Author: Art Ryan

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…

Cairo, Egypt — AI Everything MEA Egypt 2026, the Middle East and Africa’s most comprehensive artificial intelligence summit and exhibition, will take place on February 11–12, 2026, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC) in Cairo. The landmark event will convene global AI leaders, policymakers, investors, enterprises, startups, and technologists to accelerate AI adoption and economic transformation across the region and beyond. Organized under the global GITEX brand and hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in strategic partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), AI Everything MEA Egypt 2026 reflects Egypt’s growing leadership in…

DEWA AI virtual engineer deployment will mark a global first in power network operations. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced it will introduce the DEWA AI virtual engineer in June 2026. The announcement was made by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer during the World Governments Summit 2026. The system will operate across Dubai’s electricity network and function continuously without interruption. DEWA AI Virtual Engineer Designed for 24/7 Power Network Monitoring The DEWA AI virtual engineer will monitor the electricity network around the clock. It will analyze real-time operational data from generation, transmission, and distribution systems. The system is designed to…

Baidu RT6 autonomous taxis in Dubai were officially launched following an inauguration attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The launch took place during the Dubai World Self-Driving Transport Exhibition. The initiative is led by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority in partnership with Baidu’s autonomous mobility unit, Apollo Go. The project marks the start of fully autonomous taxi operations using AI-powered vehicles. Baidu RT6 Autonomous Taxis in Dubai Deployed Through RTA Partnership Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority signed agreements with Baidu Apollo Go to deploy the RT6 robotaxi model. The RT6 is Baidu’s sixth-generation autonomous vehicle designed…

Dubai, United Arab Emirates — February 11–12, 2026 — STEP Dubai 2026, one of the Middle East’s leading technology and startup conferences, returns to Dubai Internet City on February 11–12, 2026, bringing together founders, investors, and technology leaders shaping the future of artificial intelligence and innovation. Centered on the theme “Intelligence Everywhere: The AI Economy,” STEP Dubai 2026 will explore how artificial intelligence is being built, funded, deployed, and scaled across industries worldwide. The two-day event serves as a global platform for meaningful conversations at the intersection of AI, entrepreneurship, and investment. The conference program will cover key areas driving…

Saudi Arabia public sector AI adoption ranked first globally in the Public Sector AI Adoption Index 2026. The index was published by UK consultancy Public First in collaboration with the Center for Data Innovation. The study compared AI use across government institutions in 10 countries. Saudi Arabia placed first overall across all measured categories. Saudi Arabia Public Sector AI Adoption Index Methodology The index evaluated five dimensions of AI use in government. These areas were enthusiasm, empowerment, enablement, embedding, and education. The research was based on surveys of 3,335 public sector employees. Respondents came from Saudi Arabia, the United States,…

Yum Brands proprietary AI is being deployed across the company’s global restaurant portfolio through its internal platform called Byte by Yum. The platform supports operations at KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill locations. Yum Brands proprietary AI combines multiple software tools into a single system designed for quick-service restaurant operations. The company discussed the platform’s performance during its February 5, 2026 earnings call. Yum Brands Proprietary AI Platform Byte by Yum Overview Byte by Yum is a proprietary technology stack owned and operated by Yum Brands. The platform includes bundled and modular software products delivered as…

The UAE launches world’s largest AI chip at the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai. The semiconductor contains around four trillion transistors on a single silicon wafer. The announcement was made during an official session at the summit. The chip was unveiled by Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. The technology was developed by Stargate, a company operating under Abu Dhabi-based technology group G42. UAE Launches World’s Largest AI Chip With Record Transistor Density The AI chip is described as the largest of its kind ever revealed. Existing commercial chips usually…

EnFi raises $15M for AI credit workforce growth after closing a Series A funding round led by FINTOP. The funding supports expansion of EnFi’s AI-native credit platform used by banks and lenders. The round brings EnFi’s total funding to $22.5 million and includes participation from Patriot Financial Partners, Commerce Ventures, Unusual Ventures, and Boston Seed Capital. EnFi Raises $15M for AI Credit Workforce Through Strategic Investors The investors backing EnFi collectively work with more than 150 financial institutions. FINTOP is connected to about 90 regional and community banks. Patriot Financial Partners has active investments across 66 banks. Commerce Ventures includes…

Roblox AI model generation was announced as a new tool for creating functioning 3D assets using natural language. The technology allows developers to describe objects in text. The system then produces usable models inside Roblox Studio. These models are designed to function within games. Roblox shared details through a developer update. The company said the tool is part of its broader artificial intelligence strategy. The system is built to reduce development time. It is aimed at creators with different skill levels. Roblox said the tool supports faster iteration during game design. The generated assets are compatible with existing Roblox systems.…

The Dubai AI literacy programme was announced during the World Governments Summit in Dubai. The initiative focuses on integrating artificial intelligence education into private schools. The programme is led by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. It is delivered in partnership with the DP World Foundation and MIT’s Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education initiative. The Dubai AI literacy programme targets students in Grades 6 to 8. Around 80,500 students across Dubai private schools are expected to benefit. The programme will run from 2026 until February 2030. It aims to introduce structured AI learning at the middle school level.…

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…