Latest news with #Almani
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Literary figure, farm worker killed in armed clash
A reputed doctor and literary figure, 76-year-old Dr Anwar Ali Almani, and his farm worker were shot dead in an armed clash between two groups over a piece of agricultural land in a village in Tando Muhammad Khan district on Saturday. The incident, which also left three men injured with gunshots, took place in the village Nim Layyar near Hyderabad. According to the local residents, a conflict between Almanis and Nizamanis over agricultural land has been going on for years. Dr Almani was visiting his village in the limits of Shaikh Bhirkio police station when a clash reportedly erupted between the two groups. The doctor and his farm worker, Ahmed Baran, were killed in the firing while Naimatullah Almani, Muhamamd Umar Nizamani and Ali Muhammad Nizamani were injured. Initially, the dead and injured were shifted to Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, but later the bodies of the deceased were taken to the district headquarters hospital Tando Muhammad Khan for postmortem. SSP Abid Ali Gadani Baloch of the district police visited the place of the incident. Later, he also visited the hospital and met the doctor's family and assured them that the culprits would be brought to book. However, the police could neither arrest any suspect by Saturday evening nor the incident's FIR could be registered. Dr Almani, a graduate of Liaquat Medical College which is predecessor of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, started his career as a medical officer in 1974. A year later he left his government job and established a charitable hospital in Tando Muhammad Khan. He later also founded Darul Uloom High School and Makhdoom Bilawal Science College as well as Kareem Bakhsh Almani Vocational School in his native village, to honour his father. His works in Sindhi and English languages include Religion and Man; Why Revolution; Call of Truth; Who Deserves to Live.
Zawya
14-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
AI is projected to contribute over $135bln to the Saudi GDP by 2030: Dr. Khulood Almani is the Founder & CEO of HKB Tech
Dr. Khulood Almani, the Founder & CEO of HKB Tech, is a distinguished AI thought leader and former university professor at King Saud University. As the UN Ambassador for Women Empowerment, Peace, and Humanity, she advocates for economic inclusivity. Beyond her role at HKB Tech—a technology arm of the esteemed Bin Dayel Group—Dr. Almani has a robust leadership presence, serving as the Senator of the G20–World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) for Saudi Arabia and as the Country Chair of the G100–Women Economic Forum. She co-founded Forward Angel Investment to support digital entrepreneurs globally. With a strong commitment to fostering innovation, Dr. Almani established HKB Tech to drive advancements in artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Her vision extends to nurturing the next generation of digital leaders, ensuring that Saudi Arabia remains at the forefront of technological collaboration and sustainability. The Role of Startups and SMEs in AI Innovation AI stands as a central pillar of Saudi Arabia's ambition to become a leading hub for technology and innovation. The government has pledged $100 billion to develop a robust AI ecosystem that comprises investments in AI startups, data centers, and strategic partnerships. Projections indicate that AI could contribute over $135 billion to the Saudi GDP by 2030, emphasizing the significance of AI startups and SMEs in this transformation. At HKB Tech, the establishment of the Saudi AI Centre of Excellence (CoE) exemplifies the commitment to driving innovation within this ecosystem. The CoE serves as a research and development hub for patented AI technologies, with aspirations to contribute meaningfully to the global AI landscape. Strategic partnerships with industry leaders, such as Google, AWS, and NVIDIA, enhance access to cutting-edge technologies and expertise critical for high-impact AI projects. Participation in NVIDIA's AI Inception Program is a testament to HKB Tech's role in shaping the future of AI. As part of this program, the company is well-positioned to leverage NVIDIA's computational capabilities, paralleling the trajectory of successful entities like OpenAI. Dr. Almani emphasizes the importance of localizing technology and talent to foster sustainable entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer. HKB Tech is actively contributing to this goal by developing sustainable, in-house patented products in AI, IoT, BioTech, and ClimateTech, aimed at addressing pressing market needs while adhering to sustainability principles. Challenges and Strategic Steps for Sustainable AI Development The path to AI leadership is not devoid of challenges. Dr. Almani outlines essential frameworks to promote AI-driven sustainable entrepreneurship: an AI sustainability framework, an AI regulatory framework, and an ethical AI framework inspired by cultural values. As sustainability becomes increasingly pivotal to governmental strategies aligned with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, leveraging technology responsibly is critical. The ultimate aspiration is to fulfill the national economy's resource needs without jeopardizing future generations. To navigate this intersection of deep tech, sustainability, and diplomacy, it is crucial to adopt eco-friendly practices and develop solutions that address environmental challenges efficiently. Nevertheless, advancements in AI introduce questions of ethics, data privacy, and security. The necessity for robust regulatory enforcement emerges to ensure responsible AI practices. Enhanced transparency and explainability will foster trust, especially in sensitive fields like healthcare and finance. Current fragmented AI regulations must evolve towards a cohesive, centralized framework that can adapt to rapid technological advancements. Blended governance models that integrate best practices can offer region-specific approaches while preserving ethical integrity through explainable AI (XAI). Technological and Cultural Readiness Investments in scalable AI infrastructure, characterized by energy-efficient data centers and hybrid quantum-classical computing models, are imperative for technological readiness. Initiatives involving prominent companies like Google, IBM, and local partnerships like Aramco–Pasqal represent significant strides in this direction. Overcoming resistance to AI adoption is crucial, particularly given concerns regarding job displacement. The World Economic Forum anticipates substantial net job creation from AI advancements, highlighting the need for effective upskilling programs and global collaboration in AI education. Cultural readiness is equally important; transparent communication and inclusive educational initiatives can ease public apprehension and promote widespread acceptance of AI technologies. To position the Middle East as a global AI leader,developing regional AI regulatory framework that embody ethical,cultural,and societal values is essential. These framework should support AI education, and collaborative efforts that bridge the talent gap. Implementing regulatory sandboxes will allow safe experimentation, fostering innovation while ensuring responsible AI development. By addressing these elements, Saudi Arabia can lead the charge in sustainable AI transformation, ultimately contributing to a resilient and prosperous future.
