Microsoft CEO Highlights Importance of AI to Boost Economic Development in Saudi Arabia

Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella has highlighted the importance of artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to support economic development in Saudi Arabia. SPA
Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella has highlighted the importance of artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to support economic development in Saudi Arabia. SPA
TT

Microsoft CEO Highlights Importance of AI to Boost Economic Development in Saudi Arabia

Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella has highlighted the importance of artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to support economic development in Saudi Arabia. SPA
Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella has highlighted the importance of artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to support economic development in Saudi Arabia. SPA

Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella has highlighted the importance of artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to support economic development in Saudi Arabia in a speech at the Riyadh event “Artificial Intelligence, A New Era.”

At the event, Nadella met on Wednesday with pioneering local business leaders, government officials, and a leading group of technical developers, reiterating the significant role played by AI in providing new opportunities to enhance the digital economy in the Kingdom, ensuring the improvement of citizens' quality of life in alignment with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Nadella said in a statement that the new AI generation will radically transform the level of individuals’ productivity and boost innovation in institutions and business sectors at the global and local levels, including the Kingdom.

Nadella praised Saudi institutions' efforts on the levels of the government and private sector in devoting these technologies to motivate innovation and provide multiple opportunities to strengthen economic development.

During the event, a discussion was held between the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, and the Microsoft CEO about strategies of employing the latest AI innovations. The discussion aimed to fast-track the Kingdom’s vision for its transformation into a digital society that involves a digital government and a prosperous digital economy and support an innovative future that embraces the interest of everyone without exception.



Tesla Plans Four New Batteries in 2026, Including for Robotaxi

FILE PHOTO: A staff member attends to customers inside a Tesla Model Y car at a showroom of the US electric vehicle (EV) maker in Beijing, China, Feb. 4, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A staff member attends to customers inside a Tesla Model Y car at a showroom of the US electric vehicle (EV) maker in Beijing, China, Feb. 4, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo
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Tesla Plans Four New Batteries in 2026, Including for Robotaxi

FILE PHOTO: A staff member attends to customers inside a Tesla Model Y car at a showroom of the US electric vehicle (EV) maker in Beijing, China, Feb. 4, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A staff member attends to customers inside a Tesla Model Y car at a showroom of the US electric vehicle (EV) maker in Beijing, China, Feb. 4, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo

Tesla plans to design four new versions of its in-house battery to power the Cybertruck, its forthcoming robotaxi and other electric vehicles, the Information reported on Thursday, citing people with knowledge of its plans.

The Elon Musk-led firm currently sources most of its EV batteries from other companies, including Panasonic Energy and LG Energy but has been trying to ramp up production of its 4680 battery cells in the United States to lower costs and boost margins.

The development of the 4680 battery has been facing troubles, with the company losing 70% to 80% of the cathodes in test production compared with conventional battery makers, which lose fewer than 2% of their components to manufacturing defects, the report said.

Cathodes, a key part of the battery, helps in creating energy that propels an EV, Reuters reported.

The company has also been trying to scale production of dry-coated version of the 4680 cells but has been struggling with the speed at which they can make the batteries, Reuters had reported last year.

Tesla is planning to introduce the dry cathodes in Cybertruck batteries by the middle of next year, the Information report said, adding that the company plans to make between 2,000 and 3,000 Cybertrucks a week using the dry-coating technology.

By 2026, Tesla plans to introduce four versions of the 4680 that use the dry cathode, one of which, code-named NC05, will power the robotaxi, according to the report.

The EV maker is expected to unveil its long-awaited robotaxi product next week as it looks to shift its focus to AI-powered autonomous technology amid slowing demand for battery-powered cars.