SDAIA President, UNESCO Official Discuss AI and its Importance in Sustainable Development Goals

The president of SDAIA met on Thursday with UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences in Riyadh. SPA
The president of SDAIA met on Thursday with UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences in Riyadh. SPA
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SDAIA President, UNESCO Official Discuss AI and its Importance in Sustainable Development Goals

The president of SDAIA met on Thursday with UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences in Riyadh. SPA
The president of SDAIA met on Thursday with UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences in Riyadh. SPA

President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi met on Thursday with Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO Gabriela Ramos, on the sidelines of the AI Safety Summit in the UK.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues related to artificial intelligence and its importance in promoting the sustainable development goals of the United Nations.

They also discussed the ethics of artificial intelligence in line with UNESCO's artificial intelligence ethics recommendations and the Kingdom's efforts in that regard.



Microsoft to Invest $400 Million in Switzerland on AI, Cloud Computing

A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France, March 21, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo
A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France, March 21, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo
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Microsoft to Invest $400 Million in Switzerland on AI, Cloud Computing

A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France, March 21, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo
A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France, March 21, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

Microsoft will invest $400 million in Switzerland, the company said on Monday, with the money going towards developing its cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The US tech company announced the investment at a meeting of Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin and its vice chair Brad Smith in Bern.

Microsoft, which employs 1,000 people in Switzerland, did not give details on how many jobs the investment would create, Reuters said.

The money will be used to expand and upgrade its four data centers near Geneva and Zurich, responding to increased demand for AI and cloud computing services in Switzerland, it said.

The expansion will serve existing and new customers and allow data to remain within Swiss borders - an important requirement for sectors like healthcare, finance and government.

Microsoft will also expand its partnership work with small and medium-sized companies and step up training efforts to help people use AI and digital tools.

"Switzerland has created one of the world's leading innovation ecosystems, blending world-class research with real-world applications," Smith said in a statement.