Khazna expands to Türkiye; KAUST's Future Mobility Sandbox
Middle East AI News weekly digest...
Good morning!
Welcome to this week’s Middle East AI News!
Another busy week, with an overflow of news from Dubai AI Week, plus other news from around the region. Notably this week, Saudi Arabia launched its Future Mobility Sandbox at KAUST, and G42’s Khazna Data Centers announced a project to build an AI-optimised data centre in Ankara with a planned capacity of 100 MW.
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Thanks for reading!
/Carrington
Data Centres
Khazna to build 100MW data centre in Türkiye
#Türkiye #datacentres - G42-owned Khazna Data Centers will build a 100MW AI-ready facility in Ankara, marking its first expansion into Türkiye. The project supports Türkiye’s fast-growing AI ecosystem and digital economy, which has seen a 198% rise in AI talent since 2016. The centre will feature sustainable tech and high-density compute capabilities. (Middle East AI News)
Mobility
Saudi Arabia launches Future Mobility Sandbox at KAUST
#SaudiArabia #mobility - Saudi Arabia has opened the Future Mobility Sandbox at KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology), the region’s largest advanced testbed for land, air, and sea transport. Covering 1.56 km², the site will pilot AVs, drones, eVTOLs, and maritime innovations. (Middle East AI News)
Dubai AI Week
Dubai to Host AI@70 Global Summit in 2026
#UAE #DubaiAIWeek - Dubai will host the AI@70 Summit in 2026 to mark 70 years since the birth of AI. Announced at Dubai AI Week 2025, the global event will launch a ‘Humanity Lab’ incubator and gather global leaders to shape a long-term vision for AI’s societal role. (Middle East AI News)
Dubai AI Academy to Train 10,000 Leaders
#UAE #execeducation - The new Dubai AI Academy will train 10,000 government and business leaders in AI, with accredited courses from global institutions including Oxford’s Saïd Business School. Based at DIFC Innovation Hub, the academy supports Dubai’s ambition to close the AI skills gap. (Middle East AI News)
UAE Launches AI Academy for Executives with Polynome
#UAE #execeducation - Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM) and Polynome Group have launched a multilingual AI Academy targeting senior leaders. The initiative includes a Chief AI Officer Programme and supports the UAE’s strategy to lead in ethical and applied AI across government and business. (Middle East AI News)
Dubai and South Africa launch AI trade hub
#UAE #Africa #trade - Dubai Future Foundation has partnered with the South African AI Association (SAAIA) to create a cross-continental AI trade hub. The initiative aims to remove market barriers for startups, drive investment, and position Dubai as a key player in global AI innovation and collaboration. (Middle East AI News)
Dubai startup launches AI cloud gaming platform
#UAE #gaming - The Game Company has launched an AI-powered cloud gaming platform with 1,300+ titles, requiring no consoles or downloads. Unveiled during Dubai AI Week, the platform supports Dubai’s Gaming 2033 strategy to boost innovation in immersive entertainment technologies. (Emirates News Agency)
UAE leads region in AI startup ecosystem: MBRSG Report
#UAE #startups - A new Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG)–Google.org report released during Dubai AI Week finds the UAE ahead in MENA for AI startup maturity. The study highlights Dubai and Abu Dhabi as emerging AI hubs and identifies key opportunities for scaling despite regulatory and funding challenges. (Emirates News Agency)
Healthcare
Qatar’s Sidra Medicine signs AI health innovation deal
#Qatar #healthcare - Sidra Medicine has partnered with Vitafluence.ai GmbH and EmpathicAI.Life to develop AI-led digital health solutions. Over three years, the MoU will drive personalised care and advance precision medicine in Qatar. (The Peninsula)
CXM
TP launches AI Innovation Centre in Dubai Internet City
#UAE #CoEs - French digital services firm TP has opened its first Middle East AI Innovation Centre in Dubai Internet City. The hub will co-develop scalable, immersive AI solutions for regional industries, supporting TP’s GCC growth and the UAE’s AI leadership ambitions. (Middle East AI News)
Smart Cities
Singapore’s QuikBot pilots delivery robots in Dubai
#UAE #SmartCities - QuikBot Technologies will test AI-powered delivery robots at Dubai Silicon Oasis. The pilot explores low-emission, last-mile logistics in retail, hospitality, and business zones, aligning with Dubai’s smart mobility and sustainability goals. (Middle East AI News)
FDI
Welligence joins UAE’s NextGen FDI to boost digital energy sector
#UAE #FDI - US-based energy data firm Welligence is opening a regional hub in Abu Dhabi after joining the UAE’s NextGen FDI initiative. The company uses AI to drive digital transformation in oil and gas, and its UAE move supports local innovation in energy analytics. Welligence covers energy projects in 193 countries. (Zawya)
Education
MBZUAI welcomes 6th Executive Programme cohort
#UAE #execeducation - Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has launched its sixth Executive Programme, welcoming over 40 senior leaders from sectors including energy and healthcare. The 16-week course builds practical AI skills to accelerate innovation and support the UAE’s national AI strategy. (Abu Dhabi Media Office)
Jordan launches National AI and Cyber Skills Training
#Jordan #training - Jordan’s Ministry of Youth has launched a national training programme on AI, cybersecurity, and e-commerce for young people. Delivered via youth centres and backed by public–private partnerships, the initiative supports national economic transformation plans. (PETRA)
Iraq wins Arab Robotics and AI Championship
#Iraq #competitions - Iraq has been awarded in the Arab Robotics and AI Championship for the second consecutive year. A family team from Najaf led the victory in the Young Innovators category, showcasing Iraq’s growing talent in AI and robotics. (964media)
Policy
Saudi Arabia opens data privacy law for public consultation
#SaudiArabia #PDPL -Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDIA) is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to the Personal Data Protection Law’s regulations. The consultation aims to clarify compliance procedures, boost enforcement, and enhance public trust through more transparent governance. (SPA)
Islamic nations to adopt first joint AI policy at OIC-15
#OIC #policy – The 2nd OIC-15 Dialogue Platform in Tehran will approve the first multilateral AI strategy among Islamic countries. Iran ranks 1st in neural networks and 2nd in AI among Islamic states, with over 17,000 scientific papers on neural networks published between 2004 and 2023. (Tehran Times)
GETS 2025
GETS 2025 to shape policy for AI, Web3, quantum
#UAE #governance – More than 500 experts and policymakers will gather in Abu Dhabi on 5–6 May for the inaugural Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit (GETS), hosted by the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and the UAE Public Prosecution. The summit will explore frameworks for regulating AI, Web3, and quantum computing. (Middle East AI News)
Middle East AI News is a media partner of GETS 2025
[ This newsletter was AI edited & human edited ]