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Uber CEO tells Riyadh-based forum AV cars to be seen in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ this year

Uber CEO tells Riyadh-based forum AV cars to be seen in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ this year
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi speaking at the Saudi-US Investment Forum. (Screenshot/Saudi-US Investment Forum)
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Updated 14 May 2025

Uber CEO tells Riyadh-based forum AV cars to be seen in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ this year

Uber CEO tells Riyadh-based forum AV cars to be seen in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ this year
  • Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi: You will see autonomous vehicles in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ this year. It’s something that we are very focused on
  • Khosrowshahi: Ultimately, autonomous will not only be safer, but will also be a cheaper form of transportation

RIYADH: The CEO of Uber announced Tuesday that autonomous vehicles will soon be seen in º£½ÇÖ±²¥.

“You will see autonomous vehicles in º£½ÇÖ±²¥ this yearâ€, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told a panel at the Saudi-US Investment Forum on Tuesday. “It’s something that we are very focused on.â€

He said the vehicles would provide a much safer environment both for the passengers and other road users.

“Autonomous holds incredible potential for us,†he added. “First of all, it represents a safer street, as the autonomous driver isn’t distracted, isn’t going be texting while they’re driving, etc. And it’s a driver that continues to learn from all the experience of all the miles driven all over all over the world.â€

“Ultimately, autonomous will not only be safer, but will also be a cheaper form of transportation.â€

“We are now working with 18 autonomous partners... to make sure that autonomous technology are introduced in a safe matter.â€

He also discussed how the Kingdom represented one of Uber’s top growing markets.

“First of all, the Kingdom represents one of our top growing markets,†he added.

He said there were 140,000 drivers who were now Saudi nationals on the platform, 4 million riders, and he said they operated in 20 cities across the Kingdom.




This session on º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s GIGA projects offered an in-depth conversation on the next chapter of national transformation. (Screengrab)

On the competition with other transport services he added: “Uber and public transit really do complement each other. There’s a perception that to some extent Uber competes with public transit, but actually our top competitor is personal car ownership and what we see in cities that have a strong public transit infrastructure, we see people using their cars less and Uber becomes a first mile and last mile solution to public transits.â€

“So, for example, with the Riyadh Metro system… we offer discounted rides for first mile and last mile ... what we’re trying to then build is a lifestyle that essentially complements public transit.â€

This session on º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s GIGA projects, an in-depth conversation on the next chapter of national transformation, was moderated by Arab News Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas.

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ has committed itself to an abundance of giga projects as part of Vision 2030 in the Kingdom’s ongoing modernization.

One such project is Diriyah, the birthplace of º£½ÇÖ±²¥.

Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah company, spoke on preserving the Kingdom’s history, and the ancestral home of Al-Saud, the center of cultural heritage and diplomacy,

Celebrating that the project was running to schedule and on budget, he added: “We just welcomed to the UNESCO World Heritage site this week our three millionth visitor. We have 45,000 workers on their job now. We are very honored and pleased to say that right now we’re doing business with 83 American companies.â€




Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah company, celebrated that the project was running to schedule and on budget. (Screengrab)

Michael Dyke, CEO of the New Murabba Development Project, a vast cube-shaped building in Riyadh forming another part of the Vision 2030 project, said it would be one of the world’s iconic buildings and landmarks.

Dyke said the New Murabba in Riyadh, which is home to the Mukaab structure, would span 2 million square meters of floor space.

“It is one of the greatest, largest structures ever known,†Dyke said.

Drawing a comparison in size to entertainment MSG Sphere in Las Vegas, that seats almost 18,000 people, Dyke said the Mukaab would be 22 times larger.

“So when people enter the Mukaab, they will enter another world, there will be holograms and there will be strong AI driving through the whole of the facility.â€

“The Mukaab will come on line in 2030 onwards, when people come to Riyadh they will see something new, something different. It would be another fantastic place that will complement the amazing projects already happening in the Kingdom.â€




Michael Dyke, CEO of the New Murabba Development Project (Screengrab)

Another massive project being created as part of the Kingdom’s development is NEOM – a vast city on the Red Sea coast.

Rayan Fayez, Deputy CEO of NEOM, said the 26,500 square kilometer project would be the size of Massachusetts.

“Building a city and a region of this scale, requires significant infrastructure,†Fayez said.

“When we talk about some of the themes that we are spending our time and effort on, infrastructure is a big one. So whether its digital infrastructure, 500 kilometers of fiber has already been laid, a data center being built, power and utility infrastructure already have solar, and wind farms up. In addition to 194 kilometers of water pipeline, food infrastructure, greenhouse is being developed because NEOM is not just a real-estate development initiative, it’s an economy building.â€

“It’s an 8.4 billion investment, a joint venture between Neom Aqua Power and Air products, which is, of course, a US company with a significant investment coming into Neom, developing what will become Green Hydrogen Project.â€

John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global, in terms of investment opportunities he said they have collaborated with a number of American companies and hospitality brands, including Marriot, Hayat and Hilton.


Saudi Game Champions program empowers national talent for global market

Saudi Game Champions program empowers national talent for global market
Updated 36 sec ago

Saudi Game Champions program empowers national talent for global market

Saudi Game Champions program empowers national talent for global market
  • Program included multiple stages: a Game Jam, incubation and acceleration phases, and closing ceremony celebrating local achievements and talent
  • Initiative is aimed at helping participants enter the market with high standards of quality and professionalism

RIYADH: The Center of Digital Entrepreneurship of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has concluded the Saudi Game Champions program, a nine-month initiative to support the growth of the nation’s development studios.

The program included multiple stages: a Game Jam, incubation and acceleration phases, and closing ceremony celebrating local achievements and talent.

The initiative is aimed at helping participants enter the market with high standards of quality and professionalism.

It offered over 180 hours of specialized workshops and more than 1,500 hours of mentorship, involving 25 º£½ÇÖ±²¥ game studios.

At the closing ceremony, Hussain Al-Safwan of LIMELESS Studio won the Bold Change Award, while Fahad Al-Jumaan of Hero Galaxy Studio received the Most Inspirational Award.

Mostafa Fares earned the Most Creative Award, and his colleague Ali Aseeri received the People’s Choice Award, both representing SYMMETRIC STUDIO.

The initiative is a part of the center’s broader efforts to strengthen the Kingdom’s role in the global gaming industry.


Coalition hosts anti-terror finance training in Comoros

Coalition hosts anti-terror finance training in Comoros
Updated 29 July 2025

Coalition hosts anti-terror finance training in Comoros

Coalition hosts anti-terror finance training in Comoros
  • The course aims to equip participants with information on national and international legal frameworks related to these issues, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday

The º£½ÇÖ±²¥-backed Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition has launched a five-day training course in Moroni, Comoros, focused on combating terrorism financing and money laundering. 

The course aims to equip participants with information on national and international legal frameworks related to these issues, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

It focuses on skills to analyze financial data and detect suspicious activities, raise public awareness of related risks, and develop effective prevention and coordination mechanisms among regulatory, security, and financial authorities.

Participants include representatives from regulatory and judicial bodies, the Ministry of Interior, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, non-financial businesses, and non-profit organizations.

The course reflects the coalition’s commitment to enhance international cooperation and develop national civil and military competencies to combat these crimes.

It also aims to create a professional training environment that fosters integrated and effective systems to combat financial threats linked to terrorism.
 


Conjoined Jamaican twins arrive in Riyadh for evaluation

Conjoined Jamaican twins arrive in Riyadh for evaluation
Updated 29 July 2025

Conjoined Jamaican twins arrive in Riyadh for evaluation

Conjoined Jamaican twins arrive in Riyadh for evaluation

RIYADH: Conjoined Jamaican twins Azaria and Azura arrived in Riyadh on Monday with their parents to undergo evaluation for their potential medical separation.

The evaluation took place following a directive by the Kingdom’s leadership, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The twins were taken to King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital, renowned for its advanced pediatric facility and specialization in conjoined twins.

Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, and head of the surgical team for the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, highlighted his team’s extensive experience in separating twins.

Rabeeah is also adviser to the Royal Court.

His team earlier this week separated Syrian conjoined twins Celine and Eline in an eight-hour procedure.

The 17-month-old twins, born in February last year at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri Hospital in a triplet birth, were conjoined at the chest and abdomen.

Their brother, Sanad, was born separately.

The twins were medically evacuated to Riyadh in December 2024 to receive specialized care in preparation for the surgery.


The vision architect: Princess Nouf Al-Saud’s blueprint for Saudi sport

The vision architect: Princess Nouf Al-Saud’s blueprint for Saudi sport
Updated 29 July 2025

The vision architect: Princess Nouf Al-Saud’s blueprint for Saudi sport

The vision architect: Princess Nouf Al-Saud’s blueprint for Saudi sport

When Princess Nouf Al-Saud started her role as general manager of marketing at º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s Ministry of Sport in 2018, she confronted a world unfamiliar with the Kingdom’s pulse.

“When I first began this journey,†she said, “I realized that many people around the world had never truly experienced our culture, our energy or our vision.â€

Six years and more than 135 global events later — from the electrifying debut of Formula 1 to the pioneering E1 Electric Boat Race — Al-Saud now orchestrates a marketing portfolio that has drawn more than 3 million attendees and broadcast º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s evolution to more than 160 countries.

Her greatest triumph? Rewriting the narrative. Al-Saud told Arab News: “We’ve evolved from being seen simply as a destination that hosts events, to being recognized as a forward‑thinking leader in sports.â€

Where skepticism once lingered, Al-Saud now projects certainty: “Today, the most important message is that º£½ÇÖ±²¥ is not only open to the world, but actively shaping the global sports narrative.â€

This conviction permeates every campaign — whether amplifying community participation at Extreme E or embedding cultural storytelling into the WTA Finals.

The most profound transformations, however, unfold in Saudi stands. “A decade ago, it was rare to see parents, daughters and sons attending events side by side,†Al-Saud said.

Now, stadiums brim with multi-generational energy. Al-Saud said: “Girls are proudly wearing team jerseys, parents are cheering with their children and young fans are recognizing themselves in the athletes they watch.â€

She calls this phenomenon “a ripple effect where sport becomes a shared cultural language†— a testament to Vision 2030’s societal impact.

Challenging global perceptions remains intrinsic to her work. “We viewed every global event as a fresh opportunity to open a new window,†she said, countering stereotypes with experiential proof — be it through world-class venues or volunteers’ warmth.

Her creative arsenal relies on authentic storytelling: “We flip the script by designing campaigns that don’t just market a match or a race, they tell stories.â€

These narratives, showcasing international fans’ pilgrimages or homegrown talent, serve a higher purpose: “Our role goes far beyond ticket sales; it is about inspiring the next generation of athletes.â€

As chair of the Women’s Sports Committee, Al-Saud wields platforms like the WTA Finals as catalysts. “It’s never been enough to simply host a women’s tournament,†she added.

Her strategy is inclusion at every level: “We use these platforms to show that Saudi women are athletes, leaders, strategists and innovators.â€

From mentorship programs to leadership panels, the objective is unequivocal: “Redefining roles not just on the court, but in boardrooms, production teams and strategy tables.â€

Amid the scale of progress, human moments anchor her. She vividly recounts the Italian Super Cup: “Watching them, dressed in their club colors, walking through our fan zones with their children, laughing, taking photos, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride.â€

In that instant, the mission crystallized: “It wasn’t just about the game. It was about º£½ÇÖ±²¥ becoming a magnet for people who love sport, wherever they come from.†For Al-Saud, those smiles are more than rewards — they are proof that sport can build bridges no statistic can measure.


Two-state solution ‘only path to justice’ in Palestine, says Saudi envoy to US

Two-state solution ‘only path to justice’ in Palestine, says Saudi envoy to US
Updated 29 July 2025

Two-state solution ‘only path to justice’ in Palestine, says Saudi envoy to US

Two-state solution ‘only path to justice’ in Palestine, says Saudi envoy to US
  • Arab Peace Initiative is key, says Princess Reema bint Bandar
  • Call comes amid UN conference led by Kingdom and France

RIYADH: º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s ambassador to the US said on Tuesday that the two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel crisis remains the “only path to justice, security, and stability,†as the Kingdom and France lead a major UN conference on the situation.

Princess Reema bint Bandar wrote on X: “The suffering in Gaza, the despair in the West Bank, and the insecurity in Israel demand a new reality.â€

She said the Kingdom has long backed a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace.

“This is not merely a diplomatic position; it is a moral, strategic, and practical necessity grounded in justice and the pursuit of a shared future,†she wrote.

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ and France led a high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution at the UN on Monday.

Princess Reema stated: “The two-state solution is essential because it addresses the root causes of the conflict: the denial of Palestinian self-determination and the insecurity that fuels extremism on both sides.â€

“The Kingdom of º£½ÇÖ±²¥ has championed a peaceful resolution for decades, known as the Arab Peace Initiative, based on the conviction that peace in the region is inseparable from justice for Palestinians.â€

Israel has been conducting a devastating military assault on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023.

This came after Hamas attacked settlements near the Gaza border, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and around 250 hostages being taken back to the enclave by the group.

The Israeli regime has subsequently killed over 60,000 people, and displaced millions, with Tel Aviv facing charges of war crimes and genocide.

Israel blocked aid to Gaza for 11 weeks earlier this year and has been killing hungry civilians looking for food at aid centers run by an Israeli-backed foundation.

UN vehicles began reentering the territory over the weekend and aid drops have also restarted, after an international outcry over Israel’s deliberate starvation of the civilian population in Gaza.

“The humanitarian toll is staggering: 1.9 million Palestinians are displaced, and famine looms as aid trickles in. A two-state solution is the only framework that can end the bloodshed, rebuild Gaza, and create a sustainable future,†Princess Reema wrote.

“The war in Gaza and the broader conflicts in the region underscore the urgency of this moment.â€