AI News

Follow the latest AI and automation news

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Microsoft to launch Saudi cloud region in November 2026

Microsoft has confirmed that its new datacentre in Eastern Saudi Arabia will go live in November 2026, providing local cloud and AI infrastructure. Located in the Eastern Province, the facility features three Azure Availability Zones, ensuring reliable data access for government and enterprise clients. This initiative aims to meet high-density computing needs as local entities shift from testing models to running mission-critical workloads. An IDC study estimates that Microsoft and its partners will generate $44 billion for the Saudi economy between 2027 and 2030, with the new region contributing approximately 13.4% of that total.

Business

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Clipto uses AI to search terabytes of video and is now valued at $250M

A three-year-old startup announced it has reached $15 million in annual recurring revenue and achieved profitability before raising $15 million in its latest funding round. This milestone reflects the company's successful market strategy, having reached this revenue level in a short time, showcasing its potential for growth. The startup aims to leverage the new funds to expand its operations and enhance growth, which could positively impact the startup sector in the region.

Models

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

GigaPath-Flash and GigaTIME-Flash: Toward population-scale discovery with efficient pathology foundation models

The Flash family expands GigaPath and GigaTIME with significant efficiency improvements, making large-scale pathology research more accessible. These models rely on a distilled pathology foundation model that reduces computational requirements without sacrificing performance, enabling repeated analyses across larger patient cohorts.

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HUMAIN, DataVolt break ground on NEOM AI facility

How will the Oxagon data center drive AI innovation in the region?

Governance

Implications of AI on Monetary Policy and Financial Markets

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Governance

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Implications of AI on Monetary Policy and Financial Markets

Economist Markus Brunnermeier from Princeton University warned of potential disruptions in financial markets due to the use of artificial intelligence. Speaking at the Jackson Hole conference, he emphasized the need for monetary policymakers to prepare for these challenges, including the possibility of holding separate press conferences for humans and machines. Brunnermeier explained that AI could surpass humans in processing information, allowing it to predict central bank governors' decisions before they make them. This advantage could lead to trading strategies that exploit this knowledge, threatening the stability of financial markets.

Governance

Impact of AI on Monetary Policy and Financial Markets

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Governance

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Impact of AI on Monetary Policy and Financial Markets

Economist Markus Brunnermeier from Princeton University warned that artificial intelligence could cause widespread disruptions in financial markets. Speaking at Jackson Hole, he emphasized the need for central bank governors to prepare for these challenges, including the possibility of holding separate press conferences for humans and machines. Brunnermeier explained that AI could surpass policymakers in processing information, giving it the ability to predict their decisions before they make them. This could lead to advanced trading strategies that exploit the system for illegal gains.

Business

OpenAI says its ChatGPT ad business hits a $1 billion annual run rate

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Business

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

OpenAI says its ChatGPT ad business hits a $1 billion annual run rate

OpenAI has announced that its advertising revenue has reached an annualized run rate of $1 billion. This milestone reflects the success of ChatGPT in attracting advertisers and significantly increasing its user base. These revenues are part of OpenAI's strategy to expand its service offerings and boost financial returns. With the growing reliance on AI across various sectors, the company aims to provide innovative advertising solutions that meet market demands.

Arab AI Scene

LEAP 2026 Conference Kicks Off in Riyadh with Major Investment Announcements

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Arab AI Scene

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

LEAP 2026 Conference Kicks Off in Riyadh with Major Investment Announcements

The fifth edition of the LEAP 2026 Conference launched today in Riyadh under the theme “To New Worlds,” featuring extensive participation from leaders in technology, AI, investors, and innovators worldwide. The opening day witnessed announcements of investments, partnerships, and technological launches exceeding $15 billion, reflecting a strong commitment to enhancing innovation in AI and technology. This event serves as a strategic platform that brings together entrepreneurs and investors, boosting collaboration and partnerships in both the Arab and global markets, while underscoring Riyadh's importance as a key technology hub in the region.

Infrastructure

China's CXMT makes its first HBM3E chips, closing the AI memory gap

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Infrastructure

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

China's CXMT makes its first HBM3E chips, closing the AI memory gap

ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) has announced the production of HBM3E chips for the first time in small quantities, a fast memory utilized in many current AI processors. This move aims to meet the growing demand for high-speed memory in the AI market, as HBM3E is essential for enhancing processor performance. CXMT's initiative reflects a strategic effort to close the memory gap in AI technologies. The introduction of HBM3E marks a significant advancement for China in memory technology, enhancing its competitive edge in the global AI market and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

Infrastructure

Nvidia’s $3.5B MediaTek bet reveals its plan for tackling Big Tech’s AI chip buildout

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Infrastructure

31 Aug 202619 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Nvidia’s $3.5B MediaTek bet reveals its plan for tackling Big Tech’s AI chip buildout

Nvidia has announced a $3.5 billion investment in Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek, highlighting its strategy to strengthen its AI infrastructure. This move comes as major tech companies are increasingly looking to build their own AI chips, underscoring Nvidia's critical role in the market. The deal signifies a trend towards greater integration between chip manufacturers and software providers. This investment could enhance Nvidia's competitive edge in the AI sector, where demand for tailored solutions is rising. It may also pave the way for new collaboration opportunities between the two companies in developing advanced technologies.