Latest news with #Cabildo
Leaders
3 days ago
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia: The Next Silicon Valley of the Middle East
Saudi Arabia is rapidly positioning itself as the Middle East's Silicon Valley, with a $40 billion AI investment push, aiming to transform the country into a competitive innovation hub. Consequently, it is attracting a large-scale influx of global talent as the Saudi government is partnering directly with global leaders in new-age tech to form the bedrock for local innovation. Institutional alignment, sovereign capital, and regulatory clarity make the country an execution-first environment for AI and Web3 startups. The Kingdom is making strategic moves to build its own AI infrastructure through sovereign initiatives like HUMAIN which ensure data sovereignty, strategic control, and scalable impact. Moreover, they align with national values and priorities, serving as a template for emerging economies. Experts believe this approach will help countries model their digital futures instead of outsourcing them. Johanna Cabildo, CEO of D-GN, noted, 'Saudi Arabia is building infrastructure, not just regulation.' When a government funds and deploys AI across ministries, oil giants, and smart cities, it creates demand signals, attracting private innovators, fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem. Cabildo cited Saudi Aramco's engagement with US-based droppGroup as a smart measure to power local innovation. Vision 2030: A Magnet for Global AI Builders Saudi Arabia's big AI push aligns with its 'Vision 2030,' turning the country into a magnet for global AI builders. Experts say Saudi Arabia is one of the few markets with both political will and economic scale to support the next wave of AI and Web3. The Saudi market is seeing a healthy combination of technological convergence and active support from local regulators. Jaspreet Bindra, Co-founder of AI&Beyond, praised the kingdom's future-facing approach. Cabildo emphasized that clear regulations and fast onboarding frameworks will attract founders and become a launchpad for global ventures. These ventures will focus on data sovereignty, digital identity, and decentralized intelligence. The Saudi Capital Market Authority has already issued over 80 tokenization licenses, signaling a push to innovate locally. Blockchain adds the transparency and ownership that AI needs, further enhancing the tech ecosystem. From Consumers to Producers of Innovation Saudi Arabia, along with countries like the UAE, is stepping out from being a consumer of innovation to becoming a global producer. This shift could turn the kingdom into the new center of gravity for AI, where capital, talent, and emerging technologies collide. Cabildo described Saudi Arabia's $40 billion AI push as more than an investment; it's a declaration of intent to build a unique ecosystem. Collaborations such as Saudi Aramco's mega AI and blockchain deal with droppGroup are expected to significantly impact traditional sectors. In the energy sector, AI can revolutionize operations with predictive maintenance, saving billions by preventing outages. Moreover, in logistics, AI-driven systems will streamline supply chains, cutting delays at ports like Jeddah. In education, AI will personalize learning, equipping students for a digital economy. The real transformation will be in the workforce, with Vision 2030's Human Capability Development Programme shifting workers from routine tasks to knowledge-driven roles. Deals like the Aramco-droppGroup collaboration fuel this shift, creating demand for data scientists, AI engineers, and innovation managers. These roles are critical to a diversified economy. With such moves, Saudi Arabia aims to generate thousands of tech jobs by 2030, reducing oil dependency. Short link : Post Views: 13
Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Canary Island's plan for new cable car routes over unique tourist attraction
When the new cable cars are up and running, tourists will be given a bird's-eye view of the spectacular lava flows created by the volcanic eruption on La Palma, which caused extensive damage four years ago The Canary Island of La Palma is planning to launch three new cable car routes so tourists can view lava flows. When up and running, tourists will be given a bird's-eye view of the spectacular lava flows created by the volcanic eruption on La Palma, which caused extensive damage four years ago. The 2021 eruption of La Palma's volcano, part of the Cumbre Viejo ridge, lasted for 85 days. It resulted in thousands of evacuations, buried homes, and economic losses that exceeded 842 million euros. The eruption was the largest, longest, and most destructive on the island in recorded history. It was the most recent in a series of historical eruptions emanating from the active Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge in AD 1585, 1646, 1677–1678, 1712, 1949, and 1971. According to a Geology Today study on the 2021 eruption, it ranks "as one of the most destructive volcanic eruptions in the history of Spain. This was not so much due to an unusually large eruption volume or a large explosive eruption, but mainly because of increased societal vulnerability in this part of the island." The publication warns of an increased risk from volcanic eruptions similar to this one in the future, in part due to the growing trend of volcano tourism. "Furthermore, the risk associated with active volcanoes has been further amplified by volcano tourism, with the unfortunate demise of over 1000 volcano tourists in eruption incidents over the previous decade, most recently exemplified by the 2019 White Island disaster in New Zealand or the Marapi disaster in Indonesia in 2023," Geology Today's article adds. Despite such warnings, the Cabildo on La Palma is moving ahead with its cable car plans, explaining that it wants to "diversify" the tourist offer and give "a unique perspective of the La Palma landscape." The cable cars would "improve connectivity" in areas that are difficult to access. Currently, the Cabildo is conducting various technical and environmental impact studies to identify the best locations, as well as the most appropriate type of cable car. Part of this process involves contacting managers of similar infrastructure in other regions. The cable cars could connect Hoya Grande and Roque de Los Muchachos; Puerto de Tazacorte and Punta de Tijarafe; and Tacande and La Bombilla. "The Cabildo de La Palma has begun a phase of study and analysis that seeks to evaluate the feasibility of implementing cable car systems at strategic points on the island. Specifically, work is being done on three options: one between Hoya Grande and Roque de Los Muchachos, another between Puerto de Tazacorte and Punta de Tijarafe and a third between Tacande and La Bombilla," a spokesperson for the organisation said. "The initiative seeks to diversify the tourist offer, improve connectivity in areas that are difficult to access and offer a unique perspective of the La Palma landscape, with criteria of sustainability and respect for the environment." President of the Cabildo de La Palma, Sergio Rodríguez, said: "A balance will be sought between sustainable tourism development and the preservation of the island's natural values. We are exploring innovative options that can enrich the experience of our visitors and facilitate the mobility of residents, especially in areas with complex orography. If designed and executed properly, can be a unique tourist attraction and an efficient and sustainable transport solution."
