Expectations on Enhancing Cloud Computing in Saudi Arabia in 2018

Cloud computing. (Reuters)
Cloud computing. (Reuters)
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Expectations on Enhancing Cloud Computing in Saudi Arabia in 2018

Cloud computing. (Reuters)
Cloud computing. (Reuters)

Experts predicted that 2018 will see higher levels of adoption of cloud computing solutions and technologies in Saudi Arabia at a time when the global market value of the industry of "Chatbots" has amounted to around $800 million in 2016.

Moreover, experts have expected this value to exceed three billion dollars by 2020 while 74.7 percent of the Saudi citizens use social media chat applications and are always connected to the Internet.

"Companies will increasingly embrace new technologies in their digital strategies, but many of these companies cannot integrate and benefit from artificial intelligence," Chief Executive Officer of Ubuntu Ayman al-Ashkar told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Ashkar added that artificial intelligence is not limited to large companies as there is a way for small and medium-sized companies to integrate it quickly and easily in their digital strategies through ChatBox for use in e-commerce.

"This artificial intelligence-based mobile phone or website enables companies to address customers without talking to them and interact with them in a direct dialogue such as Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp for 24 hours per day,” he added.

"In 2017, the Kingdom witnessed more than 164,000 online attacks in one day," said Fateh Gergenawi, regional director of FireEye in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

He stressed the need for institutions and bodies in Saudi Arabia to reduce the risk of hacking by developing response capabilities and recovery from breakthroughs in the case they occur.

He pointed out that Saudi Arabia’s plan to enhance e-security will play a key role in achieving its 2030 vision, noting that the process of growth and development of the Kingdom depends more on technology, artificial intelligence and IT experience.

The stability of technologies in the cloud lets stored data an easy target for hackers, making cloud security one of the key emerging trends to be adopted by organizations across the region, not just in the Middle East, Gergenawi stressed.



Trump Touts ‘Done’ Deal with Beijing on Rare Earths, Chinese Students

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-US trade, in London, Monday, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-US trade, in London, Monday, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua via AP)
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Trump Touts ‘Done’ Deal with Beijing on Rare Earths, Chinese Students

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-US trade, in London, Monday, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, right, shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent before their meeting to discuss China-US trade, in London, Monday, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua via AP)

US President Donald Trump touted ties with China as "excellent" on Wednesday, saying the superpowers reached a deal after two days of talks aimed at preserving a truce in their damaging trade war.  

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that China would supply rare earth minerals and magnets -- vital elements for American industries -- while Washington would allow Chinese students to remain in US universities.  

His post came after top United States and Chinese negotiators announced a "framework" agreement late Tuesday following two days of marathon talks in London. 

"Our deal with China is done," Trump wrote, adding that the agreement was still "subject to final approval with President Xi (Jinping) and me." 

"President XI and I are going to work closely together to open up China to American Trade," he said in a second post. "This would be a great WIN for both countries!!!"  

US stock markets showed little enthusiasm despite Trump's statements, but major indexes edged higher in early trading.  

- 'Candid' talks -  

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that it was possible to rebalance economic relations with China if Beijing proved a "reliable partner in trade negotiations."  

"If China will course-correct by upholding its end of the initial trade agreement we outlined in Geneva, and I believe after our talks in London they will, then the rebalancing of the world's two largest economies is possible," Bessent told lawmakers at the House Ways and Means Committee.  

The two sides agreed to reduce their tit-for-tat, triple-digit tariffs during talks in Geneva last month, but cracks appeared in the detente after Trump accused China of violating the deal.  

Washington was concerned at slower supplies of rare earths after Beijing in early April began requiring domestic exporters to apply for a license -- widely seen as a response to US tariffs.  

Rare earths are used in everything from electric vehicles to hard drives, wind turbines and missiles.  

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in London on Tuesday that US measures imposed when rare earths "were not coming" would likely be relaxed once Beijing moved forward with more license approvals.  

On Truth Social, Trump said China will supply "full magnets, and any necessary rare earths" up front.  

Washington has infuriated Beijing by vowing to revoke the visas of Chinese students, a major source of revenue for US universities.  

On Wednesday, Trump said: "We will provide to China what was agreed to, including Chinese students using our colleges and universities."  

The US president also said that the United States applies 55 percent tariffs on Chinese goods -- a combination of his 30 percent additional levies this year and the rough average of pre-existing duties, a White House official said.  

He said Beijing charges 10 percent duties on US goods.  

The rates are the same as those that were previously agreed in the truce, which temporarily brought US tariffs down from 145 percent and those imposed by China from 125 percent.  

In a Chinese state media readout of the talks released Wednesday, Vice Premier He Lifeng, who headed Beijing's team in London, stressed the need for the two sides to strengthen cooperation in future dialogue.  

"As a next step, the two sides should... continuously enhance consensus, reduce misunderstandings and strengthen cooperation," He said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.  

Speaking to reporters in London, China International Trade Representative Li Chenggang earlier said: "Our communication has been very professional, rational, in-depth and candid."