Nour Elotaiby

The AppGallery Gamers Cup 2025 concluded successfully in Riyadh with record participation, attracting over 500 players and hundreds of spectators. With 98% of participants expressing interest in future tournaments, the event reinforced AGC’s position as a leading esports platform in the MENA region.

Riyadh Season attracts 14 million visitors, confirming its status as a leading global entertainment destination. The season’s diverse events and experiences contribute to Saudi Arabia’s growing entertainment sector.

Wadi Makkah Company launches the VISIONTHON AI Innovation Challenge to promote environmental innovation and develop smart waste management solutions using AI and computer vision.

SIRBAI launches the Middle East’s first AI-powered autonomous drone swarm technology at UMEX 2026. The platform enables coordinated, autonomous drone operations designed for modern defense environments, marking the company’s entry into the defense technology sector.

LG Electronics unveils the LG Gallery TV at CES 2026, featuring museum-curated Gallery Mode and access to over 4,500 artworks through the LG Gallery+ service. The art-inspired television combines MiniLED technology with customizable design elements.

Group-IB reveals AI-powered cybercrime has surged 371% in five years, with dark LLMs selling for $30 and deepfake services booming. The fifth wave of cybercrime is here, making sophisticated attacks accessible to anyone.

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque has deployed smart technologies to manage crowds at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. These intelligent counting systems use sensors and real-time monitoring to track visitor movement, enhancing safety and improving the worship experience.

Adobe’s new research reveals that 88% of Middle East organizations are deploying AI technologies, yet only 15% see significant impact on profitability. The study identifies critical execution gaps and provides six strategic steps to transform digital ambition into measurable business results.

The Clinical Research Transformation: Future Outlook 2026 conference opened in Riyadh, organized by King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. The event brings together global experts to advance Saudi Arabia’s clinical research ecosystem and align with Vision 2030 healthcare goals.

ManageEngine has been named a Challenger in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Management Tools, scoring above 4/5 across all four Critical Capabilities Use Cases. The company was also recognized as the only Customers’ Choice vendor and achieved Leader status in the IDC MarketScape assessment for the third time.

Bupa Arabia has successfully transformed over 3 billion steps from 20,000 participants into tangible healthcare support through an innovative CSR initiative. The program converts daily physical activity into treatment, rehabilitation, and awareness programs for people with disabilities and cancer patients across Saudi Arabia.

Hyundai Motor Company wins the Best of Innovation Award at CES 2026 for MobED, an AI-powered autonomous robotics platform. This marks Hyundai’s first Best of Innovation honor at CES, with mass production set to begin in Q1 2026.

Ankabut and WeVideo announce strategic partnership to advance video-based learning and digital creativity across the GCC. The collaboration will integrate WeVideo’s cloud-based platform into Ankabut’s education technology portfolio, supporting the UAE’s national innovation agenda.

Tuya Smart unveils Aura, an AI-powered pet companion robot at CES 2026. The innovative device addresses pets’ emotional needs through behavior analysis, interactive play, autonomous navigation, and ecosystem integration.

GIGABYTE strengthens its partnership with NVIDIA at CES 2026, unveiling the GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards, AORUS MASTER 16 laptops with NVIDIA Studio, and G-SYNC Compatible gaming monitors powered by NVIDIA Blackwell architecture.

The eufyMake UV Printer E1, the world’s most funded Kickstarter project with $44 million raised, launches in the Middle East and Africa. The revolutionary 3D-texture UV printer targets the region’s booming creative economy with AI-powered features and professional-grade technology accessible to all.

Hytera Communications and NAFFCO Group have strengthened their strategic partnership with an enhanced MoU signed at Intersec Dubai 2026. The collaboration focuses on integrating mission-critical communication technologies with emergency response vehicles to deliver advanced public safety solutions worldwide.

Nissan Saudi Arabia and the Hail Region Development Authority concluded the “Winter in Hail” experience, a three-day initiative showcasing Nissan SUV capabilities across diverse terrains while exploring the region’s cultural heritage and natural landmarks.

PwC Middle East appoints Laura Hinton as new Senior Partner, succeeding Hani Ashkar after his 12-year tenure. The leadership transition ensures continuity while advancing regional growth and transformation initiatives across the Middle East.

Dell XPS 2026 returns with redesigned XPS 14 and XPS 16 laptops featuring 27-hour battery life and 14.6mm thickness. Alienware doubles gaming lineup with anti-glare OLED displays and new processors, while UltraSharp unveils world’s first 52-inch 6K monitor.

UK gaming provider Side announces official expansion into Saudi Arabia through partnership with Savvy Games Group, planning to open Riyadh studio by Q4 2025 to support regional game development ecosystem.

ASICS returns as strategic partner for Riyadh Marathon 2026 for the third consecutive year. The event expects 50,000 runners competing across multiple distances from January 28-31, 2026, featuring elite athletes and exclusive merchandise at Princess Nourah University.