Author: Anita Bosman

Beijing: TECHz – News Desk The People’s Republic of China aims to grow its core artificial intelligence (AI) industry beyond 1 trillion yuan (about US$142.5 billion) within two years via a new action plan, as China’s capital city seeks to cement its role as a global AI innovation hub. Under the plan, authorities will roll out nine major initiatives targeting different sectors of the AI industry, with a strong emphasis on technological innovation. The plan prioritises technological breakthroughs through coordinated research efforts, boosting high-quality data supply and expanding applications across sectors. It also includes measures to attract top talent, mobilise…

Washington: TECHz – News Desk Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have synthesised for the first time a complex fungal compound known as verticillin A, discovered more than 50 years ago and long viewed as a potential anti-cancer agent. Verticillin A has a highly intricate structure that has made it far more difficult to synthesise than related compounds, despite differing from them by only a few atoms. “We have a much better appreciation for how those subtle structural changes can significantly increase the synthetic challenge,” said Mohammad Movassaghi, a Professor of Chemistry at MIT. “Now we have the…

Dubai: TECHz – News Desk As AI adoption continues to expand across the Middle East, spanning sectors such as government, financial services, energy, and critical infrastructure, organizations face increasing pressure to secure AI applications throughout their lifecycle. From the data used to train models to the deployment of the models themselves, CISOs and IT leaders must manage emerging risks while maintaining digital trust. In response, Cisco has highlighted four priority focus areas organizations should consider to secure AI applications as they scale adoption. The guidance outlines how security teams can adapt established application security practices to AI, helping organizations reduce…

Dubai: TECHz – News Desk Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced the renewal of its partnership with Dubai’s Museum of the Future, a collaboration first established in 2022. The renewed partnership highlights Visa’s commitment to delivering distinctive and thoughtfully curated experiences for tourists visiting Dubai. As part of the agreement, Visa will leverage its global travel platform to enhance visitor experiences at the museum, offering Visa cardholders curated benefits such as a 10% discount on Pioneer (VIP) Passes and guaranteed general admission entry. Salima Gutieva, Vice President and Country Manager for the UAE, Visa: “Visa is proud…

Amman: TECHz – News Desk Orange Jordan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jordan Payments and Clearing Company (JoPACC) in a strategic step aimed at further enhancing integration between the digital and fintech sectors and supporting the development of national capabilities to keep pace with the rapid changes in these vital fields. The MoU focuses on empowering graduates of the Coding Academy at the Orange Digital Center by providing them with practical experience and applied opportunities that meet the requirements of the labor market. This will be achieved through specialized training programs, joint innovation initiatives, and opportunities to…

Muscat: TECHz – News Desk Oman Data Park (ODP), the Sultanate’s first managed services and cloud provider delivering secure, scalable, and locally hosted ICT solutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with ZainTECH, the integrated digital solutions provider of Zain Group, to strengthen cybersecurity services across Oman and selected regional markets. The partnership brings together Oman Data Park’s robust in-country infrastructure and deep understanding of national regulatory and data residency requirements with ZainTECH’s integrated cybersecurity portfolio and regional expertise. Together, the two organizations aim to support government and enterprise customers in protecting critical data, systems, and digital operations amid an…

Abu Dhabi: TECHz – News Desk Abu Dhabi Police and Space42, the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company with global reach, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop smart security and autonomous vehicle systems in Abu Dhabi. The MoU supports the Government of Abu Dhabi’s objectives to advance smart mobility and build a safe, sustainable transport ecosystem enabled by advanced technologies. It also establishes a framework for long-term collaboration between the two entities across research, development, and innovation in the smart mobility domain. The MoU was signed by Brigadier Mohammed Dhahi Al Hamiri, Director of the Central Operations Sector at Abu…

Riyadh: TECHz – News Desk Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, has announced a strategic partnership with Bunat Ventures Limited (Bunat VC), to launch a first-of-its-kind venture fund focused on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven startups in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The AI Venture Fund will invest in early- and growth-stage startups that are either AI-native or leverage AI as a core enabler of their business models. Over the next three years, the Fund aims to support approximately 25 startups through both pre-seed and growth-stage investments. Beyond capital, the Fund will provide…

Cairo: TECHz – News Desk The National Telecommunications Institute (NTI) has announced the launch of Phase 13 of Egypt’s Digital Youth Initiative – Ready for Employment, a four-month program aimed at equipping young Egyptians with the skills needed to succeed in the digital job market. The initiative has been recognized as one of the country’s most successful recruitment programs, achieving employment rates exceeding 87.84% in previous phases, with certain disciplines reaching full employment. Phase 13 will be implemented across 10 training centers in seven governorates, providing young people from various regions with intensive training and professional rehabilitation opportunities. The program…

Cairo: TECHz – News Desk The Financial Supervisory Authority (FRA) has introduced a first-of-its-kind registry to officially register companies that provide technological risk assessment services for non-bank financing. The move is part of a broader strategy to promote digital transformation within the financial sector and enhance financial inclusion across Egypt. The new registry will include firms that use advanced technological tools, such as artificial intelligence and digital data analysis, to evaluate credit and financing risks. These companies, often referred to as HBO companies, leverage smart, automated systems to make rapid and accurate assessments, enabling faster and more precise financing decisions…