Week 33 - 2026Published 19 Aug 2026

Saudi fund offers half a million riyals for AI adoption

Saudi Arabia's Cultural Development Fund opened grants of up to SAR 500,000 for small cultural businesses adopting AI, while SDAIA pointed to the technology as a growth route for entrepreneurs. In the Gulf, Abu Dhabi's MGX co-led a $5 billion round in Databricks. Globally, training-data defaults and market-specific models are turning compliance and partner selection into decisions leaders need answers on this quarter.

Arab AI Scene

Saudi fund offers grants for AI in culture

12 Aug 202629 Safar 1448 AH

Arab AI Scene

12 Aug 202629 Safar 1448 AH

Saudi fund offers grants for AI in culture

Saudi Arabia's Cultural Development Fund has launched AI Incentives for Cultural Projects, offering grants up to SAR 500,000 ($133,000) to micro, small, and medium-sized cultural businesses adopting or developing AI technologies. This initiative is in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Quality of Life Program, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), with applications open until September 29, 2026. This grant track aligns with Saudi Arabia's designation of 2026 as the Year of AI, aiming to enhance the cultural sector's technological capabilities.

Arab AI Scene

AI Opens New Growth Avenues for Enterprises, Business Models in Saudi Arabia

12 Aug 202629 Safar 1448 AH

Arab AI Scene

12 Aug 202629 Safar 1448 AH

AI Opens New Growth Avenues for Enterprises, Business Models in Saudi Arabia

Artificial intelligence has become a key enabler of business development, opening new growth avenues for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs, according to the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA). This technology enhances their competitiveness as the economy rapidly embraces digital solutions and advanced technologies. These remarks were made during AI Week, organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority in partnership with SDAIA, aiming to build stronger links between technological enablers and the business sector and to move AI technologies from theory into practical applications in the workplace.

Business

UAE's MGX co-leads Databricks strategic funding round

13 Aug 20261 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Business

13 Aug 20261 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

UAE's MGX co-leads Databricks strategic funding round

MGX, a UAE-based technology investment company, has led a $5 billion funding round for AI firm Databricks, which is now valued at $190 billion. The round also included Coatue, Blackstone, T Rowe Price, and new investor Sixth Street Growth. Databricks aims to drive innovation across its AI platform, noting that at least 60% of its clients are Fortune 500 companies. The company reported surpassing a $7 billion revenue run-rate with over 80% year-over-year growth in Q2. This investment comes during a busy period for MGX, which recently committed to expanding data centers.

Global AI Scene

Governance

Amazon Can Use Your Twitch Content to Train Its AI—Unless You Opt Out

15 Aug 20263 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Governance

15 Aug 20263 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Amazon Can Use Your Twitch Content to Train Its AI—Unless You Opt Out

Twitch has sparked significant controversy after announcing that streamers could opt out of having their content used for AI training. Many users questioned why their content was being utilized in the first place, viewing it as an infringement on privacy. This debate highlights the need for transparency in data usage policies, which could impact user trust in the platform and prompt a reevaluation of its future strategies.

Arab AI Scene

Apple Develops AI Model for Chinese Market in Partnership with Alibaba

14 Aug 20262 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Arab AI Scene

14 Aug 20262 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Apple Develops AI Model for Chinese Market in Partnership with Alibaba

Apple has trained a large language model specifically for the Chinese market in collaboration with Alibaba, marking a shift from its previous reliance on external models. This new model will provide Apple greater control over the AI experience in China, where it faces increasing competition from local companies like Huawei. The launch of the 'Apple Intelligence' toolkit is expected in the coming months, making Apple the first foreign company to gain Beijing's approval for its proprietary AI model.