Author: Art Ryan

SoftConstruct AI supports AIBC Eurasia technology platform as part of its role at AIBC Eurasia 2026. The company has been confirmed as the official technology partner for the event. AIBC Eurasia 2026 will take place from February 9 to February 11, 2026. The summit will be hosted at the Festival Arena in Dubai Festival City. AIBC Eurasia is part of the global AIBC conference series. The event focuses on artificial intelligence, blockchain, and emerging digital technologies. Dubai was selected as the host city due to its infrastructure and position as a regional innovation hub. How SoftConstruct AI Supports AIBC Eurasia…

AI real estate startup Smart Bricks has raised $5 million in pre-seed funding in a round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). The company is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The funding round also included participation from several venture capital firms and angel investors. The company did not disclose its valuation. Smart Bricks was founded in 2024. It operates as an AI-focused research and development lab building autonomous systems for real estate investing. The startup is focused on applying advanced AI to automate real estate discovery, analysis, and execution. AI Real Estate Startup Smart Bricks and Its Platform AI real…

Presight has deployed an AI-powered unified command centre for Khazna Data Centers under a long-term agreement. Both companies are part of the Abu Dhabi–based G42 Group. The deployment supports centralized operations management across Khazna’s growing data center portfolio. The AI-powered unified command centre integrates data from multiple operational and facilities systems. It creates a single intelligence layer for real-time monitoring and decision support. The platform underpins the launch of Khazna NexOps, a dedicated in-house operations organization. AI-Powered Unified Command Centre Capabilities The AI-powered unified command centre uses Presight’s AI-Optimized Sustainable Data Centre solution. The system enables predictive and prescriptive maintenance…

Khalifa University and UAE University have released a new 6G AI benchmark designed to evaluate reasoning and decision-making in AI-native 6G networks. The benchmark is called 6G-Bench. It is the first open framework focused on semantic communication and network-level intelligence for future wireless systems. The project was developed by Khalifa University’s 6G Research Centre in collaboration with the Department of Computer and Network Engineering at UAE University. The 6G AI benchmark aims to measure how artificial intelligence models perform in complex telecom environments. It addresses gaps in existing evaluation tools that focus mainly on language or vision tasks. Structure of…

The STEP Conference 2026 event will be held in Dubai Internet City from February 11 to February 12, 2026. The conference represents the 14th edition of STEP, one of the Middle East’s longest-running technology gatherings. The 2026 edition centers on the theme “Intelligence Everywhere: The AI Economy.” The focus is on how artificial intelligence is shaping businesses, markets, and digital infrastructure across the region. STEP began more than a decade ago as a small series of workshops. Over time, it expanded into a large-scale technology festival attracting international participation. STEP Conference 2026 Theme and Focus The STEP Conference 2026 theme…

The AI-GOV initiative Tajikistan has entered a new phase following a partnership between Inception and Tajikistan’s Ministry of Industry and New Technologies. The agreement was signed on February 9, 2026. It supports Tajikistan’s National AI Strategy 2040 and focuses on applying artificial intelligence within government operations. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). It establishes cooperation between Inception, the ministry, and Dubai-based AI company zypl.ai. The agreement outlines joint responsibilities related to public sector AI development. Scope of the AI-GOV Initiative Tajikistan Under the AI-GOV initiative Tajikistan, the partners will pilot and deploy AI solutions across government…

Magna AI has announced a major AI infrastructure investment in Malaysia through a memorandum of understanding with Malaysian technology firm Zchwantech Group. The agreement is valued at approximately $700 million. The partnership aims to expand national-level AI infrastructure and support Malaysia’s digital transformation strategy. The AI infrastructure investment in Malaysia focuses on building sovereign-ready systems capable of supporting large-scale enterprise and government workloads. The project emphasizes local data control, secure operations, and long-term capacity development. AI Infrastructure Investment in Malaysia Targets Sarawak Data Center A 20-megawatt AI data center in Sarawak is the central project under the agreement. The facility…

G42 AI infrastructure Vietnam is supported by up to $1 billion in consumption commitments under a new framework cooperation agreement. The agreement brings together Abu Dhabi–based G42, FPT Corporation, and Viet Thai Group. The partnership focuses on building advanced AI and cloud infrastructure inside Vietnam. The initiative is structured around guaranteed demand for compute and cloud services. These usage commitments underpin the financial viability of the planned infrastructure. The agreement emphasizes data sovereignty and compliance with Vietnam’s national regulations. G42 AI Infrastructure Vietnam Data Center Deployment The G42 AI infrastructure Vietnam plan includes the development of three large-scale data center…

Apple CarPlay AI integration is set to expand as Apple prepares to allow third-party artificial intelligence assistants to operate within its in-car software system. The update follows increasing driver demand for broader AI functionality beyond Apple’s built-in voice assistant, Siri. The change would mark a shift in Apple’s long-standing approach to limiting CarPlay to its own services. According to reports cited by Bloomberg, Apple plans to support external AI providers inside CarPlay within the coming months. The company is reportedly working on software updates that would enable these integrations without replacing Siri entirely. Why Apple CarPlay AI Integration Is Changing…

World Model AI is being deployed by Waymo to accelerate the expansion of its robotaxi services. The technology is built using Google DeepMind’s Genie 3 world model, customized for autonomous vehicle simulation. Waymo stated that the World Model AI improves its ability to test and prepare self-driving vehicles before deployment in new locations. The system allows engineers to simulate complex driving environments that are difficult to reproduce in the real world. These include rare events, extreme weather, and unusual traffic conditions. The goal is to improve readiness as Waymo expands robotaxi operations into additional cities. How World Model AI Improves…

AI quality in GCC tax systems has become a central focus for tax and finance leaders across the Gulf region. A new study by Deloitte Middle East surveyed 649 tax and finance professionals across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait. The findings show that organizations are prioritizing accuracy and analytical reliability over speed or automation when deploying generative AI tools. The research highlights how AI adoption is progressing unevenly across the region. Many organizations remain cautious as they evaluate risks related to data quality, compliance, and governance. Why AI Quality in GCC Tax Systems Matters The survey…

AI at the Winter Olympic Games is becoming a core technology during the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy. The Games run through February 22, 2026. Artificial intelligence is being deployed across athlete preparation, competition analysis, broadcasting, and fan services. Multiple technology partners are supporting these systems under the oversight of the International Olympic Committee. The IOC has confirmed that AI tools are being used both on the field of play and across digital platforms connected to the Games. AI at the Winter Olympic Games Improves Athlete Training AI at the Winter Olympic Games is playing a significant role in…

Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched an AI Agent Factory platform to support the deployment of AI agents across government operations. The platform was developed in collaboration with Microsoft. The announcement was made on February 8, 2026. The AI Agent Factory platform is designed to help government entities build, manage, and deploy AI-powered solutions. It is intended to support both internal administrative functions and public-facing services. The platform is part of Qatar’s broader digital transformation agenda. Purpose of the AI Agent Factory Platform The AI Agent Factory platform allows ministries and departments to create AI agents that automate…

Anthropic has launched a high-profile campaign focused on AI advertising in chatbots by purchasing commercial airtime during Super Bowl LX. The ads are scheduled to air on NBC during the championship game on Sunday. This marks Anthropic’s first appearance as a Super Bowl advertiser. The campaign directly addresses growing debate around AI advertising in chatbots, following OpenAI’s announcement that it plans to introduce advertising inside ChatGPT. Anthropic’s ads do not name OpenAI but clearly reference chatbot interactions that include promotional messages. Message Behind the AI Advertising in Chatbots Campaign The commercials depict common situations where a chatbot provides a normal…

Bengaluru, India | 06 February 2026 — KonfHub, a pioneering event management platform, today announced the launch of its AI-powered solution designed to redefine how events are planned, managed, and experienced. By leveraging Artificial Intelligence, KonfHub enables seamless event planning, smart registration, real-time attendance tracking, and meaningful networking—delivering superior efficiency and engagement. The platform empowers event organizers with intelligent tools that automate operations and enhance attendee interactions, ensuring smooth execution and measurable impact. Key Highlights KonfHub’s AI-driven system automates critical processes such as scheduling, attendee management, and communications—significantly reducing manual effort for organizers. Its touchless check-in technology uses secure facial…

Qatar NPC AI technology adoption plans were announced by the National Planning Council as part of efforts to modernize government planning and analytics. The initiative focuses on integrating artificial intelligence into national decision-making systems. The announcement aligns with Qatar’s long-term digital and development strategies. The National Planning Council is working with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to develop AI-based tools. These tools will support planning activities across multiple government entities. The initiative is designed to enhance data-driven governance. Objectives of Qatar NPC AI Technology Adoption The Qatar NPC AI technology adoption initiative aims to improve the quality of…

The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) is advancing prototype AI agents in higher education to support universities and academic institutions nationwide. The initiative focuses on research and development of artificial intelligence agents designed for educational use. The project is supported by Microsoft and aligns with national digital transformation goals. The prototype AI agents in higher education are being developed to assist learning, research activities, and academic operations. MoHESR confirmed that the work is part of a broader effort to modernize higher education systems across the United Arab Emirates. Role of Prototype AI Agents in Higher Education…

A major Africa AI data centres investment is being led by Dubai-based Maser Group, which plans to invest $1.6 billion across several African countries. The investment targets AI data centres and farmland development. The rollout is expected to take place over the next two years. The primary markets include Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. Maser Group was founded in 2014. The company is best known for consumer electronics manufacturing. It now plans to expand into artificial intelligence infrastructure and agriculture. The Africa AI data centres investment reflects a shift toward digital and food production assets on the continent. Africa AI Data…

Goldman Sachs has begun using AI agents for accounting and compliance across parts of its internal finance operations. The bank is deploying autonomous agents to handle structured accounting and regulatory workflows. The initiative was confirmed by Goldman Sachs Chief Information Officer Marco Argenti. The system is built using Anthropic’s Claude AI model and has been developed over approximately six months. The AI agents are integrated directly into Goldman Sachs’ internal systems. They operate within the firm’s existing compliance and security frameworks. Human oversight remains in place for final decision-making. How AI Agents for Accounting and Compliance Are Used The AI…

Crypto.com co-founder and CEO Kris Marszalek is launching a personal AI agents platform aimed at bringing autonomous AI tools to everyday users. The platform, called ai.com, is scheduled to launch on February 8, 2026. The debut will coincide with a Super Bowl commercial introducing the service to a global audience. The personal AI agents platform is designed to allow individuals to create AI agents that can act independently. These agents are built to complete tasks on behalf of users across digital environments. The system does not require coding knowledge and is intended for mainstream adoption. How the Personal AI Agents…