#Technology

Zoho

Zoho announces Dhs100m investment for UAE expansion

In the five years since its operations in the UAE, the company has grown 10 times in the country

Network

How firms can fend off vulnerabilities on a globally distributed network

To minimise the risk of a cyberattack enterprises must adopt a comprehensive approach – the right solutions, capabilities and processes

Ford

Ford is investing $3.5bn in EV battery plant with Chinese firm

The facility is set to open in 2026 and will produce enough batteries to power 400,000 EVs a year

Zappos

Amazon subsidiary Zappos lays off around 20% of staff

The company’s spokesperson Laura Davis stated that the cuts were part of regular business planning

Abu dhabi Exports Office, Angola sign green finance agreements Photo WAM

Abu Dhabi Exports Office, Angola ink green finance deals worth Dhs445m

The financing is provided in cooperation with Standard Chartered Bank

Leap23

Saudi’s LEAP23 bags honour of world’s largest tech event based on visits

The second edition welcomed more than 172,000 attendees

HPE

HPE announces new Riyadh headquarters for Middle East region

UAE serves as the headquarters for Africa and is operated separately from the rest of the Middle East organisation

Alphabet

Alphabet falls most in three months on Bard accuracy concerns

The company’s shares declined 9 per cent to $98.40 at 11:26 a.m. New York time

Alibaba

Alibaba, PIF-backed fund to raise $1bn for tech deals

The fund has already invested in 16 companies and plans to list three of them on the Saudi stock exchange and two in the US next year

KPMG launces CoE for metaverse at LEAP 2023

KPMG launches Centre of Excellence for metaverse and digital twins at LEAP23

KPMG has allocated a dedicated co-investment fund for metaverse use-cases in Saudi Arabia to work together with public and private partners on expediting the technology for practical use

Starlinks

Starlinks to launch SAR100m hybrid logistics facility in Riyadh

Located in Agility Logistics Park, the facility is equipped with over 250 autonomous robots

Apple

Apple expands testing of ‘buy-now-pay-later’ service to retail employees

The tech giant contacted retail staffers this week to offer them a test version of the service

Dewa

DEWA becomes first UAE government entity to use ChatGPT

The aim is to provide services supported by this technology and employ it in serving customers and employees

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