Arabic language AI models will improve output of developers in region, says executive

Localized language models like ALLaM are “really the way to release the opportunity of AI much more broadly,” Cook explained. (AN/File)
Localized language models like ALLaM are “really the way to release the opportunity of AI much more broadly,” Cook explained. (AN/File)
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Updated 12 September 2024
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Arabic language AI models will improve output of developers in region, says executive

Arabic language AI models will improve output of developers in region, says executive
  • Saudi-developed ALLaM model will be hosted on Microsoft’s Azure platform

RIYADH: Arabic large language models, or ALLaM, will boost the regional capabilities of artificial intelligence and improve productivity for app developers, according to a Microsoft executive.

His comments came after the announcement that the Saudi-developed ALLaM would be hosted on Microsoft’s Azure platform.

“For Arab developers and people who are developing applications in the Arabic(-speaking) world, there will be a fidelity and an improvement of the operational output that would not come from using some of the other language models,” Antony Cook, deputy general counsel at Microsoft, told Arab News on the sidelines of the Global AI Summit in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Localized language models like ALLaM are “really the way to release the opportunity of AI much more broadly,” Cook explained.

“I think one of the things we’re focused on as a company is making sure that there is a range of models that are available on the Azure platform that really then meet the different social and business opportunities that exist.”

ALLaM was developed by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority with the intention of enhancing Arabic language AI services and inspiring innovation within the field across Saudi Arabia and internationally.

According to the Arabic massive multi-task language understanding — a standardized test to assess AI performance — ALLaM secured first place in its category.

The language model was developed within the National Center for AI and is built and trained on Microsoft Azure’s robust infrastructure.

The decision to have ALLaM available on Azure emphasizes its advanced capabilities in understanding and generating Arabic content across multiple channels, according to the announcement.

Cook went on to describe the “tremendous work that was put into developing the ALLaM large language model,” saying that “it will have a fidelity that will enable services to be delivered and applications to be built leveraging the large language model, which we’re very excited about.”

Dr. Mishari Al-Mishari, deputy director of SDAIA, said in a statement: “ALLaM represents a significant milestone in our journey towards AI excellence.

“With the general availability on Azure, we are not only expanding access to this powerful language model and advancing AI innovation, but also ensuring that the Arabic language and culture are deeply embedded in this technological evolution.

“Our collaboration with Microsoft marks a significant step forward in our journey to empower government institutions in the Kingdom to effectively leverage the latest advancements in generative AI to enhance public services and improve the quality of life for all.”

Turki Badhris, president of Microsoft Arabia, said that this is a landmark moment in the region and that they are “thrilled to be working alongside our partners at SDAIA to provide a robust platform that supports the development and deployment of advanced AI models tailored to the Arabic language and culture.

“Together, we are paving the way for a new era of AI advancements, collaborations and empowerment in the Kingdom and beyond.”

Badhris also said the AI transformation will help people, nongovernmental organizations, and businesses in all industries to unlock their full potential.

The collaboration between SDAIA and Microsoft also includes the establishment of a center of excellence to expedite the development of AI solutions and the launch of a Microsoft AI academy aimed at harnessing national talent and broadening expertise in the AI sector.

“I think the part that the Kingdom is doing very well is that marriage of aspiration, having a body that can actually orchestrate and implement that across government, and then at the same time, learning from what is going on elsewhere, but adapting that very specifically to what is most important and most relevant in Saudi,” Cook said.

“When I look at AI, one of the parts that is really important is to build confidence that the technology is being used in responsible ways.

“That’s something at Microsoft that we’ve focused on really from the very start of AI and have accelerated our work as generative AI became so prevalent.

“The Kingdom also has done a great job in this. You know, they’ve set out, through SDAIA’s work, the work around ethical principles.

“And the ethical principles underline the way in which the true ethical considerations can be then actually implemented into the practices that are responsible for the development of the technology.”

The GAIN Summit, currently in its third edition, is running from Sept. 10-12 at Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.


Journalist shot dead in crime-riddled western Mexico

Journalist shot dead in crime-riddled western Mexico
Updated 30 October 2024
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Journalist shot dead in crime-riddled western Mexico

Journalist shot dead in crime-riddled western Mexico
  • Mauricio Cruz Solis was a host on local radio station La Poderosa Uruapan who also published news on the Minuto x Minuto outlet
  • Mexico is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, news advocacy groups say

MORELIA, Mexico: A journalist was shot dead Tuesday night in western Mexico, a local prosecutor’s office said, in a part of the country hit hard by organized crime.
Mauricio Cruz Solis, a host on local radio station La Poderosa Uruapan who also published news on the Minuto x Minuto outlet, was killed in the city of Uruapan.
One other person was wounded in the attack, the prosecutor’s office said.
The radio station where Cruz Solis worked mourned his killing in a statement published on social media.
“Mauricio was more than a colleague, he was an unconditional friend, a source of inspiration and a tireless voice in the service of our community,” the station said.
Wracked by violence related to drug trafficking, Mexico is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, news advocacy groups say.
Reporters Without Borders says more than 150 newspeople have been killed in Mexico since 1994.
Cruz Solis’s murder is the first killing of a journalist under the government of Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office on October 1, although there have been other attacks on media this month.
On October 18, gunmen shot at the front of the El Debate newspaper’s office in Culiacan, the state capital of cartel stronghold Sinaloa, which has been shaken by weeks of gang infighting.
A day later, a delivery worker with the outlet was abducted by presumed criminal groups and there has been no news about his whereabouts.


Google reports strong growth driven by AI, cloud

Google reports strong growth driven by AI, cloud
The results showed that Google is holding its own despite worry that the search engine juggernaut has been caught short in the A
Updated 30 October 2024
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Google reports strong growth driven by AI, cloud

Google reports strong growth driven by AI, cloud

San Francisco - USA
San Francisco, Oct 29, 2024 (AFP) -Google's parent company Alphabet reported robust third-quarter results on Tuesday, with revenue climbing 15 percent year-over-year to $88.3 billion, powered by strong performance from its crucial advertising business and growth in cloud services.
The technology giant's net income surged 34 percent to $26.3 billion, while earnings per share increased 37 percent to $2.12.
Operating margins expanded significantly, rising 4.5 percentage points to 32 percent, reflecting improved cost efficiency at one of the world's biggest companies.
"Our commitment to innovation, as well as our long-term focus and investment in AI, are paying off with consumers and partners benefiting from our AI tools," said CEO Sundar Pichai, referring to the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence.
The results showed that Google is holding its own despite worry that the search engine juggernaut has been caught short in the AI race.
Google also faces increasing pressure as its world-dominating search engine competes for ads with a widening array of platforms, including Meta, Amazon, Apple, TikTok and even streamers such as Netflix.
But Emarketer senior analyst Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf said Google proved that its defense "is locked in, and it heads into the holiday season well-positioned to win ad budgets."
The company also satisfied questions about whether its search engine will withstand the growing popularity of generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT, which can answer many queries directly in lieu of an internet search.
In response to these pressures, Google earlier this month reshuffled its search engine business, replacing the division chief after a four-year tenure.
The company also moved its Gemini chatbot team to Google DeepMind, separating it from the search group.
Pichai said that Google Search's AI Overviews, which display a snapshot of information at the top of the results page, was proving a success and available to one billion users in more than 100 countries.
"We are definitely expanding what's possible in search and it's been really heartening to see users adapt," Pichai told analysts.
Google Cloud emerged as a standout performer in the June-to-September period, with revenue jumping 35 percent to $11.4 billion, driven by increased adoption of AI infrastructure and solutions.
That business, which trails market leaders Amazon and Microsoft, provides businesses with computing power, data storage and AI tools delivered over the internet.
The company's core Google Services segment, which includes Search, YouTube, and other advertising products, grew 13 percent to $76.5 billion.
YouTube hit a significant milestone, with total advertising and subscription revenues exceeding $50 billion over the past four quarters for the first time.
After the release, investors sent Google's share price higher by five percent in after-hours trading.
Despite the solid earnings, Google faces significant legal challenges, at least in the long-term.
In August, a federal judge found that Google's search engine was an illegal monopoly, with the US government suggesting a company breakup might be appropriate.
A separate antitrust lawsuit challenges its dominance of online advertising.
Additionally, Google has been ordered to open Android-powered smartphones to rival app shops following a case brought by Fortnite-maker Epic Games, though that decision has been suspended pending appeal.
While those legal battles are expected to take years to resolve, they have raised questions about the company's long-term strategy and its heavy reliance on search engine advertising revenue.


CNN issues apology after panelist’s ‘terrorist’ remark directed at Mehdi Hasan

CNN issues apology after panelist’s ‘terrorist’ remark directed at Mehdi Hasan
Updated 29 October 2024
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CNN issues apology after panelist’s ‘terrorist’ remark directed at Mehdi Hasan

CNN issues apology after panelist’s ‘terrorist’ remark directed at Mehdi Hasan
  • Political commentator Ryan James Girdusky said he hoped Hasan’s ‘beeper doesn’t go off,’ in apparent reference to Israel’s pagers attack
  • ‘There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN,’ network said

LONDON: CNN issued an apology after a panelist on its program suggested that fellow guest Mehdi Hasan was a “terrorist.”

The incident occurred on Monday night’s broadcast of NewsNight, when conservative commentator Ryan James Girdusky told Hasan, the founder of the recently launched news site Zeteo and former MSNBC host, that he hoped his “beeper doesn’t go off.”

This appeared to reference Israel’s recent targeting of Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon using explosive pager devices, which killed 12 and injured many more.

“Did your guest just say I should be killed on live TV?” Hasan asked the show’s anchor, Abby Phillip.

After a commercial break, Phillip issued an on-air apology to Hasan and viewers and said Girdusky had been removed from the show.

“I want to apologize to Mehdi Hasan for what was said at this table. It was completely unacceptable,” she said. “I want to apologize to the viewers at home.”

Hasan also did not reappear on the show after the commercial break, leading to some speculation that he was also asked to leave, although Philip later said in a video on X, which was also reposted by Hasan, that the network “really wanted him to come back and finish the show.”

The exchange began when the two guests were invited to discuss the upcoming US election and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Hasan referenced Donald Trump’s recent rally and accusations that the Trump campaign is spreading Nazi-style ideas.

Girdusky then accused Hasan, an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights, of being “the most antisemitic person at this table,” a label Hasan said he frequently faces due to his views.

“Yeah, well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” Girdusky then said, before attempting to justify his words by claiming he thought Hasan said he supported Hamas.

“You didn’t think I said Hamas. I said I’m a supporter of Palestinian rights,” Hasan said, adding, “At least have the guts to support your racist comment.”

In a later post on X, however, the conservative political consultant and writer appeared to double down on his remarks, saying, “You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Qatar-funded media,” he said. “Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. I’m glad America gets to see what CNN stands for.”

Following the exchange, CNN announced that it would no longer feature appearances from Girdusky.

“There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air,” the network said in a statement. “We aim to foster thoughtful conversations and debate including between people who profoundly disagree with each other in order to explore important issues and promote mutual understanding.

“But we will not allow guests to be demeaned or for the line of civility to be crossed. Ryan Girdusky will not be welcomed back at our network.”

The incident prompted widespread condemnation, with several people describing the comments as an overtly racist attack.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who is Muslim and Palestinian-American, wrote on X: “CNN has played a central role in normalizing this kind of open anti-Arab, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian hate, and it’s sadly totally unsurprising to see such disgusting statements aired so casually on its network now.”


Report: Washington Post loses more than 200,000 subscriptions following non-endorsement

Report: Washington Post loses more than 200,000 subscriptions following non-endorsement
Updated 29 October 2024
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Report: Washington Post loses more than 200,000 subscriptions following non-endorsement

Report: Washington Post loses more than 200,000 subscriptions following non-endorsement
  • The reported loss of subscriptions of that magnitude would be a blow to a news outlet that is already facing financial headwinds

NEW YORK: More than 200,000 people have canceled subscriptions to The Washington Post since the newspaper announced its decision last week not to endorse a candidate for president, a published report said Monday.
NPR reported the figure, citing “two people at the paper with knowledge of internal matters.”
The reported loss of subscriptions of that magnitude would be a blow to a news outlet that is already facing financial headwinds. The Post had more than 2.5 million subscribers last year, the bulk of them digital, making it third behind The New York Times and Wall Street Journal in circulation.
A Post spokeswoman, Olivia Peterson, would not comment on the report when contacted by The Associated Press.
The Post’s editorial staff had reportedly prepared an endorsement of Democrat Kamala Harris before announcing instead Friday that it would leave it up for readers to make up their own minds. The timing, less than two weeks before Election Day, led critics to question whether Post owner and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos had been concerned about whether Republican Donald Trump might retaliate if he were elected president.
The Post’s retired former editor, Marty Baron, had denounced the decision on social media as “cowardice, with democracy as its casualty.”
Some journalists, including Post columnist Dana Milbank, urged readers not to express their anger at the decision by canceling subscriptions, for fear it could cost reporters or editors their jobs.
The Post’s decision came only days after the Los Angeles Times also said it would not endorse a presidential candidate, which the newspaper has acknowledged has cost them thousands of subscribers.
An article on the Post’s website about the fallout from the non-endorsement had more than 2,000 comments, many of them from readers saying they were leaving.
“I am unsubscribing after 70 years,” wrote one commenter, claiming to have lost hope and belief that the Post would publish the truth.


Veteran editor Othman Al Omeir honored at UK Parliament

Veteran editor Othman Al Omeir honored at UK Parliament
Updated 28 October 2024
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Veteran editor Othman Al Omeir honored at UK Parliament

Veteran editor Othman Al Omeir honored at UK Parliament
  • Othman Al Omeir was awarded the Legacy of Change Medal by the Parliamentary Society for Arts

LONDON: Celebrated journalist and editor Othman Al Omeir was awarded the Legacy of Change Medal by the Parliamentary Society for Arts last week.

The ceremony, held in Committee Room 14, an esteemed space within the House of Parliament usually reserved for significant political announcements, acknowledged Al Omeir’s contributions to media and advocacy.

The assembly was organized by Rebeca Riofrio, chairwoman of the Parliamentary Society for Arts, and brought together leaders from the creative industries.

Among the distinguished guests was Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones, who delivered an impassioned speech underscoring the UK government’s commitment to addressing the issue of violence in the arts. Her speech highlighted the importance of advocacy for all artists, echoing the assembly’s overarching theme of resilience and protection within the creative sectors.

Other notable figures such as Joshua Kane and Marine Tanguy were also honored for their impactful contributions to arts and culture.

Born in Saudi Arabia and a British citizen for the past 40 years, Al Omeir has spent decades shaping the Arab world’s media.

He has been closely connected with the Parliamentary Society for the past five years and has long championed initiatives to protect creatives and uphold the integrity of journalism. His presence, alongside influential figures such as Minister Davies-Jones, Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Dame Tessy Antony de Nassau, and Lady Paris Smith, underscored his dedication to advancing a free and supportive media landscape.

As the founder of Elaph, the first independent Arabic e-newspaper, Al Omeir sought to break free from censorship and provide a space for liberal perspectives, promoting open dialogue on issues affecting the Arab region and beyond.

Nowadays, he serves as one of the advisers for the Parliament News Magazine, a publication that has gained recognition for addressing critical social issues since 2019.

In his ongoing work, Al Omeir uses his platforms to encourage the industry to work collectively to safeguard its talent, highlighting the pervasive challenges that creatives can face, such as violence and substance abuse.

Reflecting on the award, Al Omeir stated: “To receive this recognition in such a revered space as Committee Room 14 is deeply meaningful. Media is not just about information; it’s a powerful force for justice and societal progress. We must use this influence to protect those who bring creativity and truth into our world, ensuring they can express themselves without fear.”