#Technology

Leap23

Saudi’s LEAP23 announces series of new investments, equalling $580m

New deals include the launch of a data centre and two dedicated academies for developing technical skills and unearthing homegrown talent

Alliance for Metaverse

Alliance for Metaverse and Web3 Empowerment launches at LEAP23

The inaugural meeting paves way for increased diversity, inclusion and safety in digital ecosystem

Daraz

Alibaba’s Daraz fires 11% of staff as layoffs rock startups

The Pakistani company, which Alibaba acquired in 2018, has quintupled active shoppers to more than 15 million over the past five years

Web3

How Web3 is becoming a more prominent part of today’s economy

Paul Lalovich, partner at Agile Dynamics shares how Web3 Delight Riyadh is connecting global and local Web3 players for enhanced cooperation opportunities

Synthetic Equity

Synthetic Equity: Ushering in a new era of incentives

Synthetic Equity is an attractive alternative to traditional rewards for an outstanding performance

saudi arabia GDP

Tarabut Gateway partners with Saudi’s micro-lending firm Tamam

The partnership will make micro-loans easily accessible, resulting in more favourable loan arrangements for both fintechs and customers

LandVault

Metaverse developer LandVault expands to Dubai

Its technology will allow real estate developers to showcase their projects by providing a more immersive experience for potential buyers

Gameball

Adtech platform Gameball raises $3.5m for international expansion

Founded by Egyptian entrepreneurs, the platform enables omnichannel retailers to have a 360–degree view across all customer touchpoints

Bard

Google releases ChatGPT competitor AI ‘Bard’ to early testers

The service aims to generate detailed answers when given simple prompts, such as what to make for lunch or how to plan a friend’s baby shower

Acronis

Women in tech: Aliona Geckler, SVP business operations and chief of staff at Acronis

Equal career opportunities, equal pay, a flexible work environment and positive work culture are some of the aspects that attract women to enter tech jobs

ChatGPT

ChatGPT will replace some jobs, but traders say not theirs

According to MLIV Pulse survey, AI poses a major threat to employment, particularly in finance, legal and technology

LEAP23

LEAP23 announces investments of over $9bn to support future technology and startups

The event is running at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre from today until February 9

Dell

Dell to cut about 6,650 jobs, battered by plunging PC sales

The reductions amount to about 5 per cent of the company’s global workforce

Oracle

Oracle to open third public cloud region in Saudi Arabia

The new region in Riyadh is part of the company’s planned $1.5bn investment to expand cloud infrastructure in the kingdom

Oman, Saudi Arabia sign executive programme for ICT infrastructure enhancement

Saudi Arabia, Oman sign executive programme to enhance ICT infrastructure

The programme will boost cooperation to enhance telecommunication and information technology infrastructure, and high-speed digital interconnection for data exchange

Leap saudi

LEAP23: Second edition of technology event opens today in Riyadh

The Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre is set to host around 100,000 tech innovators

Blockchain solar

Top 5 benefits of investing in blockchain-based solar energy programmes

Blockchain has the potential to spur sustainable development through increased efficiency and reduced environmental impacts

Patang

SME Story: Interview with Prabhakar Posam, CEO of Patang

In terms of the blockchain and metaverse, the Web3 industry is still in the early adoption stage with limited participation

Apple

Apple again dominates smartphone profit, taking record 85% share

The Cupertino, California-based tech giant collected 48 per cent of revenue from smartphone sales over the course of the year

Cloudera

Women in tech: Orla Mc Carthy, director of Professional Services – META at Cloudera

Female leaders, play a pivotal role in attracting and retaining female talent

Kraken

Crypto exchange Kraken shuts Abu Dhabi office, lays off 8 employees

The exchange has suspended support for transactions in the UAE’s currency, but clients in the region will still be able to use other products and services

Chainalysis

GIC-backed Chainalysis cuts jobs in latest crypto layoffs

The spokesperson said the cuts are part of a wider reorganisation

Pinterest

Pinterest joins tech giants in layoffs, slashes 150 jobs 

The company had about 4,000 employees as of the end of the third quarter

MoHAP

UAE’s MoHAP launches 3D digital metaverse assessment service

The service integrates the real, virtual and digital worlds, enhancing the delivery of both government and private healthcare services

Samsung galaxy

Samsung unveils Galaxy S23 series

Starting February 17, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 will be widely available in carriers and retailers, and on the brand’s website

Bitcoin

Bitcoin jumps to highest since August in post-Fed crypto rally

The largest token rose as much as 2.4 per cent and was trading at $24,020 in Singapore

fintechs UAE

Fringe to forward: Charting fintech’s journey in the UAE 

Initiatives launched by the government to support crypto and metaverse firms have created strong incentives for fintech companies to invest and grow in the country

Obvious

Women in tech: Méliné Eolmezian-Soulie, VP – Marketing and Development at Obvious Technologies

I believe it is easy for a woman to build her way through the industry, considering that there aren’t many women in the tech space

Smartphone shipments

Smartphone shipments drop for fourth consecutive quarter, down 12% in 2022

Samsung defended its first-place position, claiming a 22 per cent market share with 257.9 million shipments

Data centres and sustainability Kevin Hagen is the VP - Environmental Social & Governance Strategy, Iron Mountain

Clean Energy: The key to economic and environmental resilience

As businesses face both mounting energy costs and pressure to conduct more sustainable operations, renewable energy should take centre stage as we fight to conserve our resources and economies