Saudi Ministry of Communications, Google Cloud Launch Training Program in AI

 This photograph taken on January 18, 2024 shows a sign of US technology company Google displayed during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. (AFP)
This photograph taken on January 18, 2024 shows a sign of US technology company Google displayed during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. (AFP)
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Saudi Ministry of Communications, Google Cloud Launch Training Program in AI

 This photograph taken on January 18, 2024 shows a sign of US technology company Google displayed during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. (AFP)
This photograph taken on January 18, 2024 shows a sign of US technology company Google displayed during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. (AFP)

The Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in collaboration with Google Cloud, launched on Wednesday a specialized training program in machine language analysis and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The initiative aims to develop Saudi cadres and enhance sectors with digital technologies.

Participants in the ten-week program will receive four weeks of initial training at Google's headquarters in Silicon Valley, providing them with the opportunity to learn from Google experts.

The subsequent six weeks consist of remote training sessions culminating in Google certifications.

The program strengthens the strategic partnership with Google Cloud, boosting their services in Saudi Arabia for secure cloud infrastructure and promoting business growth.



Apple Takes Top Spot for First-Quarter Smartphone Sales, Data Shows

An attendee holds two iPhones 16 as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, US, September 9, 2024. (Reuters)
An attendee holds two iPhones 16 as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, US, September 9, 2024. (Reuters)
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Apple Takes Top Spot for First-Quarter Smartphone Sales, Data Shows

An attendee holds two iPhones 16 as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, US, September 9, 2024. (Reuters)
An attendee holds two iPhones 16 as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, US, September 9, 2024. (Reuters)

Apple took the top spot for global smartphone sales in the first quarter on the back of the iPhone 16e's launch and strong demand in countries such as Japan and India, data from Counterpoint Research showed on Monday.

Apple had 19% of the smartphone market, despite flat or declining sales in the US, Europe and China, followed by Samsung with 18% of the market, according to Counterpoint.

The data suggests iPhone demand remains strong in emerging markets, even as sales struggle in China due to competition from local players such as Huawei and a lack of AI features.

Separately, International Data Corporation, which primarily tracks shipments rather than sales to consumers, said global smartphone shipments rose 1.5% in the first quarter, with Apple front-loading supply to sidestep potential tariffs under US President Donald Trump.

Apple's shares were up around 3.5%.

Trump's back-and-forth tariffs and escalation of global trade tensions has resulted in global financial market turmoil for the past two weeks, a worsening economic outlook and the possibility of stronger inflation.

Apple had chartered cargo flights to ferry 600 tons of iPhones, or as many as 1.5 million, to the United States from India in an effort to beat the tariffs.

However, Trump's decision to exclude smartphones, computers and some other electronics from the sweeping reciprocal duties on China led to a rise in global tech shares on Monday.

"The recent exemption by the US government pausing smartphone import tariffs from China offers temporary relief for US companies, but heavy reliance on China's supply chain persists amid ongoing tariff volatility," said Ryan Reith, group vice president, worldwide device trackers, IDC.

"Right now, the focus for US smartphone brands should be taking advantage of the exemption by building and shipping as much as possible."

Counterpoint, which expects the smartphone market to decline this year due to tariff-related uncertainty, said Xiaomi continued its sales momentum in third place, while Vivo took the fourth spot and OPPO was fifth.