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Science, Engineering Exhibition Sheds Light on Saudi Innovations

A training camp for the Saudi National Science and Engineering Team in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A training camp for the Saudi National Science and Engineering Team in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Science, Engineering Exhibition Sheds Light on Saudi Innovations

A training camp for the Saudi National Science and Engineering Team in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A training camp for the Saudi National Science and Engineering Team in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) has showcased the innovative ideas of 30 Saudi students.

ISEF 2021 is being held virtually in the US, with the participation of over 1,800 students from around the world showcasing their projects at the science fair.

King Abdul Aziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) announced its sponsorship of the innovations in the energy field at ISEF 2021.

Saudi Arabia first participated in ISEF in 2007 and has since then won 48 major and 27 special prizes. In 2020, the Kingdom received eight prizes, including five major and three special prizes.

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman is set to meet virtually with a number of students from around the world that are taking part in this year’s edition.

In a statement, Mawhiba announced that it will present major prizes and sponsorships for the top four projects in the field of energy.

The foundation will also offer a number of special awards in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including 12 grants and 12 cash prizes.

The statement explained that the foundation’s sponsorship of ISEF’s energy field stems from Vision 2030 and its awareness of the important role Saudi Arabia plays as a major source of energy, and its efforts to continue sustainable development by preserving energy sources.

Mawhiba stated that the awards it offers to international talents at the ISEF 2021 exhibition reflect its vision and mission to make innovation a sustainable way to invest in human capabilities.

There is an increasing trend towards the production of more renewable energy, which is expected to account for 40 percent of the planet's energy by 2040, according to Mawhiba.

The Mawhiba Foundation has offered 79 special awards, totaling $269,000, for 97 international students at the ISEF over the past ten years.

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Meta’s Content Moderation Contractor to Cut 2,000 Jobs in Barcelona

The logo of Meta is seen at the entrance of the company's temporary stand ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland January 18, 2025. (Reuters)
The logo of Meta is seen at the entrance of the company's temporary stand ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland January 18, 2025. (Reuters)
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Meta’s Content Moderation Contractor to Cut 2,000 Jobs in Barcelona

The logo of Meta is seen at the entrance of the company's temporary stand ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland January 18, 2025. (Reuters)
The logo of Meta is seen at the entrance of the company's temporary stand ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland January 18, 2025. (Reuters)

Canadian-based tech company Telus sent home as many as 2,000 people from its content moderation center in Barcelona after Facebook owner Meta Platforms severed its contract, local unions CCOO and UGT said.

The company - operating locally as CCC Barcelona Digital Services - emailed its workers on Thursday placing them on gardening leave saying a client warned on April 1 it would suspended services.

The email, which Reuters had access to, did not specify who the client was, but UGT and CCOO said Telus' client was Meta.

One former and one current employee, who requested anonymity as they signed non-disclosure agreements, said the team was moderating content for Meta.

"Our clients are diversifying their presence and transferring their services to other locations," Telus said, adding the contract continued. The company will provide support to all the affected team members during negotiations with the unions.

A Meta spokesperson said the company has moved the services that were being performed from Barcelona to other locations and the company is not reducing its content review efforts.

Meta invested billions and hired thousands of content moderators globally over the years to police sensitive content, but in January it scrapped its US fact-checking program, following the election of President Donald Trump.

It also said it will stop proactively scanning for hate speech and other types of rule-breaking, reviewing such posts only in response to user reports.

Employees were placed on leave, with full salaries but no work to carry out, while Telus negotiates severance with unions, the email sent to workers said.

The company suspended its operations at noon on Thursday and asked employees at work to leave the office, located in Barcelona's landmark Glories tower downtown.

The team in Barcelona included content moderation services in Catalan, Dutch, French, Hebrew, Portuguese and Spanish, according to the former employee.

Other content moderation centers in countries such as Bulgaria, Colombia and Portugal that used to collaborate with the staff in Barcelona, the current employee said, although a Telus spokesperson said some of these centers are run by other companies.