Aramco, solutions sign HPC deal; MBZUAI accelerates AI video
Middle East AI News weekly digest...
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Welcome to this week’s Middle East AI News email digest, brought to you by big data analytics and AI company Presight!
No shortage of AI news this week. Aramco signed a $372 million contract with solutions by stc to deliver two supercomputer systems for its upstream business; Riyadh-based Blossom Accelerator launched a new programme for AI startups; MBZUAI researchers have created a platform to create near-real-time AI video; and the UAE National Experts Programme has received over 1,000 applications since launching in January!
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Aramco invests $372M in supercomputing
#Saudi #supercomputing - Saudi Aramco has awarded $372 million to solutions by stc for high-performance computing systems in Dhahran. The infrastructure will process seismic data faster, enhancing AI-driven exploration, reservoir analysis and long-term production efficiency. (Middle East AI News)
Startups
Saudi launches DominAite AI startup accelerator
#Saudi #startups - Blossom Accelerator has launched DominAite in Riyadh, a three-month programme backed by the National Technology Development Program. It offers venture capital, technical tools and market access to AI-native startups, supporting Saudi Arabia’s 2026 AI ambitions and attracting both local and international founders. (Middle East AI News)
Neura Robotics secures Qatar and Amazon backing
#Germany #funding - Neura Robotics has attracted investment from Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani and Amazon. The former Qatari premier recently became a shareholder in the robotics startup through a unit of his holding company Prime Capital. (Bloomberg)
Morocco’s Attijariwafa Bank eyes stake in Mistral
#Morocco #funding - Attijariwafa Bank is considering an investment in French AI firm Mistral, signalling growing African participation in global AI infrastructure. The move could strengthen financial services innovation and deepen cross-border technology collaboration. (Billionaires Africa)
Vault22 launches unified AI wealth platform in UAE
#UAE #fintech - Vault22 has launched an AI-powered wealth platform in the UAE, integrating budgeting, investing and financial planning into one app. Its AI advisor, Tara, delivers personalised insights, while 52 portfolios, including 26 Shariah-compliant options, support over one million global users. (Intelligent CIO)
AI Models
UAE researchers unveil real-time AI video system
#UAE #video - Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and UC San Diego have introduced FastVideo, generating 30 seconds of 1080p video in five seconds. The system combines diffusion models with live reasoning, enabling real-time applications across gaming, simulation and workflows. (Middle East AI News)
Saudi platform ranks Arabic voice AI by humans
#Saudi #leaderboards - Navid has launched the Arabic TTS Arena, a community-driven platform where native speakers rank 15 text-to-speech systems. The initiative replaces technical benchmarks with human judgement, reflecting linguistic diversity across more than 20 Arabic-speaking countries. (Middle East AI News)
Data centres
Egypt plans $1 billion green hyperscale data centre
#Egypt #datacentres - Egypt is in talks with Renergy Group to develop a $1 billion hyperscale data centre in South Sinai, powered by a hydrogen facility producing up to 400,000 tonnes annually. The project targets European markets while leveraging renewable energy and seawater cooling. (Zawya)
Morocco joins WIPO AI infrastructure initiative
#Morocco #infrastructure - Morocco has joined the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Interchange, focusing on watermarking and digital identifiers. The move strengthens national efforts to promote responsible AI while advancing research, innovation and international collaboration in managing intellectual property systems. (Morocco World News)
Education
Ajman University launches AI PhD programme
#UAE #education - Ajman University has introduced its first PhD in Artificial Intelligence, completing a full academic pathway. The programme, aligned with UAE national priorities, aims to expand advanced research talent across sectors including healthcare, cybersecurity and smart cities. (Middle East AI News)
UAE AI leadership programme draws 1,000 applicants
#UAE #education - The UAE National Experts Programme has received over 1,000 applications for its AI track in under two months. Aligned with the National AI Strategy 2031, it aims to develop leadership talent across government and industry with a focus on real-world deployment. (Middle East AI News)
Robotic surgery
UAE-backed XCath completes remote stroke surgery
#UAE #roboticsurgery - XCath Robotics has performed the first in-human telerobotic stroke procedure, operating remotely from Panama using UAE-supported robotic systems. The milestone highlights how AI-driven robotics can expand access to critical care globally. (Zawya)
5G
Algeria launches 5G rollout with $492 million licences
#Algeria #5G - Algeria has awarded 5G licences worth $492 million to Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo. Initial deployment spans eight provinces, with nationwide coverage required within six years to accelerate AI, IoT and cloud adoption. (Connecting Africa)
Defence
LIG Nex1, Palantir partner on UAE defence systems
#UAE #defence - LIG Nex1 and Palantir Technologies have signed an MoU to co-develop integrated air defence and unmanned systems for the UAE. The partnership combines LIG Nex1’s systems expertise with Palantir’s data-driven software to enhance defence R&D and operational capabilities. (The Korea Times)
Environment
Capgemini deploys AI drones for Morocco water
#Morocco #environment - Capgemini is developing an AI-powered drone system in Rabat to detect harmful algal blooms. Combining spectrometry and satellite data, the project supports water authorities in safeguarding drinking supplies and offers scalable solutions for other water-scarce regions. (Capgemini)
Competitions
Tunisia to host first African AI Olympiad in April
#Tunisia #education - Tunisia will host the inaugural African Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in Sousse, gathering top secondary students across the continent. The competition aims to strengthen AI talent pipelines and position Tunisia as a regional hub for digital skills and science education. (Africa OAI)
Events
Saudi reschedules LEAP conference amid tensions
#Saudi #events - Saudi Arabia has postponed its flagship LEAP technology event in Riyadh to end August due to regional tensions. The move aims to maintain strong international participation as the Kingdom continues positioning itself as a global AI and digital hub. (Arab News)
Morocco to host GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech
#Morocco #events - GITEX Africa 2026 will bring over 55,000 participants from 145 countries to Marrakech, spotlighting AI, fintech and digital infrastructure. The event underscores Morocco’s ambition to anchor Africa’s $200 billion digital economy and attract global technology investment. (The Startup Scene)
[ This newsletter was both AI edited & human edited ]