Capgemini opens New Cairo AI hub; Lucidya nets SAR 5m grant
Middle East AI News weekly digest...
Good morning!
Welcome to this week’s Middle East AI News!
First, some event news! Middle East AI News is now media partner for the AI Film &Ad Fest Dubai! Taking place on April 24th evening, the event explores how AI is revolutionising storytelling and advertising. Expct screenings of award-winning AI generated ads and short films, panel discussions and AI masterclasses!
No shortage of AI news this week, as the region accelerates away from the Eid holidays! Among this weeks stories is the opening of Capgemini’s AI CoE at its Global Delivery Centre in New Cairo; Llama 4 availability on GroqCloud via the Dammam AI hub; Saudi AI CXM developer Lucidya’s SAR 5 million government grant; and Presight’s new emergency response management platform.
Scroll down for these stories and more. View web page for full length newsletter.
Thanks for reading!
/Carrington
Innovation
Capgemini to open AI hub in New Cairo
#Egypt #CoEs – Capgemini will open a new AI Centre of Excellence in New Cairo to support clients across Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia. The hub will drive industry-specific AI adoption, expand R&D. (Middle East AI News)
Presight unveils LifeSaver emergency AI platform
#UAE #emergencyresponse – G42’s big data analytics specialist Presight has launched LifeSaver, an AI-driven emergency response platform. Revealed at the World Crisis & Emergency Management Summit, Lifesaver integrates real-time data, crisis coordination, and post-event modelling to improve management. (Middle East AI News)
LLMs
Llama 4 now live via Middle East GroqCloud service
#Saudi #cloud – Saudi Arabia is the first Arab country to offer local access to Meta’s new Llama 4, launched via Groq’s Middle East cloud service. The Dammam-hosted hub provides ultra-fast access to Llama 4 Scout and Maverick. (Middle East AI News)
MBZUAI develops tool to detect news propaganda
#UAE #media – Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has launched Frappe, a multilingual tool that detects persuasion tactics and media bias in news articles. The platform aims to tackle disinformation. (The National)
Funding
Lucidya wins SAR 5m grant to expand CXM platform
#Saudi #funding – Lucidya has secured a SAR 5 million ($1.3 million) grant from Saudi Arabia’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP). The AI customer management experience (CXM) platform will use the funds to scale operations, enhance its platform, and expand regionally. (Middle East AI News)
The Hashgraph Group backs AgNext
#UAE #AgriTech – Swiss-based The Hashgraph Group has made a strategic investment in AgNext Technologies, a firm using AI and Hedera blockchain to drive food quality and supply chain transparency. The move follows AgNext’s $21 million Series A and will help fund expansion of the its new Abu Dhabi operation. (Zawya)
Digital transformation
RAKEZ and Koshima roll out AI consultancy services
#UAE #capacitybuildig – Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) has partnered with Koshima to introduce AI-powered training and consulting for businesses in RAK. It is the first such initiative by a UAE licensing authority. (Zawya)
Hackathons
First AI Hackathon on Islamic Finance to Launch in May
#Saudi #IslamicFinance– The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) will host its first AI Hackathon on Islamic Finance from 8–10 May 2025, uniting students and professionals to develop AI tools that support Islamic Finance. (Zawya)
Education
Tuwaiq Academy & Berkeley aim to equip CEOs for AI
#Saudi #training– Tuwaiq Academy has launched the Future Tech Leaders programme with the University of California, Berkeley. Backed by NTDP and MCIT, the six-month course targets Saudi C-suite executives, aiming to build AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation skills among national business leaders. (Middle East AI News)
UAE AI Programme 2025 targets tech leadership
#UAE #training – The UAE National Programme for AI has launched its sixth cohort in partnership with the University of Birmingham. The six month course will train government and private sector leaders in advanced AI skills. (Middle East AI News)
Kuwait’s CODED to train 500 girls in AI and tech
#Kuwait #training – CODED has launched the 2025 edition of Academy X, aiming to train 500 Kuwaiti girls in tech, entrepreneurship and AI. Supported by Zain, Talabat and KNET, the free programme helps build future-ready digital skills. (Kuwait Times)
Kuwait launches AI education assistant 'Chat with Hamad'
#Kuwait #chatbots – Kuwait’s Ministry of Education has introduced Chat with Hamad, an AI-powered chatbot that provides academic support to students. The assistant offers curriculum-based answers and helps users navigate academic content. (KUNA)
Drones
A2RL x DCL Autonomous Drone Championship 2025 final
#UAE #sport – Abu Dhabi will host the A2RL x DCL Autonomous Drone Championship finale on 11–12 April 2025 at ADNEC Marina Hall. Fourteen global teams will race autonomous drones for a $1 million prize. (Abu Dhabi Media Office)
Terra Drone partners with Aramco to boost AI and drone tech
#Saudi #energy – Terra Drone has signed an MoU with Saudi Aramco to create drone technologies for the oil and gas sector. Formed in 2023 Terra Drone Arabia, will lead the initiative focused on safety, efficiency, and developing Saudi talent. (Zawya)
Over 100 drones used for Ramadan moon sighting in UAE
#UAE #Ramadan– The UAE deployed more than 100 drones to assist with moon sightings for Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr. Officials are now evaluating the impact of this tech-enhanced approach on traditional Islamic lunar observances. (Khaleej Times)
Smart Cities
Dubai, Abu Dhabi enter Top 5 in IMD Smart City Index
#UAE #smartcities – Dubai and Abu Dhabi have ranked 4th and 5th in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, marking their first appearance in the global top five. The index which ranks 141 cities, listed Riyadh, Doha and Manama in the top 50. (Zawya)
AI Diplomacy
Oman, Saudi and UAE explore African AI partnerships
#Saudi #GlobalAISummit – Several Gulf states attended the Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali. Oman signed a digital cooperation deal with Rwanda, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE discussed partnerships and investments with African nations. (Oman Observer) (Arab News) (Emirates News Agency)
Media
Middle East AI News joins AI Film & Ad Fest Dubai
#UAE #advertising – Middle East AI News is now a Media Partner for the inaugural AI Film & Ad Fest Dubai 2025. Taking place on 24 April at the Theatre of Digital Art, the event will showcase AI-generated ads and short films, with panels and masterclasses exploring AI storytelling and creative production. (AI Film Fest)
[ This newsletter was AI edited & human edited ]