Google Announces Second 'AI First' Accelerator for Startups in Middle East, North Africa, and Turkiye to Bolster Regional AI Innovation
The MENA-T region is rapidly emerging as a significant hub for AI innovation, driving transformative change across various industries. Highlighting this potential, PwC estimates AI could contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with McKinsey projecting up to $150 billion for GCC countries alone. Regional AI investment is also accelerating, with its share of total startup funding more than doubling year-over-year from 2023 to 2024, according to Wamda reports. PwC further expects the region to accrue US$320 billion, or 2 percent of the total global benefits of AI, by 2030.
'The incredible momentum of AI development in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkiye region presents a unique opportunity to foster a new wave of technological advancement,' said Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban, Managing Director, MENA-T, Google Cloud. 'Google Cloud is committed to providing a robust and scalable platform for AI innovation. Our aim is to equip these pioneering companies with the cloud infrastructure and expertise necessary to optimize their AI workloads and accelerate their growth trajectory in this dynamic field.'
Anthony Nakache, Managing Director, Google MENA, said: 'With the 'Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First' program, we are dedicated to providing targeted support to innovative startups, helping them access Google's best resources to solve complex challenges and scale their impactful AI-driven solutions globally.'
The 'Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First' MENA-T program provides selected eligible startups with Google Cloud credits to accelerate the development and deployment of their AI solutions. Participants will benefit from expert technical mentorship from Google Cloud engineers and solution architects to optimize cloud infrastructure for AI workloads. The program also includes AI-focused workshops on Google Cloud's AI/ML capabilities, data analytics, and serverless computing, alongside workshops on Go-To-Market strategies covering product design, business growth, and leadership development. Crucially, the accelerator will offer extensive networking opportunities with a curated network of investors, potential partners, and industry leaders.
Seed to Series A startups in the MENA-T region building AI-first solutions are encouraged to apply for the 'Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First' MENA-T program by June 16th, 2025, through the Google for Startups website.
For further details on the program and the announcement, please refer to the official Google Arabia blog post: https://blog.google/intl/en-mena/company-news/outreach-initiatives/empowering-the-future-announcing-the-google-for-startups-accelerator-ai-first-for-mena-t-startups/
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
10 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Chamber wraps up trade mission to India
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), represented by the Sharjah Exports Development Centre (SEDC), concluded its trade mission to India, with a series of business meetings and discussions involving key officials from economic entities in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. These meetings took place on the sidelines of the Business Forum organised by the Sharjah Chamber in Ahmedabad, the second stop of the mission. The forum explored key opportunities for both sides to strengthen economic partnerships and deepen industrial and investment collaboration between Emirati and Indian private sector stakeholders. The forum was attended by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; Waleed AbdelRahman BuKhatir, Second Vice Chairman of SCCI, and Jamal Mohamed Sultan Binhuwaidin, SCCI Board Member, along with several Chamber staff. The forum also saw participation of business leaders, entrepreneurs and private sector representatives from both Sharjah and Ahmedabad, which is recognised as a major industrial hub in India. The forum's agenda included focused B2B meetings and detailed presentations highlighting key investment opportunities across diverse economic sectors in both Sharjah and Ahmedabad. Special emphasis was placed on Sharjah's business-friendly environment, including its world-class infrastructure and investor incentives. The Sharjah Chamber showcased its suite of support services aimed at enabling entrepreneurs to scale their operations and expand their global market reach. In his keynote speech, Al Owais said that the Sharjah–India Business Forum in Ahmedabad is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the rapidly growing economic and trade relations between the two countries. He noted that India's exports to the UAE totalled around US$37.1 billion in 2024. India also ranked as the top destination for the UAE's non-oil exports, accounting for 13.5% of total exports and recording a record growth of 75.2% compared to 2023. 'Through this mission, we aim to convert this positive momentum into fruitful partnerships between the business communities of the UAE and India in general, and between Sharjah and Ahmedabad in particular, thereby enhancing economic and investment collaboration to support joint growth,' Al Owais added. He highlighted Sharjah's position as a premier investment destination for Indian enterprises, with more than 20,000 Indian companies now headquartered in the emirate, demonstrating increasing investor confidence in Sharjah's business climate. He further underlined the strategic significance of Ahmedabad as one of India's most vibrant industrial and economic powerhouses, noting that its business and industrial stakeholders stand to benefit from Sharjah's advanced industrial base, which hosts more than 35% of the UAE's total manufacturing facilities. Concluding the second leg of their trade mission to India, the Sharjah Chamber delegation carried out on-site visits to several economic institutions in Ahmedabad, where they gained insights into their business activities and service offerings. These visits featured discussions on potential areas of cooperation, industrial integration, exchange of expertise, and the adoption of best practices, to establish investment partnerships that serve the interests of both sides. WAM
Khaleej Times
11 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 to debut with One UI 8: Top AI features to look out for
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 has officially been unveiled — and while the sleek hardware, refined hinge, and stunning 7.6-inch display continue to define the flagship foldable, the real headline is what's happening inside. Meet One UI 8, launching July 25 with Android 16 pre-installed in the new devices, and bringing with it Samsung's most intelligent, AI-native software experience to date. Built specifically for foldables, One UI 8 is more than just a version update. It reimagines how users interact with large-screen devices, combining context-aware AI, multimodal assistance, and next-level multitasking in a seamless way. Here's a look at the top One UI 8 features that elevate the Galaxy Z Fold 7 into a powerhouse. Smarter sound with enhanced Audio Eraser If you shoot videos on your Fold, this one's for you. The Audio Eraser tool is now deeply integrated into the Gallery and powered by enhanced AI. With a single tap, it can detect and remove background noise, whether it's traffic, wind, or crowd chatter — saving you time and improving your content quality without the need for third-party apps. Gemini Live: Multimodal AI built for the big screen With the Z Fold 7, Google's Gemini Live takes full advantage of the foldable's expansive display. It now features multimodal understanding, which means the AI can process what's on your screen or seen via your camera, and respond with real-time, context-rich information. Even better, screen sharing with Gemini allows you to simply point to something, ask a question, and get answers instantly — whether you're planning a trip, analysing a document, or shopping online. Circle to Search The fan-favourite Circle to Search feature is now enhanced with an AI mode that's especially tuned for the large display. Not only can you circle an image or object to learn more, but One UI 8 adds a new "Dive Deeper" function — giving you layered, follow-up results and smart suggestions. Gamers, rejoice: this feature is now optimised for in-game use on the Fold 7. Circle any in-game item — a puzzle, boss, or quest marker — and get real-time tips without exiting your session. Multitasking reimagined with AI The Galaxy Z Fold 7 was made for multitasking, and One UI 8 finally brings the software to match the hardware. AI Results View allows you to pull Gemini's responses into a split screen or floating window, making research and planning more fluid. The new Drag & Drop AI content system means that anything generated — a paragraph, a product list, a summary — can be instantly moved between apps. Samsung also promises more intuitive layout optimisation, letting you maximise space usage across the unfolded display. The new Galaxy Z Fold7 The Galaxy Z Fold7 features Samsung's largest and most refined folding display to date — an expansive 8.0-inch QXGA+ main screen paired with a fully functional 6.5-inch FHD+ cover screen. At just 215g, it's the lightest Fold ever, and at 4.2mm unfolded, also the slimmest. One of the most significant upgrades is the introduction of a 200MP wide-angle rear camera. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, with configurations up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. Availability and pricing in the UAE Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold7 is available for pre-order in the UAE, with retail availability starting from July 25. The price for the Galaxy Z Fold7 starts from Dh7,599 with 12GB RAM and 256GB Storage. It comes in four colours: Silver Shadow, Jet Black, Mint and Blue Shadow. Prices go up to Dh9,349.
Zawya
13 hours ago
- Zawya
ArabyAds Talent introduces the next evolution of celebrity management and representation for MENA's public figures
Dubai, UAE — ArabyAds, the leading global AdTech company founded in the MENA region, today announces the launch of ArabyAds Talent, a strategic talent management solution designed to serve the region's most influential public figures shaping culture, commerce, and discourse. Built to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving media and business landscape, ArabyAds Talent offers an integrated infrastructure that supports sustainable growth, safeguards reputational equity, and unlocks long-term value through strategic representation. This launch represents a pivotal shift in how talent is managed across the region, moving away from traditional representation models and toward a structured, insight-driven framework that aligns influence with business strategy, legal protection, and market relevance. ArabyAds Talent is built for individuals whose presence in the public sphere is not only valuable but also highly visible and increasingly complex, including top-tier entertainers, elite athletes, prominent creators, thought leaders, and public figures. The solution provides institutional-grade support across strategy, legal, communications, and partnerships, anchored in regional insight and global execution standards. 'Representation today requires more than negotiations and visibility,' said Shady Essam, CEO of ArabyAds Talent. 'It requires a long-term strategy, legal protection, narrative discipline, and the infrastructure to grow public capital in a market where relevance can shift overnight. ArabyAds Talent is built to meet that need. With active operations in over 15 markets across MENA, ArabyAds Talent gives talent access to a unified network that integrates commercial opportunities, brand partnerships, public positioning, and media support under one umbrella. Individuals represented by the division benefit from consistent narrative control, deal security, and curated exposure that aligns with their long-term positioning, not short-term visibility. For brands, ArabyAds Talent offers a solution to a growing challenge: finding the right public figures who aligns with a brand's values as well as possess the credibility and cultural currency to drive meaningful engagement. Rather than focusing on superficial metrics, this solution prioritizes strategic fit, clarity in execution, and measurable relevance, connecting brands with individuals who influence not only reach, but perception and market behavior. ArabyAds Talent strengthens the company's mission to offer comprehensive solutions that support the full spectrum of brand growth in MENA, covering advertising and technology and the strategic management of influence itself. About ArabyAds ArabyAds is a leading global advertising technology company born in the MENA region. It empowers brands to drive sustainable growth through a unified portfolio of solutions spanning media, data, creative, retail media, and influencer marketing. ArabyAds was named Marketing Platform of the Year by the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) MENA for three consecutive years. These honors reflect its continued commitment to building solutions that reshape how brands connect with consumers in a fragmented digital landscape.
