Emirates NBD ranks first of 25 banks in the first Middle East and Africa AI index
Evident's new index puts Emirates NBD ahead of Standard Bank, with First Abu Dhabi Bank third. Two of the top three are in the UAE.
ADCB rebuilds its mobile app around a conversational AI assistant
Customers can check balances, move money and manage cards by voice or text. ADCB says biometrics and AI fraud detection sit underneath.
UAE banks retire SMS and email one-time passwords
Banks had until 31 March 2026 to phase out OTPs sent by SMS and email. Approval inside the bank's app replaces them.
The UAE central bank's AI guidance: in, on or out of the loop
Three levels of human oversight, a right to ask for human review, and an AI inventory for every bank. What the CBUAE guidance asks of lenders.
Meet Fahad: KFH tests an AI video avatar at its branch kiosks
Kuwait Finance House calls it Kuwait's first AI-powered virtual employee. NCR Atleos calls it a field test. It hands over to a live agent when needed.
Bank Albilad scores every transaction in real time to hunt mule accounts
The Saudi bank uses machine learning and network analysis from SAS. The vendor reports half the false positives and 70% more fraud losses prevented.
Qatar requires central bank approval before a bank launches a new AI system
The QCB AI Guideline, in force since September 2024, adds an AI register, mandatory human oversight and customer notice when people deal with AI.