Saudi Ministry of Media Signs MoU with Microsoft Arabia on Artificial Intelligence in Media

The Saudi Ministry of Media and Microsoft Arabia signed in Riyadh on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in several fields, including artificial intelligence. (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Media and Microsoft Arabia signed in Riyadh on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in several fields, including artificial intelligence. (SPA)
TT
20

Saudi Ministry of Media Signs MoU with Microsoft Arabia on Artificial Intelligence in Media

The Saudi Ministry of Media and Microsoft Arabia signed in Riyadh on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in several fields, including artificial intelligence. (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Media and Microsoft Arabia signed in Riyadh on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in several fields, including artificial intelligence. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Media and Microsoft Arabia signed in Riyadh on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in several fields, including artificial intelligence.

The areas of cooperation also include developing technical aspects in data analysis, machine learning, security and privacy solutions, and software and service development solutions to improve the quality of local media content and keep pace with global developments to serve the Ministry’s future goals.

The signing ceremony was attended by Assistant Minister of Media Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmed Al-Maghlooth and Microsoft's Executive Vice President of Data and Artificial Intelligence Ziad Mansour.

The Ministry of Media was represented by General Manager of Digital Transformation and Information Technology and General Manager of Cybersecurity Eng. Bassem Al-Hazmi and Microsoft Arabia President Turki Badhris represented the company.

The memorandum aims to boost the media sector in Saudi Arabia, enabling it to contribute to the local economy and benefit from the advancements of artificial intelligence and its various applications in media.



US Auto Sales Set to Modestly Rise in First Quarter as Tariffs Signal Bumpy Ride

New vehicles are seen at a parking lot in the Port of Richmond, at the bay of San Francisco, California June 8, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
New vehicles are seen at a parking lot in the Port of Richmond, at the bay of San Francisco, California June 8, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
TT
20

US Auto Sales Set to Modestly Rise in First Quarter as Tariffs Signal Bumpy Ride

New vehicles are seen at a parking lot in the Port of Richmond, at the bay of San Francisco, California June 8, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
New vehicles are seen at a parking lot in the Port of Richmond, at the bay of San Francisco, California June 8, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

US auto sales likely inched higher in the first three months of the year on steady demand, data from the carmakers will show on Tuesday, as the industry braces for the fallout of President Donald Trump's latest tariffs.

Market research firm Cox Automotive has estimated that US new-vehicle sales volume increased 0.6% to 3.79 million units in the first quarter from a year earlier.

"Automotive tariffs — now set to take effect on April 2 — might have pulled ahead some vehicle purchases in Q1," said Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at automotive data provider Edmunds.

General Motors pickup trucks and SUVs are expected to help it retain its top spot in the quarter, followed by Toyota Motor's North America unit and Ford, according to Cox, Reuters reported.

Electric-vehicle maker Tesla is also forecast to report a drop in first-quarter vehicle deliveries on Wednesday.

President Trump's move to levy tariffs on US auto imports is widely seen as weighing on consumer sentiment and forcing a rethink on purchases.

The tariffs could also reduce the number of lower-cost imported vehicles on the market, such as Ford's compact Maverick pickup truck, further straining affordability as the average new-vehicle price nears $50,000.

"The potential for higher inflation due to new tariffs at American borders will all potentially hold back new-vehicle sales in 2025," Cox said.

Caldwell said tariffs would likely create challenges for the industry in the second quarter and beyond and expects discounts to be "harder to come by".