Bilal Abu‑Ghazaleh, a former Scale AI executive, has founded 1001 AI to bring an AI‑native operating system to high‑stakes sectors such as aviation, logistics, construction and oil and gas in the Middle East and North Africa. The two‑month‑old startup raised a $9 million seed round led by CIV, General Catalyst and Lux Capital, with participation from a roster of global and regional angels. Abu‑Ghazaleh says the platform will cut inefficiencies worth more than $10 billion in the Gulf alone by automating decision‑making and orchestrating real‑time operations. Early deployments are slated for construction projects by the end of the year, with the company eyeing broader roll‑outs across the region’s megaprojects. Read more →

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 gathered sponsors and startups to showcase how artificial intelligence is reshaping key industries. The Aerospace Corporation led a pitch‑off featuring AI solutions for space exploration and orbital intelligence, while Epic Aircraft demonstrated AI’s role in aircraft design and certification. Sessions with WARP and Bright Data explored AI‑enhanced product strategy and data infrastructure. Supporting partners such as Google Cloud, Thomson Reuters and the Israel Innovation Authority underscored the broader ecosystem driving AI adoption across sectors. Read more →