Can oil markets absorb a prolonged Hormuz disruption without another price shock? Today’s Daily Energy Markets unpacked Iran’s crude export resilience, Pakistan’s worsening LNG shortages, and fragile summer fuel balances. Danial Rahmat warned inflation is squeezing Iran’s economy, Osama Rizvi highlighted looming Pakistani blackouts, Jolyon Welsh questioned prospects for diplomacy, while Mita Chaturvedi tracked increasingly volatile oil and refined products markets.

AI Arabia Center of Excellence Dialogues | Roundtable Podcast 5 "Part B"

In Part B of The AI Arabia Dialogues Podcast Series, leading experts from technology, banking, sustainability, cybersecurity, and digital transformation continue the conversation on how nations and enterprises can leverage AI infrastructure, data economies, and digital ecosystems to strengthen competitiveness in the age of artificial intelligence.Featured Speakers:• Panos Tsiakis, Partner, Infosys Consulting• Zainab Alamin زينب الأمين, Vice President of National Digital Transformation, Microsoft Saudi Arabia• Jay Sadiq, Founder & CEO, FortyGuard• Xi Liang, Head of Artificial Intelligence, Mashreq• Dr. Mohammed Al-Surf, Managing Director, Tilad Sustainability Co. & Tilad Institute; Founder & CEO, Saudi Green Building Alliance (SGBA)As Saudi Arabia accelerates its Vision 2030 transformation, conversations around trusted AI ecosystems, digital infrastructure, sustainability, and innovation-driven growth have never been more important.

Is China emerging as the key power broker in the Middle East conflict? Today’s Daily Energy Markets Podcast explored Beijing’s growing diplomatic leverage, fragile Gulf ceasefire efforts, and why oil traders remain surprisingly calm with Brent above $110. Andrei Covatariu said China is positioning itself as a global mediator, James Lear highlighted a “fair value” oil market despite volatility, while Giacomo Prandelli argued China is gaining leverage over both US LNG and Russian gas supplies.

AI Arabia Center of Excellence Dialogues | Roundtable Podcast 5 "Part A"

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖 𝙀𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙄 𝙀𝙧𝙖?

In this episode of The AI Arabia Dialogues Podcast Series, leading voices from technology, banking, sustainability, cybersecurity, consulting, and digital transformation explore how nations and enterprises can leverage data economies, AI infrastructure, and digital ecosystems to strengthen competitiveness in the age of artificial intelligence.

Featured Speakers:

• Panos Tsiakis, Partner, Infosys Consulting
• Zainab Alamin زينب الأمين, Vice President of National Digital Transformation, Microsoft Saudi Arabia
• Jay Sadiq, Founder & CEO, FortyGuard
• Xi Liang, Head of Artificial Intelligence, Mashreq
• Dr. Mohammed Al-Surf, Managing Director, Tilad Sustainability Co & Tilad Institute; Founder & CEO, Saudi Green Building Alliance

Today’s Daily Energy Markets Podcast explored an oil market trapped between diplomacy and disruption, as fears over the Strait of Hormuz, inflation and tightening global supplies kept traders on edge. China strategist Liao Na said the Trump-Xi summit was “damage control” rather than détente, while Gulf analyst Yesar Al-Maleki warned the region cannot afford renewed conflict with Iran. Algeria’s Choeib Boutamine cautioned that today’s oil revenue gains could quickly translate into higher inflation and import costs worldwide.

As Brent climbed above $111 and fears over Hormuz disruption intensified, today’s Daily Energy Markets Podcast questioned why oil still isn’t pricing a full-scale supply shock. Omar Najia argued weakening demand, rising inflation and bloated storage point to lower prices ahead. Laury Haytayan warned Middle East “ceasefires” are largely symbolic. Mukesh Sahdev highlighted looming US gasoline shortages as the pressure point that could eventually force a geopolitical breakthrough.

Today’s Daily Energy Markets Podcast examined the growing disconnect between record-breaking equity markets and mounting energy market risks linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Toby Copson warned volatility is becoming entrenched as traders brace for prolonged disruption. Peter McGuire highlighted rising US inflation and bond yields as major threats to markets, while David Elward warned accelerating demand destruction and shrinking fuel inventories are masking the scale of the global energy crisis.

Today’s Daily Energy Markets Podcast exposed how the Hormuz crisis is accelerating a global scramble for energy security, supply diversification, and geopolitical leverage. Sara Akbar warned Gulf states would never accept Iran becoming the “gatekeeper” of the Strait of Hormuz, arguing the region may prefer renewed conflict over surrendering energy security. James McCallum said the world is entering a “less deferential” era of energy politics, while Anne-Sophie Corbeau revealed China has imported zero US LNG cargoes since February despite the escalating crisis.

AI Arabia Center of Excellence Dialogues | Roundtable Podcast 4 – Part B

In Part B of The AI Arabia Dialogues Podcast Series, industry leaders and technology experts continue the conversation on how nations can accelerate AI adoption through scalable infrastructure, compute capacity, and cross-sector collaboration.The discussion explores the growing demand for AI-ready energy systems, sovereign AI strategies, investment in digital infrastructure, and the role of innovation ecosystems in supporting long-term economic transformation. Speakers also examine how governments, enterprises, and technology providers can work together to ensure AI deployment is sustainable, secure, and commercially impactful.

Featured Speakers:

• Zainab Al Amin, Vice President of National Digital Transformation, Microsoft Saudi Arabia
• Omar AlSheikh, Country Head & Senior Director, KSA & Bahrain - Energy, Services & Government, Infosys
• Sultan Moraished, Group Head of Technology & Corporate Excellence, Red Sea Global
• James McCallum, Executive Chairman of Xergy & Professor of Energy, Strathclyde University
• Dr. Ahmed Alfadhel, Executive Director of Innovation & Technology Commercialization, Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV)
• Robin Mills, Chief Executive, Qamar Energy

Watch Part A for additional insights from the discussion series.

AI Arabia Center of Excellence Dialogues | Roundtable Podcast 4 – Part ATheme: How Can National AI Infrastructure and Compute Capacity Enable Scalable Adoption Across Key Sectors?In this episode of the Arabia Dialogues Podcast Series, leading experts from across industry, energy, technology, and digital transformation come together to explore how nations can build the AI infrastructure, compute capacity, and innovation ecosystems required to accelerate scalable AI adoption.From sovereign AI capabilities and cloud infrastructure to energy demand, public-private collaboration, and workforce readiness, our speakers share practical insights and strategic perspectives on how countries can position themselves for long-term AI-driven growth and competitiveness.Featured Speakers:

• Zainab Al Amin, Vice President of National Digital Transformation, Microsoft Saudi Arabia
• Omar AlSheikh, Country Head & Senior Director, KSA & Bahrain - Energy, Services & Government, Infosys
• Sultan Moraished, Group Head of Technology & Corporate Excellence, Red Sea Global
• James McCallum, Executive Chairman of Xergy & Professor of Energy, Strathclyde University
• Dr. Ahmed Alfadhel, Executive Director of Innovation & Technology Commercialization, Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV)
• Robin Mills, Chief Executive, Qamar Energy

Stay tuned for more insights as we continue the conversation in Part B.