Latest news with #Bensaid
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rivian's R2 will 'underpin' all future Volkswagen EVs, exec says
When Volkswagen ( invested billions of dollars in a joint venture with Rivian (RIVN), it was seen as a win-win for both companies. The German giant would have access to Rivian's zonal architecture and systems for EVs, and Rivian received the cash — and time — for its future product buildout, including the R2 mid-sized SUV. A good deal, for sure, for both sides. VW's software initiatives had hit snags, most significantly with its CARIAD software unit, which led to big delays for its EVs in the Porsche and Audi portfolio. As for Rivian, it still isn't making money, though it did reach some profitability milestones last quarter. The upstart electric vehicle maker needs the billions provided by VW to update its factory and get R2 into production. Wassym Bensaid, Rivian's chief software officer and co-head of the Rivian-VW joint venture, aims to right the ship for VW and help get Rivian software products to as many users as possible. Bensaid's team is responsible for the entire technology stack that underpins Rivian vehicles and the 'end-to-end user experience' — think software updates and software for the Rivian Charging network. Since November, he's been co-CEO of the joint venture with VW Group. Bensaid said Rivian's upcoming R2, a midsize Tesla (TSLA) Model Y competitor, is a major key to the deal. "R2 is the platform that will underpin actually all future EV products at VW," Bensaid said in an interview with Yahoo Finance. "So it's really that modular, scalable technology stack that we will take into VW brands, and we will do it in a way where we will still allow each of the brands to express their own identity." With that platform and tech stack, Rivian will offer almost an 'off-the-shelf' solution for Volkswagen to use for its upcoming ID1 EV. But the plan is that other VW brands like Skoda and Audi would get access to the R2 platform to use as they please. "Each brand will have their own UI, look and feel," Bensaid said. "Each brand will have their own suspension tuning … but underneath the guts of the vehicle will be optimized based on the same technology and software architecture." Speaking of the R2, Rivian is slated to begin production in the first half of 2026, with the first models rolling off the line sometime after that. 'R2 is an evolution of the architecture that we introduced with our [R1] Gen2 vehicles, and there's a ton of lessons learned that went into how we make the R2 from a technology standpoint, from engineering [to] ... manufacturing," Bensaid said. "That is allowing us to really not only make progress, but we're extremely happy with the maturity of R2 compared to where R1 was." He added that developing the R2 for production has been easier and more efficient than the original R1. With Rivian's pricey R1 vehicles the only products on offer, Rivian needs the R2 launch to happen soon and on time in order to expand sales. It doesn't help that the status of the federal EV tax credit is in limbo and may be gone if the GOP's 'big, beautiful bill' is passed by the Senate. But the bigger issue is that customers are asking about the R2 — and whether it will arrive on time and at the targeted $45,000. "Everybody is waiting for the R2; everybody is excited about the R2," Bensaid said. "It's the absolute No. 1 priority for the customer." Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rivian's R2 will 'underpin' all future Volkswagen EVs, exec says
When Volkswagen ( invested billions of dollars in a joint venture with Rivian (RIVN), it was seen as a win-win for both companies. The German giant would have access to Rivian's zonal architecture and systems for EVs, and Rivian received the cash — and time — for its future product buildout, including the R2 mid-sized SUV. A good deal, for sure, for both sides. VW's software initiatives had hit snags, most significantly with its CARIAD software unit, which led to big delays for its EVs in the Porsche and Audi portfolio. As for Rivian, it still isn't making money, though it did reach some profitability milestones last quarter. The upstart electric vehicle maker needs the billions provided by VW to update its factory and get R2 into production. Wassym Bensaid, Rivian's chief software officer and co-head of the Rivian-VW joint venture, aims to right the ship for VW and help get Rivian software products to as many users as possible. Bensaid's team is responsible for the entire technology stack that underpins Rivian vehicles and the 'end-to-end user experience' — think software updates and software for the Rivian Charging network. Since November, he's been co-CEO of the joint venture with VW Group. Bensaid said Rivian's upcoming R2, a midsize Tesla (TSLA) Model Y competitor, is a major key to the deal. "R2 is the platform that will underpin actually all future EV products at VW," Bensaid said in an interview with Yahoo Finance. "So it's really that modular, scalable technology stack that we will take into VW brands, and we will do it in a way where we will still allow each of the brands to express their own identity." With that platform and tech stack, Rivian will offer almost an 'off-the-shelf' solution for Volkswagen to use for its upcoming ID1 EV. But the plan is that other VW brands like Skoda and Audi would get access to the R2 platform to use as they please. "Each brand will have their own UI, look and feel," Bensaid said. "Each brand will have their own suspension tuning … but underneath the guts of the vehicle will be optimized based on the same technology and software architecture." Speaking of the R2, Rivian is slated to begin production in the first half of 2026, with the first models rolling off the line sometime after that. 'R2 is an evolution of the architecture that we introduced with our [R1] Gen2 vehicles, and there's a ton of lessons learned that went into how we make the R2 from a technology standpoint, from engineering [to] ... manufacturing," Bensaid said. "That is allowing us to really not only make progress, but we're extremely happy with the maturity of R2 compared to where R1 was." He added that developing the R2 for production has been easier and more efficient than the original R1. With Rivian's pricey R1 vehicles the only products on offer, Rivian needs the R2 launch to happen soon and on time in order to expand sales. It doesn't help that the status of the federal EV tax credit is in limbo and may be gone if the GOP's 'big, beautiful bill' is passed by the Senate. But the bigger issue is that customers are asking about the R2 — and whether it will arrive on time and at the targeted $45,000. "Everybody is waiting for the R2; everybody is excited about the R2," Bensaid said. "It's the absolute No. 1 priority for the customer." Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram.
Ya Biladi
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco to draft new law on the National Press Council, Communication Minister says
The Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, announced on Monday in the House of Representatives the drafting of a new law concerning the National Press Council (CNP). The draft has been reviewed by the government in terms of form, while its content will be discussed with industry professionals as part of the profession's self-regulation process. Responding to questions about the self-regulation of the press sector, the minister explained that the lessons drawn from the self-regulation experience have informed the drafting of this text, with the aim of producing «a law that guarantees self-regulation and the moralization of the press profession». Bensaid elaborated on the self-regulation experience that led to the establishment of the CNP, describing it as «far more than an administrative measure», but rather «a reflection of a profound awareness that press freedom, as enshrined in the Constitution, can only be realized through self-regulation mechanisms». He stressed that self-regulation is designed to reinforce press freedom and uphold the constitutional right to practice the profession. He also highlighted that Article 28 of the Constitution underscores the importance of organizing the press sector on democratic foundations. Self-regulation, he continued, seeks to protect the profession from unethical or unprofessional practices that could damage its reputation, including fake news, disinformation, and other harmful behaviors. Bensaid concluded by emphasizing that self-regulation is not solely the responsibility of journalists, but a shared societal concern, given that the press serves society as a whole.
Business Insider
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
VW changed its culture and embraced Rivian's 'startup DNA' in its partnership with the Tesla rival, software chief says
Rivian and Volkswagen's partnership has injected the nearly 100-year-old German automaker with a dose of "startup DNA", according to one of the Tesla rival's top executives. The two companies struck a $5 billion deal last year to form a joint venture to develop next-generation EV technology, and Rivian's chief software officer told Business Insider that he was impressed by how willing the legacy carmaker had been to change its culture and embrace the startup's Silicon Valley vibes. "One of the reasons we really leaned in heavily into the partnership was the willingness of the Volkswagen leadership to change culture within the group," said Wassym Bensaid, who also serves as co-CEO of the joint venture. "They were willing to adopt a much more agile, iterative, innovative approach to the entire development lifecycle, and keep the startup DNA that Rivian brings," the executive added. The partnership will see software and electrical architecture developed by Rivian appear in a range of Volkswagen vehicles, including a $22,500 electric car VW unveiled in March. Like other legacy automakers, the historic German brand has struggled to develop vehicle software that can match the kind of high-tech features offered by Tesla and Chinese rivals like BYD. Volkswagen's in-house software division, Cariad, has faced delays and high-profile glitches despite burning through billions of dollars. The failure to develop advanced software has proved particularly damaging in China, where consumers have come to expect EVs packed with AI-powered features such as voice control, autonomous driving, and even in-car karaoke. Volkswagen's sales collapsed nearly 10% in China in 2024 compared to the previous year. Speaking on the sidelines of The Financial Times' Future of the Car conference, Bensaid said the challenges Volkswagen has faced were far from unique. "The same problem that we need to solve for Volkswagen exists in pretty much every single traditional automaker," he said. Bensaid added that building software-defined vehicles would require legacy carmakers to undergo "deep cultural change" and become flatter and less hierarchical, whilst also hiring "very different talent." "You need very different engineers who know how to build things and not just engineers who manage third-party suppliers in a black-box way," he said. Bensaid said many carmakers would likely find it easier to follow Volkswagen's lead and license software from tech-focused companies like Rivian, adding that he expects tech licensing to become a much bigger part of the EV startup's business in the next few years. "Volkswagen as a company tried to basically make the pivot and get to a software-defined vehicle. And they ended up concluding that a partnership [with Rivian] could be a great way to achieve that," Bensaid said.
Morocco World
16-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's New Social Media Law: HACA to Expand Authority Under Bensaid's Plan
Doha – Morocco is unleashing a regulatory arsenal against global tech giants. The sweeping initiative aims to bring the digital Wild West under state supervision after years of unfettered operation. With a stroke of legislative authority, the North African country intends to rein in platforms that have become powerful shapers of public opinion, cultural values, and social behavior. This bold power play positions Morocco at the vanguard of regional efforts to assert national sovereignty over virtual spaces previously dominated by Silicon Valley corporations. 'The anarchic proliferation of social networks and their social impact clearly demonstrates the necessity of preparing a complete national legal framework capable of accompanying digital transformations, and protecting the values of societal cohesion,' declared Minister of Culture, Youth and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid. He presented the plan before the Commission of Education, Culture and Communication at the Chamber of Representatives on Wednesday, stressing that the legislation would protect societal values 'without infringing on freedom of expression.' The minister's department is currently developing what he described as a 'robust, coherent and complete' framework before submitting it to the legislative process. The proposed regulations target platforms serving Moroccan audiences or generating revenue from the country's advertising market. Such companies will face new obligations, including mandatory appointment of legal representatives within Morocco. Bensaid asserted this measure would overcome 'the legislative void that gives foreign digital platforms freedom to work without effective surveillance.' It would also provide 'a practical mechanism for activating censorship and sanctions in cases of violations or lack of cooperation with national authorities.' According to a previous ministerial study, nearly 80% of information presented as exclusive on these platforms proves to be false, misleading, or manipulated. This statistic shows the urgency of intervention in a country where internet penetration has reached 91% among urban residents—a substantial jump from 76% in 2023. Moroccans now spend daily hours online, with 43% of young Moroccans aged 18-29 devoting between three and five hours daily to social media platforms, according to a 2024 study by OpinionWay Maroc and Saga Communication. HACA gains unprecedented powers in digital sphere The cornerstone of Morocco's digital regulation strategy involves dramatically expanding the authority of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA). This institution will transition from a traditional media regulator to a powerful digital watchdog with expansive jurisdiction over the online space. 'We are working to extend HACA's competencies to allow it to regulate this domain according to a perspective combining freedom of expression, protection of the public, and digital justice,' Bensaid stated. The minister added that 'maximum priority' would be given to 'the state's role in protecting the public from negative effects of digital content.' Among the key elements of this initiative, Bensaid pinpointed 'a precise definition' of 'digital platform' services or online content-sharing platforms (social networks), as well as subjecting providers to 'clearly articulated legal obligations' aimed at structuring the relationship between the state and digital actors. The expanded powers will enable HACA to monitor platforms even without a physical presence in Morocco. The regulator can demand periodic reports on content moderation policies, complaint handling mechanisms, and statistics on removed content. HACA will also gain authority to order content removal or restriction, particularly for material promoting violence, terrorism, racial or religious discrimination, or spreading misinformation. 'This is an essential step to overcome regulatory barriers regarding sovereignty and ensure that international digital actors are held accountable and controlled,' Bensaid told lawmakers. This initiative will draw heavily on international experience, particularly the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), which came into force in 2023. The minister called it 'one of the most advanced texts globally' for online services regulation. The European framework imposes strict obligations regarding transparency, combating illegal content, and ensuring user safety, especially for minors. Notably, this is not the first time Morocco has considered expanding HACA's authority to digital platforms. In 2019, then-Minister of Culture Mohamed Laâraj supported the idea of extending the regulator's powers to cover online content, advocating for its development within an appropriate legal framework. However, that initiative never progressed beyond preliminary discussions and did not advance to the Secretariat General of the Government. Platforms face strict content and financial obligations Digital platforms will confront stringent new requirements under the proposed legislation. They must implement 'efficient content moderation systems' using algorithms that automatically detect problematic material. These automated tools must identify and address content related to violence, hate speech, false information, and inappropriate material targeting minors. 'Digital platforms will be required to counter false information immediately,' Bensaid explained. This applies especially to content 'inciting violence, terrorism, racial or religious discrimination.' Platforms must establish transparent reporting mechanisms for swift response to complaints. The minister noted this would promote 'preventive responsibility' by enabling platforms to 'intervene before situations escalate.' For child protection, the legislation mandates age-appropriate content classification, parental control activation, and prohibition of advertising exploiting children's vulnerability. 'Platforms must take measures to protect young users from harmful or inappropriate content,' Bensaid said. This includes 'categorization by age group, activation of parental control tools, banning advertisements that exploit minors' vulnerability or promote harmful products, and removing any content that could harm psychological or behavioral development.' Financial transparency requirements form another crucial element of the framework. Platforms generating advertising revenue in Morocco must 'respect fiscal transparency, collaborate with financial authorities, and potentially submit to financial restrictions in case of violations,' according to the minister. These companies will need to cooperate with the General Tax Administration, Bank Al-Maghrib, and the Exchange Office to ensure compliance with Moroccan financial regulations. Growing government concern over digital 'anarchy' The new legislation reflects mounting official anxiety about unregulated online content. Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi has repeatedly voiced concern about social media's impact on Morocco's institutions and society. In December 2024, Ouahbi warned that social media, particularly Facebook, posed 'a serious threat to judicial independence.' He criticized individuals, including former judges turned lawyers, who publicly challenge court decisions on these platforms. 'We cannot allow chaos to continue. If necessary, we stop the caravan, discipline the dogs, and then resume our path,' Ouahbi stated, rejecting the trend of labeling officials as corrupt without evidence. Earlier, in September 2024, Ouahbi announced plans to introduce strict penalties in the penal code for social media misconduct. 'We are going to put an end to what is happening on TikTok and YouTube, such as filming people's private lives without their permission,' he declared during a television interview. 'Human dignity and private life are sacred and inviolable,' the justice minister asserted, questioning individuals' right to photograph or film others without consent. These concerns come at a time when Moroccans are consuming more media than ever before. According to Kantar's latest Africascope Maghreb 2024 study, urban Moroccans devote 5 hours and 46 minutes daily to media: 2 hours and 57 minutes watching television, 2 hours and 17 minutes online, and 32 minutes tuned to radio. Social media dominates online activity, with Facebook leading at 84% daily usage, followed by WhatsApp at 70%, and Instagram at 60%. The government's initiative represents Morocco's entry into the global movement toward digital sovereignty, joining countries worldwide seeking to assert control over their digital spaces. If adopted, these regulations would fundamentally transform the relationship between Moroccan authorities, international tech giants, and the millions of Moroccans who increasingly live their lives online. Many civil society organizations, however, have voiced alarm over the potential implications for digital freedoms, cautioning that the proposed framework may offer legal cover for expanding state censorship and surveillance. The vague language around 'protecting social values' is seen by critics as a Trojan horse for censorship—a velvet glove concealing a fist—capable of weaponizing morality to stifle dissent and sweep away legitimate political expression under the guise of public interest.
