Author: Art Ryan

Doha, February 04 (QNA) – The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and Oracle have signed an agreement to renew the technical support contract for Oracle licenses across government entities in the State of Qatar for an additional three-year period from 2025 to 2028, alongside the establishment of a new Oracle dedicated cloud region for the government sector. The agreement aims to enhance the continuity of government digital services through the provision of an integrated backup data center, thereby strengthening government cloud computing capabilities in the State of Qatar. This agreement comes as a continuation of the existing cooperation…

Doha, February 04 (QNA) – The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) and Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council signed a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening collaboration in digital innovation and supporting the adoption of emerging technologies within regulatory and public service environments. The signing ceremony of the agreement took place on the sidelines of Web Summit Qatar 2026, and the agreement was signed by Engineer Ahmad bin Abdulla AlMuslemani, President of the Communications Regulatory Authority, and Engineer Omar Ali Al Ansari, Secretary General of the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council. As part of the cooperation agreement, the two entities…

Doha, February 04 (QNA) – Ooredoo, Qatar’s leading telecommunications provider, has signed a series of strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during Web Summit Qatar 2026, reinforcing its position as a leading digital enabler and trusted partner for businesses and institutions across the country. The signing ceremonies brought together global technology leaders and national stakeholders, with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Ooredoo Qatar Sheikh Ali bin Jabor bin Mohammad Al-Thani, attending to underscore the strategic importance of these collaborations. Chief Strategy and Digital Transformation Officer Thani Ali Al Malki participated in a panel discussion on digital transformation, while Chief Business Officer…

Doha, February 04 (QNA) – HE Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organizing Committee, has highlighted the growing importance of public trust, digital readiness, and the development of government communications in the digital age amid the rapid pace of global media change. The statements came during a dialogue session titled “AI, media and tech: The future of government communication,” hosted by Northwestern University in Qatar as part of the third day of Web Summit Qatar 2026. The session was moderated by Dr Marwan Kraidy, Dean…

Doha, February 04 (QNA) – HE Director of the Government Communications Office and Chair of the Permanent Committee for Hosting the Web Summit Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani affirmed that Web Summit Qatar 2026 has established itself as a leading global event in technology and innovation, having moved from the founding phase to one of maturity and impact. He highlighted that the summit recorded a record participation of over 30,000 attendees from 124 countries, in addition to thousands of startups, investors, and international speakers, reflecting growing confidence in the summit and in Qatar as a global platform for…

Web Summit Qatar 2026 ended on 4 February 2026 after four days of events in Doha. The summit brought together leaders from technology, business, government, and investment sectors. Participants attended discussions focused on innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship. The event marked the third edition of the global technology conference hosted in Qatar. Attendance reached 30,274 participants from 127 countries. This figure exceeded previous editions. The summit welcomed 1,637 startups, including companies at early and growth stages. Women-founded startups represented 38 percent of participating companies. Nearly 1,000 global investors attended the event. Global Participation and Investment Activity at Web Summit Qatar…

Doha – TASMU Accelerator, an initiative of the TASMU Smart Qatar programme under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), signed a partnership agreement with DHL Express Qatar at Web Summit Qatar 2026. The agreement was signed by Eman Al Kuwari, director of the Digital Innovation Department at MCIT, and Henry Fares, managing director of DHL Express Qatar to serve as a Sector Expert for TASMU Accelerator. The announcement was made during a joint press conference held as part of Web Summit Qatar 2026. The partnership aims to support startups participating in TASMU Accelerator by enabling them to benefit…

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamad bin Zayed Al Nahyan has held talks in Abu Dhabi with the Swiss President, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on the economy, investment and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence. His Highness met Guy Parmelin at Qasr Al Shati, congratulating him on his election for 2026, and reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to expanding cooperation between the two countries. Discussions highlighted shared priorities in economic growth, investment and technology, as well as the role of artificial intelligence in addressing global challenges. Both sides also underlined the importance of the Global AI Summit, scheduled…

Artificial intelligence has moved decisively beyond pilots and proofs of concept, with governments now deploying it at scale as a core public service tool, senior leaders from Microsoft and Abu Dhabi-based AI firm G42 said at the World Government Summit 2026 in Dubai. Speaking on the theme “Empowering Governments, Enriching Societies: Can AI lead?”, Scott Guthrie, Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Cloud + AI Group, and Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, highlighted how sovereign controls, secure infrastructure and responsible deployment are becoming central as AI shifts from experimentation to daily use in government operations. We are connecting the national power…

DUBAI – The World Governments Summit (WGS) opened in Dubai on Tuesday under the theme “Shaping Future Governments,” marking an exceptional and transformative gathering of global leadership. The event, which has firmly established the emirate as a premier global platform for policy and idea generation, convenes an unprecedented assembly of more than 60 heads of state and government from 150 nations, alongside international organisation leaders, technology pioneers, economists, and decision-makers. Reflecting the urgent tone of our times, the summit’s inaugural sessions revealed its evolution from a theoretical discussion forum into a practical “living laboratory” dedicated to testing solutions and anticipating…

The SDAIA national data and AI curriculum has been officially launched to strengthen artificial intelligence and data literacy in Saudi Arabia. The program targets undergraduate students across all academic disciplines. The announcement was made by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority during the International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building (ICAN 2026). The event took place at King Saud University in Riyadh. The initiative aligns with national efforts to expand digital and analytical capabilities among students. SDAIA National Data and AI Curriculum Structure The SDAIA national data and AI curriculum will be implemented as a mandatory requirement in…

Microsoft at Web Summit Qatar 2026 marked a major presence for the company in the Middle East technology event. Microsoft at Web Summit Qatar 2026 took place in Doha at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. The event ran from February 1 to February 4, 2026. Microsoft presented artificial intelligence, cloud services, and partner-led enterprise solutions. AI and Cloud Technologies Microsoft at Web Summit Qatar 2026 focused on agentic AI and enterprise governance. The company demonstrated AI systems built on Microsoft Azure. These systems were designed for secure and scalable deployment. Live demonstrations showed AI agents monitoring environments in real…

Web Summit Qatar Day Three continued in Doha with a focus on startups, creative industries, and large-scale technology debates. The event brought together entrepreneurs, artists, and political figures. Sessions took place across multiple stages and exhibition areas. Attendees moved between panel discussions, live talks, and startup demonstrations. The programme combined technology, culture, and business topics. Startups at Web Summit Qatar Day Three Startups played a central role during Web Summit Qatar Day Three. Founders presented new products aimed at improving work and communication. Exhibition booths attracted visitors throughout the day. Many startups focused on workplace efficiency and collaboration tools. One…

The Google Cloud Liberty Global AI partnership marks a five-year agreement focused on artificial intelligence and cloud technology. The deal aims to modernize Liberty Global’s digital infrastructure using Google Cloud services. Both companies confirmed the partnership in February 2026. Financial terms were not disclosed. Google Cloud Liberty Global AI Partnership Overview Liberty Global will use Google Cloud’s AI and data platforms across its operations. The agreement includes access to Google Cloud infrastructure, analytics tools, and artificial intelligence services. These technologies will support Liberty Global’s broadband, mobile, and entertainment businesses in multiple European markets. The partnership focuses on improving operational efficiency…

OpenAI launches Codex app as a new desktop application aimed at software developers. The app is designed to improve access to OpenAI’s AI-powered coding assistant. It provides a dedicated environment for writing, editing, and managing code. The launch is part of OpenAI’s efforts to compete more aggressively in the fast-growing AI coding sector. The Codex app is initially available for macOS users. It builds on OpenAI’s existing Codex system, which has been accessible through web interfaces, APIs, and developer tools. The desktop version is intended to simplify workflows by keeping AI coding support in one place. OpenAI Launches Codex App…

The OpenAI Snowflake deal is a multi-year agreement valued at $200 million. The partnership focuses on integrating OpenAI’s artificial intelligence models into Snowflake’s cloud-based data platform. The goal is to allow enterprises to apply generative AI directly to their stored data. The agreement connects OpenAI’s models with Snowflake’s large enterprise customer base. The OpenAI Snowflake deal enables customers to access AI capabilities without transferring data outside Snowflake’s environment. This approach keeps data within existing security and governance frameworks. The collaboration supports AI-driven analysis across enterprise datasets. OpenAI Snowflake Deal and AI Integration Under the OpenAI Snowflake deal, OpenAI models will…

SpaceX acquires xAI in a move that brings artificial intelligence development directly under the space company. The acquisition was announced by Elon Musk on Monday. xAI becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX. The deal aligns Musk’s artificial intelligence and space-related businesses under one corporate structure. xAI is the company behind the Grok chatbot. It was founded by Musk in 2023. SpaceX is the world’s largest private space launch provider. Musk stated that the transaction is intended to unify AI development with space exploration goals. No financial terms were formally disclosed by the companies. SpaceX acquires xAI amid reports of…

The German stand for startups at Web Summit Qatar 2026 officially opened in Doha, marking a strong German presence at the third edition of the global technology event. The stand forms part of Germany’s broader participation in Web Summit Qatar, held from February 1 to 4, 2026, and brings together German founders, investors, and innovation leaders. Organisers launched the German stand to support startup visibility and promote cross-border collaboration. The initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen economic and innovation ties between Germany and Qatar, particularly within the technology and entrepreneurship sectors. German Stand for Startups at Web Summit Qatar…

Portuguese startups at Web Summit Qatar took center stage as 23 companies from Portugal joined the international technology event in Doha from February 1 to 4, 2026. The participation highlighted Portugal’s growing presence in global innovation and entrepreneurship. The startups represented a wide range of technology sectors and business models. The delegation included companies supported by Startup Portugal and Unicorn Factory Lisboa, with five startups selected through the Business Abroad programme. Together, these companies have raised approximately €13.5 million and employ more than 100 people. Their presence aimed to strengthen international exposure and expand business networks in the Middle East.…

Web Summit Qatar 2026 served as a global platform for innovation, where Qatar Foundation (QF) presented its education, research, and technology initiatives to an international audience in Doha. The event took place from 1 to 4 February 2026 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center and attracted participants from across the global technology ecosystem. The summit gathered 30,000+ attendees from more than 120 countries, including startups, investors, policymakers, educators, and media representatives. Qatar Foundation used Web Summit Qatar 2026 to highlight how education and innovation intersect with entrepreneurship and emerging technologies. Qatar Foundation Participation at Web Summit Qatar 2026 During…