Category: Biz Tech

 The Middle East’s rapid digital transformation has created both opportunities and vulnerabilities. As cyberattacks on financial institutions, government agencies, and energy sectors rise, organizations are increasingly turning to biometric multi-factor authentication (MFA) as a critical security measure.Traditional password-based authentication is no longer sufficient to combat modern cyber threats. As cybercriminals deploy AI-driven attacks, phishing schemes, and credential-stuffing techniques, biometric MFA has emerged as a more secure and efficient solution. The Increase in Cyber Threats in Recent Years and the Use of

South Korea has announced plans to build a groundbreaking artificial intelligence data centre with a capacity of 3 gigawatts , positioning it as the largest of its kind globally. The project, spearheaded by investment firm Stock Farm Road , is set to commence construction in late 2025 and aims for completion by 2028. The total investment is projected to reach $35 billion , marking a significant milestone in the nation's technological advancement.The data centre will be situated in the

T-Mobile has announced a strategic collaboration with Red Hat to deploy Red Hat OpenShift Platform Plus, aiming to establish a unified telco cloud that spans the company's core and far-edge operations. This initiative is designed to enhance operational efficiency, streamline automation processes, and expedite the rollout of new applications and services, all while reducing overall costs.The telecommunications industry is experiencing an escalating demand for flexible cloud solutions. Service providers are under pressure to optimize costs to free up resources for

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence venture, xAI, has unveiled its latest chatbot, Grok-3, positioning it as a formidable competitor to leading AI models from OpenAI and China's DeepSeek. Grok-3 is now accessible to Premium+ subscribers on Musk's social media platform, X, and through the new SuperGrok subscription tier on xAI's mobile application and Grok.com.In a live-streamed presentation, Musk highlighted that Grok-3 utilizes over ten times the computational power of its predecessor, Grok-2, thanks to xAI's supercomputer cluster, Colossus, which stands as

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has suggested distributing $5,000 refund checks to American taxpayers, funded by savings from the Department of Government Efficiency . This proposal comes as the White House asserts that Musk holds no formal authority within the department.Musk's idea, referred to as the "DOGE Dividend," aims to return 20% of the projected $2 trillion in government savings to taxpayers, equating to approximately $400 billion. This initiative, initially proposed by Azoria CEO James Fishback, would provide around $5,000 to

stc.AI, the artificial intelligence arm of Saudi Arabia’s leading digital enabler stc Group, has launched a groundbreaking large language model sovereign cloud platform. This move positions the kingdom at the forefront of the AI revolution, marking a key milestone in its ambition to become a global technology hub. The platform is set to run Llama 405B, one of the most advanced AI models in existence, and is designed to offer the world’s largest open-source frontier model. Its advanced capabilities,

Europe's public cloud services sector is set for remarkable growth, with projections indicating spending will hit $221 billion by 2025 and skyrocket to $373 billion by 2028. This surge is being driven by the increasing adoption of Platform-as-a-Service , a key cloud model that offers businesses the flexibility and scalability needed to support evolving technology needs. As digital transformation accelerates across industries, organisations are increasingly turning to the cloud to optimise operations, enhance customer experience, and stay competitive in a

Spotify is set to introduce a new subscription tier, "Music Pro," which will provide users with enhanced audio quality and other features for an additional $6 per month. This move comes as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to differentiate itself in the competitive music streaming market, where users are increasingly demanding high-quality audio experiences.The new "Music Pro" tier will reportedly offer a premium streaming experience, providing subscribers with access to higher resolution audio compared to the standard offerings. The

NEXUS, formerly known as Action Square, has undertaken significant leadership changes to strengthen its position in the blockchain gaming industry. At an extraordinary general meeting, the company appointed Henry Chang as an internal director, aiming to drive innovation and enhance its open blockchain gaming platform, CROSS Protocol.Henry Chang, the founder of CROSS Protocol and CEO of NEXUS Co. Ltd., brings extensive experience from his previous role as CEO of WEMADE and Wemix Network. His appointment is expected to accelerate the

SK Telecom has become a founding member of the MIT GenAI Impact Consortium, collaborating with Massachusetts Institute of Technology faculty and global industry leaders to explore the commercialization and societal implications of generative artificial intelligence technologies.The consortium, a strategic initiative led by MIT President Sally Kornbluth, aims to provide practical direction to the AI industry by examining the transformative potential of generative AI across various sectors. In the past year, MIT faculty members have published 25 papers focusing

Cisco Systems has unveiled a new line of Smart Switches designed to transform data center networking by integrating security and network services into a unified, high-performance solution. These switches incorporate programmable AMD Pensando data processing units , enabling enterprises to efficiently manage the escalating demands of artificial intelligence workloads.The newly introduced Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches feature embedded DPUs, allowing for the offloading of complex data processing tasks directly onto the switch hardware. This integration facilitates scalable traffic management,

Apple's Vision Pro headset is set to receive a significant AI upgrade, marking a new chapter in the development of the company's first wearable device. This update, expected to launch soon, is poised to enhance the device’s performance, introducing cutting-edge artificial intelligence features that promise to revolutionise user interaction and functionality.The Vision Pro, which was introduced as Apple’s foray into the mixed-reality space, has drawn significant attention for its high-end design and advanced features. However, one aspect that has been

China’s DeepSeek AI technology has come under intense scrutiny after revelations emerged that it lacks essential protections, leaving it vulnerable to exploitation by criminals. The artificial intelligence system, developed by a team of leading tech experts in China, was initially hailed for its potential in various sectors, including data analysis, cybersecurity, and public safety. However, concerns over its security have rapidly gained traction, prompting experts to question whether its developers adequately considered the risks associated with its deployment.Reports indicate that

Apple Inc. and Meta Platforms are intensifying efforts to develop AI-driven humanoid robots, signaling a significant shift in the technology landscape. This move positions both companies in direct competition within the emerging robotics sector, aiming to revolutionize industries ranging from healthcare to domestic services.Meta has initiated a substantial investment in humanoid robotics, focusing on creating advanced robots capable of performing human-like tasks. The company's Reality Labs hardware division is spearheading this initiative, with Marc Whitten, former CEO of General Motors'

Akamai Technologies has unveiled the "Defenders' Guide 2025: Fortify the Future of Your Defense," a detailed report aimed at bolstering cybersecurity measures for organizations worldwide. This inaugural State of the Internet report offers in-depth research on emerging threats and provides actionable strategies to enhance security postures.The guide addresses critical areas such as risk management, network architecture reinforcement, and host security implementation. It presents novel findings on risk scoring methodologies, the exploitation of Virtual Private Networks , and sophisticated malware tactics.

Chinese state-sponsored hacking group Salt Typhoon has intensified its cyber-espionage activities, targeting telecommunications providers worldwide by exploiting known vulnerabilities in Cisco network devices. Despite previous exposure and sanctions, the group continues to infiltrate critical infrastructure, compromising sensitive communications data.Between December 2024 and January 2025, Salt Typhoon successfully breached at least five telecommunications networks, including two based in the United States. Other affected entities include a U.S.-based affiliate of a prominent U.K. telecommunications provider and a major South African telecom company.

Cybercriminals are intensifying efforts to compromise YouTube users by dispatching deceptive emails that closely mimic official communications from the platform. These fraudulent messages aim to trick recipients into downloading malicious software, jeopardizing personal data and account security.Reports indicate that these phishing emails often appear to originate from legitimate YouTube addresses, such as "[email protected]." The emails may prompt users to review alleged policy violations or updates, urging them to click on embedded links or download attachments. Engaging with these elements can

Artificial Intelligence has become an integral part of various industries, enhancing efficiency and decision-making processes. Central to harnessing the full potential of AI is the art of prompt engineering—the craft of designing inputs that guide AI models to produce desired outputs. This report delves into the various prompting techniques that have emerged, offering insights into their applications and effectiveness.Zero-Shot PromptingZero-shot prompting involves instructing an AI model to perform a task without providing any examples. The model relies solely on

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure solutions, has announced the worldwide launch of its Liquid Cooling Services portfolio. This initiative aims to support data center operators in enhancing system reliability and efficiency, particularly for artificial intelligence and high-density computing applications.The newly introduced services encompass a range of solutions designed to manage the complexities of advanced liquid cooling systems. Vertiv's certified technicians and field engineers offer expert support throughout the lifecycle of these systems, ensuring optimal performance and

Samsung has initiated the rollout of the first software update for its Galaxy S25 series, targeting T-Mobile users in the United States. This update introduces seamless background installations, significantly reducing device downtime during the update process. The update, approximately 585 MB in size, also includes the February 2025 security patch, addressing over 40 vulnerabilities. Additionally, it resolves issues such as image banding in low-light photography and enhances overall device stability. Currently, the update is available for carrier-locked devices, with unlocked

Silicon Valley-based AI chip manufacturer Groq has secured a $1.5 billion investment from Saudi Arabia to enhance its AI inference infrastructure within the Kingdom. This significant commitment, announced at the LEAP 2025 technology conference, underscores Saudi Arabia's strategic push to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence.Groq, founded by former Alphabet engineer Jonathan Ross, specializes in AI inference chips designed to optimize the speed and efficiency of executing commands from pre-trained models. These chips are integral to applications

Exotel, a prominent cloud-based customer engagement platform, has entered into a strategic partnership with Knowmax, an AI-driven knowledge management provider, aiming to revolutionize customer experience operations. This collaboration seeks to enhance query resolution efficiency and bolster agent productivity by integrating Exotel's communication solutions with Knowmax's intelligent knowledge management system.The alliance is poised to offer enterprises seamless access to actionable insights, thereby optimizing customer interactions across various channels. By leveraging AI technology, the integrated platform will enable CX teams to

OpenAI has firmly declined a $97.4 billion acquisition proposal from a consortium led by Elon Musk, stating unequivocally that the organization is not for sale. The board's unanimous decision underscores OpenAI's commitment to its mission of developing artificial general intelligence for the benefit of all humanity.Elon Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 alongside CEO Sam Altman, has been vocal in his opposition to the company's shift towards a for-profit model. In an effort to prevent this transition, Musk's consortium

NetIX, a rapidly expanding global Internet exchange, has bolstered its network infrastructure by establishing a primary point-of-presence at Telehouse North, part of the Telehouse London Docklands campus. This strategic move aims to enhance connectivity options for NetIX's clients and underscores the company's commitment to strengthening its global network.The decision to set up a primary PoP at Telehouse North marks a significant shift from NetIX's previous approach, where it relied on a partner to connect to the facility. By bringing

Apple and Google have reinstated TikTok on their U.S. app stores following a letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, which assured the companies they would not face legal repercussions for hosting the app. This development comes after the popular video-sharing platform was removed in January due to concerns over its Chinese ownership and potential national security risks.In April 2024, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act was enacted, mandating that ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, divest its U.S.

The fragrance market in the UAE has long been associated with luxury, exclusivity, and a deep cultural appreciation for high-quality scents. While traditional perfume boutiques remain a cornerstone of the industry, the rise of digital shopping platforms is transforming how consumers discover, select, and purchase fragrances. Retailers such as LETOILE are at the forefront of this shift, offering an expansive selection of high-end perfumes through e-commerce platforms, making luxury fragrances more accessible than ever. The Shift from Physical Stores to Online

The fragrance industry in Qatar is experiencing significant growth, driven by a strong cultural appreciation for luxury scents and an increasing demand for high-quality and exclusive perfumes. The presence of premium retailers such as LETOILE has contributed to the expansion of the market, offering a diverse selection of international and niche fragrances. As consumer preferences shift toward personalization, sustainability, and digital shopping experiences, the industry is adapting to meet these evolving expectations. The Growth of the Perfume Market in Qatar Qatar has

Tabby, a prominent financial services and shopping application in the Middle East and North Africa , has successfully raised $160 million in a Series E funding round, elevating its valuation to $3.3 billion. This development positions Tabby as the most valuable fintech company in the region.The funding round was led by existing investors Blue Pool Capital, a Hong Kong-based investment firm, and Saudi Arabia's Hassana Investment Company, the investment arm of the General Organization for Social Insurance. Additional participation came

OpenAI has announced the forthcoming release of GPT-5, which will incorporate the advanced o3 reasoning model. This integration aims to enhance the artificial intelligence's capability to handle complex tasks by devoting additional deliberation time when addressing questions that require step-by-step logical reasoning. Notably, GPT-5 will be accessible to all ChatGPT users at no cost, providing unlimited chat access under standard intelligence settings.CEO Sam Altman emphasized the company's commitment to simplifying its product offerings. He acknowledged the current complexity of OpenAI's

Eurofiber, a prominent Dutch connectivity provider, has acquired Belgium-based Arcadiz, a leading supplier of critical connectivity solutions in the Benelux region. This strategic move aims to bolster Eurofiber's position in delivering robust and scalable network solutions across Europe.Arcadiz, established in 1999 and headquartered in Leuven, has built a reputation for designing and implementing high-quality network infrastructures tailored for enterprises, governments, and public services. With a team of 38 professionals, the company is renowned for its bespoke solutions that meet stringent

ONLYOFFICE has unveiled version 8.3 of its online editors, introducing approximately 30 new features and numerous bug fixes across the suite. This update significantly enhances the platform's compatibility and collaborative capabilities.The latest release now supports Apple iWork formats—Pages, Keynote, and Numbers—as well as Hancom Office formats . Users can open these files directly within ONLYOFFICE, with formatting preserved. For editing purposes, these files are converted and saved to OOXML formats , though full formatting compliance during conversion is not guaranteed.Localization

A consortium led by Elon Musk has made a $97.4 billion offer to acquire OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company known for developing ChatGPT. The bid, aimed at returning OpenAI to its original nonprofit status, was swiftly declined by CEO Sam Altman, who humorously suggested purchasing Twitter instead for $9.74 billion.This development intensifies the ongoing dispute between Musk and Altman, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015. Musk departed from the company in 2018 due to strategic disagreements. Since then, he has been

Artificial intelligence is on the brink of a significant evolution, with 'agentic' models—capable of autonomous reasoning, planning, and action—set to revolutionise cybercriminal tactics in 2025. According to Malwarebytes' 2025 State of Malware report, these advanced AI systems will enable more scalable and efficient attacks, posing unprecedented challenges to cybersecurity.The report highlights a 13% year-over-year increase in known ransomware attacks, despite the decline of prominent groups like LockBit and ALPHV. This surge is attributed to the emergence of smaller, less

Europe has unveiled OpenEuroLLM, a collaborative project designed to develop open-source large language models encompassing all official and prospective EU languages. This initiative seeks to bolster the continent's digital sovereignty and competitiveness in artificial intelligence.The consortium comprises over 20 European research institutions, technology firms, and high-performance computing centers. Notable participants include Germany's Aleph Alpha, Finland's CSC, and France's Lights On. The project is coordinated by Jan Hajič from Charles University in Czechia and co-led by Peter Sarlin, co-founder of