Dubai's private sector agentic AI push; Algeria opens DeepTech hub
Middle East AI News weekly digest...
Good morning!
Welcome to this week’s Middle East AI News email digest!
Another jam-packed newsletter today! This week, Dubai launches a major push to embed agentic AI across its private sector; the UAE unveils a national AI certification lab designed to validate hundreds of thousands of AI agents annually; Ras Al Khaimah introduces blockchain-based digital business identities for autonomous commerce; Oman launches a dedicated AI economic zone; and Algeria accelerates deeptech commercialisation with the launch of a national DeepTech Innovation Hub.
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And thanks for reading!
/Carrington
Agentic Economy
Dubai launches agentic AI private sector push
#UAE #AgenticAI - Dubai is launching a two-year programme to accelerate adoption of agentic AI across its private sector. The initiative combines training, incubators and dedicated funding for Dubai Chamber business councils, supporting ambitions to position the emirate as a global leader in autonomous business systems. (Middle East AI News)
UAE launches national AI certification lab
#UAE #cybersecurity - The UAE Cyber Security Council, Cisco, and AI solutions provider Open Innovation AI have launched a National AI Test and Validation Lab in Abu Dhabi to certify the safety and security of AI systems. Designed to assess hundreds of thousands of AI agents annually, the facility creates a sovereign assurance framework for enterprise and government adoption. (Middle East AI News)
RAK launches blockchain business identity system
#UAE #blockchain - Ras Al Khaimah Innovation City is introducing blockchain-based digital business identities through infrastructure built on IOPn’s OPN Chain. The system enables verifiable on-chain identities for companies, supporting AI-driven commerce while reducing compliance and verification times from days to seconds. (Middle East AI News)
Industry
Aramco and IBM deepen industrial AI alliance
#Saudi #IndustrialAI - Saudi Aramco and IBM have announced a major collaboration focused on industrial AI, agentic systems and advanced materials science. Revealed at IBM THINK Boston, the partnership combines IBM’s hybrid cloud technologies with Aramco’s operational scale to develop AI for mission-critical industrial environments. (Middle East AI News)
Data Centres
Core42 expands US footprint with Minneapolis site
#UAE #USA #datacentres - G42 subsidiary Core42 has signed as primary tenant for a 20-megawatt data centre conversion in Minneapolis, expanding its growing US AI infrastructure footprint. Backed by the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, the company is scaling sovereign AI compute capacity across America through long-term investments in high-performance infrastructure. (Middle East AI News
Saudi rises to second in data centre ranking
#Saudi #datacentres - Saudi Arabia has climbed to second globally for data centre market attractiveness, supported by rapid AI-driven infrastructure growth. Capacity expanded from 68 megawatts in 2021 to 467 megawatts in early 2026, reinforcing Riyadh’s position as a regional digital hub connecting Asia, Europe and Africa. (SPA)
Study warns of GCC AI sustainability risks
#Qatar #sustainability - New research published by Qatar International Academy for Security Studies (QIASS) warns that rapid AI infrastructure growth across the GCC could intensify water and energy pressures. The study calls for stronger sustainability-focused regulations to guide future data centre expansion and reduce environmental risks linked to AI adoption. (Middle East AI News)
Agentic AI
G42 unveils sovereign enterprise AI assistant
#UAE #AgenticAI - G42 subsidiary Inception has launched InceptionClaw, a sovereign enterprise AI assistant designed to operate across organisational tools. Built on UAE-controlled infrastructure, the platform proactively monitors workflows, generates insights and executes tasks while maintaining data residency and compliance controls. (Middle East AI News)
TACTICA AI launches mission support platform
#UAE #AgenticAI - Abu Dhabi startup TACTICA AI has launched a new agentic AI decision-support platform at Make it in the Emirates 2026. Developed from Technology Innovation Institute research, the system integrates geospatial intelligence, sensor data and IoT feeds to support rapid operational decision-making. (Middle East AI News)
UAE launches AI-driven labour initiative
#UAE #automation - The UAE has launched a new AI and robotics initiative in Abu Dhabi to modernise labour market management. Federal authorities will deploy agentic AI systems to automate processes and assess work permit applicants using data-driven criteria aimed at improving productivity and attracting global talent. (Gulf News)
DeepTech
Algeria launches national deeptech hub
#Algeria #deeptech - Algeria’s CERIST has launched the Deeptech Innovation Hub in Algiers to accelerate commercialisation of advanced research. Backed by AI infrastructure and high-performance computing, the initiative connects startups, investors and industry partners to strengthen the country’s digital economy and globally competitive technology ecosystem. (Middle East AI News)
AI Cloud
Djezzy unveils sovereign AI cloud platform
#Algeria #cloud - Djezzy has partnered with Algeria Venture and Taubyte to launch AventureCloudz, a sovereign AI cloud platform hosted locally in Algiers. The full-stack environment enables startups and enterprises to build and deploy AI applications while supporting faster innovation and stronger national digital infrastructure. (TechAfrica News)
Education
UAE and Egypt lead AI university rankings
#UAE #education - New EduIndex data shows the UAE and Egypt leading AI-driven university visibility rankings across the Middle East. The report highlights strong adoption of generative AI among UAE institutions and growing competitiveness from Egyptian universities in attracting and engaging international students online. (Campaign Middle East)
Infrastructure
Oman creates AI special economic zone
#Oman #freezones - Oman has established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Special Zone in Muscat through a Royal Decree. The initiative offers incentives and exemptions for businesses, supporting Oman Vision 2040 goals to expand the digital economy to 10 percent of GDP and attract foreign AI investment. (Middle East AI News)
Bilaterals
Qatar and South Korea expand AI ties
#Qatar #semiconductors - Qatar and South Korea are deepening cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and biotechnology through new investment discussions in Seoul and Doha. The talks signal broader strategic collaboration beyond energy, supported by sovereign investment engagement and advanced technology partnerships. (Seoul Daily)
Smart Cities
Parkin deploys AI parking enforcement in Dubai
#UAE #smartcities - Parkin has partnered with EMAAR to deploy AI-driven parking enforcement at Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall and Marina Mall. Using number plate recognition technology, the system will improve traffic flow while protecting access to People of Determination parking spaces. (Zawya)
Qatar Museums expands AI tour platform
#Qatar #culture - Qatar Museums has expanded its AI-powered cultural tour platform with French and Chinese language support. The conversational AI and image recognition system personalises visitor experiences across museums and heritage sites, helping broaden accessibility for international audiences visiting Doha. (Gulf Times)
Hajj
SDAIA expands AI systems for pilgrims
#Saudi #Hajj - Saudi Data & AI Authority is advancing the Makkah Route Initiative in Istanbul using AI-enabled systems for pilgrim processing. The platform integrates biometrics, data verification and smart logistics to improve operational efficiency and streamline services for travellers at scale across international processing centres. (SPA)
Sentiment
Carma study reveals AI trust gap in MENA
#UAE #media - Dubai-based Carma analysed 12,000 articles and surveyed 6,300 respondents, finding 57 percent of global AI coverage is positive. While MENA media portrays AI as transformational, audiences remain more cautious, with concerns around transparency, safety and misuse receiving limited attention in public narratives. (Middle East AI News)
[ This newsletter was both AI edited & human edited ]