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☆ Microsoft turns to the Middle East for its latest bet on AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Mark Thompson | Tom Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Microsoft will invest $1.5 billion in Abu Dhabi’s G42, an artificial intelligence group that has faced questions over its ties to China. The companies will collaborate on AI and digital infrastructure, in a move that sees Microsoft’s AI empire expand into the Middle East for the first time. G42 and Microsoft say they have committed to comply with US and international trade rules as part of their partnership. Microsoft has forged high-profile partnerships with several AI companies, in an attempt to position itself as a leader in the technology. “It’s all about this new AI era,” Smith told CNN in February.

Persons: Peng Xiao, —, Xiao, Brad Smith, ”, OpenAI, “, ” Smith Organizations: London CNN, Microsoft, Abu, Pegasus, New York Times, CNN, Mistral Locations: Abu Dhabi’s, China, Chinese, Beijing, UAE, United States, Europe, Spain, Germany

☆ Qatar Airways longtime CEO Akbar Al Baker to resign
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Tom Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Akbar Al Baker is resigning as chief executive of Qatar Airways, marking a sudden end to one of the longest managerial reigns in the world of aviation. Al Baker, who has led the airline since 1997, will step down on Nov. 5. The move was unexpected, and no reason was given by Qatar Airways for his departure. Known as one of the industry’s most outspoken and influential executives, Al Baker is widely credited with transforming Qatar Airways into one of the world’s top airlines. In 2018, Al Baker apologized for making sexist comments at an International Air Transport Association meeting.

Persons: CNN — Akbar Al Baker, Al Baker, Badr Mohammed Al Meer, ” Organizations: CNN, Qatar Airways, Doha Hamad Airport, International Air Transport Association Locations: Doha

CNN —Greta Thunberg was arrested at a protest outside an oil and gas conference – formerly known as the “Oil and Money” conference – at a luxury five-star hotel in London on Tuesday, eyewitnesses told CNN. But it wouldn’t confirm to CNN that Thunberg was among those arrested. Thunberg and other protestors blocked entrances at the hotel, trying to prevent delegates from entering. We are choking from their fumes.”Greta Thunberg joined protesters during the demonstration which used the slogan: "Oily Money Out." Tuesday’s protest marks the first of three days of action aimed at shutting down the conference, Greenpeace said

Persons: Greta Thunberg, Thunberg, Henry Nicholls, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Money, London’s Metropolitan Police, Intercontinental, Energy Intelligence Forum, Aramco, Free, Getty, Greenpeace Locations: London, London’s Park, Shell, Free London, greenwashing, AFP, Swedish, Malmö, Sweden

☆ California-based EV maker Lucid opens first-ever auto plant in Saudi Arabia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Tom Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Californian EV-maker Lucid has opened the first ever car manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom looks to establish itself as a global player in the EV race. The factory — the company’s first international plant — will initially focus on re-assembling vehicle kits sent over from the United States. “We look forward to delivering Saudi-assembled cars to customers in Saudi Arabia and beyond.” Saudi Arabia’s powerful Public Investment Fund (PIF), controlled by the Saudi government, is Lucid’s largest shareholder. Saudi Arabia wants 30% of new car sales in the kingdom to be electric by 2030. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia had also held talks with Tesla over an EV factory in the kingdom.

Persons: Lucid, ”, Peter Rawlinson, Tesla, Elon Musk Organizations: CNN, King Abdullah Economic, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, Siemens, Street Journal, EV Locations: Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah, Jeddah, United States, Saudi

☆ Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker: Aviation will miss net zero target
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Tom Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —The CEO of Qatar Airways has described the airline industry’s emissions goals as a “PR exercise,” saying aviation is on track to miss its target to achieve net zero status in 2050. “Let us not fool ourselves,” Al Baker told CNN’s Richard Quest. Currently, SAF production is less than 0.1% of what is needed for aviation to achieve net zero. “We’re openly acknowledging that this is going to be a huge challenge,” Walsh told Quest as the IATA meeting began on Sunday. Despite his skepticism on the industry’s current emissions targets, he still believes that net zero is achievable.

Persons: Akbar Al Baker, ” Al Baker, CNN’s Richard Quest, “, Al Baker, ”, Willie Walsh, Walsh, “ We’re, ” Walsh, Quest, I’m Organizations: London CNN, Qatar Airways, CNN, International Air Transport Association, SAF

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