News

YouTube Premium Is Getting A Price Hike Around The Globe

European, Asian, and Middle Eastern users are already reporting that they’ve been told the service is about to become more expensive.

Published

2 months ago

September 24, 2024

Nour Nasir

youtube premium is getting a price hike around the globe

YouTube is notifying Premium subscribers outside of the United States that they’ll soon have to pay more for the service, according to status updates from users on social media over the weekend.

So far, the price hikes are being reported in multiple regions, including parts of Europe, the Middle East, and South America, according to the website Android Authority.

The price increases will have an effect on both individual and family plans. In certain EU countries, users have complained that family plans will soon rise from €17.99 to €25.99 (or €11.99 to €13.99 for YouTube Premium individuals) from November 7th. Similar increases are being reported in places like Singapore, Colombia, and Saudi Arabia.

Also Read: Best Video Streaming Services In The Middle East

The price increases will be familiar to US users, who have already experienced similar rises. YouTube’s individual Premium plans went from $11.99 to $13.99 in the US several months after the video platform raised its family plan subscription from $17.99 to $22.99. Other streaming services have also bumped up their prices in the last few months, including Disney Plus, Max, and Paramount Plus.

News

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.

Published

3 days ago

November 9, 2024

Nour Nasir

google to launch ai hub in saudi arabia aiming for $71 billion gdp boost

Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF)

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.