AI success in life sciences depends on people as much as technology: Bain
Organizations creating the most value from AI are not necessarily those deploying the most technology. Instead, they are redesigning workflows,...
Business
Economy
PIF assets reach $910 billion by 2025 end, below Vision 2030 target
According to the latest Vision 2030 annual report, the real non-oil GDP reached $892 billion against a target of $904...
- The figure represents substantial growth for the sovereign wealth fund but remains below the programme's target of $1.09 trillion.
- The sovereign wealth fund is the main financial engine behind Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's plan to reduce dependence on oil revenues.
Business
flynas to set up new hub
Five destinations in first phase of operations.
- Initial routes will connect Al-Qassim with Istanbul, Trabzon, Cairo, Abha and Dammam.
- The move makes flynas the first Saudi airline to operate from six hubs across the Kingdom.
Geostrategy
US strikes Iranian military sites after Apache helicopter downing
The latest confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz threatens regional shipping security and comes despite renewed diplomatic efforts to stabilize...
- Trump said a wider regional peace agreement could be reached within "two or three days" even as military operations continued.
- Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting US military assets in Jordan and Bahrain and warned of harsher action.
Economy
Saudi Arabia’s economy expands as oil and non-oil sectors grow
According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), all major economic sectors recorded positive annual growth during the quarter, reflecting...
- Oil and non-oil activities each increased 2.9% from a year earlier, underscoring balanced contributions to economic expansion.
- By regulatory sectors, the oil sector expanded 2.8% YoY in Q1 2026, while the non-oil sector grew 2.6%. The private sector posted growth of 2.8%.
Business
Alef Group launches $1.08 billion waterfront development in Sharjah
Dubai, UAE -- Alef Group has launched Linar, a AED4 billion ($1.08bn) waterfront residential development in Sharjah, marking the company's...
- The project, located in Al Mamzar near the Dubai border, comprises five residential towers and one commercial tower and is expected to deliver 2,620 homes upon completion.
- Alef said expressions of interest for Towers A, B and C had been fully reserved, representing more than AED2 billion in potential sales value.
Business
UAE consumers embrace AI shopping but remain wary of autonomous purchases
Visa's latest Stay Secure study also highlighted the rapid rise of social commerce, with 69% of UAE consumers reporting purchases...
- Forty-six percent of respondents said they had experienced a financial scam during the past 12 months.
- Consumers increasingly see technology as part of the solution, with 85% believing AI will play a critical role in protecting people from fraud in the future.
Geostrategy
Israel and Iran signal restraint after renewed military clashes
Both countries, however, warned that they were ready to launch retaliatory attacks if provoked. The renewed hostilities raised concerns that...
- Diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and Qatar reportedly urged Washington to press both sides toward restraint.
- The exchange followed Israeli strikes in Iran and Iranian missile attacks on Israel, with both sides citing earlier actions by the other as justification.
Business
OpenAI files confidentially for IPO as AI boom accelerates
The company did not disclose the size or timing of the offering, saying only that preparations remained at an early...
- Reuters previously reported OpenAI could seek a valuation of up to $1 trillion, potentially making it one of history's largest technology listings.
- The filing follows a restructuring effort and a court victory over Elon Musk, removing a major legal hurdle ahead of any share sale.
Analysis
Why flexibility is non-negotiable in the Middle East’s AI transformation
The region is a mosaic of digital ambitions where distinct national strategies are unfolding simultaneously. While the UAE accelerates its...
- Open source is the ultimate enabler of digital sovereignty, as it gives enterprises greater transparency, flexibility, and control over their IT estate.
- Energy and public sectors require rugged edge capabilities and the ability to process data in remote, high-demand environments.
Business
UAE travel sites improve email fraud protections: Proofpoint
Dubai, UAE -- The UAE's travel sector has strengthened its defences against email fraud ahead of the peak summer booking...
- Proofpoint said 45% of the travel websites surveyed were operating at the reject level, up from previous years, but 55% had yet to implement the strongest protection setting.
- The analysis was conducted in May 2026 and covered the UAE's 20 most-visited travel websites, identified using data from digital marketing platform SEMrush.
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Revenue from Saudi cinema may exceed $1bn by 2030KSA, UAE play well as e-gaming trends across GCCExclusive: Middle East’s retail sector rides on AR and hybrid shopping to become $600bn digital economyTECOM Group profit soars 13%UAE startups eye Saudi Arabia for growth, expansionSaudi Arabia leads GCC AI healthcare raceDisparity remains as Saudis, Emiratis see wealth gains
AI success in life sciences depends on people as much as technology: Bain
Organizations creating the most value from AI are not necessarily those deploying the most technology. Instead, they are redesigning workflows,...
Business
Company News
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Women in Tech Global and UN Women launch “Beyond Ceilings” campaign on women’s empowerment
The "Beyond Ceilings" campaign urges people to confront and challenge the glass ceiling, and reminds the audience of the vast possibilities that await women once they overcome...
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Business
flynas to set up new hub
Business
US strikes Iranian military sites after Apache helicopter downing
The latest confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz threatens regional shipping security and comes despite renewed diplomatic efforts to stabilize...
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia’s economy expands as oil and non-oil sectors grow
According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), all major economic sectors recorded positive annual growth during the quarter, reflecting...
Economy
Alef Group launches $1.08 billion waterfront development in Sharjah
Dubai, UAE -- Alef Group has launched Linar, a AED4 billion ($1.08bn) waterfront residential development in Sharjah, marking the company's...
Business
Most Read
Geostrategy
Israel and Iran signal restraint after renewed military clashes
Both countries, however, warned that they were ready to launch retaliatory attacks if provoked. The renewed hostilities raised concerns that...
- Diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and Qatar reportedly urged Washington to press both sides toward restraint.
- The exchange followed Israeli strikes in Iran and Iranian missile attacks on Israel, with both sides citing earlier actions by the other as justification.
Business
OpenAI files confidentially for IPO as AI boom accelerates
The company did not disclose the size or timing of the offering, saying only that preparations remained at an early...
- Reuters previously reported OpenAI could seek a valuation of up to $1 trillion, potentially making it one of history's largest technology listings.
- The filing follows a restructuring effort and a court victory over Elon Musk, removing a major legal hurdle ahead of any share sale.
Analysis
Why flexibility is non-negotiable in the Middle East’s AI transformation
The region is a mosaic of digital ambitions where distinct national strategies are unfolding simultaneously. While the UAE accelerates its...
- Open source is the ultimate enabler of digital sovereignty, as it gives enterprises greater transparency, flexibility, and control over their IT estate.
- Energy and public sectors require rugged edge capabilities and the ability to process data in remote, high-demand environments.