The Second Cairo Forum brought together experts to assess how AI, global shifts, and economic pressures are shaping MENA. Speakers said the region faces a critical moment as new technologies accelerate. The discussion asked whether MENA will help shape AI or simply adopt it.
Participants highlighted global divides, warning that data misuse and concentrated control remain major risks. They argued that middle-income countries can collaborate to build shared standards. Several speakers urged innovation-friendly regulation supported by clear safety rules.
Officials from Egypt outlined national efforts to embed AI across health, agriculture, and justice. They described progress through applied projects and new governance structures. Limited data access and talent retention were identified as continuing obstacles.
Industry voices stressed that trust, transparency, and skills must underpin the use of AI. They emphasised co-creation that fits regional languages and contexts. Training and governance frameworks were seen as essential for responsible deployment.
Closing remarks warned that rapid advances demand urgent decisions. Speakers said safety investment lags behind development, and global competition is intensifying. They agreed that today’s choices will shape the region’s AI future.
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Chinese AI company DeepSeek has unveiled Math-V2, the first open-source AI model to achieve gold-level performance at the International Mathematical Olympiad.
The system, now available on GitHub and Hugging Face, allows developers to modify and deploy the model under a permissive license freely.
Math-V2 also excelled in the 2024 Chinese Mathematical Olympiad, demonstrating advanced reasoning and problem-solving capabilities. Unlike many AI systems, it features a self-verification process that enables it to check solutions even for problems without known answers.
The launch comes as US AI leaders, such as Google DeepMind and OpenAI, have achieved similar milestones with their proprietary models.
Open access to Math-V2 could democratise advanced mathematical tools, potentially accelerating scientific research and development globally.
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Italian defence company Leonardo has revealed plans for the ‘Michelangelo Dome’, an AI-powered shield designed to protect cities and critical infrastructure from missile attacks and drone swarms. The system will integrate multiple defence platforms and is expected to be fully operational by the end of the decade.
The project follows a surge in European defence spending amid geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over US support.
Leonardo’s CEO, Roberto Cingolani, highlighted the system’s open architecture, allowing compatibility with other nations’ defence networks and emphasising the need for innovation and international cooperation.
European defence companies are increasingly investing in integrated command systems rather than standalone hardware.
Private investors are also backing startups developing autonomous and AI-driven defence technologies, creating competition for traditional primes such as Leonardo, BAE Systems, Rheinmetall, and Thales.
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A key player is emerging in China’s AI chip market with Baidu’s Kunlunxin unit stepping in to fill the gap left by Nvidia due to US export restrictions.
The company plans a five-year roadmap for AI chips, beginning with the M100 in 2026 and the M300 in 2027, while already using its chips to run ERNIE AI models.
Strong domestic demand and shortages of AI chips among Chinese tech giants, such as Alibaba and Tencent, have created an opportunity for Baidu.
The company sells chips to third parties and rents computing capacity via its cloud, presenting itself as a full-stack AI provider with integrated infrastructure, models, and applications.
Analysts predict explosive growth for Baidu’s AI chip business, with sales expected to increase sixfold to 8 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) by 2026. Industry experts highlight that the timely delivery of competitive Kunlun chip generations could make Baidu a strategic supplier to the rest of China’s AI ecosystem.
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Researchers have developed an AI model capable of detecting chronic stress by examining routine chest CT scans, offering a new way to identify long-term physiological strain that is often difficult to measure.
The system calculates adrenal gland volume, providing clinicians with a clearer understanding of how prolonged stress may affect key hormone-producing organs.
The study examined nearly 3,000 patients and compared their adrenal measurements with cortisol levels, stress questionnaires and markers such as blood pressure and body mass index.
Findings showed that patients with higher reported stress consistently had enlarged adrenal glands and exhibited greater risks of conditions, including heart failure.
Scientists say the new approach provides an objective, scalable tool that uses medical imaging already standard in hospitals, reducing the need for costly or cumbersome testing.
The research team believes the model could help identify a wide range of stress-linked diseases in older adults and ultimately support earlier, more targeted interventions.
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Police in the UK have begun trialling an AI assistant called Bobbi to help manage non-emergency queries online and reduce pressure on overstretched call handlers.
The virtual tool responds to common questions and hands conversations to a human operator if users request it or ask about issues it cannot resolve.
Developers say Bobbi follows the same guidance as trained call handlers and offers recommendations based on official advice, reflecting input from more than 200 testers, including victim support groups.
The system cannot investigate crimes or replace the 999 emergency line, and police emphasise that crime reports must still be made through existing channels.
Senior officers believe the tool will free up staff for emergencies and complex cases as demand for police contact continues to rise each year.
Leaders at Thames Valley Police and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, the first forces to deploy the technology, say the assistant will help ensure the public receives timely support.
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Europe’s constrained energy supply and strict regulations are emerging as unlikely strengths in the global race to expand AI infrastructure. Limited power access and careful planning are encouraging more resilient, future-ready data-centre designs that appeal to long-term investors.
Countries such as the Nordics, Spain and Italy are drawing interest due to stronger renewable capacity and shorter grid-connection times, while the UK, Germany and the Netherlands face greater congestion.
Shifting to a ‘first ready, first connected’ model aims to curb speculation and speed up delivery of viable projects.
Europe’s biggest opportunity lies in cloud-focused facilities and AI inference, which analysts expect to account for most AI demand and must often remain within regional borders.
Tighter rules may slow construction, yet they reduce the risk of stranded assets and support sustainable sites that strengthen Europe’s investment case.
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Growing momentum around quantum computing is drawing heightened interest from major companies and policymakers. Corporate documents and earnings calls now reference quantum technologies more frequently than in previous years, signalling broader strategic shifts across multiple sectors.
Significant figures in advanced computing, including IBM and Nvidia, are extending their quantum programmes to strengthen their position in the next wave of digital innovation. Analysts note that such initiatives are helping to shape stronger market expectations and a rise in long-term investment.
Forecasts suggest a marked expansion in the global quantum computing market over the coming years, reflecting growing confidence among investors and technology leaders. Increased commercial activity is also encouraging more organisations to explore how quantum capabilities might be integrated into future planning.
Public familiarity with quantum technology remains uneven despite widening media attention and educational efforts. Researchers emphasise that although business engagement is accelerating, a broader understanding still lags behind scientific progress and the technical challenges that remain.
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Trials at a stadium in Milton Keynes demonstrated that thousands of spectators can stream high-quality live video feeds directly to their mobile devices.
Developed collaboratively by the University of Bristol, AI specialists Madevo, and network experts Weaver Labs, the system also delivers live player statistics, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and real-time queue navigation. Traditional mobile networks often struggle to cope with peak demand at large venues, leaving fans frustrated.
The innovation offers clubs an opportunity to transform their stadiums into fully smart-enabled venues. University researchers said the successful trial represents a major step forward for Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab as it celebrates a decade of pioneering connectivity solutions.
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South Africa is betting on green technology to drive development while cutting emissions. Overlapping laws and strategies create a complex, sometimes conflicting environment for investors and innovators. Analysts warn that fragmentation slows both climate action and the just transition.
Flagship measures, such as the Climate Change Act and the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, anchor long-term goals. The government aims to mobilise around R1.5 trillion, including an initial R8.5 billion in catalytic finance.
Funding targets power generation, new energy vehicles and green hydrogen, with private capital expected to follow. Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer projects showcase successful public-private partnerships that attracted significant foreign and domestic investment.
Localisation rules, special economic zones and tariff tweaks seek to build manufacturing capacity and transfer skills. Critics argue that strict content quotas and data localisation can delay projects and deter prospective investors.
Observers say harmonised policies, clearer incentives and stronger coordination across sectors are essential for effective green technology transfer. Greater collaboration between the South African government, businesses, and universities could translate promising pilots into climate-resilient industries.
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