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Wa’ed Ventures, the $500 million Saudi Arabia-based venture capital fund wholly owned by Saudi Aramco, announced a strategic investment in Resemble AI, a U.S.-based company specializing in AI-powered voice generation and real-time multi-modal deepfake detection. The investment aims to enhance AI security and combat digital fraud across the Middle East.

The investment follows Resemble AI’s successful strategic funding round of $13 million in December 2025, supported by leading investors including Google’s Future Fund, Sony Innovation Fund, Javelin, and Ubiquity.

As global AI-driven fraud risks increase, deepfake-related losses are estimated to have exceeded $25 billion in 2024, with projections reaching $40 billion by 2027. Saudi Arabia is addressing these challenges through robust regulatory frameworks, including the Cybercrime Law, which criminalizes the dissemination of misleading or falsified content that threatens public security or national interests.

Wa’ed Ventures’ investment supports Resemble AI’s expansion in the Middle East, enabling governments and institutions in Saudi Arabia and the region to deploy advanced real-time detection technologies while adhering to regional data sovereignty and digital security requirements.

“Wa’ed Ventures’ role goes beyond financing — we aim to empower entrepreneurs and help scale their technologies globally while aligning with Saudi priorities,” said Anas Al-Qahtani, CEO of Wa’ed Ventures. “Strengthening AI governance, digital trust, and content regulation is central to ensuring responsible and ethical use of advanced technologies.”

Zoheb Ahmed, CEO and Co-Founder of Resemble AI, noted the unprecedented rise of AI-driven fraud in the Middle East, highlighting a 600% increase in deepfake incidents in Saudi Arabia last year. He emphasized the need for advanced tools that can detect threats in real-time within local infrastructure, which Resemble AI provides.

Resemble AI’s platform supports both cloud and on-premises deployment, allowing government, defense, and regulated sectors to analyze audio and multimedia content without sending sensitive data externally. The company is recognized globally for AI voice generation and multi-modal deepfake detection, providing advanced fraud prevention solutions in real time.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Wa’ed Ventures manages a portfolio of over 90 startups, supporting high-growth technology companies with strategic resources to accelerate expansion in global markets while promoting economic diversification in the Kingdom.