Agadir – Artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent connectivity are at the heart of the digital revolution, reshaping economies, public services, and everyday practices.
The inaugural Ai Everything Middle East & Africa (MEA) Summit and Exhibition, scheduled for February 11-12, 2026 in Cairo, highlights how these technologies are emerging as strategic innovation and inclusive development across the region and beyond.
Organized by GITEX GLOBAL in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), AI Everything MEA puts on display the growing relevance of AI and intelligent connectivity in shaping future-ready societies.
Intelligent connectivity
Intelligent connectivity combines advanced digital networks, such as 5G, cloud infrastructure, and the Internet of Things (IoT), with AI capabilities that enable systems to collect data, learn from it, and make decisions automatically.
This convergence uses AI to analyze and act on that data instantly, allowing networks to be predictive, adaptive, and self-optimizing. This in tern reduces latency and enhances performance in environments where real-time responses are critical, such as smart cities, digital finance, and autonomous systems.
Areas for integrating AI connectivity
Intelligent connectivity is driving innovation across key sectors such as in the government and public services where using AI and connected systems improve service delivery, streamline operations, and enhance citizen engagement.
In digital finance for example, AI-powered analytics and networked platforms bolster security, automate risk management, and enable smarter financial services. In digital health, intelligence connectivity supports diagnostics, patient monitoring, and research through AI model health data.
These applications illustrate how intelligent connectivity enhances operational insight, boosts productivity, and supports new business models, creating value for enterprises, governments, and citizens alike.
Major connectivity leaders at the summit
Against this backdrop, major leaders working in intelligence connectivity are set to convene at the Cairo summit, notably including e& Egypt, also known as Etisalat, as well as Cisco.
Since its launch in 2007, e& has transformed from merely a telecom service provider to a full-scale digital entity. In the realm of AI, e&’s enterprise division offers AI-as-a-Service (AlaaS) solutions to businesses and government entities, allowing them to outsource complex AI projects rather than building their own infrastructure. Additionally, e&’s strategy and integrated tech aligns with the Egyptian government’s Second National AI Strategy (2025–2030), aimed to establish Egypt as a regional AI hub.
Taking it global, Cisco Systems is a global leader in networking, security, and collaboration technology. Cisco uses AI and machine learning (ML) directly within its core infrastructure. One such example is through Cisco’s AI assistant – “ThousandEyes” – which leverages AI to provide a “360-degree view” of digital supply chains, predicting internet outages and optimizing paths between users and applications even across broader outside networks. For Ai Everything Egypt organizers, Cisco’s participation at the summit reflects the focus on enterprise-ready AI.
Regional leadership and innovation
Hosting Ai Everything MEA marks a strategic milestone for Egypt and the wider region. The event elevates Egypt’s position as a regional hub for AI policy, innovation, and investment, attracting participants from more than 60 countries and showcasing a broad range of AI technologies and use cases.
This reflects a priority shared by many governments to leverage AI and intelligent connectivity as tools for economic diversification, job creation, and enhanced competitiveness. By integrating AI with high-speed and connected infrastructure, countries in the region and around the world can unlock new opportunities in sectors such as digital finance, health care, manufacturing, and education.
The Ai Everything MEA Summit serves as a platform for collaboration on these issues, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to shape frameworks that balance innovation with ethical considerations.
