Marhaba folks! 🌟

Today we will discuss,

• 🤖💡 Microsoft & UAE’s G42 to Establish AI Centers in Abu Dhabi: A Step Towards "Responsible AI" 🌍

• 🏀💼 Saudi PIF’s SURJ Sports Eyes €1 Billion Stake in EuroLeague Basketball 🏆💰

• 📟💥 Lebanese Blasts Linked to BAC Consulting’s Pagers, Taiwanese Gold Apollo Distances Itself from Production 🚨⚠️

Let’s dive in!

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🤖💡 Microsoft & UAE’s G42 to Establish AI Centers in Abu Dhabi: A Step Towards "Responsible AI" 🌍

📰 What is it about?

• Microsoft and UAE’s G42 AI firm are setting up two AI-focused centers in Abu Dhabi, dedicated to responsible AI initiatives.

• This builds on their existing partnership, which began in April when Microsoft invested $1.5 billion in G42.

• The first center will focus on best practices for responsible AI development.

• The second center will work on large language models for underrepresented languages.

💡 Why it matters?

• It strengthens the UAE’s push to become a global leader in AI, a strategic move to diversify its economy beyond oil.

• The UAE is positioning itself as a regional AI hub amid competition from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

• This collaboration is a significant geopolitical move, ensuring that AI technologies are developed safely and in line with U.S. and UAE security assurances.

🔜 What’s next?

• Expect to see academic research and industry innovations emerging from the new centers.

• AI safety and the ethical use of AI will be key focus areas, alongside the development of language models for lesser-known languages.

• Ongoing U.S.-UAE cooperation will likely drive further AI advancements while balancing geopolitical sensitivities.

📈 Markets

🏀💼 Saudi PIF’s SURJ Sports Eyes €1 Billion Stake in EuroLeague Basketball 🏆💰

📰 What is it about?

• SURJ Sports Investment, owned by Saudi PIF, is pursuing a €1 billion minority stake in EuroLeague, a top European basketball competition.

• The sale involves one-third of the business, with LionTree facilitating negotiations.

• Other bidders include private equity firm General Atlantic and UK-based BC Partners.

💡 Why it matters?

• This marks a significant move by Saudi Arabia to expand its sports investment portfolio beyond football and into European basketball.

• If successful, it aligns with Saudi’s strategy to increase its influence in global sports and diversify investments.

• The move could bring substantial capital and growth opportunities to the EuroLeague, boosting its global visibility.

🔜 What’s next?

• As the sale process progresses, Saudi PIF’s investment may fuel the EuroLeague’s future expansion and innovation.

• The outcome will also shape the broader trend of Gulf region investments in major international sports leagues.

Quote of the day
“I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” -Douglas Adams, Writer, screenwriter and humorist

📟💥 Lebanese Blasts Linked to BAC Consulting’s Pagers, Taiwanese Gold Apollo Distances Itself from Production 🚨

📰 What is it about?

• Gold Apollo, a Taiwanese pager firm, stated that pagers used in detonations across Lebanon were produced by BAC Consulting, a Budapest-based company.

• The blasts, allegedly involving explosives inside pagers, killed nine people and wounded nearly 3,000. Hezbollah members reportedly used these devices, with claims of Israel's Mossad planting the explosives.

• Gold Apollo licensed its brand to BAC but says it was not involved in the production of the devices.

💡 Why it matters?

• The incident raises questions about security risks in outsourced technology production and licensing agreements.

• Hezbollah's use of pagers to avoid Israeli tracking and the potential involvement of Mossad highlight the role of covert technology in the conflict.

• Gold Apollo's stance underscores the challenges for global companies navigating licensing agreements in high-risk regions.

🔜 What’s next?

• Gold Apollo plans to sue BAC for misuse of its brand, while Taiwanese authorities investigate.

• Legal and diplomatic fallout could follow if more details about the origin and manipulation of the pagers are uncovered.

In other news…

1. Dubai’s Atlantis Royal soars to 9th spot on world’s 50 best hotels list.

2. Abu Dhabi unveils strategy to give water and electricity to residents at ‘lowest cost’.

3. Snapchat unveils major updates including AR Lens Studio, new profile design at Dubai event.

4. First electric air taxi station to materialise in Dubai in early 2026.

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