'AI Made in Morocco' strategy launched; 4 weeks to Ai Everything MEA
Middle East AI News weekly digest...
Good morning!
Welcome to this week’s Middle East AI News email digest, brought to you by big data analytics and AI company Presight!
Just four weeks to go before AI Everything Middle East and Africa, which takes place on February 11th and 12th in Cairo. Full update here.
The big news of the week is that Morocco’s Ministère de la Transition Numérique has announced a new national AI strategy focused on ‘AI Made in Morocco’! Also in the news, Aramco is set to launch a nation-wide industrial 450MHz network for IIoT and edge AI; Qatar and UAE join U.S.-led Pax Silica; data governance platform Governata has raised $4 million Seed funding; and the UAE leads globally in GenAI adoption!
Thanks again to our Strategic Sponsor Presight! If you haven’t already, do check out Presight’s website here! And, as always, thank you for reading!
/Carrington
AI Strategy
Morocco unveils ‘AI Made in Morocco’ strategy
#Morocco #AIstrategy - Morocco has launched a national strategy positioning artificial intelligence as a pillar of economic sovereignty. The plan targets a 100-billion-dirham ($10b) GDP contribution and 50,000 jobs by 2030, emphasising sovereign infrastructure and regional technology centres. (Middle East AI News)
Ai Everything
Cairo hosts new global AI collaboration summit
#Egypt #AiEverything - Cairo will host the inaugural Ai Everything Middle East and Africa next month, drawing AI leaders, investors and policymakers from more than 60 countries. The two-day event positions Egypt as a growing regional hub for AI talent, investment and applied innovation. (Middle East AI News)
Startups
Saudi startup Governata raises $4 million Seed round
#Saudi #funding - Riyadh-based data management startup Governata has secured $4 million in Seed funding to expand its AI-ready data governance platform across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. The Arabic-first platform aligns with national data and privacy regulations, supporting enterprise-scale AI adoption. (Middle East AI News)
Hub71 adds Fikra to build AI-native firms
#UAE #venturebuilding - Abu Dhabi tech ecosystem Hub71 has partnered with venture studio Fikra Ventures to build and scale AI-native companies. The collaboration strengthens the Initiate Programme with hands-on venture building, positioning the emirate as a launchpad for regulated markets. (Middle East AI News)
450MHz
Saudi Aramco to launch national industrial network
#Saudi #450MHz - Saudi Aramco is preparing to launch the Kingdom’s first nationwide industrial communications network for IoT and edge computing. Developed by Aramco Digital in the 450MHz band, it will cover over 50 industrial zones supporting mission-critical operations. (Middle East AI News)
GenAI
UAE widens global lead in generative AI use
#UAE #adoption - Nearly two-thirds of working-age adults in the UAE now use GenAI tools, reaching 64 percent adoption by end-2025, according to Microsoft’s AI Economy Institute. Early government action, pragmatic regulation and sustained investment are translating into everyday, large-scale use. (Middle East AI News)
Semiconductor
Qatar and UAE join U.S.-led Pax Silica tech push
#UAE #semiconductor - Qatar and the UAE are joining Pax Silica, a U.S.-led framework linking allies including Israel to secure global semiconductor and computing supply chains. The initiative supports advanced manufacturing, critical minerals and digital infrastructure, accelerating the Middle East’s shift toward technology-driven economic growth. (Reuters)
Digital Transformation
Egypt tops Africa in Government AI Readiness Index
#Egypt #digitaltransformation - Egypt has ranked first in Africa and 51st globally in Oxford Insights’ Government AI Readiness Index 2025. Cairo leads the region in policy capacity and resilience, reflecting strong governance, cybersecurity and sustained investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation across public services. (MCIT Egypt)
FDI
Oman’s digital economy investment hits RO 1.2 billion
#Oman #digitaleconomy - Oman reports 1.2 billion rials in information technology investment over five years, largely driven by foreign capital. Officials highlight strong gains in government digital services, ICT employment and new semiconductor and space programmes supporting long-term diversification. (Oman Observer)
OpenText opens Middle East HQ in Riyadh
#Saudi #corporate - Canadian information management firm OpenText has opened its Middle East regional headquarters in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District. The move strengthens local support for enterprise-scale data management, security and advanced analytics across the region. (Middle East AI News)
Robotaxis
Baidu opens first overseas AV control centre
#UAE #robotaxis - Apollo Go has opened its first autonomous vehicle operations and control centre outside China, located at Dubai Science Park. The 2,000-square-metre facility follows approval for fully driverless trials, supporting commercial rollout targeted for early 2026. (Dubai Media Office)
Dubai confirms phase one robotaxi rollout
#UAE #robotaxis - Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has confirmed 65 mapped sites across two zones for phase one of autonomous robotaxi services. Operated by Baidu Apollo Go and targeting early 2026 launch, the programme positions Dubai as a major global testbed for driverless mobility. (Gulf News)
Municipality
Dubai pilots smart cameras on waste trucks
#UAE #SmartCities - Dubai Municipality has begun piloting smart cameras on waste collection vehicles to monitor cleanliness citywide. Using real-time analysis to detect littering and illegal dumping, the system supports enforcement with fines of up to AED 500. (Khaleej Times)
Education
Abu Dhabi AI Academy opens CAIO programme
#UAE #training - Abu Dhabi’s AI Academy has opened applications for the second cohort of its Executive Programme for Chief AI Officer. Delivered with Polynome Group and the Abu Dhabi School of Management, the course focuses on governance, regulation and large-scale deployment. (Middle East AI News)
Iraq launches Arab AI developers competition
#Iraq #competitions - Baghdad’s University of Information Technology and Communications has launched a new Arab AI developers competition. The initiative aims to foster regional collaboration, innovation and digital transformation through awards, partnerships and professional recognition for emerging talent. (UOITC)
Bahrain school launches MIT robotics programme
#Bahrain #robotics - Riffa Views International School has launched its latest MISTI Robotics Programme with MIT, bringing 150 high school students together for hands-on learning in robotics, automation and future tech through January. (Zawya)
UNESCO backs AI studies for Iraq’s judiciary
#Iraq #education - UNESCO is supporting the introduction of artificial intelligence studies at the Iraqi Judicial Institute in Baghdad. The initiative embeds legal, ethical and practical AI training into programmes for future judges and prosecutors, modernising Iraq’s judicial education framework. (Iraqi News)
CIE53
Abu Dhabi to host major global engineering forum
#UAE #CIE53 - Khalifa University has won the bid to host the 53rd International Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering in October 2026. The event will bring a leading global engineering and digital technologies forum to the UAE for the first time. (Khalifa University)
[ This newsletter was both AI edited & human edited ]