Google Cloud Boasts Consistent Service Across Region, US

CEO of Google Cloud Thomas Kurian (Google)
CEO of Google Cloud Thomas Kurian (Google)
TT

Google Cloud Boasts Consistent Service Across Region, US

CEO of Google Cloud Thomas Kurian (Google)
CEO of Google Cloud Thomas Kurian (Google)

Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the “Google Cloud Next ‘24” event in Las Vegas, affirmed that Google Cloud’s presence in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait sets it apart from its digital cloud competitors.

Kurian pointed out that the services offered by his company in those countries are the same as those provided in the US, ensuring global consistency and uniformity.

He noted that while some other service providers offer similar services, not all are available in these countries compared to Google Cloud.

Kurian emphasized that Google Cloud provides a “grocery store” of choices catering to the diverse needs of businesses, stressing that a one-size-fits-all artificial intelligence model won't suffice, as companies require a cloud platform offering multiple services to tailor to their specific needs.

Meanwhile, Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al-Thehaiban, the managing director of Google Cloud for the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa region (META), stated that artificial intelligence will revolutionize industries and businesses.

He highlighted that governments and organizations in the Middle East are reaping the full benefits of Google Cloud’s investments in artificial intelligence, particularly through its hubs in Dammam and Doha launched in May and November last year.



Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
TT

Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Oil prices were up slightly on Friday on stronger-than-expected US economic data that raised investor expectations for increasing crude oil demand from the world's largest energy consumer.

But concerns about soft economic conditions in Asia's biggest economies, China and Japan, capped gains.

Brent crude futures for September rose 7 cents to $82.44 a barrel by 0014 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 4 cents to $78.32 per barrel, Reuters reported.

In the second quarter, the US economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualised rate of 2.8% as consumers spent more and businesses increased investments, Commerce Department data showed. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted US gross domestic product would grow by 2.0% over the period.

At the same time, inflation pressures eased, which kept intact expectations that the Federal Reserve would move forward with a September interest rate cut. Lower interest rates tend to boost economic activity, which can spur oil demand.

Still, continued signs of trouble in parts of Asia limited oil price gains.

Core consumer prices in Japan's capital were up 2.2% in July from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, raising market expectations of an interest rate hike in the near term.

But an index that strips away energy costs, seen as a better gauge of underlying price trends, rose at the slowest annual pace in nearly two years, suggesting that price hikes are moderating due to soft consumption.

China, the world's biggest crude importer, surprised markets for a second time this week by conducting an unscheduled lending operation on Thursday at steeply lower rates, suggesting authorities are trying to provide heavier monetary stimulus to prop up the economy.