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Samsung Pay Introduces Support For Digital COVID-19 Vaccination Cards
The feature is currently available only in the United States.
In 2021, digital COVID-19 vaccination cards have become reality for many people around the world who decided to take the vaccine in order to better protect themselves and their loved ones from the deadly infectious disease that brought the world to a stand still last year.
Now Samsung, in partnership with The Commons Project Foundation, a non-profit public trust established to build and operate digital platforms and services for the common good, has announced that Samsung Pay users can use the mobile payment and digital wallet service to store digital versions of their COVID-19 vaccination cards.
“As more and more consumers use their Samsung devices as a digital wallet, it is a natural extension to make Covid-19 vaccination records more easily accessible,” explains Rob White, Sr. Director of Product for Samsung Pay at Samsung Electronics America, in the official announcement. “We are proud to partner with The Commons Project Foundation on this important initiative and to help make life easier” he added.
Here’s what you need to do to add your own COVID-19 vaccination card to Samsung Pay:
- Open the Google Play Store app and download the CommonHealth app to your device.
- Follow the instructions provided by the CommonHealth app to access your COVID-19 vaccine information.
- You can then tap the Add to Samsung Pay link to transfer your COVID-19 vaccine information to Samsung Pay.
- Launch the Samsung Pay app and tap the COVID-19 Vaccine Pass on the homepage.
At the moment, this handy feature is available only in the United States, and we have no information on global availability.
Also Read: Mastercard Plans To Say Goodbye To Magnetic Stripes In 2024
Of course, Samsung can’t force any business, educational institution, or other places to actually accept digital vaccination cards stored in Samsung Pay, but we predict that the willingness to accept this form of COVID-19 certification will only increase as more similar solutions become available.
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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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