AI News

Follow the latest AI and automation news

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Implementing advanced AI technologies in finance

AI has entered finance departments as an unexpected transformation, with employees adopting it before governance strategies were established. This shift reflects a tension between the need for control and innovation, making these departments among the most transformed in enterprises. New AI applications include analyzing unstructured data, fraud detection, and contract review. Experts emphasize that AI adoption should align with existing processes rather than outright replace them, ensuring seamless integration.

Infrastructure

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

There aren’t enough rockets for space data centers — Cowboy Space raised $275M to build them

The cloud computing industry is experiencing a surge in demand for resources, prompting entrepreneurs to consider establishing data centers in space. However, they face significant challenges, including a shortage of rockets to transport these centers into orbit and the high costs involved. Space-based data centers could potentially address the growing need for cloud computing, offering a more efficient environment for AI systems. Yet, logistical challenges and expenses hinder this trend, complicating efforts to realize this vision.

Business

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Hakeem Health raises $1.65 million backed by Merak Capital

Hakeem Health has raised $1.65 million in a funding round led by Merak Capital, with participation from Sanabil 500. Founded in 2022 by Bilal Adi and Mohammed Ayyad, the company targets hospitals, universities, and healthcare payers in the GCC. Operating on a SaaS model, Hakeem Health's flagship platform, HakeemDx, integrates with hospital systems to provide real-time bilingual clinical guidance. The new funding will support the expansion of HakeemDx across GCC healthcare systems.

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LaST-R1: New Physical Reasoning Paradigm Achieves 99.9% Success Rate on LIBERO Benchmark

What implications does LaST-R1 have for the future of robotics in the Arab world?

Agents

Lumos Robotics Closes ~1B RMB Across A1 and A2 Rounds, Mitsubishi Electric Leads

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Agents

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Lumos Robotics Closes ~1B RMB Across A1 and A2 Rounds, Mitsubishi Electric Leads

Lumos Robotics, an AI startup from Tsinghua University, has closed A1 and A2 funding rounds totaling approximately 1 billion RMB, led by Mitsubishi Electric's Chinese subsidiary. The A1 round was co-led by Mitsubishi Electric's intelligent manufacturing arm and existing investors, while the A2 round saw participation from Hengsheng Electronics and others. The company focuses on deploying embodied AI in industrial and logistics settings, having developed the Lumos Nexcore physical AI engine.

Arab AI Scene

AI Expansion: UAE and Qatar Lead Globally

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Arab AI Scene

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

AI Expansion: UAE and Qatar Lead Globally

The AI sector is experiencing unprecedented global expansion, with the UAE and Qatar emerging as leaders in adoption. According to the Stanford AI Index 2026 report, U.S. model releases surged from 237 to 1,618 between 2018 and 2025, while China saw rapid growth. The UAE topped Microsoft's list of countries adopting AI, with a 70.1% penetration rate among working-age populations, followed by Singapore and Norway. Qatar ranked tenth with a 41.8% penetration rate, highlighting significant Arab advancements in this field.

Business

Anthropic reportedly makes a seven-year cloud computing deal

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Business

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Anthropic reportedly makes a seven-year cloud computing deal

Anthropic has signed a $1.8 billion cloud computing deal with Akamai Technologies, marking the largest agreement in Akamai's history, according to the company's CEO. This seven-year contract comes in response to the rising demand for cloud models as Anthropic aims to meet the growing market needs. Akamai is enhancing its infrastructure to accommodate the increasing demand for intelligent software, although it did not mention Anthropic during its recent earnings call. Nonetheless, the deal underscores the significance of strategic partnerships in cloud computing, particularly amid the rapid growth in artificial intelligence usage.

Business

Why Chinese youth embrace AI for fortune-telling despite critics labelling it a ‘scam’

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Business

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Why Chinese youth embrace AI for fortune-telling despite critics labelling it a ‘scam’

Chinese youth are increasingly turning to AI for fortune-telling, with smart models proving more effective than traditional fortune-tellers. The hashtag #deepseeksuanming, related to fortune-telling via DeepSeek, has garnered over 55 million views on the Chinese social media platform. Launched in 2023, DeepSeek offers a cheaper and faster alternative for users. AI fortune-telling is becoming a growing part of daily routines for many, providing a unique and swift experience. These smart models allow users to receive accurate predictions without the long wait typical of traditional fortune-tellers.

Business

I Work in Hollywood. Everyone Who Used to Make TV Is Now Secretly Training AI

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Business

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

I Work in Hollywood. Everyone Who Used to Make TV Is Now Secretly Training AI

Freelance screenwriters are facing new challenges with the rise of AI-driven gig work. Over the past eight months, I completed 20 frustrating contracts across five different platforms, highlighting the difficulties in adapting to a changing job market. These new contracts demand diverse skills, yet they often lack job security and fair compensation. As more writers turn to these platforms, competition increases, limiting available opportunities and raising concerns about the future of creative writing.

Business

Bain sees US$100 billion SaaS market in agentic AI automation

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Business

11 May 202624 Dhuʻl-Qiʻdah 1447 AH

Bain sees US$100 billion SaaS market in agentic AI automation

Bain & Company estimates a $100 billion market for SaaS companies utilizing agentic AI in the US. This figure arises from their second report in a five-part series on the software industry, focusing on how agentic AI can create new software markets. The market centers on the manual coordination work employees perform across enterprise applications, including ERP and CRM systems. Agentic AI can interpret data from various sources and coordinate actions, overcoming limitations of traditional automation methods.