Riyadh-based Etidal, Telegram Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Riyadh-based Etidal, Telegram Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

The Riyadh-based Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal) and Telegram have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance their existing cooperation in the prevention and combating of terrorism and violent extremism (Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, or PCVE). This agreement builds on their prior collaboration to address extremist content.
The MoU, signed by Etidal Secretary General Dr. Mansour Al-Shammari and Telegram Chief Operating Officer Mike Ravdonikas, aims to create new opportunities for continued joint efforts in countering extremist and terrorist propaganda, building capacities, and launching initiatives to achieve shared objectives, according to SPA.
This development reflects the strong relationship and productive collaboration between the two sides, which has been consistently advancing since their initial joint cooperation announcement on February 21, 2022, and remains active to this day.



Pope Leo Warns Politicians of the Challenges Posed by AI

This handout photograph taken and released by the Vatican Media on June 21 2025, shows Pope Leo XIV delivers his speech as he meets with participants in the Jubilee of the Rulers, in The Vatican. (Handout / Vatican Media / AFP)
This handout photograph taken and released by the Vatican Media on June 21 2025, shows Pope Leo XIV delivers his speech as he meets with participants in the Jubilee of the Rulers, in The Vatican. (Handout / Vatican Media / AFP)
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Pope Leo Warns Politicians of the Challenges Posed by AI

This handout photograph taken and released by the Vatican Media on June 21 2025, shows Pope Leo XIV delivers his speech as he meets with participants in the Jubilee of the Rulers, in The Vatican. (Handout / Vatican Media / AFP)
This handout photograph taken and released by the Vatican Media on June 21 2025, shows Pope Leo XIV delivers his speech as he meets with participants in the Jubilee of the Rulers, in The Vatican. (Handout / Vatican Media / AFP)

Pope Leo warned politicians on Saturday of the challenges posed by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), addressing its potential impact on younger people as a prime concern.

Speaking at an event attended by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and parliamentary delegations from 68 countries, Leo revisited a topic that he has raised on a number of occasions during the first few weeks of his papacy.

"In particular, it must not be forgotten that artificial intelligence functions as a tool for the good of human beings, not to diminish them or even to replace them," Leo said at an event held as part of the Roman Catholic Jubilee or Holy Year.

AI proponents say it will speed up scientific and technological progress and help people to carry out routine tasks, granting them more time to pursue higher-value and creative work.

The US-born pontiff said attention was needed to protect "healthy, fair and sound lifestyles, especially for the good of younger generations."

He noted that AI's "static memory" was in no way comparable to the "creative, dynamic" power of human memory.

"Our personal life has greater value than any algorithm, and social relationships require spaces for development that far transcend the limited patterns that any soulless machine can pre-package," he said.

Leo, who became pope in May, has spoken previously of the threat posed by AI to jobs and has called on journalists to use it responsibly.