Arageek Joins Ai Everything as an official Media Partner. 
Cairo will host Ai Everything MEA Egypt 2026, the year’s first all‑AI expo and summit. 
Egypt pitches itself as a “bridge” for Arabic‑first AI, backed by strong government readiness rankings. 
More than 350 companies, including Microsoft and regional startups, will showcase practical AI products. 
Founders, banks and policymakers will debate “sovereign AI”, funding, and long‑term execution beyond pilots.

WideBot AI launches Arabic-speaking AI voice agents for WhatsApp Business Voice Calls in the Middle East. 
The technology supports diverse Arabic dialects, enhancing communication for government departments and corporations. 
WideBot&#8217;s system manages queries and processes requests while adhering to local data protection standards. 
Developers highlight the importance of crafting AI specifically for Arabic to ensure effective interaction. 
Clients can choose on-premise or regional cloud hosting, ensuring compliance with local privacy regulations.

Metric, an Abu Dhabi fintech startup, gains investment from A-typical Ventures for its AI platform. 
&#8220;Max,&#8221; a Chief Financial AI tool, analyzes $4,2 billion in data to aid business growth. 
Founded in 2022, Metric supports over 130,000 businesses in 190 countries, in English and Arabic. 
Investors like 500 Global and Hub71 back Metric&#8217;s plans to enhance and expand &#8220;Max.&#8221; 
Metric turns complex data into actionable insights, empowering entrepreneurs beyond UAE borders.

Shahbandr AI aims to simplify e-commerce for Arabic-speaking merchants with its all-in-one toolkit. 
This Riyadh-based innovative tool integrates smoothly without complicated plugins, targeting ease and efficiency. 
It offers over 50 pre-set prompts, eliminating technical headaches for users, even beginners. 
Free for stores using Shahbandr, it enhances marketing, content, and customer engagement. 
Shahbandr&#8217;s rapid growth in Saudi Arabia and Egypt is propelling its regional expansion plans.

HOKO Agency acquired Dubai-based virtual-world startup Everdome, enhancing its digital platform HumAIn Assets. 
Everdome&#8217;s inclusion will integrate cryptocurrency &#8216;$DOME&#8217; and leadership into creating innovative content solutions. 
HumAIn Assets aims to combine user-friendly experiences with web3&#8217;s decentralised interaction and payment systems. 
HOKO&#8217;s chairman emphasizes maintaining genuine human creativity amid AI automation in the UAE market. 
Everdome has partnered with major names, contributing to UAE&#8217;s fast-evolving startup ecosystem.

Royal Development Holding, part of Emirates Stallions Group, partners with SAAS Properties for Al Reem Island. 
The $435 million development joins Marriott&#8217;s Autograph Collection of stylish hotels and residences. 
Royal Development aims to showcase innovation and craftsmanship in luxury real estate projects. 
SAAS Properties focuses on enriching Abu Dhabi&#8217;s skyline with a signature luxury lifestyle approach. 
Emirates Stallions Group expands regionally, securing a 16-year usufruct rights deal in Saudi Arabia.

GEMS Education launched the Global Education AI Hub in Dubai for AI innovation in learning. 
The hub aims to create practical AI tools for personalised education and improved school management. 
It offers researchers and startups access to vast educational data for real-world AI testing. 
Ethical governance ensures AI developments prioritise student wellbeing and data privacy. 
The initiative invites global experts to reshape education with innovative AI solutions.

Nova clinches $3,65 million funding led by CDP Venture Capital and BY Venture Partners. 
Founded in 2020, Nova uses AI to build a vetted professional community. 
The platform offers a selective recruitment process, freeing companies from irrelevant CVs. 
Funds will expand into European cities and enhance AI candidate-matching algorithms. 
Backing aligns with Doha Tech Angels&#8217; focus on innovative, tech-driven recruitment solutions.

CorroHealth will invest in UAE&#8217;s SANTECHTURE to boost smart revenue cycle management solutions. 
The collaboration enhances their AI tech with SANTECHTURE&#8217;s revenue management across GCC markets. 
SANTECHTURE&#8217;s innovative approach, backed by Gulf Capital, gains popularity in the Middle East. 
CorroHealth&#8217;s global reputation bolsters this promising partnership with its health analytics expertise. 
Their combined strengths could transform the healthcare technology landscape in the region.

AiVANTA and Slangit Technologies are partnering to launch an AI-powered platform for Arabic markets. 
This venture combines AiVANTA’s personalised AI videos with Slangit&#8217;s interactive voice and chat capabilities. 
The platform aims to deliver localised customer engagement across websites, apps, and phone systems. 
Healthcare, banking, e-commerce, and telecom businesses will benefit by streamlining operations and enhancing support. 
The collaboration promises to redefine AI-driven multimedia communication in the Middle East.

Salesforce is heavily investing in AI, cloud services, and workforce expansion in the Middle East. 
The company plans a $500 million investment in Saudi Arabia, partnering with AWS for local data centres. 
Collaborations include IBM on an AI Innovation Centre and university programmes for local talent development. 
Salesforce promotes &#8220;digital labour&#8221; to free teams from repetitive tasks, enhancing customer interaction time. 
Alkhotani advises regional firms to incorporate AI, emphasizing its necessity for business success.

Saudi firm HUMAIN plans a $10 billion fund targeting global AI innovators. 
They&#8217;re engaging tech leaders like Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI, and Elon Musk&#8217;s xAI. 
HUMAIN aims to manage 7% of AI training tasks globally by 2030. 
They&#8217;ve struck big deals with Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm, and Amazon to enhance Saudi AI infrastructure. 
Speculation exists around selling datacentre stakes to interested American companies.

Saudi Arabia has launched CodeAI to boost AI startups via the Digital Entrepreneurship Centre. 
Twenty AI companies are joining the initiative to transform ideas into tech solutions. 
Participants receive extensive support, including mentoring, strategic partnerships, and financial backing. 
The programme aligns with Saudi Arabia&#8217;s ambition to be a regional innovation hub. 
Collaborators include SDAIA, SKAI, SambaNova, and BIM Ventures, boosting local AI innovation efforts.

RIIG has rebranded to HOOTL, focusing on AI-driven automation in healthcare and insurance sectors. 
HOOTL aims to streamline insurance processes using AI for document verification and claims settlement. 
Their new base in the UAE leverages the country&#8217;s digital innovation and growth potential. 
They plan to strengthen ties with both public and private sectors, including regional universities. 
Previously focused on cybersecurity, they&#8217;re now expanding into broad AI applications.

Tarjama, a UAE-based AI company, secured $15 million in Series A funding. 
They developed Pronoia, an advanced Arabic Language Model outperforming other AI in Arabic tasks. 
Arabic,AI platform rapidly streamlines complex business operations for Middle Eastern enterprises. 
Future plans include launching an AI Academy and expanding globally, supported by strong investor backing. 
Founder&#8217;s vision: Transform Arabic business tasks and establish a comprehensive AI ecosystem.

Egyptian startup Darwinz AI secures funding from Flat6Labs&#8217; Saudi fund. 
Founded by Mohi Abu Allam, it offers AI-driven decision-making tools for businesses. 
The firm provides market data analysis and predictive analytics to forecast trends. 
Flat6Labs supports regional startups, highlighting Saudi Arabia&#8217;s commitment to MENA technologies. 
Darwinz AI&#8217;s success signals growing tech collaboration across the Middle East and North Africa.

Flam has secured $14 million in Series A funding, led by RTP Global. 
Founded in 2021, the London-based company enhances online content with quick-loading 3D and MR experiences. 
Flam plans to expand operations in the Middle East, North America, and Europe. 
The funding will further develop its AI tech for the advertising, retail, and live-streaming sectors. 
Flam aims to collaborate with creative studios, offering new corporate solutions and immersive experiences.

Saudi Arabia&#8217;s HUMAIN partners with AMD in a $10 billion AI venture. 
Aiming to create advanced, cost-effective AI infrastructure with 500 MW computing power. 
The plan involves sustainable data centres and a global fibre-optic network. 
AMD&#8217;s CEO calls it a milestone for global AI performance and scalability. 
HUMAIN aims to &#8220;democratise AI computing&#8221; and invite innovation globally.

TensorWave secures $100 million in Series-A funding to expand AI infrastructure operations. 
The round was led by Magnetar, AMD Ventures, and Prosperity7, showcasing strong investor confidence. 
Funding will be used to deploy a large fleet of AMD&#8217;s liquid-cooled GPUs. 
CEO Darrick Horton highlights the mission to democratise advanced AI computing. 
AI infrastructure market is projected to exceed $400 billion by 2027.

STV and Google have launched a $100 million AI fund for MENA startups. 
AI funding in the region was only 1,5% in 2024, compared to 38% in the US. 
The partnership will invest in user-oriented AI applications and supportive infrastructure. 
Google aims to enhance regional AI opportunities through programs like &#8220;AI Opportunity in the Region.&#8221; 
The collaboration seeks to advance regional tech and economic growth through enhanced innovation.

Qlik has concluded a major funding round led by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority&#8217;s subsidiary. 
This investment will fuel Qlik&#8217;s expansion in the fast-growing enterprise AI market. 
Qlik recently acquired Upsolver, enhancing its AI-driven solutions like conversational analytics. 
The company seeks to meet rising demand for scalable and accountable artificial intelligence services. 
Backed by big investors, Qlik is poised for a promising future in technology.

Saudi Arabia&#8217;s PIF has launched Humain, a company dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence. 
Humain aims to develop sophisticated AI models, including leading Arabic language models. 
The company will focus on industries like energy, healthcare, and financial services for AI integration. 
It plans to nurture local talent, aligning with Saudi ambitions for AI expertise and investment. 
Humain&#8217;s strategic location leverages Saudi Arabia&#8217;s geography and economic growth for digital innovation.

ByteEdge secures $1,5 million in funding, led by Japanese firm TRTL Ventures. 
Funds will support product development and extensive scaling across India and beyond. 
Company targets Middle East and US for expansion, citing lack of local video content. 
Their AI-based SaaS transforms text-heavy documents into smartphone-friendly videos. 
ByteEdge plans to raise an additional $3 million to accelerate expansion efforts.

UAE startup AqlanX secures $10 million from Australian tech company Lakeba for business automation expansion. 
Funding, supported by NextGen FDI, aims to spread DoxAI solutions across the Middle East. 
AqlanX, specialising in Arabic-language AI, targets streamlined corporate processes and efficiency enhancements. 
AqlanX partners with University of Wollongong Dubai to establish an AI Centre of Excellence. 
Minister highlights the initiative&#8217;s role in fostering cross-sector collaboration in AI.