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NEOM Fund Invests $100 Million In Pony.ai Self-Driving Vehicles
The collaboration will help to develop advanced vehicles and smart infrastructure for NEOM and other regional markets.
The NEOM Investment Fund, a newly formed organization that works on behalf of Saudi Arabia’s mega-city NEOM, has invested $100 million in Pony.ai, a California-based autonomous vehicle solutions company.
As part of the investment, a joint partnership will be formed between NEOM and Pony.ai to develop, manufacture, and deliver self-driving autonomous vehicles and their required infrastructure.
The investment aligns with NEOM‘s plans to provide sustainable, hyperconnected transport across the $500 billion urban development, explained Majid Mufti, chief executive of the NIF, who said, “Pony.ai’s autonomous driving technology is already available today, and we are excited to be able to utilize it in NEOM in the near future,” he said.
Pony.ai’s expansion into NEOM isn’t the company’s first entry into the MENA region. Last week, the vehicle firm joined Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry, which will trial its latest technologies at the Yas Island testing zone.
NEOM is a vital part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, a major economic diversification program that hopes to shift the country’s reliance from the oil industry to technological developments. The NIF will focus on private sector investment and will directly fund solutions piloted and grown in NEOM, which could then be exported worldwide.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia Plans Digital Twins For 5 Cities, Including Mecca
The fund will also assume the role of portfolio manager for NEOM’s assets and companies, safeguarding returns for shareholders and investors and underpinning NEOM’s long-term financial sustainability.
The NIF’s strategy is designed to align NEOM’s objectives with those of institutional investors and innovators, “de-risking opportunities for them to participate in creating core global growth businesses and a thriving economy” in the new mega-city, Mr. Mufti explained.
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Google To Launch AI Hub In Saudi Arabia, Aiming For $71B GDP Boost
The tech giant also plans to develop local AI solutions, and train regional talent to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Google has announced plans to set up a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Saudi Arabia, a move aimed at accelerating technological growth and economic development across the wider gulf region. The ambitious project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, an initiative that champions technology and innovation as central to economic diversification away from the oil industry.
According to Google, the hub has the potential to contribute as much as $71 billion to Saudi Arabia’s economy. The initiative will likely speed up the adoption of AI across industries such as healthcare, retail, and financial services — not only within Saudi Arabia but also throughout the wider MENA region and beyond.
Yasir Al Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), highlighted the importance of the project for the Kingdom: “This partnership demonstrates PIF’s dedication to fostering an AI-friendly environment through investments in human capital and technology, upskilling thousands with cutting-edge tools to support our sustainable and innovative infrastructure goals,” he explained. Al Rumayyan also emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s combination of sector knowledge and long-term investment strategies makes it an ideal environment for global technology partnerships.
Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East
A central aim of Google’s initiative is nurturing local talent. The AI hub will offer a range of training, research, and collaboration opportunities for developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs within Saudi Arabia. Google envisions training “millions” of people, helping to create a robust innovation ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and ensures economic benefits reach all segments of society.
As international technology giants increasingly look to develop solutions tailored to regional needs, Google’s initiative reflects a progressive approach that leverages the strengths of local markets. With the potential to inject billions into the economy and strengthen digital capacities, Saudi Arabia could soon emerge as a prominent center for AI innovation in the Middle East.
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