Jumia launches Arabic voice commerce; New classification for AI content
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!
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Lots of news to share this week: Luicidya announces its $30 million Series B round - the biggest ever for a Saudi AI company; Saudi-backed DCO released an online ethics evaluator tool; Dubai Future Foundation has developed a classification system for levels of Human-AI collaboration; G42 plans to invest in Vietnam’s data infrastructure; Kazakhstan’s government unveiled its first national supercomputer (co-developed with Presight; and shopping platform Jumia has partnered with voice AI specialist Intella to launch a Arabic voice commerce service for the Egyptian market!
Scroll down for these stories and more!
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Voice Commerce
Jumia, Intella roll out Arabic voice shopping
#Egypt #voicecommerce – Jumia Egypt and AI startup Intella have launched the first Arabic voice-enabled e-commerce service using Egyptian dialect. Powered by Ziila, the system lets users shop via natural speech, expanding access for those who prefer voice over traditional interfaces. (Middle East AI News)
Ethics & Governance
Dubai launches AI-human content classification system
#UAE #transparency – Dubai has introduced the world’s first Human-Machine Collaboration classification system to distinguish AI from human input in research and content. Developed by Dubai Future Foundation, he new system has already been mandated for government use. (Middle East AI News)
DCO launches global AI ethics evaluator tool
#Saudi #ethics – The Digital Cooperation Organization unveiled a global AI Ethics Evaluator at the AI for Good Summit in Geneva. The tool helps assess ethical risks across six dimensions and provides tailored reports for developers, regulators and policymakers. (Middle East AI News)
Data Centres & HPC
G42 to invest $2B in Vietnam data centre
#UAE #datacentres – Abu Dhabi’s G42 will invest $2 billion in a hyperscale data centre in Vietnam, its largest Southeast Asia move to date. Developed with FPT Corporation, VinaCapital and Viet Thai Group, the project aligns with Vietnam’s digital ambitions. (Middle East AI News)
Kazakhstan launches supercomputer with Presight
#Kazakhstan #supercomputing – Kazakhstan has deployed its first national supercomputer in partnership with UAE-based Presight. The two-exaflop system, based in Astana, will drive AI model training, secure data processing and regional innovation leadership. (Middle East AI News)
Khazna, ENI plan 500MW AI data centre in Italy
#Italy #UAE #datacentres – Khazna Data Centers and ENI will develop a 500MW AI data centre near Milan. Part of a broader 1GW plan, the facility will use gas-powered low-carbon energy and support regional AI infrastructure with UAE–Italy backing. (Middle East AI News)
xAI in talks to lease data centre space in Saudi
#Saudi #datacentres – Elon Musk’s xAI is reportedly in talks to lease data centre capacity in Saudi Arabia. Potential partners include HUMAIN, and another firm offering a 200MW facility. The additional compute would support xAI’s global model training expansion. (Reuters)
Education
Saudi Arabia to launch AI curriculum in schools
#Saudi #schools – Saudi Arabia will introduce AI education across all school levels from 2025–2026. The national curriculum, the first of its kind, aims to equip students with AI skills from primary through to university, supporting Vision 2030 objectives (Middle East AI News)
MBZUAI receives record 2,000+ internship applications
#UAE #internships– Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI (MBZUAI) has concluded its largest undergraduate internship programme, selecting 57 students from 24 countries. Applications surged by 91% to nearly 2,000, with interns exploring areas like brain-machine interfaces and media bias detection. (Middle East AI News)
Mobility
Dnata deploys autonomous ground vehicles at DWC
#UAE #AVs – Dnata has introduced autonomous baggage tractors at Dubai World Central, marking a major step in airport automation. The AED 6m project features six electric EZTow units from TLD and aims to enhance safety, speed, and efficiency in ramp operations with Level 4 autonomy planned for 2026. (Airport World)
Dubai RTA upgrades to next-gen AI traffic signal system
#UAE #digitaltwins – Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled UTC-UX Fusion, an AI- and digital twin-powered traffic signal control system. The platform dynamically adjusts signal timings in real time and is expected to cut journey times by up to 20% across key city roads. (Gulf News)
RTA evaluates self-driving vehicles in China
#UAE #DubaiWorldChallenge– Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) completed field visits in four Chinese cities to assess robotaxis and robobuses. The trials are part of preparations for the 2025 Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport this September. (Dubai Media Office)
Masdar City starts self-driving shuttle trial
#UAE #shuttles – Masdar City has begun trial operations of a 2.4km electric self-driving shuttle service. Developed with Solutions+ and using a shuttle from Auve Tech, the trial supports Abu Dhabi’s ambitions for driverless transport. (The National)
Startups
Lucidya raises $30M in Saudi Arabia’s biggest AI round
#SaudiArabia #funding – Riyadh-based AI CXM platform Lucidya has secured $30 million in Series B funding, in a round led by Impact46 with backing from Wa’ed Ventures, Takamol Ventures, and others. It’s the largest-ever AI venture round in Saudi Arabia, and signals growing investor confidence in Arabic-language AI. (Middle East AI News)
Oman launches national space accelerator
#Oman #spacetech – Oman’s Ministry of Transport and ICT has launched a national space accelerator in partnership with Exotopic and Ankaa Space. The programme will support ten startups in satellite tech, AI, and geospatial analytics (Muscat Daily)
Global startups lead AI energy innovation at Shell.ai Pitch Qatar
#Qatar #startups – The 2025 Shell.ai Futures Pitch – Qatar Edition attracted 86 AI energy innovation entries from 27 countries. India’s MAXIML took first prize for asset data quality tech, with Prewave (Austria) and UptimeAI (US) winning second and third. Finalists can access up to $100K in funding. (The Peninsula)
Founders reacquire Egyptian CX startup
#Egypt #funding – Egypt’s Tactful AI has entered a new growth phase following its reacquisition by founders Mohamed El-Masry and Mohammed Hassan. With over $5 million invested in its AI platform, the CX-focused startup is now targeting expansion in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Europe. (Zawya)
Digital Transformation
Morocco to roll out nationwide AI CoE network
#Morocco #CoEs – Morocco will expand the Al Jazari Institute across all twelve regions to drive digital transformation through AI. Backed by the Digital 2030 Strategy, the centres will focus on applied research and local innovation in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy. (Middle East AI News)
Morocco to build AI model for public service access
#Morocco #digitalgovernment – Morocco will develop a national AI model to simplify access to government services and manage citizen complaints via chatbots. The initiative is part of a broader digital strategy, which includes new legislation and training programmes for youth and civil servants. (Morocco World News)
Islam
AI fatwas challenge Egypt’s religious institutions
#Egypt #fatwas – Egyptians frustrated by conflicting religious rulings are turning to AI for fatwas, sparking backlash from Al-Azhar and Dar al-Ifta. Critics say the trend exposes institutional resistance to reform, while younger users favour AI’s speed, consistency, and access to diverse interpretations. (The Arab Weekly)
Sentiment
UAE leaders trust AI with major business decisions
#UAE #trust – Endava research finds 79% of UAE business leaders trust AI to make high-stakes decisions, including hiring, salaries, and health policies. Four in five would rely on AI for personal career and financial advice. (Zawya)
Media
Kuwait’s AI influencer Danah makes social media debut
#Kuwait #virtualinfluencers – Kuwait has launched its first hyperreal AI influencer, Danah, created by @ai.lenskw. Designed to reflect local identity and values, Danah is gaining attention on TikTok and Instagram as a brand ambassador. (Arab Times)
[ This newsletter was AI edited & human edited ]