Saudi Arabia's stc Group and Research, Development, and Innovation Authority Partner to Launch AI Lab 

Saudi Arabia's stc Group and Research, Development, and Innovation Authority Partner to Launch AI Lab 
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Saudi Arabia's stc Group and Research, Development, and Innovation Authority Partner to Launch AI Lab 

Saudi Arabia's stc Group and Research, Development, and Innovation Authority Partner to Launch AI Lab 

stc Group and the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority signed on Tuesday a cooperation agreement to establish the stc Group Artificial Intelligence Lab. The strategic partnership aims to support and empower pioneering projects in Saudi Arabia.

The agreement was signed by Research, Development, and Innovation Authority acting Supervisor-General Dr. Mohammed Al-Otaibi and stc Group chief technology officer Eng. Haitham Al-Faraj on the sidelines of the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit, which is being held in Riyadh. The summit focuses on developing effective mechanisms to support national projects aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

The partnership will provide the necessary capabilities to foster innovative ideas and projects that contribute to a knowledge-based economy and solidify Saudi Arabia's position as a global technology hub.

It represents a significant step towards creating a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, driving sustainable economic growth, and developing national capabilities in various technical fields.

The stc Group's artificial intelligence (AI) lab will serve as a platform for testing and developing innovative technical solutions. It will provide an integrated environment to support ideas and transform them into products and services that enhance Saudi Arabia's global competitiveness and achieve national targets.

This includes increasing the number of startups, supporting entrepreneurs, providing a conducive environment for innovation, and increasing research and development spending through collaboration between government agencies and private-sector companies.

The lab will also contribute to increasing the number of patents, creating new job opportunities, and supporting the transformation of ideas into inventions at the global level.



Nintendo Sees FY Profit Rising 13%, Switch 2 Unit Sales of 15 Million 

The Nintendo Switch 2 gaming device is pictured at a media event in Tokyo, Japan, April 3, 2025. (Reuters)
The Nintendo Switch 2 gaming device is pictured at a media event in Tokyo, Japan, April 3, 2025. (Reuters)
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Nintendo Sees FY Profit Rising 13%, Switch 2 Unit Sales of 15 Million 

The Nintendo Switch 2 gaming device is pictured at a media event in Tokyo, Japan, April 3, 2025. (Reuters)
The Nintendo Switch 2 gaming device is pictured at a media event in Tokyo, Japan, April 3, 2025. (Reuters)

Nintendo on Thursday forecast operating profit would rise 13% to 320 billion yen ($2.22 billion) in the year ending March.

The Kyoto-based gaming company said it expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 units in the financial year.

For the year ended March, Nintendo reported operating profit fell 46.6% to 282.5 billion yen.

Nintendo is preparing to launch the Switch 2 on June 5.

The games console will succeed the Switch, which has sold more than 150 million units since its 2017 launch and transformed Nintendo's fortunes after the Wii U flopped.

The launch will test Nintendo's ability to manage its supply chain as it works to minimize disruption from a trade war between the United States and China.

Nintendo paused the start of US pre-orders as it considered the impact of increasing US tariffs. It later said it would maintain pricing at $449.99.

Lottery applications in Japan indicate robust demand for the more powerful gaming device, which offers a bigger screen and better graphics than its predecessor.

Xbox maker Microsoft and PlayStation maker Sony have both hiked console prices in recent weeks.