This week's top stories — 15-21 June
UAE government AI advisors; Edgnex $2.3B Jakarta data centre; HUMAIN Create
This was the week that the UAE announced plans for a world first — to provide every board of directors and official council across federal government AI advisors, running on the government’s National Artificial Intelligence System.
In other news, WeRide confirmed plans or robotaxi trials in Dubai this year, Saudi Arabia's new national AI company HUMAIN and AI multimedia startup Luma AI announced a new creative initiative, and Dubai-based EDGNEX (now rebranded DAMAC Digital) announced a $2.3 billion AI data centre project in Indonesia.
Here are this weeks biggest AI news stories!
Sunday, June 15th
🔥 WeRide robotaxi pilot to launch in Dubai this year
WeRide robotaxis to begin operating in Dubai this year, with safety drivers
◼ EHang eVTOL takes off in Abu Dhabi
EHang & Abu Dhabi partner Multi Level conduct eVTOL test flight
◼ DEWA launches AI legislation agent to guide users
Legal virtual assistant first demonstrated during Dubai AI Week 2025
Monday, June 16th
🔊 Listen to Monday’s Daily News Minute
🔥 UAE researchers help fix cryptographic validation tool
TII and NIST fix critical flaw in validation system for cryptographic algorithms
Tuesday, June 17th
🔊 Listen to Tuesday’s Daily News Minute
🔥 EDGNEX building $2.3 billion Jakarta AI data centre
Jakarta 144MW data centre project targets December 2026 launch
🔥 Dubai proptech Prop-AI secures $1.5 million Pre-Seed
Plus VC leads funding for Dubai-based AI real estate startup pre-seed round
◼ G42 partners with Liquid AI for enterprise edge computing
New G42-Liquid AI partnership targets private enterprise AI models
◼ Abu Dhabi & Qatar join Applied Intuition's funding round
Qatar's sovereign fund joins $600 million vehicle Intelligence funding round
Wednesday, June 18th
🔊 Listen to Wednesday’s Daily News Minute
◼ Riyadh-based Darwinz AI secures $325k Seed round
KACST-based brand and media analysis AI tool eyes global markets
◼ UAE IT leaders back Agentic AI, but lack readiness
Data, trust and compliance gaps slow UAE AI deployment
◼ Saudi IT group MIS fully divests $9m stake in Anthropic
MIS attributes move to capital reallocation to target new opportunities
Thursday, June 19th
🔊 Listen to Thursday’s Daily News Minute
🔥 HUMAIN & Luma AI form Create to drive a creative revolution
Partnership targets gaming, in-game advertising, movies & entertainment
🔥 AI to transform Abu Dhabi building permits process
AI platform transforms Abu Dhabi's construction approval system
Friday, June 20th
🔊 Listen to Friday’s Daily News Minute
🔥 UAE embraces future with government-wide AI advisors
National AI system expands beyond Cabinet trial to all government entitles
Saturday, June 21st
🔊 Listen to Saturday’s Daily News Minute
◼ UAE researchers define AI & 6G co-evolution requirements
Khalifa University provides vision for AI-native 6G network design