Several news articles detail recent events in Saudi Arabia, including economic growth, investments in venture capital, and participation in international events. Other articles cover condolences from Saudi leadership following the death of an Algerian prime minister and Saudi Arabia’s steadfast support for Palestinian rights. Additionally, the sources discuss a proposed US plan for Gaza, the rising impact of social media influencers and the potential of virtual influencers, and the importance of translation in cultural exchange. Finally, legal and ethical considerations regarding the principle of innocence and the role of conscience are explored.

Source Material Review Guide

Quiz

Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

1. What was the primary subject of the cables sent by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the President of Algeria?
2. What was the total value of bank credit granted in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2024, and what was the percentage growth from 2023?
3. According to the report issued by Saudi Venture Capital (SVC), how much has the company invested since its establishment and what has been the estimated impact of total committed investments?
4. What is Saudi Arabia’s firm position regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state, as stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
5. What weather conditions are expected to impact the northern border region of Saudi Arabia, according to the National Center of Meteorology?
6. What was the purpose of the “Spears of Victory 2025” exercise, and which entities participated in it?
7. What actions has Israel begun to take regarding the residents of Gaza, according to the provided sources?
8. What is the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) current global ranking and what is its brand value?
9. What is the role of translation in cultural cross-pollination, and what is Saudi Arabia doing in this field?
10. What are some of the examples of artificial intelligence applications mentioned in the source text?

Quiz Answer Key

1. The cables sent by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed condolences to the President of Algeria on the death of former Algerian Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghazali. The messages conveyed sympathy and prayers for the deceased and his family.
2. The total value of bank credit in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2024 reached 2,955,550 million riyals, representing a 14.4% growth compared to 2023. This signifies a substantial increase in lending activity within the Kingdom.
3. Saudi Venture Capital (SVC) has invested 3.7 billion riyals since its establishment, and the estimated impact of total committed investments, including partners’ commitments, is around 18.1 billion riyals. This demonstrates the significant leverage and financial activity spurred by SVC.
4. Saudi Arabia’s position is that it will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Kingdom also insists on an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
5. A cold wave with temperatures expected to range from zero to 3 degrees Celsius below zero, accompanied by the formation of frost, is predicted for the northern border region, including Arar, Tarif, and Al-Uwaiqiliyah.
6. The “Spears of Victory 2025” exercise was aimed at enhancing integration and joint coordination between the Royal Saudi Armed Forces, the Ministry of National Guard, the Presidency of State Security, the National Cybersecurity Authority, along with 15 other countries. It focused on applying air tactics and demonstrating readiness.
7. Israel has announced that it has begun developing a plan to facilitate the “voluntary departure” of Gazans, including options for exiting through land, sea, and air. However, this plan has been met with opposition and concern.
8. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is ranked fifth globally, with assets worth $940.26 billion and a brand value of $1.1 billion. Its brand also received an A+ rating in terms of brand strength.
9. Translation acts as a bridge connecting peoples, allowing the transfer of sciences, arts, and philosophies from one language to another. The Saudi Ministry of Culture has established the Authority for Literature, Publishing and Translation to promote this cultural exchange.
10. Some of the artificial intelligence applications mentioned include ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Meta Ai, Grok, Qwen, Deepseek, Midjourney, runway, pika, and Sora, which specialize in various tasks from chatbots to creative applications. The Saudi AI company also has its own platform called ALLAM.

Essay Questions

1. Analyze the ways in which Saudi Arabia is seeking to achieve its Vision 2030 goals, as demonstrated by the various initiatives and policies described in these articles. Consider economic development, technological innovation, and cultural initiatives in your answer.
2. Discuss the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as presented in the source material, focusing on Saudi Arabia’s position, international reactions, and the potential impact of proposed solutions. How does this situation reflect broader regional and global tensions?
3. Evaluate the role and impact of social media influencers, particularly in the context of advertising and economic activity, and discuss strategies proposed to regulate and mitigate their potential for negative influence.
4. Examine the significance of the concept of “cultural cross-pollination” through translation in the modern world. How can it enhance understanding between different cultures and what is Saudi Arabia’s specific strategy in supporting this initiative?
5. Assess the importance of the rule of “innocence of conscience” in law and governance. How is this principle integral to a fair legal system, and how does it apply in the Saudi context according to the text?

Glossary of Key Terms

Asian Cycling Congress: An annual meeting of cycling federations in Asia to discuss administrative, financial, and developmental topics within the sport.

Cyber Warfare: Warfare conducted in cyberspace, involving attacks on computer systems and networks to disrupt or damage critical infrastructure or military capabilities.

Cultural Cross-Pollination: The exchange of influence between cultures, leading to the development of each through interaction, trade, human communication, study of texts, literature, and arts.

Generative AI: A type of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as text, images, and music.

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: The official name of the country of Jordan in the Middle East.

Public Investment Fund (PIF): Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund which aims to be influential worldwide, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Saudi Vision 2030: A strategic framework in Saudi Arabia to reduce the country’s dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors.

Sovereign Wealth Fund: A state-owned investment fund composed of money generated by the government, often from a country’s surplus reserves.

Shura Council: A formal consultative body in Saudi Arabia.

Venture Capital: A form of private equity financing that is provided by venture capital firms or funds to small, early-stage, emerging companies that are deemed to have high growth potential, or which have demonstrated high growth.

Saudi Arabia: Domestic and Foreign Policy in 2024

Okay, here’s a detailed briefing document summarizing the main themes and important ideas from the provided sources:

Briefing Document: Saudi Arabia & Regional Developments

Date: October 26, 2024 (Based on source date references)

Summary: This briefing document analyzes a collection of news articles and opinion pieces focusing on Saudi Arabia’s domestic and foreign policies, economic activities, technological advancements, and cultural initiatives. The themes span from leadership condolences and diplomatic engagements to economic growth, investments in technology, cultural preservation, sports achievements, and perspectives on key regional issues, particularly the Palestinian cause. Additionally, the document explores the impact of social media influencers and the potential of virtual influencers.

I. Political and Diplomatic Activities:

• Condolences on the death of Sid Ahmed Ghazali: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their condolences to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune following the passing of former Algerian Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghazali. The messages emphasized sympathy and prayers for the deceased.
• Quote: “We learned of the news of the death of former Algerian Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghazali… and as we send to Your Excellency and the family of the deceased our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy…”
• Dialogue with Jordan on Regional Security: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with King Abdullah II of Jordan, discussing regional developments and efforts to ensure stability. King Abdullah expressed his support for Saudi Arabia’s firm stance on Palestinian rights.
• Quote: “His Majesty the King welcomed the Kingdom’s firm and supportive positions on the rights of the Palestinian people.”
• Unwavering Support for Palestinian Rights: Saudi Arabia reiterated its unwavering commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Kingdom stated it will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without this. They also condemn any attempts to undermine Palestinian rights.
• Quote: “The Saudi position on the Palestinian issue is firm and steadfast… the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that.”
• Quote: “The Kingdom affirms that this firm position is not subject to negotiation or outbidding, and that a lasting and just peace cannot be achieved without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights…”
• Rejection of Displacement of Gazans: Saudi Arabia firmly opposes any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land, denouncing any plans for “voluntary departure” or US-led relocation efforts in Gaza, aligning with international consensus.
• Quote: “The Kingdom also stresses what it has previously announced regarding its absolute rejection of infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian lands, or seeking to displace the Palestinian people from their land.”

II. Economic Developments and Investments:

• Significant Growth in Bank Credit: Saudi Arabia’s total bank credit to public and private sectors reached a peak of 2,955,550 million riyals by the end of 2024, showing a 14.4% annual growth. Long-term credit constitutes a significant portion, highlighting the focus on sustainable development.
• Quote: “The total bank credit granted to the public and private sectors in the Kingdom reached its highest peak at 2,955,550 million riyals by the end of 2024, achieving an annual growth of 14.4%…”
• Saudi Venture Capital (SVC) Investments: SVC has invested 3.7 billion riyals since 2018, with a total impact of committed investments reaching 18.1 billion riyals. SVC has invested in 54 funds and over 800 startups, contributing to the Kingdom’s leading position in venture capital in the MENA region.
• Quote: “The report indicated that SVC’s total investments since its establishment through all its programs amounted to 3.7 billion riyals… The number of funds in which the company invested amounted to 54 investment funds…”
• Public Investment Fund (PIF): The PIF is recognized as a major global player, ranking 5th globally with assets worth $940.26 billion and exceeding the Kuwait Investment Authority. It has a brand value of $1.1 Billion and a positive outlook from Moody’s. The Fund’s success and its contribution to economic growth were highlighted.
• Quote: “US President Donald Trump’s praise of the size of the Kingdom’s sovereign fund confirms the prestigious global position that the Public Investment Fund occupies among sovereign funds worldwide…”
• Quote: “The Fund also received an A+ rating in terms of brand strength…”.

III. Technological Advancements and Digital Initiatives:

• Focus on Artificial Intelligence: The Kingdom is actively involved in developing AI applications, including the Saudi smart chat robot application “ALLAM”. Aramco’s launch of “Aramco Meta Brain” and the UAE’s development of AI models “Falcon 2” and “Jays” highlight regional efforts. There’s also a global competition among tech companies on AI chat bots.
• Quote: “In our beloved country, we find the ALLAM application of the Saudi Artificial Intelligence Company ‘Sky’ owned by the Public Investment Fund, as the first Saudi smart chat robot application that will compete, God willing, with global artificial intelligence applications…”
• Digital Marketing and Influencer Landscape: The digital advertising market in Saudi Arabia is substantial, with influencers playing a significant role. However, there is also a growing interest in virtual influencers as a way to manage costs and enhance brand reach.
• Quote: “The profits of the global advertising market on social media in 2023 reached more than 207 billion dollars. In contrast, advertising profits inside Saudi Arabia… are no less than 18 billion riyals…and the share of digital advertising in it is 45%.”
• Quote: “The quick solution…is to acquire one of the major players in the global digital advertising market, and invest in artificial intelligence and virtual influencers…”

IV. Cultural and Social Developments:

• Emphasis on Translation: The Ministry of Culture is actively promoting translation as a crucial element of cultural cross-pollination, aiming to showcase Saudi Arabia’s creative and intellectual output to the world.
• Quote: “Translation is a cultural cross-pollination between civilizations…The Authority for Literature, Publishing and Translation… [aims] to present what we have of creativity and diverse intellectual and cultural production, which is what made some publishing houses, and some companies… take on this matter and make this important effort, which is translation…”
• Preservation of History and Culture: The book “Night Passengers” is highlighted for its portrayal of life in Saudi villages and cities more than 80 years ago, promoting understanding of the Kingdom’s past and its trajectory of progress.
• Quote: “Whoever from the current generation wants to learn about the life of villages and cities in the Kingdom more than 80 years ago… this book we are talking about is one of the books that provides the answer and enjoyment…”
• Focus on Education and University Development: Vision 2030 emphasizes education as a pillar of development. King Saud University’s aim to be among the top 30 universities globally is highlighted, as is the push for excellence.
• Quote: “The vision of goodness and development came; the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is comprehensive, with the aim of advancing the nation and finding a suitable place for it in the contemporary global system, and education was… one of the most important pillars of this Saudi vision…”
• The Principle of Innocence: The concept that “the origin is innocence of conscience” is explained as an important principle in Islam and Saudi Arabia’s legal system and that this protection can only be overcome with clear and convincing evidence.
• Quote: “A person is protected by law and the system… The Muslim’s conscience is part of his comprehensive infallibility. It is protected and others cannot occupy it.”

V. Sports and Leisure:

• Al Hilal’s Success: Al Hilal football club’s impressive record in various competitions is noted, along with the importance of star player Salem Al-Dawsari. However, criticism was raised at the coach for comments about fan loyalty.
• Quote: “In short, it’s awesome, Al Hilal.”
• Formula E Race in Jeddah: The closure of certain roads in Jeddah for the Formula E race was announced.
• Gulf Legends Championship: The upcoming Gulf Cup Legends Championship was previewed for its opportunity to see stars from the past.
• Saudi Cycling Federation: The Saudi Cycling Federation participated in the 2025 Asian Cycling Congress.

VI. Military Preparedness and Security:

• “Spears of Victory 2025” Exercise: The “Spears of Victory 2025” exercise was sponsored by the Air Force Commander, showcasing the high level of readiness and integration among different branches of the armed forces and participating countries, including cyber warfare elements.
• Quote: “The activities witnessed the application of many air tactics, with distinguished coordination and participation from the branches of the participating forces…”
• Expansion of Air Warfare Center: The inauguration of the first expansion of the Air Warfare Center further underscores the commitment to strengthening military capabilities. *Quote: “His Highness the Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for the first expansion of the Air Warfare Center.”

VII. Regional Concerns and Humanitarian Issues:

• Urgent Aid for Gaza: The World Food Programme (WFP) appealed for aid to feed Gaza and rebuild the enclave. *Quote: “We call on the international community and all donors to continue to support WFP’s life-saving assistance at this pivotal moment.”
• Rejection of Trump Plan for Gaza: Multiple international players including Saudi Arabia are in opposition to Donald Trump’s plan to have Gazans displaced and the territory be under control of the USA.
• Quote: “However, Trump returned on Thursday to emphasize the seriousness of his proposal, stressing that ‘the United States will take over the Gaza Strip from Israel after the fighting ends’.”

VIII. Social Media Influencer Issues:

• Controversy over Influencer Earnings: The high earnings of social media influencers were highlighted, causing concern regarding how much they earn versus those in other key professions such as medicine and education. The article points to the use of influencers as “actors” and points to the need to control such advertising.
• Virtual Influencers as Solution: Virtual influencers are presented as a viable solution and competitor to human influencers, with their projected growth and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion: The sources paint a picture of Saudi Arabia as a nation actively pursuing economic diversification, technological advancement, cultural preservation and regional influence, all within the context of its Vision 2030. The Kingdom remains firm in its support for Palestinian rights and plays a crucial role in regional diplomacy and stability. The articles also highlight the changing dynamics of digital media and the role of social media influencers, prompting a discussion about their impact and the potential of virtual alternatives. The sources indicate Saudi Arabia is a complex state, not only concerned with itself but also with world affairs and the overall wellbeing of people throughout the region.

Saudi Arabia: Progress and Perspectives

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the significance of the growth in Saudi bank credit and how does it align with Vision 2030? The substantial growth in bank credit, reaching 2,955,550 million riyals by the end of 2024 with a 14.4% annual increase, signifies strong economic activity and financial sector expansion. This growth is specifically channeled towards various economic activities, as it supports the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by boosting both public and private sectors and promoting comprehensive and sustainable economic development. The distribution of this credit, with a notable portion allocated to long-term projects, underscores a focus on sustained economic progress.
• How has Saudi Venture Capital (SVC) contributed to the Kingdom’s private investment ecosystem? SVC has played a crucial role in the development of the private investment ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. Since 2018, SVC’s total investments have reached 3.7 billion riyals, with a total impact of committed investments estimated at around 18.1 billion riyals, including partners’ commitments. Investing in 54 funds and over 800 startups and SMEs across sectors like e-commerce, fintech, and healthcare, SVC has helped the Kingdom maintain its top ranking in the Middle East and North Africa in terms of venture capital investments for two consecutive years and encourages both local and international investment in Saudi companies.
• What is Saudi Arabia’s stance on the Palestinian issue, and how does it impact diplomatic relations with Israel? Saudi Arabia maintains a firm and unwavering position that supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders. This position is non-negotiable and not subject to outbidding. The Kingdom has stated clearly that it will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without the establishment of the Palestinian state, emphasizing that peace cannot be achieved without a just solution that respects the rights of the Palestinian people. This stance is clearly explained in public addresses by the Crown Prince and through official government statements.
• What are the key developments in Saudi Arabia’s technological landscape, particularly in artificial intelligence? Saudi Arabia is witnessing a major technological advancement, especially in AI. The launch of the ALLAM application by the Saudi Artificial Intelligence Company “Sky” is a significant step in competing with global AI apps. Furthermore, Aramco’s development of the world’s first generative AI model in the industrial sector (Aramco Meta Brain) showcases the Kingdom’s commitment to AI advancement, with other models like “Falcon 2” and “Jays” developed in the UAE serving as regional examples. This AI advancement is part of the Vision 2030 goal to elevate the Kingdom’s position in modern technologies.
• How is the Kingdom promoting cultural exchange through literature and translation? Recognizing that civilizations evolve through interactions, the Saudi Ministry of Culture is actively promoting cultural exchange via literature and translation. The establishment of the Authority for Literature, Publishing and Translation aims to facilitate a system where Saudi literary works are translated and presented to a global audience. This effort helps to showcase the country’s intellectual and cultural diversity, promoting a better understanding of Saudi culture and fostering cultural cross-pollination, and further supports the role of translation as a “bridge” between peoples.
• What measures are being taken to enhance the Royal Saudi Air Force’s capabilities and readiness? The Royal Saudi Air Force is committed to enhancing its capabilities through training and strategic investments, as demonstrated by the “Spears of Victory 2025” exercise. This exercise, which involved the participation of 15 nations, integrates various branches of the Armed Forces, as well as forces from allied and friendly countries. Moreover, the expansion of the Air Warfare Center, inaugurated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2019, includes cyber warfare dimensions, reflecting a commitment to evolving the Air Force’s capabilities and readiness through advanced training and strategic partnerships.
• What is the issue surrounding social media influencers and how are virtual influencers being considered as an alternative? There is a growing concern surrounding social media influencers due to their often exorbitant earnings and potential to promote content that may not align with societal values. The practice of staging or manipulating content for greater engagement also raises ethical concerns. Virtual influencers, powered by AI, are increasingly seen as a potential alternative as they offer a more controlled and cost-effective solution. These digital personalities are being utilized by major brands for advertising, demonstrating their growing acceptance in the market. The Saudi government is also investing in the digital space to promote local content and potentially lessen dependence on foreign platforms.
• What is meant by the “rule of innocence of conscience” and how does it operate within the legal system? The principle of the “rule of innocence of conscience” is a foundational jurisprudential rule stating that a person’s conscience is assumed to be innocent unless proven otherwise through clear and legitimate evidence. This rule ensures protection against baseless accusations, safeguarding individual dignity and promoting social stability. This concept is deeply rooted in both transmitted (religious texts) and rational (logical) sources and it places a responsibility on the plaintiff to present proof of guilt, rather than requiring the defendant to prove innocence. Saudi legal systems uphold this principle as a key element in maintaining human dignity and fairness within the justice system.

Saudi Condolences for Sid Ahmed Ghazali

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, sent a cable of condolences to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the death of former Algerian Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghazali. In the message, the King expressed his deepest condolences and sympathy to the President and the family of the deceased and prayed for God’s mercy and forgiveness for the former Prime Minister.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, also sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to President Tebboune on the death of Sid Ahmed Ghazali. The Crown Prince conveyed his deepest condolences to the President and the family of the deceased and prayed that God bestows his mercy and forgiveness upon the former Prime Minister.

These messages of condolences highlight the respect and sympathy extended by the Saudi Arabian leadership to Algeria upon the death of a former Prime Minister.

Saudi Arabia’s Economic Growth: 2024 Update

The Saudi economy has shown significant growth in several sectors, according to the sources. Here’s a breakdown:

• Bank Credit: Total bank credit granted to the public and private sectors in the Kingdom reached 2,955,550 million riyals by the end of 2024, the highest it has ever been. This represents a 14.4% annual growth, an increase of over 371,851 million riyals compared to 2023.
• Bank credit also saw a 4% quarterly growth at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of approximately 102,411 million riyals compared to the end of the third quarter of the same year.
• Monthly growth of nearly 1% was achieved by the end of December 2024, with an increase of over 23 billion riyals compared to the end of November.
• Comparing credit levels from January to December 2024, there was a 12.7% growth, with an increase of about 333,824 million riyals.
• Bank credit was distributed across more than 17 economic activities to support comprehensive and sustainable economic growth, aligning with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
• Long-term bank credit (more than 3 years) constituted 48.7% of total credit, valued at 1,439,383 million riyals by the end of 2024, while short-term bank credit (less than one year) represented 36.3% of total credit, valued at 1,071,741 million riyals.
• Venture Capital: Saudi Venture Capital (SVC) has played a role in the growth of private investment in the Kingdom.
• SVC’s total investments since its establishment in 2018 amount to 3.7 billion riyals.
• The total impact of committed investments, including partners’ commitments, is estimated at around 18.1 billion riyals.
• SVC has invested in 54 investment funds and over 800 startups and small and medium enterprises across multiple sectors.
• The Kingdom has maintained its first place in the Middle East and North Africa region for the second year in a row in terms of total value of venture capital investment in 2024.
• Public Investment Fund (PIF): The PIF has grown to become a major global investment force.
• The PIF has advanced to fifth place globally with assets worth $940.26 billion, surpassing the Kuwait Investment Authority.
• The PIF has increased the value of its assets under management by about 3 times, reaching approximately 1.5 trillion Saudi riyals by the end of 2020.
• The Fund’s brand has topped the list of most valuable brands among sovereign wealth funds with a value of $1.1 billion.
• The PIF has created over 1.1 million jobs and established 99 companies operating in 13 economic sectors.
• Digital Advertising: The digital advertising sector is also experiencing growth.
• Advertising profits inside Saudi Arabia are no less than 18 billion riyals annually, with digital advertising accounting for 45%, or about two billion and 100 million dollars.
• Influencers’ share of electronic advertising reaches one billion and 200 million riyals annually.
• Vision 2030: The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is a key driver of economic growth, with initiatives aimed at enhancing the national economy.
• The Saudi education budget for 2025 exceeds 200 billion riyals.

These figures indicate a strong and diverse economic growth trend in Saudi Arabia, driven by both public and private sector initiatives and in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Issue

The sources emphasize a firm and consistent Saudi Arabian position regarding the Palestinian issue, focusing on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the rights of the Palestinian people. Here’s a breakdown:

• Support for Palestinian Rights: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia maintains a firm and unwavering stance in support of the rights of the Palestinian people. This position is not open to negotiation or outbidding.
• Establishment of an Independent Palestinian State: The Kingdom is committed to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This position was explicitly stated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• Rejection of Normalization without Palestinian State: Saudi Arabia will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
• Rejection of Infringements on Palestinian Rights: The Kingdom absolutely rejects any actions that infringe upon the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. This includes Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian lands, and attempts to displace Palestinians from their land.
• International Recognition: Saudi Arabia urges more peace-loving countries to recognize the State of Palestine and emphasizes the importance of mobilizing the international community to support Palestinian rights, as expressed in United Nations General Assembly resolutions.
• Efforts to End Occupation: The Kingdom continues to work towards ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, specifically the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
• Emphasis on a Just Solution: The Kingdom stresses that lasting peace cannot be achieved without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions.
• Rejection of Displacement: Egypt and Saudi Arabia, among other nations, reject any proposal that aims to displace the Palestinian people from their land.

The sources also note that the Saudi position on the Palestinian issue has been clearly communicated to both previous and current US administrations. The Kingdom’s stance is deeply rooted in its commitment to justice and the rights of the Palestinian people.

Additionally, the sources indicate other countries have also rejected proposals to displace the people of Gaza:

• International Rejection of Displacement: Various countries such as Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the Arab League, the European Union, and France, as well as the UN Secretary-General, have rejected any forced displacement of the Palestinian people.
• Hamas Opposition: Hamas considers proposals to displace the population of Gaza as unacceptable and a “declared will to occupy the Strip”.
• UN Warning: The UN Secretary-General has stressed the need to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing.
• Egypt’s Position: Egypt has warned of the repercussions of displacement on the fragile truce and has rejected any proposal that aims to liquidate the Palestinian cause through displacement.

In summary, the sources present a strong and unified stance from Saudi Arabia, and other countries, in support of Palestinian rights and the establishment of an independent state, while firmly rejecting actions that would undermine those rights.

The Rise of AI: Global Impact and Saudi Initiatives

The sources highlight the significant rise and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) applications across various sectors, including the development of smart chatbot applications and the use of AI in digital marketing. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:

• Technological Revolution: The world is experiencing a major technological revolution driven by artificial intelligence, which is now influencing many aspects of life from simple daily tasks to complex industrial processes.
• AI Capabilities: AI applications demonstrate capabilities that simulate human mental abilities, using a variety of technologies based on artificial intelligence algorithms. These are used in smartphones, social media, search engines, e-commerce, and self-driving cars, as well as in fields such as medicine, education, industry, banking, entertainment, and digital marketing.
• Smart Chatbot Applications: There is significant development in smart chatbot applications that use generative AI and deep learning to understand and respond to user interactions in a way that mimics human communication. Leading technology companies are competing to release such applications.
• Examples include ChatGPT (OpenAI), Gemini (Alphabet/Google), Copilot (Microsoft), Meta AI (Meta), and Grok (X).
• Chinese applications such as Qwen (Alibaba) and Deepseek are also entering the competition.
• AI in Content Creation: AI is used to convert texts into images, videos, and music, with applications such as Midjourney, Runway, Pika, and Sora. There are also applications for writing programming codes, presentations, mind maps, and reports.
• Saudi Initiatives in AI: Saudi Arabia is also making strides in the field of AI.
• The ALLAM application by the Saudi Artificial Intelligence Company “Sky” is the first Saudi smart chat robot application, designed to compete with global AI applications.
• Aramco has launched the world’s first generative AI model in the industrial sector, called Aramco Meta Brain.
• The Public Investment Fund owns the Saudi Artificial Intelligence Company “Sky”.
• Other Arab Achievements: The United Arab Emirates has also made contributions with open-source models for generative AI, Falcon 2 and Jays.
• Future of AI: AI applications are expected to become more intelligent, capable of understanding human emotions, handling different dialects and complex phrases, and understanding context more accurately, while maintaining user privacy. This will lead to more realistic and effective experiences in various sectors.
• AI in Digital Marketing: AI and virtual influencers are being used in marketing.
• Companies are using digital personalities to market their products. For example, the virtual influencer Lil Bikila has 2.6 million followers on Instagram.
• The profits of virtual influencers are expected to reach $200 billion by 2032.
• Saudi Vision 2030: The development of AI is within the framework of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 which aims to enhance the Kingdom’s leading position globally in modern technologies and artificial intelligence.
• Digital Advertising Market: The digital advertising market is growing, with profits of the global market on social media reaching over $207 billion in 2023. The share of digital advertising in Saudi Arabia is 45% of the approximately 18 billion riyals annual advertising profits.

In summary, the sources indicate a rapid and broad rise in AI applications, impacting various sectors and driving innovation, with significant investments and developments in Saudi Arabia.

Human & Virtual Influencers: Marketing & Control

The sources discuss the role and impact of influencer marketing, both with human and virtual influencers, highlighting key trends and concerns. Here’s a breakdown of the information:

• Human Influencers:Social media influencers are described as skilled actors who carefully study and arrange their content, including emotional displays and personal stories, to create trends, increase followers, and boost their advertising value.
• They often have an integrated team working behind them.
• Some influencers’ actions are seen as unacceptable and provocative to their societies. For example, a North African influencer’s high earnings were compared to those of professionals like university professors, government doctors, and engineers.
• A Saudi influencer’s reported daily earnings of $104,000 were also mentioned, which is an “exaggerated number” when compared to the average family income in the Kingdom. This influencer was later summoned by the Saudi Media Regulatory Authority.
• However, the earnings of these influencers are not comparable to those of global celebrities such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar da Silva.
• A study showed the average number of ads per influencer is four per month with an average value of 268 thousand riyals, or 68 thousand dollars.
• Virtual Influencers:Virtual or digital influencers are being seen as a way to compensate for human influencers. One example is Lil Bikila, a virtual influencer with 2.6 million followers on Instagram.
• Companies such as Chanel, Givenchy, Prada, Calvin Klein, Cartier, IKEA, Samsung, and Nike have used digital personalities for marketing.
• Statistics indicate that 35% of consumers in America bought a product or service in 2022 after it was promoted by a digital influencer.
• The profits of virtual influencers are expected to reach $200 billion by 2032, with the fashion and beauty sector being the primary beneficiaries due to their lower cost.
• An advertising agency has hired a virtual influencer named (Atiana) to promote its products and there is a digital influencer from the Maghreb named (Kenza Lily) who has been used to promote a car.
• Digital Advertising Market:The global advertising market on social media reached over $207 billion in 2023.
• Advertising profits in Saudi Arabia are no less than 18 billion riyals annually, with digital advertising accounting for 45%.
• Influencers’ share of electronic advertising in Saudi Arabia reaches 1.2 billion riyals annually, which is equivalent to about 320 million dollars.
• The most used platforms for advertising in the Kingdom include Snapchat (48%), Instagram (29%), X (23%), and YouTube (9%).
• Government Initiatives:The Saudi government has a project called Ignite managed by the Ministry of Communications, which aims to increase national content in audio, video, and digital ads, as well as in electronic games and their localization, and to increase Saudi digital exports.
• The project seeks to increase the localization of digital ads to over 7% and decrease reliance on American or Chinese platforms.
• A proposed solution is to acquire a major player in the global digital advertising market and invest in artificial intelligence and virtual influencers to better control the digital advertising market and limit the negative impacts of influencers.
• Concerns and Control:The sources highlight the need to control the “advertising encroachment” by influencers so that things do not get out of control.
• There are concerns about the exaggerated earnings of some human influencers and the potential for them to negatively impact their societies.
• There are concerns about the potential for influencers to act without oversight and that they must be neutralized.

In summary, the sources depict a rapidly evolving landscape of influencer marketing with human influencers who may generate negative attention, but also highlight a growing trend of virtual influencers and the potential for them to revolutionize the industry, while emphasizing the need for regulation and control in the digital advertising market.

The Original Text

Leadership offers condolences to Algerian President on death of former Prime Minister

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to His Excellency President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, on the death of former Algerian Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghazali.

The King said: “We learned of the news of the death of former Algerian Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghazali – may God have mercy on him – and as we send to Your Excellency and the family of the deceased our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, we ask God Almighty to bestow His mercy and forgiveness upon him, and to grant him a place in His spacious gardens, and to protect you from all harm. To God we belong and to Him we shall return.”

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, also sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to His Excellency President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, on the death of former Algerian Prime Minister Sid Ahmed Ghazali.

His Highness the Crown Prince said: “I received the news of the death of the former Algerian Prime Minister, Sid Ahmed Ghazali – may God have mercy on him – and I send to Your Excellency and the family of the deceased my deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, asking God Almighty to bestow upon him His vast mercy and forgiveness, and to grant him a place in His spacious gardens, and to protect you from all harm, for He is the All-Hearing, All-Answering.”

King Abdullah: The Kingdom’s positions are firm and supportive of the rights of the Palestinian people

Crown Prince and King of Jordan discuss regional developments

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a phone call yesterday from His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

During the call, they discussed regional developments and exchanged views on the latest developments and efforts made to achieve security and stability.

His Majesty the King welcomed the Kingdom’s firm and supportive positions on the rights of the Palestinian people.

371 billion riyals growth in Saudi bank credit in a year

The total bank credit granted to the public and private sectors in the Kingdom reached its highest peak at 2,955,550 million riyals by the end of 2024, achieving an annual growth of 14.4%, and an increase of more than 371,851 million riyals, compared to 2023, when it amounted to 2,583,698 million riyals, and the total bank credit recorded a quarterly growth at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024 by 4%, and an increase of about 102,411 million riyals, compared to the end of the third quarter of the same year, which amounted to 2,853,139 million riyals, according to what was stated in the monthly statistical bulletin issued by the Saudi Central Bank for the month of December 2024.

Total bank credit also achieved a monthly growth of nearly 1% by the end of December 2024, with an increase of more than 23 billion riyals, compared to the end of November of the same year, when it amounted to 2,932,460 million riyals. Comparing the levels of bank credit from January to the end of December 2024, the total recorded a growth of 12.7%, with an increase of about 333,824 million riyals, when it amounted to 2,621,726 million riyals by the end of January. Bank credit granted to the public and private sectors was distributed over more than 17 diverse economic activities to support and enhance the achievement of comprehensive and sustainable economic growth, and contribute to the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Long-term bank credit (for more than 3 years) constituted 48.7% of total credit, with a value of 1,439,383 million riyals by the end of 2024, while short-term bank credit (less than one year) represented 36.3% of total credit, with a value of 1,071,741 million riyals.

Saudi Venture Capital invests in 54 funds

The “Impact Report”, issued today by Saudi Venture Capital (SVC), revealed its contribution to achieving record growth rates. The report highlighted SVC’s most important achievements and its impact on the development of the private investment system (venture investment, private equity, venture debt, private debt) in the Kingdom since its establishment in 2018.

The report indicated that SVC’s total investments since its establishment through all its programs amounted to 3.7 billion riyals, while the total impact of committed investments, including partners’ commitments, was estimated at about 18.1 billion riyals. The number of funds in which the company invested amounted to 54 investment funds, while the number of startups and small and medium enterprises invested in exceeded 800 companies, covering several sectors, most notably e-commerce, financial technology, healthcare, education technology, transportation and logistics services.

The report explained that the company’s strategy contributed to the Kingdom maintaining its first place in the Middle East and North Africa region, for the second year in a row, in terms of the total value of venture capital investment in 2024, reflecting the development witnessed by the Kingdom in various economic and financial sectors in light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its goals to enhance the national economy.

It is noteworthy that the company’s strategy has been able, over the past six years, to increase the number of investors in Saudi startups and small and medium enterprises, encourage financial market institutions to establish funds specialized in venture capital and private equity, and stimulate regional and global funds to invest in Saudi companies. The company has launched several development initiatives to develop the private investment sector in the Kingdom, including implementing educational programs with local and international partners to develop the skills of fund managers and fund investors and support the development of reports that highlight the investment landscape in the Kingdom, which enables reliance on data in making investment decisions.

No negotiations or outbidding on the rights of the Palestinian people

The Saudi position on the Palestinian issue is firm and steadfast

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the establishment of the Palestinian state is a firm and steadfast position that is unwavering. His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God protect him – confirmed this position in a clear and explicit manner that does not allow for interpretation under any circumstances during the speech he delivered at the opening of the first year of the ninth session of the Shura Council on 15 Rabi` al-Awwal 1446 AH corresponding to September 18, 2024 AD, where His Highness stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not stop its tireless work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and that the Kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that.

His Highness – may God protect him – also expressed this firm position during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit held in Riyadh on 9 Jumada Al-Awwal 1446 AH corresponding to November 11, 2024 AD, where His Highness stressed the continuation of efforts to establish the Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the demand to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. His Highness urged more peace-loving countries to recognize the State of Palestine and the importance of mobilizing the international community to support the rights of the Palestinian people, which were expressed in the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly considering Palestine eligible for full membership in the United Nations.

Permanent peace cannot be achieved without a just solution

The Kingdom also stresses what it has previously announced regarding its absolute rejection of infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, annexation of Palestinian lands, or seeking to displace the Palestinian people from their land.

The Kingdom affirms that this firm position is not subject to negotiation or outbidding, and that a lasting and just peace cannot be achieved without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, and this is what was previously explained to the previous and current US administrations.

Cold wave on the northern border starting Friday

The National Center of Meteorology warned today that the northern border region will be affected by a cold wave and a drop in temperatures starting next Friday.

It includes the city of Arar and the governorates of Tarif and Al-Uwaiqiliyah, according to the report issued by the National Center of Meteorology.

The minimum temperatures are expected to range from zero to 3 degrees Celsius below zero, accompanied by the formation of frost.

The Kingdom participates in the 2025 Asian Cycling Congress

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the President of the Saudi Cycling Federation, Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Shahrani, participated in the 2025 Asian Cycling Congress, held in the Thai capital, Bangkok, with the attendance of more than 40 national federations, coinciding with the 2025 Asian Road Championship.

During the meeting, the President of the Asian Cycling Federation, Dato Amarjit, was elected for the new term 2025-2029.

The meeting also reviewed the administrative and financial reports of the Asian Federation for 2024, and discussed the topics on the agenda.

For his part, Al-Shahrani congratulated the President of the Asian Cycling Federation on his election for the period 2025-2029, wishing him success in his new term, and completing efforts to serve Asian cycling, which is witnessing remarkable development and great leaps in the development of the game.

In the same context, the President of the Saudi Cycling Federation held a series of meetings on the sidelines of the Congress, where he met with the President of the International Federation, the President of the Asian Federation, and several member federations, during which he reviewed the future goals of Saudi cycling, joint programs, and its development for further development and presence internationally and in Asia.

Inauguration of the first expansion of the Air Warfare Center…

Air Force Commander Sponsors the Closing of the “Spears of Victory 2025” Exercise Maneuvers

His Royal Highness Lieutenant General Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, sponsored today the closing day of the “Spears of Victory 2025” exercise, which was held at the Air Warfare Center, with the participation of the branches of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of the National Guard, the Presidency of State Security, and the National Cybersecurity Authority, along with forces from 15 sisterly and friendly countries, within the framework of enhancing integration and joint coordination between the participating forces.

His Highness the Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for the first expansion of the Air Warfare Center.

The activities witnessed the application of many air tactics, with distinguished coordination and participation from the branches of the participating forces, announcing a high level of readiness in planning, preparation and implementation, and achieving a major shift in the method of joint air and naval work, among all branches of the participating armed forces. The forces participating in the exercise demonstrated high and distinguished qualitative capabilities, and the high professionalism of the armed forces and their efficiency in facing challenges.

His Highness the Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force explained that the Air Force was honored in 2019 by the inauguration of the Air Warfare Center by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God protect him – and during that inauguration, His Highness directed that the center reach the ranks of advanced centers worldwide.

His Highness stated that today we are hosting 8 countries participating in the exercise using the highest air tactics and implementing the most important professional exercises, while 7 countries are participating as observers to participate in the Victory Spears exercise in the coming years, noting that the participating countries are constantly increasing, and this indicates that the Air Force is seeking to develop its air capabilities through training at all levels.

His Highness added that the Air Force, through this exercise, added a new dimension represented by cyber warfare, stressing that the Air Force is determined to develop this center.

His Highness noted the support and guidance that the Air Force receives from the wise leadership – may God support it – to bring it to the highest levels of combat capability and readiness.

On the occasion of the Formula E race…

Traffic: Closure of the Corniche branch road and Ahmed Al-Nisa’i Street in Jeddah until February 22

Jeddah Governorate Traffic Department announced today, Thursday, the closure of the Corniche branch road and Ahmed Al-Nisa’i Street towards the Jeddah Corniche Circuit; On the occasion of the Formula E race, during the period from February 6 to 22, 2025.

WFP calls on donors to feed Gaza, rebuild the enclave

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday appealed to the international community and “all donors” to help feed Gaza and rebuild the enclave devastated by the war between Israel and Hamas.

“We call on the international community and all donors to continue to support WFP’s life-saving assistance at this pivotal moment,” said WFP Deputy Executive Director Karl Skau after visiting the enclave.

Trump confirms seriousness of his proposal

Israel reveals its plan to facilitate the “voluntary departure” of Gazans

Israel announced on Thursday that it has begun developing a plan to facilitate the “voluntary departure” of Gazans, while US President Donald Trump reiterated his proposal that his country would control the Palestinian Strip after deporting its residents, despite widespread disapproval of this proposal.

As soon as Israel announced on Thursday morning its intention to facilitate the departure of Gazans from the Strip, Hamas rushed to call for an emergency Arab summit to confront Trump’s “displacement” project, while Egypt warned of the repercussions of these developments on the fragile truce in effect in the Strip.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said in a statement, “I have instructed the army to prepare a plan that will allow any resident of Gaza who wishes to leave to do so, to any country that wishes to receive him.”

He added, “The plan will include options for exiting through land crossings, in addition to special arrangements for leaving by sea and air.”

Gazans are currently unable to leave the enclave, which is under Israeli blockade and largely destroyed by the war between the Jewish state and Hamas that broke out after the movement attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. A truce has been in effect in the Strip since January 19.

On Tuesday, during his reception of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump proposed a strange and unprecedented idea that the United States would take control of Gaza in order to rebuild and develop it economically after the Palestinian residents of the Strip would be deported to Egypt and Jordan, which were quick to reject this idea, as did the Palestinians themselves and many countries around the world.

On Wednesday, US administration officials tried to downplay the impact of this idea, as White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt said that Trump “did not pledge to deploy troops on the ground in Gaza” at least “for the time being”, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the Republican president wants the Palestinians to leave their Strip temporarily while Washington undertakes its reconstruction.

However, Trump returned on Thursday to emphasize the seriousness of his proposal, stressing that “the United States will take over the Gaza Strip from Israel after the fighting ends” and that “there will be no need for American soldiers” to implement this idea. The Republican billionaire added in a post on his social media platform “Truth Social” that the Palestinians of the Strip will be displaced so that they can be “relocated to much safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes in the area.”

Hamas warns –

However, Hamas saw Trump’s statements as “a declared will to occupy the Strip,” calling for an urgent Arab summit to “confront the displacement project.”

Hazem Qassem, spokesman for the Palestinian movement, said that “Trump’s statements are absolutely unacceptable, and Gaza belongs to its people and they will not leave it.”

He added that the movement “demands an emergency Arab summit to confront the displacement project” and “to confront Trump’s pressures and to stick to its positions rejecting displacement.”

For its part, Cairo warned that the Israeli government’s support for Trump’s proposal could “weaken negotiations on a ceasefire agreement and destroy it (…) and incite a return to fighting” between Israel and Hamas.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Cairo “rejects any proposal or vision that aims to liquidate the Palestinian cause through displacement,” warning of the dangers of this “for the entire region and for the foundations of peace.”

She added that Cairo “completely rejects any proposal or vision” based on “displacing the Palestinian people from their historical land and seizing it, whether temporarily or permanently,” stressing that “Egypt will not be a party to it.”

According to Vincent Chetay, professor of international law at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, “it is not realistic to imagine that this large number of people,” meaning more than two million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, “will leave of their own free will. If they do, it will inevitably be under duress, whether direct or indirect.”

“A great idea” –

In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday evening, Netanyahu described Trump’s idea as “great” and said that it should be “studied… and implemented.”

He pointed out that the initiative does not necessarily mean that the Palestinians will leave the Strip permanently.

His far-right ally, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, welcomed on Thursday the army’s readiness “to play its role in the migration plan” for Gaza residents “to host countries.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that “it is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing,” recalling “the right of Palestinians to live simply as human beings on their own land.”

While Trump also said he wanted to make the Palestinian sector the “Riviera of the Middle East,” the White House made it clear that the United States would not fund the “reconstruction of Gaza,” but would work toward this goal with “its partners in the region.”

French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned that “any forced displacement of the Palestinian people in Gaza or the West Bank would be unacceptable.”

Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the Arab League, and the European Union rejected the American plan.

For its part, Iran considered Thursday the proposal to “forcefully displace” the population of Gaza “shocking.”

10,000 aid trucks –

At the same time, indirect negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza resumed, while the first phase, which began on January 19, will last six weeks.

Hamas announced on Tuesday that these negotiations “have begun.” Israel said it would send a delegation to Qatar, one of the three mediating countries along with the United States and Egypt, “at the end of the week.”

The first phase has so far resulted in the release of 18 hostages held in Gaza and some 600 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, the flow of humanitarian aid and the return of more than half a million displaced people to the north of the Strip.

More than 10,000 aid trucks have crossed the border into the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire went into effect on January 19, UN humanitarian coordinator Tom Fletcher said on Thursday.

The second phase is expected to see the release of the last living hostages and an end to the war, before a final third phase dedicated to rebuilding Gaza.

During the Hamas attack on October 7, 251 people were taken hostage and 1,210 people were killed on the Israeli side, most of them civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli data.

The Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip has killed at least 47,583 people, most of them civilians, women and children, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable.

Outside the brackets

The US President and our sovereign fund

Talat Hafez

While US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish a US sovereign wealth fund managed by the government, he praised the size of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) as a large fund, indicating a desire to join it.

US President Donald Trump’s praise of the size of the Kingdom’s sovereign fund confirms the prestigious global position that the Public Investment Fund occupies among sovereign funds worldwide, in terms of financial strength on the one hand and the strength of the fund’s investment portfolio on the other hand, as the fund has been able since its administrative and organizational restructuring in 2015 to become affiliated with the Council of Economic and Development Affairs headed by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God protect him – to become a national and global investment icon that is pointed to with the finger.

Since then, the Public Investment Fund has achieved impressive financial and investment results. According to Al Arabiya.net, and based on data issued by the Swiss Institute for Sovereign Wealth Funds, the fund has advanced to fifth place globally with assets worth $940.26 billion, surpassing the Kuwait Investment Authority, whose total assets amounted to $923.45 billion.

Since its transformation, the Public Investment Fund has worked within the programs of Saudi Vision 2030, and also during the period between (2018-2020); To address many of the challenges it faced, and during which it contributed to achieving a noticeable impact at the local and global levels, as it was able to increase the value of assets under management by about 3 times by the end of 2020, with a value of approximately 1.5 trillion Saudi riyals compared to 570 billion Saudi riyals in 2015. The fund also achieved a very large increase in the total shareholder return, as the return doubled during the period 2014-2016 from 3% to 8% during the period 2018-2020. Thanks to the Fund’s wise leadership and management, and its conscious investment strategy, the Public Investment Fund has topped global sovereign wealth funds in terms of brand value, according to an independent study conducted by Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy, which revealed the level of trust in the Fund and the very strong awareness of its brand, and its work as a catalyst for promoting development, as the Fund’s brand topped the list of the most valuable brands among sovereign wealth funds in the world with a value of $1.1 billion. The Fund also received an A+ rating in terms of brand strength and also ranked sixth globally in terms of the ratio of assets it manages to its brand value among asset management companies worldwide. This superiority of the Fund’s brand is another indicator among many strong indicators and credit ratings issued by prestigious and well-known credit agencies, such as Moody’s, which changed its future outlook for the Public Investment Fund from stable to positive, while confirming the Fund’s credit rating at (A1). The Fund also obtained a score of (Aa2) in the performance evaluation card, and a rating of (Aaa.sa) in the local scale, which is the highest local rating that any institution in the Kingdom can obtain. The US President’s praise for the size of the Public Investment Fund not only enhances its global standing, but also confirms its success and tireless efforts to build a huge investment portfolio covering various sectors outside and inside the Kingdom to be influential worldwide, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Without a doubt, the Public Investment Fund has succeeded since its inception in 1971 and for more than 50 years, to be a national economic tributary that has contributed to the growth of the national economy and the establishment of many major national companies operating in vital economic fields, in addition to creating hundreds of thousands of jobs for Saudi citizens of both genders, as the number of jobs created by the Fund has reached more than 1.1 million jobs, and it has established 99 companies operating in 13 targeted vital economic sectors, thus making the Fund a huge engine for the growth of the national economy, and a driver and supporter of development through its financing of many strategic projects for the national economy, in addition to enabling the Kingdom’s economy to advance at rapid pace that qualified it to join the G20, which includes the strongest economies in the world

Cognitive Space

Translation is a cultural cross-pollination between civilizations

Dr. Khaled Al-Khudari

Throughout history, civilizations have not been isolated entities, but have intertwined, interacted, and exchanged ideas and knowledge in various ways, in what is known as cultural cross-pollination.

This cross-pollination would not have occurred in the way we know it today had it not been for the role of translation, which represented the bridge that connects peoples and allows the transfer of sciences, arts, and philosophies from one language to another.

So, cultural cross-pollination is the process of exchanging influence between two or more cultures, leading to the development of each through give and take. This exchange may be direct through trade and human communication, or indirect through the study of texts, literature, and arts that are transmitted between societies. Through this interaction, new civilizations emerge or existing civilizations are renewed, absorbing what is consistent with their identity and developing their vision of the world.

There is no doubt that translation from one language to another has an important role in cultural cross-pollination, especially the translation of texts and creative works of writers and authors.

This is what the Saudi Ministry of Culture is doing, which has recently established a special authority for this matter called: The Authority for Literature, Publishing and Translation. It has made this authority an integrated work system, each linked to the other, where the writer writes, the publisher publishes the creative product, and then comes the role of translating those works and presenting them to the world so that we can present ourselves in a good way, and present what we have of creativity and diverse intellectual and cultural production, which is what made some publishing houses, and some companies – literary agents – take on this matter and make this important effort, which is translation, to select distinguished works that represent Saudi culture, and the intellectual and cognitive growth that our country is witnessing to present them to the world.

Indeed, these are creative and distinguished efforts that deserve praise, especially if we know that translation was, and throughout history, and still is, the cornerstone in developing sciences and transferring them between nations.

In short, it’s awesome, Al Hilal. Ahmed Al Shammari. Between the brilliance of the Asian giants in the face of Persepolis, and the brilliance of the blue battalion, especially the captain Salem Al Dawsari, Al Shaqrdia continued as usual this week in the Asian Elite League. As for Al Hilal’s tally during the recent period, it was 24 goals for the leader in 7 matches in Asia, 57 goals in 18 matches in the league, 7 goals in 3 matches in the King’s Cup, and 5 goals in two Super Cup matches, in addition to 93 goals in 30 matches, which is difficult, if not impossible, for anyone other than the leader to achieve.

As for the legend Salem Al-Dawsari’s numbers in the AFC Champions League historically, he is the player who played the most matches (100) matches, and he is the historical scorer for Al-Hilal (29 goals), and the Saudi player who made the most (22 assists), and he also contributed (51) contributions.

In general, how wonderful is the leader and how wonderful is the legend Salem, who settled the controversy, confirming that he will continue with the leader until the end, and how wonderful is the blue battalion and before them the blue wave, this terrifying audience that spares no effort in supporting this great entity, away from the voices of the discordant who cannot be counted among the leader’s fans.

Jesus’ statement

As the praise was present for the leader and his fans, the reproach is great for the Portuguese coach Jesus who spoke about the leader’s fans during the press conference, when he asked those who chant against his team not to attend, and it was more appropriate for the coach to know that the leader’s fans are the title of loyalty and that when he blames or even criticizes, it is for the sake of correction and putting things back in their proper place.

A dual race

The race has become confined to the Kuwaiti league and largely between Kuwait and Al-Arabi While Al-Qadisiyah is 13 points away, which is difficult to compensate for, although what remains in the tournament allows for that, the determination and level of the White and Green confirms one fact, that they are the most eager and determined to advance in the standings and win the tournament title, and the confrontation between the two teams in the second and third rounds may be decisive and to a large extent in the tournament’s journey.

Gulf Legends

The Gulf Legends are in full swing putting the final touches on the upcoming confrontations in the Gulf Cup Legends Championship scheduled in Kuwait on February 20, and the tournament will be an opportunity to watch the legends despite the long time that has passed since they left the stadiums.

Warm Memories

Yousef Al-Qablan

The book (Night Passengers) by its author, Professor Muhammad bin Fahd Al-Farih, is a book that Professor Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Farih says in the introduction that it is a window through which the reader looks at an era of the past and sees that memories with all their details and dimensions are a storehouse of inspiration and giving whenever they are interpreted and dealt with well.

In the introduction, Professor Muhammad bin Abdullah borrows a phrase from the Russian novelist and philosopher Fyodor Dostoyevsky, who says: Winter will be very harsh for those who do not have warm memories.

The author begins the introduction with verses of poetry:

The past that has passed is the happiest battery

May God be with his memory in all circumstances

And I must take care of my feelings and manage them

If the worries of the beloved come to mind

The caravan is passing and the nights compete with it

And each of us is waiting for the turn of the traveler

Whoever from the current generation wants to learn about the life of villages and cities in the Kingdom more than 80 years ago, learn about the shape of the houses, their size and the cost of building them, schools and teaching methods, means of transportation, health services, means of entertainment, customs, life before electricity, radio and television, before the telephone and technology, and before “Google” and artificial intelligence, whoever wants to learn about organizing wedding occasions and holidays, family and social relations, raising and herding livestock, the season of hunting migratory birds, whoever wants to learn about the above and more, this book we are talking about is one of the books that provides the answer and enjoyment and explains to the young reader the path of this country that does not accept stagnation.

The book includes the author’s educational and professional biography, his travels inside and outside the Kingdom, his memories and the situations he went through in this biography, which contains many funny situations. It also includes a description of Riyadh fifty years ago.

What was the status of education? The author says that when the General Presidency for Girls’ Education opened Al-Attar Elementary School for Girls in 1388 AH, at that time, there were no girls in the village or even neighboring villages who were qualified to teach.

The young man reads this information about girls’ education at that time and opens the page of the present to find Saudi women as teachers, doctors and leaders who actively participate in various fields in the development system and the nation’s progress.

(Night Passengers) is an enjoyable book that is worth reading about the biography of a citizen in the different stages of his life, which reflects – like the biography of the people of this country in various villages and cities – the extent of change and development in the Kingdom in all fields.

I wish that this book and many others like it would be read by students in different educational stages for the cognitive, educational and cultural benefits they contain.

Awareness

University and Leadership Vision

Prof. Dr. Fahd Mutlaq Al-Otaibi

The vision of goodness and development came; the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 is comprehensive, with the aim of advancing the nation and finding a suitable place for it in the contemporary global system, and education was – and it has the right to be – one of the most important pillars of this Saudi vision, but Saudi education in the philosophy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 differs from Saudi education in previous periods of time.. This vision emphasized the necessity of the Saudi education outputs being compatible with the very large budgets allocated to it, as it exceeded, for example, the education allocations in the Saudi budget for the year 2025 AD exceeded 200 billion riyals.. In the face of this generous support from the leadership – may God protect it – there were aspirations for global scientific leadership.

One aspect of these aspirations is the emphasis on the necessity of some of our Saudi universities entering the leading global academic club, and here the bride of Saudi higher education (King Saud University) stands alone in two aspects: the first is the aspirations of the rulers – may God protect them – for this university to be among the thirty leading universities in the world by 2030. The second aspect is the distinction of this university and its national and regional leadership.

While it is difficult to go into the details of this distinction here, one of its most important manifestations is the university ranking first among Saudi universities, and 90th in the world according to the Shanghai classification for the year 2024. For example, student Sarah Al-Sheikh from the College of Medicine achieved first place in the research competition at the first international conference on neuroimmunology organized by King Faisal Specialist Hospital in early March 2024. As well as the entry of the medical city into the global classification of academic health institutions SCIMAGO concerned with health research in the year 2023. And many other aspects of creativity and distinction.

The unprecedented movement that the university is currently witnessing, led by the Chairman of its Board of Directors, His Excellency the Minister of Education, Professor Yousef Al-Bunyan, and under the supervision of His Excellency the President, Dr. Abdullah Al-Salman, and all university employees of both genders, aims to achieve the vision of the blessed leadership in having the university occupy this global position that is appropriate for it and for our dear country. I have no doubt at all that this will be achieved.

Digital Marketing

Competition of Artificial Intelligence Applications

Ali bin Mohammed Al-Ghamdi

Our world today is witnessing a huge technological revolution, most notably artificial intelligence, which has come to touch all aspects of our lives, from simple daily details to complex industrial processes, through tremendous capabilities that simulate human mental capabilities, based on a variety of technologies that rely on artificial intelligence algorithms, which are embodied in our smartphones, social media, search engines, e-commerce, and self-driving cars, in addition to its role in the fields of medicine, education, industry, banking, entertainment, art, filmmaking, programming, digital marketing, and others, all for the purpose of saving time, increasing efficiency and productivity, supporting correct decision-making, and improving the quality of life.

Among the most prominent developments in artificial intelligence are smart chatbot applications that rely on generative artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies, capable of understanding natural language and user interactions and responding to them in a way that mimics human communication, as leading technology companies compete globally to release such applications, most notably the ChatGPT application provided by OpenAI, the pioneer in launching this type of application, the Gemini application provided by Alphabet, the owner of Google, the Copilot application from Microsoft, the Meta Ai application from Meta, the owner of Facebook and WhatsApp, the Grok application from X (formerly Twitter), and the recent entry of Chinese applications into the competition, the most important of which is the Qwen application from Alibaba and the Deepseek application funded by the Chinese hedge fund “HiFlyer”, in addition to many other applications for artistic and design work such as “Midjourney, runway, pika, Sora” that convert texts into images, videos and music, as well as other applications specialized in writing programming codes, presentations, mind maps, reports and others, as these applications differ from each other in terms of their usage price or availability Free as well in terms of making it available as an open or closed source, in addition to what is specialized in a specific field and what is comprehensive for many of these tasks.

In our beloved country, we find the ALLAM application of the Saudi Artificial Intelligence Company “Sky” owned by the Public Investment Fund, as the first Saudi smart chat robot application that will compete, God willing, with global artificial intelligence applications, as a national achievement within the framework of the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 that aims to enhance the Kingdom’s leading position globally in modern technologies and artificial intelligence.

Also, what Aramco previously announced about launching the world’s first generative artificial intelligence model in the industrial sector (Aramco Meta Brain), in addition to the distinguished Arab achievement from the United Arab Emirates in presenting two open source models for generative artificial intelligence, “Falcon 2” and “Jays”, which was named after the largest mountain in the UAE.

As the field of artificial intelligence continues to develop rapidly, these robots are expected to become more intelligent and able to understand human emotions and interaction naturally, and will be able to handle different dialects, complex phrases, and understand context more accurately, while maintaining user privacy, which will make them able to provide more realistic and effective experiences in various sectors as an integral part of our daily lives.

Rule: The origin is innocence of conscience

Prof. Dr. Hamza bin Suleiman Al-Tayyar

The conscience is not built by a claim without valid evidence. As for the reasonable, it is not hidden that people are not free from competing in rights, and many of them, if they found a way to what is in the hands of others, would take it. If merely claiming to build people’s consciences was enough, it would be easy for these people to claim whatever they wanted, and whoever they wanted. This was taken care of by making the conscience protected from building unless proven otherwise.

A person is protected by law and the system, and this is a comprehensive protection that does not enter into any specialization unless he makes a way for himself, by bearing a consequence that results in a right to God Almighty, or a right to the servants, general or specific. If none of these consequences exist, then the general rule is what is stated in the hadith of Abu Hurairah, may God be pleased with him, who said: The Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: (Every Muslim is upon The Muslim’s blood, his wealth, and his honor are sacred to him. Narrated by Muslim. The Muslim’s conscience is part of his comprehensive infallibility. It is protected and others cannot occupy it. It is like a tightly locked safe, and it has no key except the actions of its owner or his representative. If his hands acquire something that occupies this safe, it will be occupied to the extent that he has loaded it with. Otherwise, the innocence of the individual’s conscience is the prevailing principle that cannot be transferred except with clear evidence. This legislation is a great measure without which people cannot coexist. The systems of our blessed country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are clear in their commitment to this rule. As it is one of the foundations of respecting human dignity, which the Kingdom’s systems spare no effort in providing and maintaining, I have some pauses regarding the originality of innocence:

First: The original rule of innocence is a fixed jurisprudential rule, and it is included under one of the major jurisprudential rules, which is: (Certainty is not removed by doubt), so every piece of evidence from the evidence of this major rule extends in its generality to its branch: (the original is innocence), and this subsidiary rule has evidence that states it from the transmitted and rational, so from the transmitted is the hadith of Ibn Abbas, may God Almighty be pleased with them, that the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: “If people were given what they claim, people would claim the blood and money of men, but The oath is upon the defendant,” narrated by Muslim. The hadith is evidence that the conscience is not filled with a claim without valid evidence. As for the rational, it is not hidden that people are not free from competing over rights, and many of them, if they found a way to what is in the hands of others, would take it. If merely claiming to fill people’s consciences was enough, it would be easy for these people to claim whatever they wanted, and whoever they wanted. This was taken care of by making the conscience protected from being filled unless the opposite was proven. It is rooted in the nature of rational people that there is a pressing need for an argument by which the right is proven, and the wise men of the Arabs in the pre-Islamic era were aware of this and expressed it. Zuhair said:

The truth is divided into three parts… an oath, or aversion, or clarification

He means: the oath, or aversion to a judge who rules with evidence, or clarification of the right, which is an admission.

Second: Considering that the principle of innocence is a shared responsibility between the plaintiff, the witnesses, and the judge. As for the plaintiff, he must take this rule into account and respect it. In this way, he will sense that accusing his brother of something that he is innocent of is a breach of his infallibility and an assault on his sanctity. This assault is not justified by the possibility of proving the claim with skillful style, experience in litigation procedures, or teaching the witnesses what is not correct, or other illegitimate means. These are matters that may cause the judge to become confused, so he rules based on the appearance of what he heard. Since he is not aware of the unseen, but that does not justify the claimant taking what he took from the right of another, on the authority of Umm Salamah, may God Almighty be pleased with her: The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: “You bring your disputes to me, and perhaps some of you are more eloquent in their argument than others. So whoever I rule in his favor with something of his brother’s right based on his words, then I am only giving him a piece of fire, so he should not take it.” Agreed upon. As for the witnesses, they must not deviate from the truth in any way. As for the judge, his duty is to exhaust all his efforts in investigating, so that he does not remove the innocence of the conscience established with certainty except with the legitimate arguments that are valid to remove that certainty. And those jurists who expanded it mentioned that it is either: evidence, admission, oath, or refusal to do so, or blood money, or clear indications that make the matter within the realm of what is certain, and in some of them there is talk that is known in its place.

Third: If there is any of the arguments that rule on the occupation of the conscience, this occupation becomes continued; to protect the rights of others, so just as the conscience is innocent until its construction is proven, likewise if it is occupied with certainty, it does not leave the responsibility of this occupation except with a legitimate argument, and doubt, guesswork and possibility are not taken into account in that; Because its construction becomes an origin after it is proven, whoever knows that his conscience is inhabited must comply with what is required of him by law and the system to enable the owner of the right to collect his right, so he acknowledges what is in his conscience to the guardian of the right according to the procedures of the system, whether it is a public or private right, and benefits from the mechanisms approved by the systems of the Kingdom to help him clear his conscience if the right is public.

Influencers of Negligence

Dr. Badr bin Saud

The popular human influencer on social media is simply a skilled actor, and what he does is carefully studied and subject to an organized scenario, including crying, screaming, conflicts, absence, and turning his personal battles or part of his daily life into a trend, and the above works constantly in his interest, and in a way that achieves the reminder of him, and increases the numbers of his followers and views, and thus increases his advertising value.. And each of these people does not move alone, but rather there is an integrated team behind him..

The actions of some social media influencers in the Arab region are unacceptable, and they provoke their societies. Examples include what was recently said by an influencer from North Africa, who is followed by ten million people on the TikTok platform, as she mentioned that she takes six thousand and 500 dollars per hour of advertising, while the university professor in her country has a monthly salary of 800 dollars, and the government consultant doctor and the engineer do not exceed 1200 dollars, and in contrast, a well-known Saudi influencer on Snapchat, who is followed by seven million people, mentioned that she implements four advertisements per day, and the limit The minimum advertising value is 70 thousand riyals, or 26 thousand dollars, with a total of 104 thousand dollars per day, and 37 million and 440 thousand dollars annually, or the equivalent of 100 million and 800 thousand riyals, which is an exaggerated number, considering the average family income in the Kingdom, which is estimated at about 36 thousand dollars annually, or 120 thousand riyals, and I will not comment to avoid misunderstanding, and the influencer was summoned by the Saudi Media Regulatory Authority and reached an understanding with her, and to be honest, her revenues are not comparable to the profits of actual celebrities in social media, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar da Silva, as the first takes three million and 200 thousand dollars for each post on Instagram, and the second’s price is one million and one hundred thousand dollars. In a study conducted by the Saudi company (DRC) for market research and data analysis in 2024, it was found that the average number of ads per influencer is four per month, not weekly, at a value of 268 thousand riyals, or 68 thousand dollars. What the Saudi influencer said is theoretically possible, and if it happens, the one who actually bears it is the one who values ​​her influence financially. The most prominent platforms used for advertising in the Kingdom are led by Snapchat with 48%, followed by Instagram with 29%, X with 23%, and YouTube with 9%. The profits of the global advertising market on social media in 2023 reached more than 207 billion dollars. In contrast, advertising profits inside Saudi Arabia, according to figures from the General Authority for Audiovisual Media, are no less than 18 billion riyals, or four billion and 800 million dollars annually, and the share of digital advertising in it is 45%, or about two billion and 100 million dollars. In a study conducted on 12 Saudi companies working in the field of influencer management, it was found that the influencers’ share of electronic advertising reaches one billion and 200 million riyals, or 320 million dollars annually. This advertising encroachment needs to be controlled, so that things do not get out of control.

The popular human influencer on social media is simply a skilled actor, and what he does is carefully studied and subject to an arranged scenario, including crying, screaming, conflicts and absence, and turning his personal battles or part of his daily life into a trend. The above works constantly in his interest, and in a way that achieves a reminder of him, and increases the number of his followers and views, and thus increases his advertising value, and each of these people does not act alone, but rather stands behind an integrated team.

The most important thing is that what human influencers offer can be compensated for, and this is by replacing them with a virtual or digital influencer. One example is a virtual influencer named Lil Bikila, who was able to reach 2.6 million followers on Instagram, even though she is just a robot that works with artificial intelligence. Companies such as Chanel and Givenchy, in addition to Prada, Calvin Klein and Cartier, have benefited from her advertisements, in addition to IKEA, Samsung and Nike using digital personalities to market their products. According to statistics from Statista in 2022, 35% of consumers in America bought a product or service in the same year after it was promoted by a digital influencer. According to figures from the American data company Allied Market Research, it is expected that the profits of virtual influencers, specifically in 2032, will reach $200 billion, and the fashion and beauty sector is the first to benefit from them, because their cost is not comparable to that of a human influencer. Agence France-Presse reported that the Spanish advertising agency (The Clueless) hired a virtual influencer named (Atiana) to promote its products, and there is a digital influencer from the Maghreb with 166 thousand followers on Instagram, named (Kenza Lily), who filmed an advertisement for a car from Hyundai.

The Kingdom has a government project known as Ignite, managed by the Saudi Ministry of Communications, which aims to accomplish a number of things in 2030, the most important of which are: Triple the national content in audio and podcasts, and in video ads by 200%, in addition to electronic games and their localization, and raising Saudi digital exports from 4% to 20%, and with it the level of localization of digital ads to an acceptable percentage exceeding 7%, and cutting an additional part of the 93% cake, which goes as digital ads on American or Chinese platforms and not Saudi, and the quick solution, in my opinion and through my readings, is to acquire one of the major players in the global digital advertising market, and invest in artificial intelligence and virtual influencers, as they are important factors in resolving this issue and governing it, and in neutralizing the influencers of negligence.

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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