Global Stories

Abu Dhabi's Falcon H1R 7B raises bar for compact AI

Abu Dhabi's TII unveils Falcon H1R 7B, a compact open AI model it says rivals much larger rivals in reasoning power while using less compute.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Wed, 7th Jan 2026

Smart Cities

Astrikos AI secures Gorilla backing for global rollout

Astrikos AI wins strategic backing from Gorilla to scale its S!aP platform and target fast-growing smart city and data centre markets.

By Catherine Knowles • 5 min read • Wed, 7th Jan 2026

Digital Transformation

FedEx impact in Asia Pacific hits USD $5.7 billion

FedEx says its Asia Pacific operations delivered USD $5.7 billion in economic impact in 2025 as it ramps up routes, tech and green investments.

By Kaleah Salmon • 6 min read • Wed, 7th Jan 2026

Open source

UAE's Falcon-H1 Arabic tops Open Arabic LLM rankings

Abu Dhabi's Falcon-H1 Arabic AI model debuts with a hybrid Mamba-Transformer design, topping the Open Arabic LLM Leaderboard.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Tue, 6th Jan 2026

Data Protection

OpenID to launch digital ID conformance tests by 2026

OpenID will launch global conformance tests for key digital ID standards from February 2026, supporting eIDAS 2.0 and other schemes.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • Tue, 30th Dec 2025

Unified Communications

Blue Cloud & ConnectM sign $50m deal to develop automotive cybersecurity

Blue Cloud and ConnectM sign $50m deal to co-develop EdgeAI auto chip aimed at boosting cybersecurity in next‑gen connected vehicles.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • Mon, 29th Dec 2025

Semiconductors

SEALSQ backs EeroQ in push for 'Quantum Made in USA'

SEALSQ makes first US quantum bet on EeroQ, backing helium-based chips in a 'Quantum Made in USA' push and USD $35 million plan.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Mon, 22nd Dec 2025

DevOps

Finance firms prioritise AI but struggle to scale it

Finance leaders hail AI as core to strategy, yet fewer than half have scaled it beyond pilots amid legacy, skills and leadership hurdles.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • Fri, 19th Dec 2025

Digital Entertainment

Tuned Global boosts Twist Music's launch in UAE & Saudi Arabia

Tuned Global partners with Twist Music to expand its streaming service from Egypt into UAE and Saudi Arabia, enhancing regional access and tech features.

By Melvin Hipolito • 3 min read • Wed, 3rd Dec 2025

Risk & Compliance

New data shows AI-driven fraud surges, professionals unprepared

Most anti-fraud experts report a surge in AI-driven fraud, yet under 10% feel prepared to combat rising deepfake and synthetic identity threats.

By Jake MacAndrew • 3 min read • Fri, 21st Nov 2025

Data Analytics

AI-powered deepfakes drive surge in global business & consumer fraud

AI-driven deepfakes are fuelling a global surge in fraud, with 77% of anti-fraud experts reporting increased incidents and 83% expecting further rises soon.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Wed, 19th Nov 2025

Hyperscale

Microsoft to enable in-country Copilot data processing by 2026

Microsoft will enable in-country data processing for Microsoft 365 Copilot interactions in 15 countries by 2026, enhancing control and regulatory compliance.

By Sean Mitchell • 2 min read • Sat, 15th Nov 2025

Stories from Other Regions

Unified Communications

BCSSL & BSNL validate 5G FWA model, prepare for rollout

BCSSL and BSNL validate enterprise-grade 5G FWA in Visakhapatnam, clearing the way for commercial rollout across India's BSNL network.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • Mon, 29th Dec 2025

Data Protection

Half of UK tech staff turning to risky 'shadow AI'

Half of UK tech staff now depend on unapproved 'shadow AI' to hit deadlines, despite most warning it poses serious data‑security risks.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Tue, 23rd Dec 2025

Agricultural Technology

AppWorks Demo Day links Malaysian, Singapore startups

AppWorks Demo Day in Kuala Lumpur links eight Malaysian and Singapore startups chasing cross-border growth across ASEAN's tech economy.

By Kaleah Salmon • 7 min read • Thu, 18th Dec 2025

Physical Security

Planys raises INR ₹100 crore, launches defence arm

Underwater robotics startup Planys raises INR ₹100 crore and launches defence arm Planys Ark to power global growth and military contracts.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Thu, 18th Dec 2025

Generative AI

Xsolla & HP partner to nurture next-gen global game talent

Xsolla and HP join forces to support over 100,000 aspiring game developers globally with free courses and mentorship to launch studios.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Sat, 6th Dec 2025

Risk & Compliance

Abacus Group opens Dubai office to meet rising IT demand

Abacus Group opens Dubai office in DIFC to meet soaring IT and cybersecurity demands of financial firms amid UAE's growing investment appeal.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Advanced Persistent Threat Protection

CloudSEK partners Seed Group to bring AI cyber defences to GCC

CloudSEK partners with Dubai's Seed Group to offer AI-driven cybersecurity tools across the GCC, marking a key expansion into the Middle East market.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Fri, 21st Nov 2025

Fintech

InsightAI secures INR ₹11 million to boost AI anti-money laundering

InsightAI raised INR ₹11 million in pre-seed funding to expand its AI-driven anti-money laundering solutions across India and the Middle East markets.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Thu, 13th Nov 2025