Kazakhstan Adopts National AI Standards, Bolstering Digital Transformation Efforts
Kazakhstan has officially adopted national standards in Artificial Intelligence, as reported by Qazinform on October 24, 2025. These seven standards establish uniform rules for AI technologies, encompassing terminology, risk management, system architecture, and user privacy. This initiative is a key component of the nation's broader 2024-2029 AI Development Concept and follows the recent approval of AI integration standards for the education sector.
Global Health Exhibition 2025 to Showcase Saudi Arabia's Digital Health Leadership Driven by Vision 2030
The Global Health Exhibition 2025 in Riyadh, scheduled for October 27-30, will highlight Saudi Arabia's rapid advancements in digital health transformation. Driven by Vision 2030, the event will feature key initiatives, substantial investments, and innovative technologies like the SEHA Virtual Hospital, positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in healthcare innovation.
Hub71's Impact Event 2025 Unveils New Programs and Expands AI Ecosystem in Abu Dhabi
Hub71's Impact Event 2025 in Abu Dhabi, held under the theme 'Impactful Momentum', showcased new initiatives including the 'Initiate' program for early-stage founders, the expansion of its Hub71+ AI ecosystem with 15 new partners, and the launch of Hub71+ Life Sciences. The event reinforced Abu Dhabi's position as a global technology hub, attracting approximately 1,000 attendees and over 40 speakers.
Indonesia to Deploy Advanced AI System for Real-Time Customs Oversight
Indonesia's Finance Minister, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, announced plans to develop an advanced AI system within three months to bolster real-time customs and excise oversight. The initiative aims to significantly improve state revenue collection and combat illegal trade practices, particularly under-invoicing, by transforming the National Single Window agency into an IT-based intelligence hub.
Healthcare Future Summit 2025 Opens in Dubai, Drawing Global Innovators
The Healthcare Future Summit 2025 has commenced at the Dubai World Trade Centre, gathering over 4,500 participants. The three-day event, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, focuses on innovation, medical technologies, and key healthcare trends, alongside co-located medical conferences.
OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT Atlas Browser, Challenging Google Chrome's Dominance
OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Atlas, an AI-powered web browser designed to offer a more personalized and intelligent browsing experience. Released on October 21, 2025, Atlas aims to compete directly with Google Chrome by integrating advanced ChatGPT features for task automation, contextual assistance, and memory, initially available on macOS.
China Unveils Ambitious 'AI+' Initiative, Envisioning Robot Companions by 2035
China's State Council has launched its 'AI+' initiative, a national blueprint aiming for a comprehensive transformation by 2035. The plan envisions robots serving as companions and 'children' in households, alongside revolutionizing industrial production and social governance, while also addressing potential societal risks.
Amazon Web Services Outage Disrupts Costa Rican Social Security Fund and Government Services
A global Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage on October 20, 2025, partially affected the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) and the Ministry of Finance. The disruption, caused by a DNS resolution failure in AWS's US-EAST-1 region, impacted critical systems and electronic invoicing, highlighting global reliance on cloud infrastructure.
Kuwait to Host Inaugural Gulf Red Crescent AI Conference for Humanitarian Innovation
Kuwait is set to host the first Gulf Red Crescent Conference on Artificial Intelligence from October 22-23, 2025, at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center. Organized by the Kuwait Red Crescent Society in collaboration with the GCC General Secretariat, the event aims to establish a unified Gulf vision for integrating AI into humanitarian efforts and fostering regional cooperation.
Saudi Minister Al-Hogail Strengthens Smart City and Housing Ties in South Korea
Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Majed Al-Hogail, visited South Korea to advance cooperation in housing, infrastructure, and smart cities. The visit, part of an Asian tour, aims to align with Saudi Vision 2030's goals for urban development and digital transformation, building on existing partnerships with Korean firms like NAVER Corporation.
Ireland Makes Basic Income for Artists Permanent After Successful Pilot
Ireland has officially made its Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) program permanent, following a successful three-year pilot. The scheme will provide 2,000 artists with approximately $1,500 per month, aiming to foster creative practice and reduce financial precarity in the sector.
Nigeria Declares Ambition to Lead Africa's AI Revolution at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai
Nigeria's NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, announced the nation's bold vision to become Africa's AI powerhouse at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai. The country boasts a 70% generative AI usage rate, significantly above the global average, underpinned by strategic initiatives and a focus on indigenous AI development.
OpenAI to Establish Landmark $25 Billion Data Center in Argentina's Patagonia
OpenAI has announced plans to build its first Latin American data center, dubbed 'Stargate Argentina,' in Patagonia. This up to $25 billion investment, in partnership with Sur Energy, will create a 500-megawatt facility for advanced AI computing, positioning Argentina as a regional AI hub under the RIGI incentive program.
Microsoft Portugal Announces Second Round of Layoffs Affecting 68 Employees
Microsoft Portugal is undergoing a second significant round of layoffs this year, impacting 68 employees in roles such as customer account managers and cloud solution architects. These cuts are part of Microsoft's broader global restructuring efforts to optimize operations in a dynamic market.
Trump-Linked Fund Marketed Non-Existent 'U.S. Treasury A.I. Summit'
An investment fund associated with prominent Trump supporters, 1789 Capital, attempted to sell sponsorships for an 'Inaugural U.S. Treasury A.I. Summit,' which the Treasury Department confirmed was not an official government event. The marketing materials claimed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would unveil the government's AI strategy, raising significant ethical concerns.
Miriam Santos Becomes First Portuguese to Win Prestigious ERCIM Cor Baayen Award
Dr. Miriam Santos, a professor at FCUP and INESC TEC researcher, has made history as the first Portuguese to receive the ERCIM Cor Baayen Early Career Researcher Award for her groundbreaking work on data quality for responsible AI systems. The 2025 award recognizes her significant contributions to AI ethics and data-centric AI.
US Congress Launches Probe into Starlink's Alleged Links to Myanmar Scam Centers
A bipartisan US congressional committee has initiated an investigation into Elon Musk's Starlink satellite service. The probe focuses on allegations that Starlink is providing internet access to notorious scam centers in Myanmar, which are reportedly defrauding victims globally of billions of dollars and operating with forced labor.
HP Inaugurates First Global Tech Manufacturing Facility in Riyadh, AI R&D Center in Dhahran
HP has officially opened its first global technology manufacturing facility in Riyadh and an AI R&D Center of Excellence in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. These strategic investments, initially announced at LEAP 2025, aim to bolster local talent development, create thousands of jobs by 2027, and support the Kingdom's Vision 2030 by enhancing technological leadership and economic diversification. The Riyadh plant commenced operations with the HP EliteDesk AI PC, while the Dhahran center focuses on advanced AI solutions, including Arabic large language models.
Germany Urges Stronger EU Digital Infrastructure, Advocates for Digital Sovereignty Without Full US Tech Break
Germany's digital minister, Karsten Wildberger, has called for Europe to build its own robust digital infrastructure to achieve digital sovereignty. This strategy aims to reduce dependence on US tech giants while maintaining crucial ties, positioning Europe as a key player rather than merely a customer in the global technology sector.
OpenAI and Sur Energy Announce $25 Billion AI Data Center in Argentine Patagonia
OpenAI, in partnership with Sur Energy, has unveiled plans for a massive $25 billion artificial intelligence data center in Argentina's Patagonia region. Named 'Stargate Argentina,' this project marks the first of its kind in Latin America and aims to establish the country as a leading AI hub, leveraging its renewable energy potential.
