Howaida Nadim

Google is committed to fostering a thriving digital ecosystem in the Middle East and North Africa region. 🌍 Martin Roeske, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations MENA, recently reflected on the success of the Google MENA AI Regulator Academy. The event brought together regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders from the Middle East and North Africa region. Participants engaged in discussions about key topics such as data privacy, cybersecurity, content moderation, and the ethical implications of AI. The emphasis was on creating a regulatory environment that encourages innovations while safeguarding societal interests. A highlight was the exploration of AI’s transformative potential. As this technology rapidly evolves, the importance of responsible deployment and regulatory oversight has never been clearer. Google is committed to ensuring that AI benefits everyone, emphasizing transparency and accountability. The academy also provided a platform for building valuable partnerships that will shape the MENA digital landscape.  The insights gained will guide future collaborations, ensuring Google’s innovations align with the region's unique needs. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gT_XPPjr #GoogleMENA #AIInnovation #DigitalFuture #Collaboration #TechForGood

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One more milestone in favor of Arab Digital Transformation to built a Smart Secure and Sustainable Arab Digital Future.

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#Saudi Ministry of #CIT and TONOMUS have announced the 𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗔 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, to create a vibrant 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 sector! The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia and TONOMUS, NEOM's cognitive technology company, have announced 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 (𝗜.𝗗.𝗘.𝗔.) 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲. First mentioned during #LEAP24, the #IDEAInitiative aims to propel Saudi Arabia's 'immersive technology sector' - so augmented reality (#AR), virtual reality (#VR), extended reality (#XR), and #metaverse tech. MCIT, TONOMUS, and partners aim to create a national partner network to engage policymakers, researchers, technology providers, and end users in the design of an immersive technology ecosystem. Overall, the IDEA Initiative aims to: 👉 Build a network of partners in immersive technology 👉 Develop and set a framework for immersive tech 👉 Build national capabilities 👉 Foster local innovation Ultimately, the initiative will create a unified strategic plan and activation roadmap across public- and private-sector partners to jumpstart immersive tech economy development as well as to develop a comprehensive solution blueprint for national immersive tech developments and establish standards to unite a diverse array of technology stakeholders. Read the story via SPA https://lnkd.in/diPQnagx 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘈𝘓𝘓 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴? 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 🔔 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦. Want to receive my weekly news digest straight to your inbox every Thursday morning? https://lnkd.in/dij4qFi5 Trying to position your tech venture as a leader in its space? That's what I do! https://lnkd.in/dwQ5JMtm #MiddleEastAINews

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5 Ways to Help Employees Keep Up with Digital Transformation These 5 ways help employees adapt to digital transformation: 1- Leadership Commitment: Digital transformation should be led from the top, involving all levels and supported by a change management plan to smooth transitions. 2- Direct Access to Consumers: Giving employees tools to interact directly with customers helps them understand behavior and adopt a customer-centric mindset. 3- Embrace Agility: Flexible work processes and immersive training, especially for older employees, help workers adapt to fast-paced changes. 4- Employee Experience Design: Enhancing employee experience through journey mapping and research can attract and retain talent. 5- Lifelong Learning: Continuous learning is essential for employees to stay relevant as roles and technologies evolve. #digital #digitaltransformation #Agility #customercentric #Leadership

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MUSCAT: The Internal Investment Committee of the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, in collaboration with the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), in a move to bolster the country’s digital economy, has announced an exciting investment opportunity for both local and international companies and investors. This initiative invites specialised firms to submit investment proposals for the creation and management of specialised tech zones. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dcxJwBxU Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology - Oman Ministry Of Economy Oman الهيئة العامة للمناطق الاقتصادية الخاصة والمناطق الحرة - OPAZ #DigitalEconomy #TechZones #Investments #Oman #OmanBiz

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Thrilled to attend the first Google Summit in the Kingdom! A transformative step for our tech landscape, with insights on AI, cloud computing, and digital innovation. Looking forward to seeing how this will shape our future! #GoogleSummit #Innovation #DigitalTransformation

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Digital transformations allow organizations to increase financial and operational performance. See the following article for some sample cases. #DigitalTransformation https://lnkd.in/eEQsgHzj

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🌐 Strategy and Behaviors in the #DigitalEconomy

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#SaudiArabia's leading #retail #banks are facing a critical juncture, as revealed by a new report from PwC Middle East and DataEQ. While overall consumer sentiment towards these institutions has seen a slight improvement, significant operational challenges persist, hindering their reputation and customer #satisfaction. The report, based on an analysis of over 62,800 online conversations, highlights the urgent need for banks to address these issues to maintain a #competitive #edge in the evolving financial landscape. ▪️Despite the slight uptick in overall sentiment, the report reveals a wide disparity in performance across individual banks. Five banks, including بنك البلاد | Bank Albilad and alrajhi bank, secured positive net sentiment scores, while four others lagged with negative scores. This variance underscores the need for a focused approach to customer service and operational efficiency. The report emphasizes that while attractive product offerings are important, they are not enough; excellent #customer #service and #reliable #digital #platforms are essential for acquiring and retaining customers in today's competitive market. ▪️Digital channels, especially #mobile #banking #apps, are increasingly becoming the preferred mode of interaction for #Saudi #consumers. However, the #report identifies #technical #issues, downtime, and difficulties in completing transactions as major pain points. To capitalize on the growing preference for digital banking, Saudi banks must prioritize resolving these issues and ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience. By actively listening to customer feedback and investing in robust customer service improvement programs, banks can strengthen their reputation and foster greater customer loyalty. ▪️The PwC Middle East and DataEQ report serves as a wake-up call for Saudi Arabia's retail banks. It underscores the importance of operational excellence and customer-centricity in building a resilient and successful banking sector. By addressing customer service gaps and enhancing the digital experience, banks can #solidify their #position in the #market and #navigate the challenges of the evolving #financial #landscape with greater #confidence.

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Unlocking innovation across diverse sectors with AugAI From reshaping industries to enhancing efficiency, we're revolutionizing the way businesses thrive in the digital age. Contact us to shape the future together. #AugAI #Innovation #DigitalTransformation"

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The Life Cycle of Digital Transformation 1) DEFINITION : identify the new digital business model and define the objectives or challenges to be achieved. 2) IMPLEMENTATION : execution of the new model. 3) EVALUATION : monitor the achievement of strategic objectives by analyzing results and observing trends. #digital #digitaltransformation

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📊 Recently released Saudi Arabia Internet Report 2023 by the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) is a treasure trove of insights for businesses and investors . This report empowers various sectors to elevate digital services, identify digital trends, sharpen competitiveness, and build a sustainable digital economy. Investors and entrepreneurs can gain a competitive edge by understanding emerging opportunities within the digital landscape. Telcos, e-commerce platforms, and digital marketers can leverage the report's findings to tailor their offerings to meet evolving consumer needs. Policymakers and industry leaders can collaborate to foster a thriving digital ecosystem based on the report's insights. Packed with valuable data on internet penetration, user behavior, and infrastructure, the Saudi Arabia Internet Report 2023 serves as a roadmap for success in the digital age. #SaudiArabiaInternetReport #DigitalTransformation #DataInsights

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I did enjoy the conversarion on the very important topic of “AI and cloud sovereignty”and the unique role of the Microsoft-G42-Core42 partnership in pushing the limits on this important subject. It is a new opportunity that is giving governments and regulated industries the ability to leverage this era of #AI like nothing before. Thank you Amandeep Bhangu for the breadth and depth of the conversation. Talal M. Al Kaissi, it is always great to partner together. We should do more of those joint interviews. Microsoft AI

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NATIONAL ICT SUMMIT - The 8th National ICT Summit also exposes the youth to the latest ICT trends and allows them to present their latest innovations and inventions. Link: https://lnkd.in/dvTVEb2t #ICTSummit2024 #DigitalTransformation #ArtificialIntelligence

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Regulation or Innovation? The #US #elections is happening today, and technology is at a crossroads. The next president will steer policies that define the future of #AI, data privacy, antitrust, and innovation. While #KamalaHarris is focusing on responsible regulation and ethical standards, the former President #DonaldTrump is advocating for a more deregulated, competitive environment, the stakes are high. This #election will impact the tech sector in areas as diverse as global leadership in AI, consumer #dataprotection, and the role of big tech. Each candidate’s approach offers distinct paths — one favoring a regulated digital landscape, the other pushing for rapid innovation with fewer constraints. Curious about how these policies could reshape the tech industry and the global economy? Read more my in-depth article for صحيفة الشرق الأوسط and discover the future possibilities of American technology. https://lnkd.in/d3CMkBg5

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🌏 One of the key sessions at Global AI Summit in Riyadh - Saudi Arabia on the second day: 🚀 Subject: The AI Governance: Stakeholder Representation and Decision-Making Dynamics In a powerful panel discussion, some critical points on AI Governance were highlighted: 🔹 AI is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. 🔹 AI is becoming the backbone of national digital infrastructure. 🔹 Recognizing and working towards global AI standards is essential. 🔹 Advocating for UN core values in AI governance is crucial. 🔹 Capability building should give all participants a voice. 🔹 Ethics and responsibility in AI development are key priorities. 🔹 Interoperability frameworks are the way forward. 🚩 Most importantly, AI governance is a continuous journey, not a destination. Special thanks to the brilliant panelists, Ms. Priya Napurkar (VP, IBM Research), Mr. Guillem Martinez (AI & Robotics Program Officer, ITU), and Ms. Pastora Valero (SVP International Government Affairs, Cisco Systems), for the insightful discussion. #AIGovernance #AIForGood #DigitalTransformation #EthicsInAI #Interoperability #UNCoreValues #CapabilityBuilding #AIStandards #TechLeadership #AIInnovation #FutureOfAI #GlobalAI

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We extend our gratitude to the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority (LCGPA) for organizing the 2nd Edition of the Local Content Forum in Riyadh. This platform is vital for fostering collaboration, driving localization, and advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. As Saudi Arabia advances toward its Vision 2030 goals, Saudia Group is leading the way in transforming the aviation and logistics industries. Through its flagship Nartaqi Program, the Group is driving localization, fostering economic growth, and empowering national talent. “Nartaqi,” meaning “We Rise,” embodies the ambition to elevate the Kingdom’s capabilities while establishing Saudia Group as a global leader across its diverse portfolio. In air transport, Saudia Group’s full-service and low-cost airlines demonstrate how localization creates value and enhances efficiency. From sourcing locally manufactured products to partnering small andmedium enterprises, our airlines have successfully improved service standards while supporting local businesses. These initiatives contribute to Nartaqi’s ambitious target of achieving track record in local content by 2030, creating a ripple effect of growth across the aviation ecosystem. In ground services, the Group is fostering local partnerships to enhance operational excellence and service delivery. From ramp operations to passenger services, these collaborations have strengthened the supply chain while creating opportunities for national talent. Ground handling is a crucial enabler of the Group’s broader aviation strategy, ensuring seamless operations that meet international standards. The program’s impact extends to cargo, logistics, and maintenance. Saudia Cargo has integrated locally produced materials into its supply chain, supporting national manufacturers while maintaining world-class reliability. Similarly, the Group’s logistics division has cultivated partnerships with local suppliers, ensuring efficient and sustainable solutions. Saudia Technic, the Group’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) arm, is advancing the localization agenda by training and certifying national engineers and technicians. It is also poised to become the exclusive Authorized Maintenance Center in the region for global aviation companies, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a leader in aviation services. Through initiatives like the Nartaqi Program, Saudia Group has achieved remarkable milestones, including billions SAR in economic contributions. These accomplishments reflect a steadfast commitment to creating a thriving, self-sufficient aviation and logistics ecosystem that aligns with the Kingdom’s vision for the future. By localizing operations, empowering talent, and fostering strategic partnerships, Saudia Group is setting the stage for long-term growth and inspiring industries worldwide to embrace innovation and collaboration. #Aviation #Localization #Vision2030 #LocalContent #Vision2030 #CollaborationForGrowth

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Exploring #AI Social Listening in the MENA Region: How Governments are Enhancing Public Services and Engagement. Dive into our latest insights on leveraging AI to transform citizen interactions and service delivery in the Middle East and North Africa. Discover more: https://lnkd.in/dahf4EzN   #aiminsightstool #aisociallisteningforgovernments #aisociallisteningintheMENAregion

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