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
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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.



Huawei's Meng Wanzhou Takes Over as Rotating Chairperson

FILE PHOTO: Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's rotating chairperson and chief financial officer, speaks at the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, China June 28, 2023. REUTERS/Nicoco Chan/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's rotating chairperson and chief financial officer, speaks at the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, China June 28, 2023. REUTERS/Nicoco Chan/File Photo
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Huawei's Meng Wanzhou Takes Over as Rotating Chairperson

FILE PHOTO: Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's rotating chairperson and chief financial officer, speaks at the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, China June 28, 2023. REUTERS/Nicoco Chan/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's rotating chairperson and chief financial officer, speaks at the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, China June 28, 2023. REUTERS/Nicoco Chan/File Photo

Meng Wanzhou on Tuesday took over from Eric Xu as the rotating chairperson of China's Huawei Technologies for the next six months, the Shenzhen-based telecoms giant and smartphone maker said.
Meng, who is also the daughter of Huawei's founder Ren Zhengfei, will also continue to serve as the company's chief financial officer concurrently, Reuters reported.
The 52-year-old is taking the reins at a time when Huawei is going head-to-head with rival Apple over smartphone sales. Both companies launched their latest devices on the same day in September, with Huawei rolling out a premium tri-fold phone that costs $2,800.
Meng, described as the "Princess of Huawei" by Chinese media, was caught up in an extradition drama several years ago.
She was detained in Vancouver in December 2018 after a New York court issued an arrest warrant, saying Meng had tried to cover up attempts by Huawei-linked companies to sell equipment to Iran in breach of US sanctions.
Meng was allowed to return to China in September 2021 after reaching an agreement with US prosecutors to end a bank fraud case against her.