Outer Edge Summit in Riyadh explores AI, digital futures

Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)
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Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)
Outer Edge Summit in Riyadh explores AI, digital futures
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Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)
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Updated 24 April 2024
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Outer Edge Summit in Riyadh explores AI, digital futures

Outer Edge Summit in Riyadh explores AI, digital futures
  • Experts highlight issues in data ownership and the revolutionary Web3

RIYADH: By owning our data, we will be empowered and safe, says Krista Kim at Outer Edge Innovation Summit on April 23 at The Garage in Riyadh.

Kim spoke in one of the summit’s panel discussions, titled “Web3 and AI for business and smart cities,” which included guest speakers Naif Al-Rabeah, director of Web3 and spatial reality portfolio at NEOM; Eric Pulier, founder & CEO at Vatom Corporation; and Kamal Youssefi, president at the Hashgraph Association.




Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)

The Korean Canadian artist has a goal to raise awareness of the importance of each person owning their data: “I believe that data is power. You need to allow people to be empowered by owning their own data and to give them a choice of what projects they want to be involved in.”

Kim highlighted that data ownership “is one of the greatest human rights issues in the 21st century.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Topics at the Outer Edge Innovation Summit in Riyadh include smart cities, gaming, esports, art, culture, and more.

• The panel discussion titled ‘Web3 and AI for business and smart cities’ included guest speaker Naif Al-Rabeah, the director of Web3 and spatial reality portfolio at NEOM.

• Last month, Krista Kim presented ‘Heart Space,’ the first collaborative generative AI biometric artwork in history, commissioned by Julius Baer at Art Dubai.

“Right now, in the Web2 system, our data is taken for free. The companies practice surveillance capitalism and they take your data and they monetize on your free data.”

Scott Lawin, CEO of Candy Digital, a gaming and fan engagement company focused on sports and entertainment, attended the summit to support Web3: “Web3 really gives people that opportunity to authenticate their data and share it in a selective way where necessary. And also benefit from the contribution of that data.”




Krista Kim, Contemporary artist

Lawin attended the panel discussion highlighting the importance of the harmony of web3 and smart cities. Web3 is a term used to describe an idea for the next stage of internet development, which incorporates concepts such as decentralization, blockchain technologies, and token-based economics.

"I’m really excited about the Kingdom’s push forward and support for Web3. And I wanted to come and sort of see it here at first hand and meet the community here."

(Data ownership) is one of the greatest human rights issues in the 21st century.

Krista Kim, Contemporary artist

“As it relates to smart cities, (they) are designed and built around data. And understanding how the personalization of that data can help improve citizens’ lives,” he explained. “But ownership of that data and giving each individual the ability to sort of turn on and turn off the way that data is utilized is also quite important. From a privacy perspective and just a self-determination perspective.”

Meanwhile, Kim hopes to raise awareness of the global issue through personal projects and artistic efforts.

Last month, she presented “Heart Space,” the first collaborative generative AI biometric artwork in history, commissioned by Julius Baer at Art Dubai.

Within the exhibition, visitors take their heartbeat measurements with an app that will create a heart signature to be used an artwork in the immersive space.

“So, you are contributing through your heartbeat to the experience of the artwork, and you have the opportunity to create the NFT of your heart signature on the app,” the artist explained. “This is a project that I'm creating for people to take the first step to create your heart signature and then from that first step, you can start the movement toward that privacy and identity on the chain.”

The line between real and fake is being blurred further, creating ramifications in various fields. “AI can now create fake articles and they can fake your identity ... in three years, AGI (artificial general intelligence) is going to automatically just create stories,” Kim said. “So, we need to differentiate between what is real and what is fake, and also what is made by a human being versus what is made by the machine.”

Technology can be used to its advantage. Blockchain provides a solution of creating verification for newspapers, journalists and online media outlets, Kim says.

Speaking about how it works, she added: “On-chain media is very important, so that you can see the verification of this story on the blockchain. To bring it a step further — biometrics. So, your heart signature that I spoke about, as a journalist, you can use your heart signature to sign your story online.”

Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world.

In partnership with Animoca Brands and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, the summit highlights advances in Web3 and the gaming ecosystem development in Saudi Arabia.

Topics at the summit will include smart cities, gaming, esports, art, culture, and more.

For more information about the Outer Edge Innovation Summit in Riyadh, visit outeredge.live/riyadh.

 

 


Saudi teacher wins Gems Education Global Teacher Prize at World Governments Summit

Saudi teacher wins Gems Education Global Teacher Prize at World Governments Summit
Updated 13 February 2025
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Saudi teacher wins Gems Education Global Teacher Prize at World Governments Summit

Saudi teacher wins Gems Education Global Teacher Prize at World Governments Summit

DUBAI: Saudi teacher Mansour Al-Mansour was awarded the Gems Education Global Teacher Prize at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Thursday.

Al-Mansour received the award at the end of the summit, an annual event that draws leaders from across the globe.

An educator known for his charity work and instructing prisoners, Al-Mansour won the prize of $1 million.

Al-Mansour is also an author and is known for work in his community, including a program that helps ensure people have access to air conditioning maintenance during Saudi Arabia’s scorching summer months.

The prize is awarded by the Varkey Foundation, whose founder, Sunny Varkey, established the for-profit GEMS Education company that runs dozens of schools in Egypt, Qatar and the UAE.

– With inputs from AP


Expo 2025 Saudi pavilion launches tour of 7 Japanese cities

Expo 2025 Saudi pavilion launches tour of 7 Japanese cities
Updated 13 February 2025
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Expo 2025 Saudi pavilion launches tour of 7 Japanese cities

Expo 2025 Saudi pavilion launches tour of 7 Japanese cities

RIYADH: With two months to go until Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, the Saudi Pavilion is launching a tour of seven Japanese cities that offers an immersive experience for those interested in exploring Saudi culture.

The initiative will allow the Japanese community and tourists to experience Saudi hospitality, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Japan Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, who is also general commissioner for the Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025, said: “People can connect with Saudi culture through these tours,” adding it would an opportunity for an authentic experience.

Starting in Osaka on Feb. 15-16, the tour will visit Kyoto on Feb. 17, Kobe from Feb. 22-23, Hiroshima from Feb. 24, Fukuoka from March 1-2, Nagoya from March 3 and Tokyo from March 8-9.

Expo 2025 opens on April 13, when the full Saudi Pavilion experience will be available.

This article originally appeared on Arab News Japan


Natural and historical allure of Al-Baha’s heritage villages

Natural and historical allure of Al-Baha’s heritage villages
Updated 13 February 2025
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Natural and historical allure of Al-Baha’s heritage villages

Natural and historical allure of Al-Baha’s heritage villages
  • Home to centuries-old monuments, the villages have buildings constructed with stone and clay

AL-BAHA: The Al-Baha Region is a unique tourist destination with its rich and diverse cultural heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

Home to centuries-old monuments, the villages have buildings constructed with stone and clay in traditional architectural styles.

Two of the most notable heritage villages are Thee Ain and Al-Mousa that are favored by local and international visitors.

During the Al-Baha Winter Festival, the village of Thee Ain comes alive with cultural events that reflect the local heritage.

The village provides comprehensive information on its history and the Al-Baha region.

The region’s intangible heritage includes traditional foods, crafts and performing arts.

For children there are murals and displays offered to provide an engaging learning experience.


Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network

Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network
Updated 13 February 2025
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Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network

Saudi Arabia assumes presidency of global anti-corruption network
  • Spain passes on leadership at UN headquarters in Vienna
  • Saudi Arabia elected network chair for 3-year term in 2024

VIENNA: Saudi Arabia, through its Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, or Nazaha, has assumed the presidency of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities.

Spain handed over the leadership of the GlobE Network during a ceremony at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Nasser Abaalkhail, Nazaha’s deputy for international collaboration, was installed as chairman of the committee, with Boni de Moraes Soares, Brazil’s national solicitor for international affairs, as vice chair.

Saudi Arabia was unanimously elected to chair the GlobE Network’s steering committee for the 2025 to 2027 term during a high-level meeting last year in Beijing, China.

Its election to lead the international network underscores member states’ recognition of the Kingdom’s commitment to fighting corruption, the SPA reported.

Established in 2021, the GlobE Network includes more than 229 law-enforcement agencies from over 124 countries, as well as numerous international organizations.

Abaalkhail said that Saudi Arabia aims to enhance collaboration among member states to combat corruption in alignment with the UN Convention Against Corruption.

As chair of the network, Saudi Arabia “seeks to create new strategies for asset recovery and initiate a secure communication platform to facilitate quicker and more efficient information exchange among member states,” Abaalkhail said in a statement carried by the SPA.

“This will enhance international cooperation and empower governments to tackle emerging challenges in combating corruption, refine asset recovery processes, and more effectively trace illicit funds across borders,” he said.

Since its creation, the network has had a positive impact on the efforts of members to combat cross-border corruption.

During a recent meeting of the network, representatives from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Chile, China, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, and Indonesia shared insights on various cross-border investigations.

This included joint efforts to uncover embezzlement of EU grant funds, the use of the network’s Secure Communication Platform to advance investigations, as well as operations targeting large-scale fraud involving value-added tax.

The participants also highlighted examples of swift action in asset recovery, successful extraditions, and effective collaboration between agencies to track and freeze offshore assets obtained through corruption, according to the network’s website.

Nazaha has taken considerable strides in combatting corruption in the Kingdom since its creation in 2016.

During December 2024, the authority arrested 145 citizens and residents — among them government employees — accused of various crimes including bribery and abuse of authority.


Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with French counterpart in Paris

Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with French counterpart in Paris
Updated 13 February 2025
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Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with French counterpart in Paris

Saudi foreign minister discusses regional developments with French counterpart in Paris
  • Prince Faisal headed the Saudi delegation at the AI Action Summit in the French capital this week

RIYADH: The Saudi minister of foreign affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, held talks in Paris on Wednesday with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot.

They discussed recent developments in the Middle East and efforts to achieve security and peace in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Fahd Al-Ruwaili, the Saudi ambassador to France, and Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan, political advisor to the foreign minister, also attended the meeting.

Prince Faisal headed the Kingdom’s delegation at the AI Action Summit in the French capital on Monday and Tuesday. More than a thousand representatives of the private sector and civil society from nearly 100 countries attended the event.