given the mandate to accelerate the integration of AI and unmanned systems with maritime operations. (Middle East AI News)
Iran tests drones, warns off spy plane in Strait of Hormuz drills
#Iran #incident - Iran’s military launched a drone to warn off a reconnaissance plane trying to approach Iranian war games on the Gulf coast, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency. Iran launched annual joint naval, air, and ground exercises in the Gulf last Friday. (Arab News)