Saudi Communications Minister: Investing in Technology, Science Our Way towards Zero Emissions

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha speaks at the forum. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha speaks at the forum. (SPA)
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Saudi Communications Minister: Investing in Technology, Science Our Way towards Zero Emissions

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha speaks at the forum. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha speaks at the forum. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Space Commission, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha stressed that the Kingdom, as one of the G20 Member States and a major source of energy in the world, is taking the lead in building a center for climate technologies in the Middle East and North Africa.

Al-Swaha made his remarks on Saturday during his participation in a panel discussion, "How will the green economy change the world in the future", as part the Saudi Green Initiative forum.

He said that the world must rally around supporting science and technology if it wanted to address climate change.

“If the world continues to follow the current policies and technologies, our zero-emissions efficiency will be 30-40% lower, and the only way to address the zero-emissions gap is to increase investment in new, widespread technologies,” he urged.

Moreover, Al-Swaha highlighted how drones can plant trees ten times faster than traditional methods and at a lower cost 20% of the cost of manual farming.

He also underscored the most important lessons learned in the early stages of using technology in the climate field, using artificial intelligence and drones to support and accelerate reforestation, and the extent of the success of such technologies in all regions of the world.

The minister underlined the ways of success of afforestation projects and how trees can best be used to combat climate change, citing the importance of international cooperation that can ensure a rapid, comprehensive expansion of the cultivation of trees that are also planted specifically in low afforestation areas of the world in order to combat desertification.



DeepSeek Available to Download Again in South Korea After Suspension 

The DeepSeek logo is seen on January 29, 2025. (Reuters)
The DeepSeek logo is seen on January 29, 2025. (Reuters)
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DeepSeek Available to Download Again in South Korea After Suspension 

The DeepSeek logo is seen on January 29, 2025. (Reuters)
The DeepSeek logo is seen on January 29, 2025. (Reuters)

Chinese artificial intelligence service DeepSeek became available again on South Korean app markets on Monday for the first time in about two months, when downloads were suspended after authorities cited breaches in data protection rules.

South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission said on Thursday that DeepSeek transferred user data and prompts without permission when the service first launched in South Korea in January.

Downloading the app was suspended in February after the questions over personal data protection surfaced, but the service was available for download again on South Korea's app market including via Apple's App Store and Google Play Store.

"We process your personal information in compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act of Korea," DeepSeek said in a revised privacy policy note applied to the app.

DeepSeek said users had the option to refuse to allow the transfer of personal information to a number of companies in China and the United States.

DeepSeek did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

South Korea's data protection agency said DeepSeek had voluntarily decided to make the app available for download, which it is free to do after at least partially reflecting its recommendations.