Citi has announced the rollout of its advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools across its operations in the UAE and the wider Middle East and Africa (MEA), underscoring the bank’s commitment to innovation and digital transformation.

“The launch of our AI tools in the UAE and in MEA is a testament to Citi’s unwavering commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology to better serve our clients and empower our employees,” said Maria Ivanova, UAE and North Africa & Levant sub-cluster and banking head. “These advancements will not only boost our overall productivity but also foster a new era of innovation and client-centric solutions across the region.”

Speaking at a launch event in Dubai, Shamsa Al-Falasi, UAE Citi country officer, banking head and Citibank N.A, UAE CEO, added: “The introduction of these advanced AI tools marks a pivotal moment for our operations in the UAE. This technology will not only significantly enhance our internal capabilities and efficiency but also empower our teams to deliver unparalleled client service, fostering innovation that is uniquely tailored to the dynamic needs of the UAE market. We are committed to leveraging cutting-edge solutions to drive growth and support the nation’s vision for a digital future.”

Citi’s proprietary AI technology is now available to around 175,000 employees worldwide across 80 jurisdictions. In MEA, the tools have been deployed in more than 20 jurisdictions, highlighting Citi’s commitment to equipping its workforce with advanced solutions to drive efficiency and elevate service delivery.

The AI suite is designed to streamline workflows, automate routine processes, and unlock insights from vast datasets, enabling employees to focus on strategic priorities and high-value initiatives. The tools will also enhance client service by enabling faster, more tailored, and more effective interactions, raising the standard of customer experience across the region.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has completed the acquisition of a 54 per cent stake in MBC Group Company, the leading media and content producer in the Middle East and North Africa, through a private transaction with Istedamah Holding Company.

Under the deal, PIF purchased 179.55 million shares for SAR7.469bn ($1.992bn), at SAR41.60 per share.

MBC Group reaches approximately 150 million viewers weekly across the globe, offering a range of content including entertainment, drama and sports.

MBC stake key to PIF’s focus on media sector

The acquisition underscores PIF’s continued focus on the media sector as part of its strategy to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification.

The fund has emphasised that investments in local technology, content creation, and media infrastructure are intended to bolster the kingdom’s position as a regional hub for media while cultivating talent across the ecosystem.

PIF added that its media sector investments are designed to create broader economic value, including generating multiplier effects for other priority sectors such as tourism, technology, leisure, sports and real estate, while opening opportunities for private sector partnerships.

Alinma Bank has announced a strategic investment and partnership with Qashio, the MENA region’s leading spend management and corporate card platform, reinforcing its commitment to delivering advanced digital financial solutions that drive efficiency for corporate clients.

The move officially adds Qashio to Alinma Bank’s growing fintech portfolio, which already includes Amwal Tech, Ejari, Lean Technology, NearPay, and several local VC funds. This partnership aims to enhance and expand the existing collaboration between the two entities, with a focus on building a comprehensive spend management platform tailored to SMEs and corporates. Qashio’s loyalty ecosystem further enriches the offering by providing access to premium partners such as Emirates Skywards, Air France, KLM, Avios, Japan Airlines, Jumeirah One, Accor Hotels, Intercontinental, and Shukran, among others.

Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, this strategic investment supports the Kingdom’s push toward economic diversification, financial innovation, and the transition to a cashless society. By combining Alinma Bank’s scale, credibility, and extensive client base with Qashio’s globally proven spend management solutions, the partnership establishes a new benchmark for corporate financial services across the region.

Read: 24 Fintech: The role of Saudi fintech firms in economic development

Armin Moradi, CEO and founder of Qashio, said: “This strategic partnership and investment have been made possible thanks to Vision 2030, where Qashio and Alinma will continue to contribute to the Kingdom’s goals of economic diversification, promoting fintech, and moving toward a cashless society. By combining Alinma Bank’s scale, credibility, and client base with Qashio’s globally recognized and proven cutting-edge spend management platform and loyalty ecosystem, this collaboration enables clients access to the most modern, usable, and rewarding way to manage business expenses and transactional banking.”

Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding fintech sector is fueling the country’s ambition to become a cashless economy. With Vision 2030 providing the roadmap, the Kingdom is leveraging its digitally connected population and progressive policies to build a financially inclusive, digital-first economy. The Alinma–Qashio partnership is well positioned to accelerate this transformation and deliver best-in-class corporate financial solutions in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Tensor, an agentic AI company, will unveil the Tensor Robocar, the world’s first personally owned Level 4 autonomous vehicle, at the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport 2025, one of the UAE’s premier global innovation platforms. The event will mark the company’s first public showcase in the Middle East, underscoring a major milestone in Tensor’s mission to transform mobility.

Developed over a decade of proprietary engineering, advanced AI, and ground-up autonomous design, the Tensor Robocar redefines personal transportation by combining freedom, privacy, and true ownership of AI.

“When the world shifts, how will you move?” said Amy Luca, chief marketing officer at Tensor. “We are excited to bring Tensor to Dubai, a city that embodies innovation and forward thinking. This isn’t a concept—it is the world’s first real personal Robocar. It’s time to Own Your Autonomy.”

Engineered for autonomy

Unlike conventional EVs adapted for autonomy, Tensor was built natively as an autonomous robot on wheels. Every design element serves AI perception, safety, and reliability. Its architecture integrates more than 100 sensors—37 cameras, 5 lidars, and 11 radars—delivering full 360° visibility. Radar-transparent materials, unobstructed lidar sightlines, and a low hood profile embody its safety-first philosophy.

Tensor’s advanced electrical and electronic system provides full-stack redundancy across power, communications, and control, ensuring fail-operational performance in all scenarios.

Powered by the Tensor Foundation Model, the Robocar learns from vast real and simulated datasets, enabling confident navigation in desert glare, dust, fog, heavy rain, and night conditions. Its dual AI system mirrors human cognition: System 1 delivers reflexive responses, while System 2, a multimodal Visual Language Model, handles rare and complex edge cases.=

Designed for individuals rather than depot-based fleets, Tensor delivers autonomy and self-reliance. Features include intelligent sensor-cleaning, protective covers for sand and dust, autonomous parking and charging, and continuous self-diagnosis—even offline. More than a car, Tensor is a self-sufficient embodied AI agent, adapting intelligently while keeping control with the owner.

Purpose-built for SAE Level 4 autonomy, Tensor meets or exceeds FMVSS, UN/ECE, and GSO standards, including MOIAT conformity. It is engineered to obtain IIHS Top Safety Pick+, Euro NCAP, and US NCAP 5-Star ratings. Safety is reinforced with redundancy across all systems—sensors, compute, communications, drive-by-wire, power, and thermal management—along with washer systems and intelligent covers that ensure uninterrupted visibility in Dubai’s climate.

Tensor places privacy at its core. All data—location, preferences, and records—are processed and stored locally on the vehicle, with end-to-end encrypted access via the app or onboard interface. Physical safeguards, including camera covers and microphone off-switches, further protect owners from risks common to connected vehicles.

World-first innovations and ecosystem

Key innovations include: the first personal Robocar, the first agentic AI vehicle, true Dual Mode (drive or be driven), privacy-first architecture, and a foldable steering wheel with sliding display.

Tensor has partnered with Nvidia (onboard supercomputer delivering 8,000 TOPS), Sony (17-MP automotive cameras), VinFast (manufacturing), leading semiconductor firms, and Oracle (cloud). Insurance partner Marsh is backing the world’s first Robocar insurance policy.

Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.

Meta Platforms on Wednesday launched its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in display, seeking to extend the momentum of its Ray-Ban line, one of the early consumer hits of the artificial intelligence era.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg showed off the Meta Ray-Ban Display and a new wristband controller, receiving applause at Meta’s Connect event despite some demo problems.

Meta has tasted success with its smart glasses, and Zuckerberg described them as the perfect way for humans to reach for the AI promise of “superintelligence.”

“Glasses are the ideal form factor for personal superintelligence, because they let you stay present in the moment while getting access to all of these AI capabilities that make you smarter, help you communicate better, improve your memory, improve your senses, and more,” Zuckerberg said.

The new Display glasses have a small digital display in the right lens for basic tasks such as notifications. They will start at $799 and be available on September 30 in stores.
Included in the price is a wristband that translates hand gestures into commands such as responding to texts and calls.

The launch at Meta’s annual Connect conference for developers, held at its Menlo Park, California, headquarters, is its latest attempt to catch up in the high-stakes AI race.

While the social media giant has been at the forefront of developing smart glasses, it trails rivals such as OpenAI and Alphabet’s Google in rolling out advanced AI models.

Zuckerberg has kicked off a Silicon Valley talent war to poach engineers from rivals and promised to spend tens of billions of dollars on cutting-edge AI chips.

The new glasses come as Meta is facing scrutiny over its handling of child safety on its social media platforms.

Reuters reported in August that Meta chatbots engaged children in provocative conversations about sensitive topics, while whistleblowers said this month that researchers were told not to
study the harmful effects of virtual reality on children.

Oakley-branded glasses introduced by Meta, aimed at athletes

Meta also unveiled on Wednesday a new pair of Oakley-branded glasses called Vanguard aimed at athletes and priced at $499.

The device integrates with fitness platforms such as Garmin and Strava to deliver real-time training stats and post-workout summaries and offers nine hours of battery life. It will be
available starting on October 21.

It also updated its previous Ray-Ban line, which does not have a built-in display but now offers almost twice the battery life of the earlier generation and a better camera at $379, higher than the previous generation’s $299 price.

While analysts do not expect the Display glasses to post strong sales, they believe it could be a step toward the planned 2027 launch of Meta’s “Orion” glasses. Meta unveiled a prototype of that last year and Zuckerberg described it as “the time machine to the future.”

Forrester analyst Mike Proulx said the Display debut reminded him of Apple’s introduction of a watch as an alternative to the smartphone.

“Glasses are an everyday, non-cumbersome form factor,” he said. Meta will still have to convince people that the benefits were worth the cost, he said, but “there’s a lot of runway to earn market share.”

All the devices have existing features such as Meta’s AI assistant, cameras, hands-free control and livestreaming to the company’s social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram.

Zuckerberg’s demos of the new Display glasses did not all go as planned, with a call to the glasses failing to go through, for instance.

“I don’t know what to tell you guys,” Zuckerberg said. “I keep on messing this up.” The crowd cheered in support.

“It’s great value for the tech you’re getting,” Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers, said of the Display glasses.

But the software will need to catch up.

“Until we get there, it’s not really a device that the average consumer might know about or care to purchase,” Ubrani said.