California looks to Europe to rein in deployment of AI
The richest state in the United States by GDP, California is a hotbed of no-holds-barred tech innovation, but lawmakers in...
Business
White House announces $20bn in grants, loans to boost Intel chip production
Washington, United States - The White House unveiled almost $20 billion in new grants and loans Wednesday to support Intel's US...
Business
Abu Dhabi plans to launch English newspaper as part of media network revamp
Abu Dhabi, UAE - Abu Dhabi Media Network is all set to launch an English edition of its existing Al...
- The announcement came on the sidelines of the launch of a new media strategy by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed
- The strategy also involves the launch of Al Ittihad News Centre, which will operate as a unified media center across various news platforms
Business
Google’s AI chatbot goes personal tapping into Gmail, YouTube
Google has for years discreetly developed AI powers but was caught off guard when OpenAI late last year released ChatGPT...
- The company said its beefed up chatbot can help users summarize a confusing string of emails into its main points or tap into Google Maps to best locate a holiday destination.
- These so-called Bard Extensions would also be available to retrieve key points from content across Google Docs and Google Drive, including PDFs.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia participates in global meet to bridge digital divide
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Kingdom’s Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Dr. Mohammed Saud Al-Tamimi participated...
- The meeting aims to enhance the contribution of the communications, space and technology sectors for attaining sustainable development objectives.
- The meeting also aims to propose policies and recommendations to bridge the digital divide and promote and develop the digital economy.
Business
AI ‘no substitute’ for fashion designers’ creativity
Fashion innovator Calvin Wong, who has developed the world's first designer-led AI system, says 'we must treasure the designer's original...
- The Interactive Design Assistant for Fashion (AiDA) uses image-recognition technology to speed up the time it takes for a design to go from a first sketch to the catwalk.
- Wong said AiDA's particular strength was its ability to present "all the possible combinations" for a designer to consider, something he said was impossible currently.
Geostrategy
Europe’s tussle with Big Tech involves dominance, data, disinformation
Paris, France - Irish regulators on Friday handed out a 345-million-euro ($369-million) fine to TikTok over data breaches, part of a...
- Ireland issues the most stringent fines on this front as Dublin hosts the European offices of several big tech firms and data privacy is enforced by local regulators.
- The EU has had little success in getting tech companies to pay more taxes in Europe, where they are accused of funneling profits into low-tax economies.
Economy
Nearly two-thirds of Saudi Arabian employees lack enhanced digital skills
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - A substantial 62% of employees in Saudi Arabia are eager to acquire improved digital skills in...
- The findings also exposed a troubling trend, with 45% of respondents expressing concerns about job security due to their perceived lack of IT competencies
- The survey also highlighted a specific group within the workforce most apprehensive about job security – department heads and top managers
Geostrategy
EU chief wants global experts panel to confront AI challenges
Von der Leyen said the proposed AI group should be similar to the UN's IPCC panel, whose reports establish scientific...
- Von der Leyen said the proposed AI group should be similar to the UN's IPCC panel, whose reports establish scientific consensus on climate change.
- The EU is leading the charge on regulating AI, and aims to green light what would be the world's first law covering the technology by the end of the year.
Science
ChatGPT diagnoses ER patients ‘like a doctor’
During a study in Netherlands, the chatbot outperformed doctors in some cases. At the same time, it showed some limitations.
- The chatbot's reasoning was "at times medically implausible or inconsistent, which can lead to misinformation or incorrect diagnosis, with significant implications".
- The findings -- published in the medical journal Annals of Emergency Medicine -- will be presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress (EUSEM) 2023 in Barcelona.
California firefighters use AI to battle wildfires
For several years firefighters have used a network of more than 1,000 cameras to monitor possible fire hotspots. Since the...
- Computers watching live feeds from Cleveland National Forest spotted what their algorithm had been taught to understand was a column of smoke
- Human operators were able to verify the machines were correct and alerted Captain Kris Yeary of Cal Fire, whose firefighters quickly extinguished the flames
Business
US govt face Google in landmark antitrust lawsuit
Washington, US - A landmark case pitting the US government against Google over the dominance of the company's world-dominating search engine...
- "This case is about the future of the internet and whether Google will ever face meaningful competition in search," said Justice Department lawyer Kenneth Dintzer
- The US government launched its case against Google during the Trump administration and the suit carried over in the transition to President Joe Biden
California looks to Europe to rein in deployment of AI
The richest state in the United States by GDP, California is a hotbed of no-holds-barred tech innovation, but lawmakers in...
Business
Company News
IMF chief at Davos: AI holds risks, opportunity for global economy
World Economic Forum
Latest News
Vodafone Qatar 2023 profit up
The 2023 net profit of Vodafone Qatar increased to $148 million.
Business
Hub71-backed ABHI to set up global headquarters in Abu Dhabi
DUBAI, UAE - With support from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Hub71-backed ABHI, an embedded finance platform founded in...
Business
Mac computers could reach new glory due to AI
SAN FRANCISCO, US - Forty years after igniting a PC revolution, Apple's Mac is stronger than ever and could reach new...
Business
Most Read
Business
Healthcare industry globally faces data hacking threat
DUBAI, UAE - In an age where data is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, the industry faces an escalating threat...
- The IBM Cost of Data Breach Report reveals that in 2023 the average global cost of healthcare data breach reached $10.93 million.
- In the Middle East, the cost implications of data breach reached $9.18 million in 2023, above the regional average across all sectors.
World Economic Forum
In Davos, AI excitement persists but fears over managing risks
A recent IMF report said AI would affect nearly 40 percent of jobs around the world, and some 60 percent...
- Over the course of the week, more than 3,000 policy makers, business executives, academics and innovators discussed some of the world's most pressing issues at the annual meet.
- The Forum announced it will hold a special meeting, hosted by Saudi Arabia, on “Global Cooperation, Growth and Energy for Development” on 28-29 Apr 2024 in Riyadh.
Business
Google CEO says more layoffs are likely this year
SAN FRANCISCO, US - Google CEO Sundar Pichai has warned employees that more layoffs are in store at the search engine...
- Google laid off around 12,000 people this time last year, about six percent of its workforce, in the face of inflation and rising interest rates.
- The company confirmed it is eliminating "a few hundred" positions from its global ad team, amid a push to use AI for efficiency and creativity.