Attendees witnessed successful satellite-based two-way messaging and SOS alerts sent using commercial Android smartphones and a combination of Viasat’s robust L-band satellite network and the Bullitt over-the-top messaging app. Signals were transmitted using the company’s L-band spacecraft positioned over the Indian Ocean, while the infrastructure for 3GPP NTN services was deployed by Viasat’s partner Skylo.

Sandeep Moorthy, Viasat’s Chief Technical Officer, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, explaining, “By expanding our direct-to-device innovation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we’re showcasing the potential for D2D services in the fast-growing Gulf and Asia-Pacific region. D2D could help reduce barriers to connectivity in regions where terrestrial services are spotty and unavailable to help transform industries and supply chains, enable new opportunities, and to become more efficient, sustainable and safer. We’d like to thank the CST for their support in carrying out this exciting demonstration”.

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D2D technology allows devices like smartphones, vehicles, and industrial equipment to connect seamlessly to both satellite and terrestrial networks. Unlike traditional satellite setups, D2D eliminates the need for extra hardware, thanks to emerging global standards that are gaining traction among satellite operators, mobile network providers, and tech manufacturers.

What makes this approach particularly promising is that Viasat uses a licensed, dedicated satellite spectrum to deliver its D2D services. This avoids any interference with existing terrestrial networks, allowing smooth integration with mobile network operators in the future.

The demonstration clearly showed the potential of D2D technology to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions while opening up opportunities for innovation, improved safety, sustainability, and efficiency.

The post Viasat Satellite Messaging Tech Showcased In Saudi Arabia appeared first on Tech Magazine.

Scheduled for launch in January 2025, Quintes Protocol is being hailed as a disruptive force in the cryptocurrency space. Its innovative framework offers a perpetually appreciating asset with projected annual value growth of 18-30%. The technology is expected to bring new stability and reliability to an industry often criticized for its volatility.

“This is more than a milestone for Quintes Protocol – it’s an affirmation that exceptional and continued value can be created in the crypto field,” explained Al Kharashi. “Backed by intensive research, verifications, and the knowledge of renowned token engineers and researchers from leading blockchain companies, Quintes has just one destination: to pioneer the future of DeFi with unmatched growth, blazing the way for an exciting new world of cryptocurrency value”.

The Quintes Protocol aims to outperform traditional investment classes like S&P 500 stocks, gold, and high-yield bonds, as well as major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. By offering predictable growth and mitigating the risks typically associated with crypto investments, it is poised to attract a wide range of investors.

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Speaking on the inspiration behind Quintes, Al Kharashi said, “We’ve seen the potential for cryptocurrencies to achieve great returns for investors, but that growth is fickle. Growth bubbles occur, burst suddenly and unexpectedly, and the value is often lost. That is what inspired the creation of Quintes and the concept of perpetual growth, based on predictable collateral value appreciation”.

The foundation of the Quintes Protocol is the result of intensive research by Kitabq Research Lab. The development team includes elite engineers and scientists with backgrounds at ConsenSys, Binance, and Algorand, as well as financial giants such as Morgan Stanley. Together, they’ve raised over $600 million and boast a track record of successful projects across Web2 and Web3.

The post Saudi Innovator Secures Patent For Revolutionary Crypto Asset appeared first on Tech Magazine.

According to Google, the hub has the potential to contribute as much as $71 billion to Saudi Arabia’s economy. The initiative will likely speed up the adoption of AI across industries such as healthcare, retail, and financial services — not only within Saudi Arabia but also throughout the wider MENA region and beyond.

Yasir Al Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), highlighted the importance of the project for the Kingdom: “This partnership demonstrates PIF’s dedication to fostering an AI-friendly environment through investments in human capital and technology, upskilling thousands with cutting-edge tools to support our sustainable and innovative infrastructure goals,” he explained. Al Rumayyan also emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s combination of sector knowledge and long-term investment strategies makes it an ideal environment for global technology partnerships.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

A central aim of Google’s initiative is nurturing local talent. The AI hub will offer a range of training, research, and collaboration opportunities for developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs within Saudi Arabia. Google envisions training “millions” of people, helping to create a robust innovation ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and ensures economic benefits reach all segments of society.

As international technology giants increasingly look to develop solutions tailored to regional needs, Google’s initiative reflects a progressive approach that leverages the strengths of local markets. With the potential to inject billions into the economy and strengthen digital capacities, Saudi Arabia could soon emerge as a prominent center for AI innovation in the Middle East.

The post Google To Launch AI Hub In Saudi Arabia, Aiming For $71B GDP Boost appeared first on Tech Magazine.

To strengthen its investment decisions and deal-sourcing, Wa’ed Ventures has assembled an advisory board of experts with backgrounds from leading institutions such as Meta, Amazon, MIT, and Oxford University. These advisors bring a wealth of experience from sectors such as AI research, policymaking, academia, and entrepreneurship, providing critical insights and support to the fund’s investment strategy.

Anas Algahtani, Acting CEO of Wa’ed Ventures, shared: “Our strategic decision to allocate funds to AI investments is rooted in a deep understanding of the Kingdom’s growing ecosystem. By fostering innovation and supporting AI startups, we aim to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies that will drive economic growth, improve quality of life, and position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in Artificial Intelligence”.

As part of its active portfolio development, Wa’ed Ventures has made recent investments in Rebellions, a South Korean company specializing in AI chips, and AiXplain, a California-based provider of infrastructure for accelerated AI development. These investments reflect Wa’ed’s commitment to advancing AI applications and supporting companies that can enhance Saudi Arabia’s AI capabilities.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

Wa’ed Ventures’ AI-focused initiative not only targets the growth of local entrepreneurship but also aims to localize international AI talent and technologies, fostering a robust ecosystem that aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

A recent PwC report highlights the potential economic impact of AI on Saudi Arabia, projecting that by 2030, the country could generate $135 billion from AI-related activities, accounting for approximately 12% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This puts Saudi Arabia in a favorable position within the Middle East to capitalize on the transformative power of AI.

The post Wa’ed Ventures Pledges $100M For Early-Stage AI Startup Funding appeared first on Tech Magazine.

The strategic alliance will shake up the financial savings landscape in Saudi Arabia and address a significant gap in the market by offering Hakbah customers comprehensive life insurance during their Jameya time.

Key benefits will include:

• Extensive insurance coverage, including Death of Any Cause (DAC) to Passive War Risk (PWR).
• Enhanced financial security that lets customers focus on saving without worry.
• Alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to support the government’s goal of boosting savings rates and promoting financial inclusion.

Hakbah founder Naif AbuSaida has expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating:

“We are thrilled to partner with Tawuniya to provide our customers with unparalleled financial security through life insurance coverage for all Hakbah’s members during the Jameya duration. Hakbah prides itself on its unyielding commitment to savings, driven by cutting-edge savings-engine technology. We look forward to exploring more collaboration with Tawuniya to benefit our customers and unleash the full potential of increased financial savings”.

Mohammed Bin Salma, Senior Executive Director for Life Sector of Tawuniya, added:

“The new partnership with Hakbah builds on Tawuniya’s commitment to promoting a culture of financial savings in the Kingdom, especially among the youth segment that constitutes the majority of the country’s population. Tawuniya […] will expand its reach to new horizons and cater to a broader customer base. By offering insured products, Tawuniya empowers individuals across every segment to embrace a positive savings culture”.

Also Read: Workplace Study Reveals Middle Eastern AI Use Is Skyrocketing

With around 70% of Saudi citizens requiring more emergency savings and household savings rates averaging just 1.6%, Hakbah hopes to make a lasting impact on this $20.5 billion market. The company is growing rapidly and has already exceeded its total revenue for 2023 in the first half of 2024. With a user base of 750,000+ and strategic partnerships with Riyad Bank, Fransi Bank, ANB, flynas, and Tawuniya, Hakbah is now extremely well-positioned to continue its impressive growth.

The post Saudi Arabian Fintech Hakbah Partners With Tawuniya Insurance appeared first on Tech Magazine.

The event will be Halo Space’s 6th test flight and a key milestone in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy. The test will deploy Halo Space’s prototype Aurora capsule, which will travel around 30 km into Earth’s high atmosphere and the edge of space. According to Alberto Castrillo, Halo Space’s Chief Technology Officer, the flight will further test the engineering of the high-tech craft:

“The mission is designed to meticulously validate all the critical systems we’ve been developing for the past three years. The dates and location were set to ensure the reliable operation of our equipment and safe conditions for the teams on the ground operating the flight”.

Frank Salzgeber, Acting Deputy Governor for the Space Sector at CST, added, “This innovative project represents a significant step forward in Space Tourism. In support of such technological advancements and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, CST is always committed to providing regulatory frameworks that foster innovation among companies and projects like Halo Space while ensuring the safety of personnel and materials”.

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Halo Space’s prototype test flights are in preparation for the launch of fully crewed missions, which are expected to take place in 2025. Commercial flights could be available from 2026 and will offer the completely unique experience of rising gently above the Earth in a balloon-lifted capsule.

The journey, spanning up to 200 horizontal km and 35 vertical km, will last over six hours, allowing passengers to witness the curvature of the Earth and the vastness of space. Halo Space aims to make space tourism accessible to a wide audience by 2030 and plans to carry over 10,000 passengers by the decade’s end.

The post Saudi Arabia To Host Sixth Halo Space Test Flight In September appeared first on Tech Magazine.

With a capacity exceeding 45,000 spectators, the Murabba Stadium will transform the city’s landscape and become an international hub for sports, entertainment and culture.

Michael Dyke, Al Murabba CEO, underscored the stadium’s significance, explaining, “This new stadium embodies Riyadh’s evolution into a vibrant global hub. It underscores our commitment to developing world-class infrastructure that showcases Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation”.

The massive architectural project, earmarked for completion by the end of 2032, will be far more than a simple sports and event venue. Its innovative structure, inspired by the multi-layered, scaly bark of the acacia tree, represents the coming together of Saudi tradition and modern innovation. This design philosophy is part of an overriding vision for a completely new square in Riyadh’s downtown area.

The Murabba Stadium is designed to provide an unrivaled experience for sports fans and event goers, with multi-purpose configurations that allow concerts, gaming tournaments, exhibitions, and educational gatherings to be hosted.

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The building is expected to play a vital role in boosting Riyadh’s tourist and consumer economy, and designers hope that the development will also help to further the Kingdom’s ambitious development goals and Vision 2030 strategy.

With its breathtaking design and multifunctional event-hosting capabilities, the Murabba Stadium is set to become an iconic Riyadh landmark, epitomizing the capital city’s aspirations and Saudi Arabia’s dynamic future as it diversifies away from an oil-based economy.

The post Riyadh Developers Reveal New 45,000-Seat Murabba Stadium appeared first on Tech Magazine.

The agreement, signed with Public Investment Fund-owned Alat, includes a new regional (Middle East and Africa) headquarters in Riyadh, an R&D center, plus a PC and server factory.

The deal will allow Lenovo to unlock “significant resources and financial flexibility to further accelerate our transformation and grow our business by capitalizing on the incredible growth momentum in the MEA region,” according to Chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang.

The Lenovo investment takes advantage of Saudi Arabia’s Regional Headquarters Program, which offers business-friendly incentives, including a 30-year tax break and access to loan programs, employment support, export credit, land solutions, and further financial incentives.

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Alat, a Public Investment Company organization launched in February, is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and aims to promote the Kingdom as a global power in sustainable technology, covering sectors such as semiconductors, robotics, mining, smart appliances, health, the built environment, and next-gen infrastructure.

Alat aims to create 39,000 jobs in Saudi Arabia and contribute $9.3 billion to the economy by 2030. Lenovo’s expansion into the Kingdom is expected to contribute significantly to these ambitions, as it controls around 25% of the global PC market.

The Lenovo-Alat deal comes as Saudi Arabia plans to boost foreign investment to $100 billion per year as part of its Vision 2030 agenda. The government hopes to have nearly 500 global companies headquartered in the country by 2030 as it attempts to pivot from a reliance on oil production.

The post Lenovo Will Issue $2 Billion In Bonds For Planned Saudi Expansion appeared first on Tech Magazine.

Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, Aramco EVP of Technology & Innovation, explained: “Aramco is delighted to partner with Pasqal to bring cutting-edge, high-performance quantum computing capabilities to the Kingdom. In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, we believe it is crucial to seize opportunities presented by new, impactful technologies, and we aim to pioneer the use of quantum computing in the energy sector. Our agreement with Pasqal allows us to harness the expertise of a leading player in this field as we continue to build state-of-the-art solutions into our business”.

The 200-qubit quantum computer will initially be set to a base-level analog mode. Within the following 12 months, the system will see upgrades (known as “analog-digital mode”), which will give it even greater computational power.

Pasqal and Aramco wish to leverage the quantum computer to establish a regional center for quantum research in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to find new applications for the energy sector. The plans involve partnering with leading academic institutions to find breakthroughs in quantum algorithm development.

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Georges-Olivier Reymond, Pasqal CEO & Co-founder, stated: “The era of quantum computing is here. No longer confined to theory, it’s transitioning to real-world applications, empowering organizations to solve previously intractable problems at scale. Since launching Pasqal in 2019, we have directed our efforts towards concrete quantum computing algorithms immediately applicable to customer use cases. Through this agreement, we’ll be at the forefront of accelerating commercial adoption of this transformative technology in Saudi Arabia”.

The agreement forms part of Pasqal’s greater strategy and activity in Saudi Arabia after establishing an office in the Kingdom in 2023. During the same year, Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures also participated in a Series B fundraising round for Pasqal.

The post Aramco Signs Quantum Computer Agreement With Pasqal appeared first on Tech Magazine.

Now, in a new venture with NASA, plans for a “Center for Space Futures” are set to further drive the Kingdom’s aspirations of becoming a leading player in space exploration and technology.

Capturing moments from the joint delegation visit with leaders from the Saudi and American Space Agencies @NASA to @PSU_RUH, along with scenes showcasing the audience's engagement. pic.twitter.com/oB1cFTiRNl

— وكالة الفضاء السعودية (@saudispace) May 14, 2024

The partnership between NASA and Saudi Arabia goes beyond economic advantages. The pair have already cooperated on preliminary work for the Artemis II lunar mission, which is slated for a September 2025 launch and aims to land astronauts near the moon’s South Pole.

Also Read: Plans Underway For Massive Middle East Autonomous Freight Network

During a visit to the capital, Riyadh, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized in a TV interview the broader objectives of the collaboration, which encompass “returning to the moon and then [to] Mars” while utilizing space exploration to glean important insights into climate change. The NASA spokesman also reiterated the space agency’s dedication to collaborating with Saudi Arabia on other future ventures.

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