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Meta Reportedly in Talks over Scale AI Investment that Could Exceed $10 Billion

Meta Reportedly in Talks over Scale AI Investment that Could Exceed $10 Billion

Asharq Al-Awsat5 hours ago

Meta Platforms is in talks to make an investment that could exceed $10 billion in artificial intelligence startup Scale AI, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday.
The terms of the deal were not yet finalized and could still change, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Scale AI declined to comment and Meta did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours.
Founded in 2016, Scale AI is a data labeling startup backed by tech giants Nvidia, Amazon and Meta.
Last valued at nearly $14 billion, Scale AI also provides a platform for researchers to exchange AI-related information, with contributors in more than 9,000 cities and towns.

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Next-Gen HNWI prefer Middle East as favorite investment destination: Capgemini
Next-Gen HNWI prefer Middle East as favorite investment destination: Capgemini

Arab News

timean hour ago

  • Arab News

Next-Gen HNWI prefer Middle East as favorite investment destination: Capgemini

RIYADH: Next-generation high-net-worth individuals consider the Middle East as their preferred investment destination, thanks to geopolitical security and economic stability, according to an analysis. In its latest report, consulting firm Capgemini revealed that Saudi Arabia in particular is aggressively courting international investors and ultra-wealthy individuals, thanks to the Vision 2030 economic diversification program. The findings by the Paris-based company align with the views shared by Henley & Partners in April, which said that Riyadh and Jeddah are among the fastest-growing cities in the world for millionaires. According to Henley & Partners, more than 20,000 people with liquid investable wealth of $1 million or more are now based in the Saudi capital, while Jeddah is home to 10,400 millionaires. According to Capgemini, the UAE is also capitalizing on this trend and is attracting international HNWI investors. 'Investors are targeting high-growth emerging economies for specific thematic investment options, tax regulation, economic and political stability, better wealth management services, and enhanced market connectivity. As a result of this search for geopolitical security and economic diversification, Asia and the Middle East have become appealing destinations,' said the report. It added: 'Singapore, Hong Kong, the UAE, and recently Saudi Arabia have established themselves as prime alternatives, utilizing advantageous tax policies, strong financial ecosystems, and political stability to draw global wealth.' The analysis added that enhanced market connectivity and improved wealth management options are among the other crucial factors that make the Middle East a desirable investment destination among next-gen HNWIs. Saudi focus The report said the Kingdom 'has introduced new residency programs aimed at HNWIs, positioning itself as a regional wealth hub.' It added: 'As global wealth patterns shift, Saudi Arabia is actively enhancing its legal and financial frameworks to compete with traditional wealth hubs.' In 2019, Saudi Arabia introduced the premium residency visa option, which allows eligible foreigners to reside in the Kingdom and enjoy benefits such as exemption from expat and dependents' fees, visa-free international travel, and the right to own real estate and operate a business without requiring a sponsor. In January 2024, the Kingdom added five new products to its premium residency program. Under the new addition, the most notable one was the ability to own residential real estate assets worth a minimum of SR4 million ($1.07 million) within the Kingdom. The rise in the number of HNWIs in Saudi Arabia coincides with the extensive Vision 2030 economic reform program launched in 2016. Efforts to diversify the Kingdom's economy have also included a push to attract international companies to establish their regional headquarters in Riyadh, and as of March, over 600 global firms have opened their regional base in Saudi Arabia. Affirming the growth of Saudi Arabia, Knight Frank, in April, said that HNWIs from nine Muslim-majority countries are preparing to commit $2 billion toward property purchases in Makkah and Madinah. The trend comes as Saudi Arabia overhauls its property sector to position itself as a global tourism and business hub by the end of this decade. Growth of Middle East region The report also said the Middle East and Africa registered modest growth in HNWI wealth in 2024, gaining 0.9 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively, compared to the previous year. In 2024, the HNWI population in the Middle East witnessed a decline of 2.1 percent, while it grew by 3.4 percent in Africa. 'In the Middle East, OPEC's extension of oil production cuts and comparatively low oil prices, well below their peak in 2022, contributed to weak growth,' said Capgemini. Global outlook According to the report, the global HNWI population increased by 2.6 percent year on year in 2024. Capgemini said the increase was driven by the growth in the population of ultra-HNWIs — those who hold at least $30 million in assets — which grew by 6.2 percent, as strong stock markets and artificial intelligence optimism boosted portfolio returns. North America saw the biggest gains, with the HNWI population rising by 7.3 percent. Europe's HNWI population declined 2.1 percent due to economic stagnation in major countries like the UK and France, while Latin America also witnessed a drop of 8.5 percent, due to currency depreciation and fiscal instability. Asia-Pacific's HNWI population increased 2.7 percent year on year in 2024. Within the largest individual markets, the US topped the list, adding 562,000 millionaires as the country's HNWI population grew by 7.6 percent to 7.9 million. India and Japan were standouts in the Asia-Pacific region, with both countries registering 5.6 percent growth, adding 20,000 and 210,000 millionaires, respectively, last year. The HNWI population in China declined by 1 percent.

JD Vance says he hopes Elon Musk returns to fold after public feud with Trump
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JD Vance says he hopes Elon Musk returns to fold after public feud with Trump

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Meta Reportedly in Talks over Scale AI Investment that Could Exceed $10 Billion
Meta Reportedly in Talks over Scale AI Investment that Could Exceed $10 Billion

Asharq Al-Awsat

time5 hours ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Meta Reportedly in Talks over Scale AI Investment that Could Exceed $10 Billion

Meta Platforms is in talks to make an investment that could exceed $10 billion in artificial intelligence startup Scale AI, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday. The terms of the deal were not yet finalized and could still change, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. Scale AI declined to comment and Meta did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours. Founded in 2016, Scale AI is a data labeling startup backed by tech giants Nvidia, Amazon and Meta. Last valued at nearly $14 billion, Scale AI also provides a platform for researchers to exchange AI-related information, with contributors in more than 9,000 cities and towns.

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