$100 Million Puts Cairo on the AI Map

30 Jul 202616 Safar 1448 AH

Ajman AI agent renews trade licences; Konecta's new $100M AI hub in Egypt

Konecta, a Spanish outsourcing group, has opened its $100 million AI hub in Cairo, marking its first global center of excellence. The new facility will employ 800 specialists, with plans to expand to around 3,000 staff, highlighting the company's commitment to enhancing AI capabilities in the region. This development comes as Saudi Arabia retains its lead in the digital government index, indicating the importance of innovation in enhancing public services and delivering smart solutions.

CFAs: AI Partnership and Exchange for Tech Leaders (Saudi Arabia)

CFAs: AI Partnership and Exchange for Tech Leaders (Saudi Arabia)

The AI Partnership and Exchange for Tech Leaders is an initiative by the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh aimed at enhancing collaboration between emerging Saudi AI professionals and American experts. The program offers grants ranging from $150,000 to $250,000 to eligible organizations that can design and implement exchange activities, professional networking, and institutional partnerships focused on AI and technology innovation. The program seeks to build long-term partnerships that advance innovation and knowledge sharing, contributing to accelerating innovation and developing responsible AI practices. Through this initiative, organizations can facilitate meaningful engagement between AI professionals in both countries.

The Hidden Cost of AI: How the Arab World Can Build Data Centers Without Water

The Hidden Cost of AI: How the Arab World Can Build Data Centers Without Water

Large data centers require evaporative cooling systems that consume millions of liters of water daily, posing a significant challenge in the Gulf region. Many countries rely on seawater and non-renewable aquifers, yet Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing billions in AI infrastructure. While the desert may seem an unsuitable location for data centers, there is potential to develop new cooling technologies without relying on water. This innovation requires a deep understanding of physics and environmental challenges, which could open new horizons for the future of AI in the region.

Global AI Scene

25 Jul 202611 Safar 1448 AH

DeepSeek Suspends Second Funding Round Amid New Expansion Plans

25 Jul 202611 Safar 1448 AH

DeepSeek Suspends Second Funding Round Amid New Expansion Plans

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has announced the suspension of its second funding round, which was expected to increase its market valuation to approximately $71 billion. This decision comes as the company was in talks with new investors to enhance its infrastructure and establish new data centers, reflecting a growing interest in the AI sector. Notably, DeepSeek raised around $7.4 billion in its first funding round, boosting its valuation to $50 billion, but the suspension of the second round raises questions about its future plans.

TokenAI to release Horus cybersecurity model

TokenAI to release Horus cybersecurity model

TokenAI, based in Alexandria, has announced the launch of Horus Cyper, a specialized AI model for vulnerability discovery and security analysis. The model employs a Mixture-of-Experts architecture with a 128K context window, enabling it to analyze large codebases and security reports in a single workflow. The company has submitted a formal request for approval to Egypt’s National Council for Artificial Intelligence, with a planned release in September 2026, contingent on this approval. Horus Cyper represents a new category of AI models designed to identify software vulnerabilities, placing it in a high-risk category.

31 Jul 202617 Safar 1448 AH

Advancing responsible AI across Europe

31 Jul 202617 Safar 1448 AH

Advancing responsible AI across Europe

OpenAI has announced its practices in safety, security, transparency, and provenance to support AI governance in Europe. This initiative coincides with the advancement of the EU AI Act, reflecting OpenAI's commitment to regulatory compliance. The outlined practices include mechanisms to ensure transparency in AI usage, which helps build trust between users and regulatory bodies. OpenAI also aims to enhance the security of intelligent systems by adopting stringent standards.

Nobody Knows if OpenAI’s and Anthropic’s AI Hacking Sprees Are Illegal