logo
(USAII) Conference 2025 kicks off today in Bahrain, in collaboration with NGN

(USAII) Conference 2025 kicks off today in Bahrain, in collaboration with NGN

Zawya4 hours ago

The United States Artificial Intelligence Institute (USAII) Conference 2025 officially commenced today, 17 June, in collaboration with NGN International. Held under the theme 'AI Innovations, Ethics, and Digital Transformation: Towards Excellence and Strategic Growth,' the conference convened at the Awal Ballroom of the Gulf Hotel Bahrain.
The event serves as a pivotal platform for addressing cutting-edge developments, identifying emerging challenges, and exploring strategic opportunities within the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
In the keynote address, Dr. Milton Mattox, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Artificial Intelligence Institute (USAII) and an internationally recognized authority in AI strategy and transformation, expressed sincere appreciation for hosting the event in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The speech highlighted Bahrain's emergence as a vibrant regional hub for tech innovation and emphasized the importance of international collaboration in harnessing artificial intelligence to advance economic and social development.
Dr. Mattox noted that the conference aims to foster global dialogue and cooperation on the responsible and effective application of AI to confront future challenges and generate meaningful progress.
The speaker line-up showcased a distinguished group of experts driving progress in the field of artificial intelligence. Featured speakers included Mr. Amr Hariri, Managing Director of ITMEA; Dr. Amal Shaheen, a strategist in AI and organizational performance, academic and leadership coach, and holder of a PhD in AI and Machine Learning; and Dr. Abdulkarim Katbi, a leader in AI and digital infrastructure, PhD holder in AI, and an expert in digital transformation.
Additional contributions came from Dr. Fadheela Hussain, an AI and cybersecurity expert and assistant professor with a PhD in Computing and Information Sciences; Mr. Ali Awadh, a senior expert in telecommunications and digital solutions; and Mr. Mohamed Buallay, a leading figure in geo-economic intelligence.
Each speaker delivered valuable insights into emerging trends, breakthrough innovations, and practical applications that are actively shaping the global artificial intelligence landscape.
On this occasion, Mr. Yaqoob Al Awadhi, CEO of NGN International, expressed pride in partnering with the United States Artificial Intelligence Institute (USAII) to co-host this prominent event, and emphasized the critical role of knowledge exchange and strategic dialogue with global thought leaders in accelerating the adoption of advanced AI technologies across various sectors.
Mr. Al Awadhi also reaffirmed NGN International's commitment to fostering technological development in Bahrain and the wider region, underscoring the alignment of such initiatives with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030 and the national agenda for digital transformation and innovation-driven growth.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

EDGNEX Announces AI-Powered Data Center in Jakarta
EDGNEX Announces AI-Powered Data Center in Jakarta

TECHx

timean hour ago

  • TECHx

EDGNEX Announces AI-Powered Data Center in Jakarta

Home » Top stories » EDGNEX Announces AI-Powered Data Center in Jakarta EDGNEX Data Centers by DAMAC, a global digital infrastructure company, announced the development of a next-generation AI-powered data center in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is its second data center in the Indonesian market. The project is one of Southeast Asia's largest AI-dedicated developments. It will have a future capacity of 144 MW and a total investment of US$ 2.3 billion. Following DAMAC's land acquisition in March 2025, early construction phases have begun. The facility's phase one is expected to be ready by December 2026. The Jakarta data center will deploy high-density AI racks, setting new benchmarks for next-generation infrastructure in the region. This development plays a key role in Indonesia's digital journey. It aims to accelerate the country's shift from analogue to a robust, AI-powered digital economy. Indonesia is a high-potential market but faces gaps in digital infrastructure, limited hyperscale readiness, and rising latency issues. With AI adoption increasing across sectors, this project responds to the nation's demand for scalable and energy-efficient infrastructure. Hussain Sajwani, Founder of DAMAC Group, stated, 'This is our second project in Indonesia, reinforcing our commitment to bridging the digital divide in fast-growing Southeast Asian markets. We are proud to build what will become one of Southeast Asia's most advanced, sustainable data centers. This facility will power the next wave of innovation and digital growth.' The data center aims for a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.32, enhancing energy efficiency while aligning with EDGNEX's global sustainability standards. It builds on EDGNEX's presence in Thailand, Malaysia, and other key Southeast Asian markets. In 2024, EDGNEX announced its first Indonesian data center, a planned 19.2 MW facility at MT Haryono in Jakarta. Located in Jakarta's central data hub, it will address growing demand from cloud service providers, edge nodes, and AI deployments. The first phase is scheduled for completion in Q3 2026. EDGNEX aims for over 300 MW of operational capacity in Southeast Asia by 2026. The Jakarta AI data center will have 144 MW capacity and cost US$ 2.3 billion Phase one expected to be operational by December 2026 Project targets PUE of 1.32, promoting energy efficiency and sustainability This ambitious project highlights EDGNEX's commitment to digital infrastructure investment across Southeast Asia.

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and partners enter new alliance leveraging Islamic and Arab finance for economic transformation
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and partners enter new alliance leveraging Islamic and Arab finance for economic transformation

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and partners enter new alliance leveraging Islamic and Arab finance for economic transformation

Today, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) ( UNIDO, the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and the Union of Arab Banks (UAB), formalized new strategic partnerships under the Islamic and Arab Finance for Economic Transformation in Africa, the Arab Region and Beyond (IFETAA) Programme. Access to finance remains one of the most significant barriers to SME growth and economic transformation, particularly in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Only one in five African firms has access to credit, and those that do often face prohibitively high interest rates averaging 25 percent, compared to just 5 percent in Europe. Islamic finance, with over US$4 trillion in assets, offers a largely untapped opportunity to address this gap by directing capital stored in monetary markets into the real economy. IFETAA represents a new alliance that will drive capital and capacity towards MSME development, resilience and growth across low- and lower middle-income countries. The signing ceremonies of the 3 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place ahead of a high-level roundtable at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, held on the margins of the OPEC Fund Development Forum, and marked the formalization of the programme. 'As traditional development funding continues to decline, Islamic and Arab financial institutions are emerging as key partners in driving industrialization and sustainable development', said UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller. 'Through this programme, we are building a powerful new alliance to support small and medium-sized businesses, increase productivity and resilience, and accelerate economic transformation in developing countries'. 'The IFETAA Programme will unlock urgently needed capital for Africa's economic transformation and AFC is proud to bring its unique expertise in both conventional and Islamic finance to mobilise funding at scale,' said Banji Fehintola, Board Member and Head of Financial Services at AFC. 'As an issuer, guarantor, and investor, we are committed to delivering innovative, Shariah-compliant solutions that drive inclusive and resilient economic growth, whilst contributing to strengthening the south-south cooperation required to advance our shared development goals'. H.E. Shaikh Ebrahim Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of AAOIFI and the International Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation announced that ' AAOIFI is proud to contribute to this transformative partnership, which aligns Islamic finance with global development priorities and encourages Islamic financial institutions to voluntarily dedicate at least 20% of their financing – over US$1 trillion – to MSME development. We will work on developing a Shariah-compliant finance programme enriched with technical assistance, regulatory support, and capacity building. IFETAA will also leverage UNIDO's globally recognized Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion model (EDIP)'. By integrating Islamic finance with proven entrepreneurship and business counseling interventions, IFETAA will empower MSMEs to become bankable, resilient, and key drivers of inclusive economic growth. Dr. Wissam Fattouh, Secretary General of the Union of Arab Banks, stated: 'IFETAA is more than a programme – it is a call to action. The Union of Arab Banks is proud to unite Islamic and Arab financial power to serve sustainable development and economic sovereignty. We are mobilizing capital not just to fund growth, but to shape the future of our region. This is about empowering MSMEs, restoring trust in financial systems, and building resilient, inclusive economies'. IFETAA is a direct outcome of the commitments made at UNIDO's A World Without Hunger conference in Addis Ababa in 2024. There, AAOIFI pledged to mobilize 20 percent of Islamic Financial Institutions' loans and advancements towards MSME development, while UAB reaffirmed its commitment to channel US$1 trillion from its member banks towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). AFC, a close partner to UNIDO, expressed its support through its financial mechanisms and expertise. IFETAA will facilitate access to finance by developing a pipeline of bankable MSME projects, establish financial and non-financial de-risking mechanisms, and support host governments in strengthening regulatory frameworks to expand Islamic and conventional bank lending. UNIDO has committed US$500,000 to support the preparation of the IFETAA programme and its initial implementation, which is co-led by the UNIDO Task Force on Islamic and Arab Financing and UNIDO's Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Bahrain. Each of the partner institutions brings unique strengths to the programme. AAOIFI, headquartered in Bahrain, is the world's leading standard-setting body for Islamic finance and plays a critical role in ensuring Shariah compliance and supporting regulators and financial institutions globally. Beirut-based UAB represents over 300 Arab banks and financial institutions while serving as a regional platform for aligning Arab banking practices with global trends, including Islamic finance, ESG, and digital transformation. AFC is a pan-African multilateral financial institution specializing in infrastructure development. It has been expanding its use of Islamic finance instruments, recently closing a US$400 million Shariah-compliant Commodity Murabaha facility. AFC made history in 2017 by issuing a US$230 million Sukuk, the first-ever by an African supranational institution. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

Riyadh Air announces Blacklane chauffer service for passengers in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh Air announces Blacklane chauffer service for passengers in Saudi Arabia

Arabian Business

time2 hours ago

  • Arabian Business

Riyadh Air announces Blacklane chauffer service for passengers in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh Air has announced it will offer Blacklane chauffeur service to premium-class passengers in Saudi Arabia. The announcement of the collaboration between the new Saudi airline and the luxury chauffeur service came during the 2025 Paris Airshow. Through this partnership guests travelling internationally in Riyadh Air Business Elite or Business Class, plus eligible loyalty members will enjoy complimentary luxury chauffeur services with Blacklane within 50km radius of Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. Riyadh Air Blacklane chauffeur service The collaboration represents a significant step in Riyadh Air's plan to deliver best-in-class services throughout the customer journey experience and brings together two companies committed to exceptional service. Integrated directly into Riyadh Air's booking platform, guests will be able to arrange their Blacklane chauffeur as part of their travel experience where eligible. Guests also have the ability to enjoy seamless journeys, including airport transfers, city-to-city travel, in-city rides and chauffeurs by the hour in Riyadh and at any of the airline's global destinations. Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, said: 'Our partnership with Blacklane reinforces our ethos of ensuring our customers experience Saudi hospitality with world-class service standards. We revealed our stylish new Business Elite and Business Class seats recently, and this is the next step in keeping our promises to deliver an exceptional premium experience to our guests. 'Riyadh Air and Blacklane are two outstanding brands with hospitality and an attention to detail at heart, and our relationship will offer our guests a truly elevated travel itinerary, from the first mile to the last.' Dr. Jens Wohltorf, CEO and Co-Founder of Blacklane, said: 'This partnership is more than a service—it's a promise. Together, Riyadh Air and Blacklane will offer guests a thoughtfully curated journey, marked by reliability, sophistication, and genuine care. 'We look forward to welcoming Riyadh Air guests and ensuring every moment of their journey is unique.' Blacklane first-class chauffeur-driven vehicles will provide the carrier's passengers with the best service standards through their local expertise. The fast-growing company employs 400 people in international hubs with tens of thousands of chauffeur partners who ensure every guest receives a memorable experience. Blacklane is growing with an ambitious growth strategy, operating in more than 50 countries and over 500 cities around the world.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store