Tamkeen and Bahrain Fintech Bay Release Fintech Sector Skills Report
This report showcases Bahrain’s readiness to adapt to the changes in global trends when it comes to the Fintech sector.
2 min
The Labour Fund “Tamkeen” announced the release of the Fintech Sector Skills Report, in collaboration with “Bahrain Fintech Bay.” The report aims to analyze current and future skills within the fintech sector, drawing from insights provided by sector representatives and labor market data.
The report serves as an essential reference for individuals, institutions, and professionals seeking to enter this vital sector or who are currently employed within it in addition to demonstrating the emerging trends in the fintech sector, highlighting the evolving nature of job roles and career opportunities. It also identifies the core skills needed to align the workforce’s capabilities with market needs through a comprehensive overview of educational pathways and training programs available for those interested in joining or advancing within the fintech field.
Amer Marhoon, Managing Director of the Skills Bahrain initiative, said, “This report represents an essential step in strengthening Bahraini talent within the fintech sector by providing an in-depth analysis of future trends and required skills. This report will also assist us at Tamkeen in developing specialized programs and initiatives that align with the sector’s market needs and skills required, hence enabling Bahrainis to become more future ready.”
Bader Sater – Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain FinTech Bay, added, “Our collaboration with Skills Bahrain initiative on this report emphasizes our commitment to driving innovation and skill development within the fintech sector. We look forward to seeing this report serve as a beneficial tool for guiding individuals and institutions towards a future focused on innovation and sustainability.”
This report showcases Bahrain’s readiness to adapt to the changes in global trends when it comes to the Fintech sector. It provides insights and data to identify challenges associated with these shifts in the sector, offering comprehensive perspectives on future skills and job roles. It also aims to enhance the ability of individuals and institutions to adapt to and leverage these changes to strengthen their competitiveness both locally and globally.
Skills Bahrain is an initiative that operates under the umbrella of the Labour Fund “Tamkeen” and aims to fill the skills gap of local talent resulting from the constant changes and development in the global labor market. Skills Bahrain works closely with employers, education & training providers, and the government, to bridge the skills gap by providing stakeholders with the necessary intelligence, sector-specific data, and necessary tools. Skills Bahrain contributes to the transition from education to employment, and provides a clear path towards career development, therefore developing skilled and globally competitive Bahraini talent.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including government and regulatory approvals.
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Zain Group, a leading telecommunications operator operating across the Middle East and Africa has entered a definitive agreement to acquire IHS Holding Limited’s (NYSE: IHS) 70% interest in IHS Kuwait Limited, an independent licensed Tower Company that owns 1,675 sites and manages an additional approximate 700 sites in Kuwait.
Under the terms of the transaction, Zain has agreed to increase its 30% ownership of IHS Kuwait Limited to 100%, at an equity value for the remaining 70% stake of US$134 million. IHS Kuwait Limited will continue to provide independent tower infrastructure services within the Kuwait market.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including government and regulatory approvals.
Commenting on the transaction, Bader Al Kharafi, Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO said, “This agreement will enhance Zain’s Digital Infrastructure regional expansion strategy in creating capital efficiencies and driving shareholder value. It will also complement our ground-breaking deal with Ooredoo to acquire and merge approximately 30,000 towers. The aim of our sustainable and independent operating model is to provide passive infrastructure as a service, supporting the reduction of MENA’s carbon footprint and empowering the region’s digital future.”
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
This expansion reflects the increasing capacity of the non-oil sectors to contribute to the economic activity
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Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector saw remarkable growth in November, with activity expanding at the fastest rate since July 2023. This surge was fueled by robust demand across multiple industries. The seasonally adjusted Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 59.0 in November from 56.9 in October, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth and signaling a strong economic momentum.
A key driver of this growth was the new orders subindex, which increased to 63.4 from 62.5 in October. Respondents highlighted an expansion in customer bases and rising investment spending, indicating a broad-based demand recovery. The output subindex also saw an uptick, rising to 63.8 from 60.2 in October, as businesses ramped up production to meet increased demand.
Firms are also experiencing accelerated hiring, with job creation picking up speed compared to the previous month. This positive trend reflects the increasing independence of Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sectors, with their ability to drive economic activity unimpeded by fluctuations in oil prices.
Naif Al-Ghaith, Riyad Bank’s chief economist, commented that this robust expansion underscores the growing capacity of non-oil industries to contribute significantly to Saudi Arabia’s overall economic activity, helping to mitigate the effects of oil price volatility.
Despite a forecasted fiscal deficit of $27 billion for 2025 as the kingdom invests heavily in Vision 2030 initiatives, businesses remain generally optimistic about the long-term outlook. While confidence about the 12-month outlook showed a slight dip from October, it remains aligned with the broader trend for 2024, signaling ongoing potential for non-oil growth in the kingdom.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Interior designer Thomas Hamel on where it goes wrong in so many homes.
The integration of ESET Threat Intelligence (ETI) will enable the consolidation of threat intelligence, enhancing the analytical capabilities of cybersecurity teams
2 min
ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, has announced a key strategic integration with Filigran, a leading provider of open-source threat intelligence management, to integrate ESET Threat Intelligence with its OpenCTI solution.
To attain a strong and proactive security posture, organizations need to aggregate and correlate vast amounts of data from diverse sources. However, telemetry and threat data from one vendor isn’t enough to combat multiple sophisticated threats, and since there is an ongoing shortage of talent and a general lack of internal cybersecurity resources, businesses increasingly purchase services instead of, or on top of, cybersecurity products. As such, there is a demand for seamless integrations, because they simplify workflows, reduce manual effort, and enhance efficiency.
Staying on top of security requires you to be one step ahead by working to achieve enhanced situational awareness, an understanding of the threat landscape including TTPs, and to build strong early warning capabilities, which ESET’s highly curated and actionable threat intelligence helps provide.
This is why ESET is continuing its integration journey, now with Filigran’s OpenCTI, enabling the consolidation of its well-regarded threat intelligence data from ESET directly into OpenCTI. This enhances the analytical capabilities of cybersecurity teams by providing a single, comprehensive, and holistic view of potential threats, centralizing threat data.
“At ESET, integrations are crucial for our success going forward. ESET Threat Intelligence’s diverse telemetry and rich JSON/STIX 2.1 data feeds including: malicious files, botnets, APT IoCs, domains, URLs, and IPs (+ nine new sub-filters in Q4 2024), are seamlessly integrated into OpenCTI, complete with corresponding actionable research insights. Existing users of Filigran will be able to unlock a significant boost to the maturity of their organizational security via their threat-hunting and incident-response capabilities,” said Roman Kovac, Chief Research Officer at ESET.
“With hundreds or even thousands of malicious actors adapting rapidly, timely exploitation of threat intelligence feeds is a challenge. By combining ESET’s high-quality data with OpenCTI’s advanced processing, visualization, and automation capabilities, we make this possible.” – Jean-Philippe Salles, VP Product at Filigran.
The main benefits of the integration are:
- Enhanced insights: ESET’s data feeds offer unique, high-value telemetry derived from its extensive endpoint protection network. This data includes real-time telemetry and detailed threat intelligence that are crucial for accurate threat detection and mitigation.
- Enhanced Analysis: ESET’s data feeds provide advanced context and early-stage detection capabilities, helping analysts to identify and respond to threats more efficiently.
- Interoperability: This partnership enhances interoperability between ESET’s Threat Intelligence and OpenCTI’s analytical tools. ESET’s utilization of TAXII 2.1 and STIX 2.1 standards allows for seamless data exchange and improved threat response workflows.
- Actionable intelligence: ESET’s highly curated data feeds provide actionable intelligence that can be immediately utilized within OpenCTI, improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of threat detection and response efforts.
Moreover, the unique value of this integration lies in the fact that it overcomes specific challenges related to incident response, as by leveraging ESET Threat Intelligence, users of OpenCTI will greatly enhance their mean time to detect (MTTD) and reduce their mean time to respond (MTTR), all thanks to ETI’s highly curated up-to-date feeds allowing organizations to stay one step ahead of the latest threats.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Following the devastation of recent flooding, experts are urging government intervention to drive the cessation of building in areas at risk.
CBE: Foreign assets in Egyptian banking sector reached $9.2 billion
2 min
The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has reported a positive shift in the country’s banking system, with net foreign assets showing a surplus of $9.2 billion (EGP 450.861 billion) in October 2024. While this marks a slight decrease from the $10.3 billion (EGP 498.6 billion) recorded in September, it still highlights a significant achievement compared to the previous deficit period. Notably, in May 2024, the banking system’s net foreign assets had first reached a surplus of EGP 676.4 billion, reversing a deficit of EGP 174.385 billion in April.
The banking system’s total foreign assets in October amounted to EGP 3.584 trillion, up slightly from EGP 3.562 trillion in September. At the same time, liabilities rose to EGP 3.133 trillion, compared to EGP 3.064 trillion the previous month.
In terms of local liquidity, the CBE reported a significant increase in the money supply, with the volume of local liquidity in the banking sector reaching EGP 11.247 trillion in September 2024, up from EGP 8.877 trillion in December 2023. The money supply itself grew to EGP 2.778 trillion, up from EGP 2.370 trillion, while cash in circulation outside the banking system also increased, rising from EGP 1.068 trillion to EGP 1.163 trillion.
The non-governmental deposits in local currency grew to EGP 7.307 trillion in October, compared to EGP 6.247 trillion in December 2023. This growth is reflected across different sectors, with demand deposits in local currency reaching EGP 1.614 trillion, compared to EGP 1.301 trillion in December 2023. Public sector demand deposits amounted to EGP 107.434 billion, while the private sector had EGP 907.222 billion, and the household sector contributed EGP 600.035 billion.
In terms of time deposits and savings certificates, the total amount in local currency reached EGP 5.693 trillion in October, up from EGP 4.946 trillion. The public sector held EGP 65.393 billion, while the private sector held EGP 325.964 billion, and the household sector had EGP 5.301 trillion in these forms of deposit.
Foreign currency deposits also showed considerable growth, with total non-governmental deposits in foreign currencies rising to EGP 2.776 trillion in October, up from EGP 1.561 trillion in December 2023. Demand deposits in foreign currencies reached EGP 684.987 billion, while time deposits and savings certificates amounted to EGP 2.091 trillion. The public business sector’s share of foreign currency deposits included EGP 32.478 billion in demand deposits and EGP 142.847 billion in time deposits, while the private business sector held EGP 467.198 billion in demand deposits and EGP 465.631 billion in time deposits. Households contributed EGP 185.434 billion in demand deposits and EGP 1.482 trillion in time deposits.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
This highlights Bank Nizwa’s commitment to providing innovative Sharia-compliant banking solutions
2 min
Enhancing its prominent leadership as the most-trusted Islamic banking partner, Bank Nizwa, the leading Islamic bank in the Sultanate of Oman, was recently titled ‘Strongest Islamic Retail Bank in Oman 2024’ at the Islamic Retail Banking Awards (IRBA). This prestigious accolade highlights Bank Nizwa’s commitment to providing innovative Sharia-compliant banking solutions, underpinned by a profound understanding of its customers’ evolving needs and a steadfast dedication to service excellence. The award was graciously accepted by Mr. Talib Al Yarubi, Head of Branches of Bank Nizwa, on behalf of the bank.
The Islamic Retail Banking Awards 2024, now in its 10th edition, convened a distinguished assembly of industry luminaries, C-suite executives, and leaders from across the region. The awards celebrated 50 top-performing entities in the Islamic retail financial services sector from the GCC, the Far East, Africa, Asia, and the Western Hemisphere, based on a global ranking of Islamic banks conducted by the Cambridge Institute of Islamic Finance. Bank Nizwa’s recognition on this prestigious international platform underscores its leadership in the Islamic finance sector.
Reflecting on this honor, Mr. Mohamed Al Ghassani, Chief Retail Banking officer at Bank Nizwa, commented, “We are immensely proud to be recognized at the IRBA as the Strongest Islamic Retail Bank in Oman, as this accolade not only shines the spotlight on our expertise in Islamic banking but also solidifies our position at the forefront of the sector. Furthermore, this award inspires us to persist in our journey of innovation and excellence, delivering groundbreaking Islamic banking solutions.”
It is worth mentioning that the retail banking division at Bank Nizwa offers a comprehensive suite of personal banking solutions, including savings and current accounts, alongside customized auto, home, and personal finance offerings designed to meet the diverse needs of its retail customers. This array of services is further enhanced by the bank’s user-friendly digital banking channels, including a robust mobile banking app, internet banking services, and a digital branch, all of which significantly improve accessibility and convenience for all customers.
Committed to being the preferred banking partner for individuals nationwide, Bank Nizwa continues to pursue innovation and product development, leveraging the latest Fintech advancements to elevate the banking experience. The bank aims to foster financial inclusivity among diverse customer segments by enhancing accessibility to Sharia-compliant banking services for all.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Listed Equities are the preferred asset class followed by Fixed income and Real Estate.
2 min
SICO BSC (c), a leading regional asset manager, broker, and investment bank with a direct presence in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, published its fourth annual investor return assessment survey, offering an inside look into the economic and return requirements of investors across the GCC.
This year’s survey, conducted in September, gathered insights from a diverse group of 209 respondents across the GCC investment ecosystem, including C-suite executives, fund managers, business owners, and institutional investors. Respondents provided feedback on their expected returns across asset classes, including listed equities, government bonds, real estate, private equity, and cash deposits, while also sharing their economic outlook and views on which asset class offers the best risk-adjusted returns over the next 12 months.
SICO’s Group CEO, Najla Al-Shirawi, commented on the report publication, saying, “As we navigate an era of high interest rates, global inflationary pressures, and geopolitical uncertainty, the region remains resilient, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the charge in economic transformation. This report reflects the collective insights of the GCC’s investment community and serves as a roadmap for identifying opportunities and aligning solutions with ever-changing market needs. As we move into 2025, these findings will be an essential resource for addressing market challenges, and we remain committed to supporting our clients with insights and solutions that align with their goals.”
Despite navigating a challenging global environment, investor sentiment remains robust, and market participants are optimistic about Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, with 83%, 79%, and 52% of respondents, respectively, expressing positive sentiment. The outlook for Kuwait and Bahrain is largely neutral, while Oman has seen an increase in optimism this year.
Based on respondent expectations, the return requirements for listed equities, the most preferred asset class in terms of risk adjusted returns over the next 12 months, remained consistent at 9-12% for 2025 across the GCC, mirroring last year’s range.
Within income-generating real estate, required returns across the GCC were stable at 7-10%, despite challenges such as market volatility and tenant risks, economic growth driven by increased government spending and infrastructure development in markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia is increasing demand. With rising tourism, population growth, and a significant trajectory of private and public sector projects, the outlook for real estate remains positive.
Private equity retained its position as the asset class requiring the highest returns, exceeding 16% in Saudi Arabia and Oman, between 13-15% in the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, and 10-12% in Qatar. In terms of 10-year USD government bonds, required returns ranged from 5% in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait to 6% in Bahrain and Oman, consistent with investor expectations for relatively lower-risk fixed-income instruments.
Cash deposit return requirements for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Bahrain were similar to last year at 5–6%. Meanwhile, Qatar saw slightly lower return requirements this year at 3–4%, compared to the previous year’s range of 5-6%. Respondents required a wider range of returns in Kuwait at 3–6%, compared with the 5-6% requirement last year. These results indicate relative stability in cash deposit returns across most GCC markets, with slight adjustments reflecting liquidity conditions and regional dynamics.
In terms of issues impacting the investment landscape, the report highlights that while geopolitical tensions were the top concern for investors, the GCC economies have demonstrated resilience. Supported by diversification efforts, government spending, and the growth of non-oil sectors, the investment landscape remains stable. The report further notes that global inflation, while a concern, is projected to decline, signaling a potential easing of economic pressures.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
The MoU outlines several core objectives, including fostering development and sharing best practices in financial technology, private banking and sports.
2 min
Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA), the legal and tax arm of the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), a leading onshore financial and business center in the region, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Casablanca Finance City Authority (CFCA), the managing entity of Casablanca Finance City (CFC), the leading business and financial hub in Africa. The strategic partnership establishes a collaborative framework between the two entities, both members of the World Alliance of International Financial Centres (WAIFC), to bolster their roles as regional financial hubs and promote the economic development and business-friendly environments in both Qatar and Morocco.
The MoU outlines several core objectives, including fostering development and sharing best practices in financial technology, private banking and sports, to drive innovation and diversification; attracting more financial institutions, multinational corporations, and professional services providers to both financial centers; and exchanging information on innovation trends, products, services, and relevant legislation in each jurisdiction.
Additionally, cross-border business engagement will be enhanced through regular delegations, further strengthening ties between the two financial communities. The MoU also articulates joint initiatives in financial literacy and professional trainings designed to cultivate a talent pool ready for the evolving financial sector.
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, QFC, underscored the significance of the partnership: “This partnership with Casablanca Finance City Authority strengthens our efforts to drive the growth and development of the financial sector while building an interconnected, innovative, and future-ready framework across the region. Joining forces with CFCA enhances our ability to attract global investment and creates opportunities for shared growth and knowledge exchange, fostering a stronger financial landscape in both Qatar and Morocco.”
Said Ibrahimi, Chief Executive Officer, CFC, echoed Al-Jaida’s sentiments: “This MoU is a milestone for both Casablanca Finance City and Qatar Financial Centre, forging a vital link between Africa and the Middle East. Together, we’re not just collaborating; we’re creating a bridge that empowers businesses and drives transformative growth across our regions.”
This MoU marks a significant step in the collaborative relationship between Qatar and Morocco, highlighting their shared commitment to establishing a new standard for regional cooperation and building a resilient, innovative, and globally competitive financial ecosystem.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Ten largest Saudi banks reported a 3.7 percent quarter on quarter (QoQ) increase in Loans & Advances (L&A), driven by a 4.4 percent rise in corporate and wholesale banking
3 min
Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) has released its latest KSA Banking Pulse for Q3 2024, highlighting a continued positive performance among the ten largest Saudi banks. The report reveals that while the sector faces some challenges, key growth drivers and improved operational efficiency have contributed to a solid quarter.
The banks experienced a notable 3.7% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) increase in Loans & Advances (L&A), primarily driven by a strong 4.4% growth in corporate and wholesale banking. This reflects the continued demand for financing from the business sector, contributing to the overall performance. Deposits also saw a healthy rise, growing by 1.4% QoQ, with time deposits marking the highest increase at 4.2% QoQ.
The loans-to-deposit ratio (LDR) increased by 2.3 percentage points, reaching 100.1% in Q3 2024, as loan growth outpaced deposit growth.
Operating income rose by 6.0% QoQ to SAR 36.9 billion in Q3 2024. This was largely driven by a 15.2% increase in non-interest income, which reached SAR 8.6 billion. Non-interest income growth was fueled by a 32.7% rise in other operating income, helping offset the slight 3.5% increase in net interest income (NII), which reached SAR 28.3 billion.
The aggregate net interest margin (NIM) remained stable at 2.95% in Q3, with the yield on credit rising by 18 basis points to 8.6%, while the cost of funds increased by 14 basis points to 3.5%.
The cost-to-income (C/I) ratio improved by 31 basis points, reaching 31.0% in Q3 2024, reflecting the higher growth in operating income compared to operating expenses, which rose by 4.9% QoQ.
On the downside, the cost of risk increased slightly, rising by 7 basis points QoQ to 0.35%. This was due to a worsening in the cost of risk at all the top four banks.
Net profit for the quarter rose by 5.3% QoQ to SAR 20.5 billion, driven by the strong growth in non-interest income. This growth in profitability led to an increase in the return on equity (RoE), which expanded to 17.4%, up by 0.6 percentage points QoQ. Meanwhile, the return on assets (RoA) remained consistent at 2.0%.
Mr. Asad Ahmed, Managing Director of A&M’s Financial Services division, commented on the sector’s performance: “The continued positive performance in Q3 2024 reflects a balance of growth and improved cost efficiencies among Saudi Banks. Profitability has increased primarily due to an increase in non-interest income amid a moderate rise in impairment charges.
“As the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) maintains interest rates in line with the US Fed, potential further rate cut in the coming quarters are likely to affect interest margins.; Focus on non-interest income and improved cost efficiencies, will remain central going forward.”
A&M’s KSA Banking Pulse examines data from the 10 largest listed banks in Saudi Arabia, comparing Q3 2024 results with those from Q2 2024. The report uses independent market data and evaluates key performance metrics across various areas, including size, liquidity, income, operating efficiency, risk, profitability, and capital.
The ten banks analyzed in the report are Saudi National Bank (SNB), Al Rajhi Bank, Riyad Bank (RIBL), Saudi British Bank (SABB), Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF), Arab National Bank (ANB), Alinma Bank, Bank Albilad (BALB), Saudi Investment Bank (SIB), and Bank Aljazira (BJAZ).
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
The future of artificial intelligence may depend, in part, on whether providers can reduce their appetite for electricity and water
5 min
Artificial intelligence is poised to transform both work and everyday life. But it has a dark underside: AI computer centres consume enormous amounts of electricity and water, to power their processing chips and cool the heat they emit.
Annual U.S. electricity use by data centres of all types will rise from 3% to 4% of the nation’s total today to between 11% and 12% in 2030, with AI being the main driver, according to projections from consulting firm McKinsey.
Meantime, AI’s demand for water globally in 2027 could account for more than the total annual amount withdrawn for use in Denmark or half of that in the U.K., according to researchers at the University of California, Riverside and University of Texas at Arlington.
All of that heavy use is causing logistical and public-image problems for the industry. Some utilities struggle to supply the needs of AI providers, and communities push back, fearing the added use will boost power prices and deplete water supplies.
The biggest AI providers, including Amazon , Alphabet Inc.’s Google, Meta and Microsoft , say they are working to be both carbon-neutral and replenish more water than they use—even as they continue to build massive data centres.
“It will be harder to build data centres, especially where energy already is at a premium or water might be scarce,” says Ed Anderson, research vice president at technology advisory firm Gartner. But, he adds, “the economic opportunity is rich enough that the providers will find a way.”
Below are some of the steps tech companies and researchers are hoping will reduce AI’s appetite for power and water.
Making chips more efficient
One way of addressing power consumption is to make chips less power hungry. Nvidia , the largest maker of AI processors, says its newest ones, called Blackwell, will be about 25 times as energy efficient as its previous high-end version. Meanwhile, Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft are designing their own processing chips, in part to cut costs but also to make them use less power.
“Each generation has been significantly more efficient than the prior one,” says Google’s Partha Ranganathan , a vice president and engineering fellow, speaking of his company’s processing units.
Different sources for water
Equipment used to cool data centres creates another issue: where to get the vast amount of water these systems consume. Google says its data centers globally used about 6.1 billion gallons of water in 2023, equivalent to the water used to irrigate and maintain 40 golf courses in the Southwest each year.
OpenAI’s GPT-3 model, meantime, consumes the equivalent of a 16.9-ounce bottle of water for every 10 to 50 responses it provides to users’ queries, according to the researchers at UC Riverside and UT Arlington. OpenAI declined to comment on the finding.
Data-centre water typically comes from municipal water systems. But in an era of water shortages, diverting drinking water for an industrial use has created tensions in some locales. That has sent AI companies searching for other sources, including rainwater, treated wastewater or water left over from factory processes.
Amazon, for example, uses recycled wastewater for cooling at its Santa Clara, Calif., data centers. The water comes from the city’s sewage-treatment system after it undergoes a three-step process that removes 99% of impurities.
Smarter training for AI
Some researchers have experimented with carefully controlling what kind and how much information an AI model takes in during training. Usually, training a so-called large language model AI, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot, involves ingesting hundreds of billions of words from the internet and elsewhere, then learning the relationships among them.
And that is energy and water intensive. Training an AI model called BLOOM over a 3½-month period consumed enough electricity to power the average U.S. home for 41 years, according to a Stanford University report.
As for water, training one of Google’s AI models, known as LaMDA, used about two million liters of it, both to produce the electricity used and keep the computers cool—enough to fill about 5,000 bathtubs, according to Shaolei Ren , a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of California, Riverside. Google declined to comment on the research, but said it is “committed to climate-conscious cooling of our data centres.”
One possible solution is to have AIs remove redundancy and low-quality data, instead of just vacuuming up the whole internet. The goal is a much smaller set of data that the AI system can more easily sift through when a user asks it a question.
This can lower electricity consumption, according to some researchers.
AI systems that limit the information they take in are also less likely to “hallucinate”—give false or misleading answers—and can respond in ways that are more on-point because of the higher quality of the data they contain, experts say. Microsoft found that one of its pared-down AIs exceeded that of vastly larger ones in measurements of common sense and logical reasoning .
Dialling down the juice
Researchers at several universities have found that capping the amount of electricity used by AI computers has only a minor effect on the outcome, such as slightly more processing time.
Experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Northeastern University say that reducing the power to one of Meta’s AIs by 22% to 24% slowed the speed at which the AI responded to a query by only 5% to 8%. “These techniques can lead to significant reduction in energy consumption,” the researchers say. They add that the method also caused the processors to run at a lower temperature—which could trim the need for cooling.
Meta declined to comment on the research, but said it has had efforts to boost data-centre energy efficiency “since we started designing our first data center over a decade ago.”
Meantime, a team at the University of Michigan, University of Washington and University of California, San Diego devised an algorithm to modulate the use of power during training. The technique could cut power use by up to 30% , they say.
Show users AI’s impact
Some researchers believe companies should give users more context about the environmental impact of AI, to let them make more-informed decisions about the technology. Ren, of UC Riverside, proposes that AI providers disclose the approximate amount of electricity and water each query consumes—akin to how Google tells people searching for flights the amount of carbon emissions each trip would create.
Another proposal is to devise a rating system for the power efficiency of AI systems, akin to the government’s Energy Star ratings for home appliances and other products. Such a system could help people choose AI models for differing tasks based on their energy consumption, according to Sasha Luccioni , an AI researcher at Hugging Face, a company that makes machine-learning tools.
Using greener power
Academics and others have come up with other proposals to minimise AI’s environmental impact by tapping into green energy. For instance, companies might build more data centers in countries with abundant, low-emission power, such as hydropower in Norway or geothermal in Iceland. Or companies might do AI calculations at different locations at different times of the day, such as deploying computer centers with high use of solar power during the daytime or wind-powered ones when wind is more reliable at night.
Chilling the computers
Data-centre computers put out tremendous amounts of heat, and their temperature must be kept in a certain range, often 64 to 72 degrees, to prevent damaging the electronics. Traditionally, this has been done by high-power air conditioning. But air conditioning uses up to 40% of all the electricity consumed by a typical data centre, while devices called cooling towers that expel the heat to the outside air use a lot of water.
In response, the data-centre industry is moving to liquid cooling, which circulates a special liquid or cold water to “cold plates” that sit on top of the processor chips and keep them at a safe and efficient temperature range. The system, called direct-to-chip liquid cooling, uses less power than the traditional method—about 30% less, Nvidia says—because liquid is vastly better at removing heat from the electronics than blowing cold air over them.
Another method under development, called immersion cooling, involves placing the computers themselves inside big tanks of cooling liquid. While showing early promise, there are environmental concerns about the chemicals often used in the setup, says Mark Russinovich , chief technology officer of Microsoft’s Azure cloud-computing unit.
Some companies, meanwhile, are using computing gear that can withstand higher temperatures and doesn’t need as much cooling. Google says its data centres already are 1.8 times as energy efficient as the typical data centre, which it achieved in part by raising the inside temperature to 80 degrees. For every one-degree boost in their temperature, data centres can save 4% to 5% in energy costs, according to the Energy Star program.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
The best returns might require investing in troubled countries and looking past the benchmark index to find some gems
4 min
The last time emerging markets were doing this badly the term “emerging markets” hadn’t been coined yet.
That spells opportunity, and the greatest spoils might go to those investors who are the boldest and also willing to look past that poorly-defined category. The benchmark for how emerging markets stocks are doing is a widely followed index maintained by MSCI that has returned less than 4% annually in the past five years, compared with nearly 12% for global equities and more than 15% for U.S. stocks.
Dig into any of those broad categories, though, and there are clear leaders and laggards. A whopping 65% of the MSCI All Country World Index’s market value, including nine of its top 10 stocks, were American as of the end of October. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index has been dragged down in large part since 2020 by China, where a housing crisis and a heavy-handed approach to technology firms by leader Xi Jinping have depressed valuations. Alibaba Group and Tencent Holdings were two of the world’s most valuable companies four years ago, before the tech crackdown.
If not for the massive surge of the MSCI index’s Chinese components in September on renewed stimulus hopes, the overall picture for emerging-markets stocks would be even worse. India, in no small part because it isn’t China, has seen huge foreign and domestic investor interest and now has the third largest weighting in the emerging-markets index. But it also is one of the world’s pricier markets .
Emerging markets outperformed developed market stocks in the century’s first decade as commodity prices boomed and the tech and housing bubbles dented the U.S. market. Today, though, they are much cheaper as a multiple of earnings, and not solely because of China.
Just buying an emerging-markets index fund and betting on the performance pendulum swinging back could be a decent strategy. Bolder investors might be able to do better: The most enticing opportunities are where skepticism is highest.
For example, Mexico and the multinational companies that use it as a base to sell products destined for the U.S. are in President-elect Donald Trump ’s crosshairs. Newly-elected leftist President Claudia Sheinbaum also faces violent drug cartels and protests over changes to the country’s judiciary. But the MSCI Mexico Index has gone absolutely nowhere, with a slightly negative return over the past decade and a forward price-to-earnings ratio of around 10 times—less than half that of the U.S. market.
And Mexico is pricey compared with South Africa, Brazil and Turkey, which fetch multiples on the same measure of about 9.8 times, eight times and five times, respectively. All three also face significant domestic problems and leaders who have mismanaged their economies. But even poorly-run countries can have long-term promise, and occasionally some short-term charms: Brazil’s dividend yield, for example, is about 6%, or five times that of the S&P 500 index.
Another way to profit as a savvy emerging-markets investor? By reading what is on the label and then ignoring it. MSCI’s benchmark has had an odd definition of what qualifies that mostly matters to professional money managers.
For example, both South Korea and Taiwan are major emerging markets, but their citizens are wealthier than those of developed Portugal or Greece. With leading high-tech companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co . and Samsung Electronics , educated workforces and excellent infrastructure, they have more in common with neighbouring Japan, a developed market. MSCI cites market access issues that hold them back. That might still make them attractive places to invest, but the rapid growth a country enjoys by becoming modern, educated and wealthy—the sort of thing that has people so excited about India’s long-term potential—are now behind them.
Getting booted from the index can create anomalies too. Israel, which is richer than Britain or France , was included in the emerging-markets index until 2010 for what seems like geographical reasons. Then it went from being a notable emerging-markets investing destination to irrelevancy for many fund managers.
Because it is the only officially “developed” market in the Middle East, Israel is now part of the little-tracked MSCI Europe and Middle East Index created that year instead of the more-followed MSCI Europe, which dates to 1986. It is also a minuscule part of MSCI EAFE, which tracks 21 non-U.S. developed markets. With world class healthcare and tech companies like Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Check Point Software in the index, “Startup Nation’s” stocks trade at barely half of the forward price-to-earnings ratio of the tech-heavy U.S. market.
And there are other stock markets just waiting to join, or rejoin, the official emerging-markets club. By the time they do the best gains might have been had. Take Argentina, which was demoted to “stand-alone” status three years ago because it was difficult to invest there. It has had a blistering return in dollars of almost 50% a year in the three years through October compared with a negative return for the MSCI Emerging Markets Index over that time.
While far from a foolproof investing strategy, betting that the last shall be first and buying what feels uncomfortable could pay off when it comes to beaten-down emerging-markets stocks.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Four family foundations will receive shares worth more than $1 billion
2 min
At age 94, Warren Buffett is reflecting on life, wealth and mortality.
The legendary investor’s company, Berkshire Hathaway , said Monday that Buffett will again give a portion of his Berkshire shares, in this case worth about $1.15 billion, to four family foundations. The donations leave him holding 206,363 Class A shares worth about $148 billion.
As he did last November, Buffett is converting 1,600 Class A shares into 2.4 million Class B shares, which hold less voting rights, before donating them to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, named for his late first wife, and to foundations led by his children.
The Thanksgiving-time donations supplement annual gifts to the four foundations, as well as to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, that Buffett has made since 2006, when he unveiled plans to make major gifts throughout his lifetime.
In a message accompanying Monday’s news of the donations, Buffett discussed his plans for his three children, Susie, Howard and Peter Buffett , to distribute the Berkshire shares he owns at his death. Buffett told The Wall Street Journal in June that the Gates Foundation had no money coming after he dies.
The three Buffett children, now in their 60s and 70s, will need to decide unanimously what philanthropic purposes their father’s money serves. Buffett said in his new comments to shareholders that the requirement will give his children some degree of protection from an expected bombardment of requests.
“Those who can distribute huge sums are forever regarded as ‘targets of opportunity,’ ” Buffett wrote. “This unpleasant reality comes with the territory. Hence, the ‘unanimous decision’ provision. That restriction enables an immediate and final reply to grant-seekers: ‘It’s not something that would ever receive my brother’s consent.’ And that answer will improve the lives of my children.”
Buffett wrote that while potential successor trustees have been chosen, he hopes that Susie, Howard and Peter Buffett are themselves the ones to distribute all of his assets.
“I know the three well and trust them completely,” he wrote.
Buffett’s huge position in Berkshire means a rapid selling of his stock could jolt the share price. He wrote that his children should distribute his holdings gradually, and in a manner that “in no way betrays the exceptional trust Berkshire shareholders bestowed upon Charlie Munger and me.”
Buffett offered a suggestion for all parents, wealthy or not: “When your children are mature, have them read your will before you sign it.” He said it is better for children to be able to ask questions when a parent is still able to respond.
In discussing his fortune, Buffett, ever the teacher, highlighted the importance of compounding, especially after many years of investing.
“The real action from compounding takes place in the final twenty years of a lifetime,” he wrote. “By not stepping on any banana peels, I now remain in circulation at 94 with huge sums in savings—call these units of deferred consumption—that can be passed along to others who were given a very short straw at birth.” undefined undefined Berkshire’s Class B shares have rallied 34% this year, compared with a 26% gain by the S&P 500. Earlier this year the company joined a small club of U.S. businesses worth more than $1 trillion.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
MicroStrategy shares are a more popular bitcoin play than the cryptocurrency itself for many individual investors
4 min
Bitcoin prices have surged about 40% since Election Day. MicroStrategy has climbed even faster.
The software company turned itself into a bitcoin buying machine in 2020 and now holds some $37 billion worth of tokens. For many individual investors, the stock is a more popular bitcoin play than the cryptocurrency itself and they are willing to pay up for it.
With a $91 billion market value, MicroStrategy is trading at more than twice the value of its underlying bitcoin. The shares have soared more than sixfold this year and 77% since Nov. 5, with traders betting that the digital-assets industry will flourish under President-elect Donald Trump . Bitcoin prices are hovering just below $95,000, after trading near $100,000 last week.
“MicroStrategy found a way to outperform bitcoin,” Michael Saylor , the company’s founder and executive chairman, said in an interview. “The way that we outperform bitcoin, in essence, is we just lever up bitcoin.”
And Saylor says he is just getting started. He unveiled an audacious plan just days before the election to hire investment banks to raise $42 billion in capital over three years through stock and bond offerings to buy more tokens. His company had $4.3 billion in convertible debt outstanding as of Oct. 29.
MicroStrategy’s mix of bitcoin maximalism and Wall Street-style financial engineering has paid off for its investors, but skeptics question whether it is sustainable.
Saylor’s heavy use of leverage, or borrowed money, to buy bitcoin backfired during the 2022 crypto-market meltdown when the collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried ’s FTX dragged bitcoin prices below $16,000. Quarter after quarter, MicroStrategy incurred mounting losses tied to bitcoin and Saylor stepped down as CEO, a position he had held since 1989.
“This stock has become detached from reality,” said Andrew Left, a prominent short seller and founder of Citron Research.
Left describes himself as bullish on bitcoin itself and praised MicroStrategy in 2020 when it first began amassing bitcoin. But in a Thursday post on X , Left said he had taken out a bet against MicroStrategy, which caused its stock to tumble.
Some analysts warn MicroStrategy’s stunning run-up is part of a broader investor euphoria for speculative assets and will inevitably collapse. David Trainer, founder of research firm New Constructs, said MicroStrategy is a bad business by conventional metrics—for instance, it has posted a net loss for the past three quarters.
“It’s symptomatic of a market that has become obsessed with believing in get-rich-quick schemes,” Trainer said. “If you like bitcoin, go buy bitcoin. But don’t invest in a company that’s losing money and also buying bitcoin, because then you’ve sort of doubled your risk.”
Some traders say a key part of the stock’s appeal is its volatility, which can help amplify their gains over a short period.
Garrett Shirey , a barber in Florence, Ala., bought one share of MicroStrategy at $436.53 in his retirement account Tuesday afternoon and sold it at $472.40 Wednesday morning, notching a quick profit.
Restricted from purchasing bitcoin in his Roth IRA account, the 39-year-old crypto enthusiast has had to settle for bitcoin proxies like MicroStrategy stock and bitcoin exchange-traded funds. He holds some shares of the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF .
“I don’t think bitcoin went up 8% in the last 24 hours, but MicroStrategy did,” said Shirey, who has been investing in cryptocurrencies since the pandemic.
Saylor said he came up with the bitcoin strategy in 2020 when Covid-19 forced lockdowns and the Federal Reserve cut interest rates to zero. MicroStrategy was competing with tech giants such as Microsoft and falling behind. The company was under pressure to return cash to shareholders through stock buybacks and dividends.
“It was either a fast death or a slow death, or take a risk, do something out of the box,” he said.
Saylor has often boasted about MicroStrategy’s volatility. “When you embrace volatility, then you’re outperforming the S&P,” he said during last month’s earnings call.
MicroStrategy’s volatility has helped it find ready buyers for its repeated issuances of convertible bonds—debt that can eventually be converted into shares, if the stock price rises to a specified level. Such bonds are often purchased by hedge funds that protect themselves against a collapse in the stock’s price by going short, or placing a bet that the stock will fall. Such funds generally don’t focus on whether the company is a good long-term investment, and instead seek to profit from the volatility of its stock.
MicroStrategy is an attractive trade for convertible-bond arbitragers, said Vadim Iosilevich, a veteran hedge-fund trader in New York.
“We can definitely agree that the volatility will be there,” he said.
Some investors are turning to ETFs that seek to amplify the return of MicroStrategy shares using borrowed money or derivative contracts. One such fund, the Defiance Daily Target 2x Long MSTR ETF aims to double the daily return of the stock and has attracted $1.8 billion in assets since it launched in August. Other funds allow traders to make inverse bets.
Chase Furey , a 25-year-old trader in Newport Beach, Calif., said he started buying bitcoin-related stocks including Coinbase Global, MicroStrategy and BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF in October. Hoping to turbocharge the gains, he moved all of his investments, worth about $112,000, into the Defiance ETF instead and has grown his portfolio to about $400,000.
The Harvard graduate, who studied economics in college, convinced his parents to let him manage $700,000 of their retirement assets. He said he came up with a “less dangerous and smarter” plan for them, investing 27% of their portfolio in the Defiance ETF and the rest in MicroStrategy shares. The money has more than doubled to $1.8 million, he said.
“I think bitcoin could hit $400,000 and I think MicroStrategy could possibly 10x from where it is now by the end of next year, so that’s kind of my game plan with that,” he said.
Even some bitcoin bulls have expressed unease about the risks investors face by betting on MicroStrategy. Mike Novogratz , the billionaire CEO of crypto-trading firm Galaxy Digital , warned in an interview on CNBC Thursday that bitcoin could fall 20% after peaking at $100,000—in part because of leveraged bets on MicroStrategy available through some exchange-traded funds.
“The crypto community is levered to the gills right now, so there will be a correction,” Novogratz said.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Alexandre de Betak and his wife are focusing on their most personal project yet.
The U.S. should rethink its close ties with Hong Kong’s banking sector, leaders of an influential House committee say
3 min
Leading China hawks in the U.S. House of Representatives are calling for a rethink on whether Hong Kong should continue to enjoy the cozy banking relationship it has with the U.S., saying the city is becoming a hub for money-laundering and sanctions evasion.
Hong Kong has turned into a major centre for the export of controlled Western technology to Russia; the creation of front companies to buy Iranian oil; the managing of “ghost ships” that serve North Korea, as well as other violations of U.S. trade controls, the bipartisan leaders of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party said in a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen .
The letter was signed by Rep. John Moolenaar , a Michigan Republican who chairs the committee, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi , an Illinois Democrat who is the committee’s ranking member. The Wall Street Journal reviewed a draft of the letter, which was publicly released Monday.
“Hong Kong has shifted from a trusted global financial centre to a critical player in the deepening authoritarian axis of the People’s Republic of China, Iran, Russia and North Korea,” the lawmakers said. “We must now question whether longstanding U.S. policy towards Hong Kong, particularly towards its financial and banking sector, is appropriate.”
The lawmakers cited research, for example, that shows that nearly 40% of goods shipped from Hong Kong to Russia in 2023 were high-priority items such as semiconductors that Russia could use to prosecute its war in Ukraine.
Both lawmakers have worked extensively in the past with President-elect Donald Trump ’s pick for secretary of state, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, on China-related issues, including efforts to force TikTok’s Chinese owners to sell the app.
The allegation that Hong Kong is a money-laundering hub is unfounded, a spokesman for the Hong Kong government said. The spokesman added that Hong Kong has a vigorous enforcement system to prevent the illegal diversion of strategic commodities. A representative for Yellen didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The two lawmakers, whose committee focuses on competition with China and frequently makes bipartisan calls for a tougher approach to the country, asked Treasury for information on how it intends to combat money-laundering and sanctions evasion that use Hong Kong’s financial system.
Hong Kong, which has a special status within China, has seen its role as a global financial hub increasingly come into question as Beijing has muscled the city closer into its orbit, driving an exodus of expatriates. U.S. officials in particular have condemned Hong Kong authorities’ crackdown on dissidents under a tough national security law, though many Western banks have continued to do some business there.
Last week, a court in Hong Kong sentenced dozens of pro-democracy advocates for what Communist Party leadership viewed as subversion under that law. The Biden administration has called for their immediate and unconditional release. The government of the Hong Kong special administrative region said attacks on the “fair and open” sentencing are smears.
The same day, a Hong Kong government-sponsored financial summit played host to a number of global financial leaders, including Goldman Sachs Chairman David Solomon , Citi Chief Executive Jane Fraser and State Street CEO Ronald O’Hanley , according to a program of the event. Leaders from HSBC , BNP Paribas and other institutions also attended.
Banking leaders didn’t publicly discuss the court proceedings on the summit’s panels. A spokesman for State Street confirmed O’Hanley’s attendance. A spokeswoman for Citi declined to comment. Representatives for the other banks didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this month, Moolenaar and Krishnamoorthi called on the Biden administration to sanction Hong Kong police, judges and prosecutors for their role in the arbitrary detentions of human-rights activists.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Sydney’s prestige market is looking up, here’s three of the best on the market right now.
Year-to-date (YTD) sales are up 10%, driven largely by the success of its flagship models, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler.
2 min
Jeep®, one of Stellantis’ most iconic brands, is continuing its impressive growth across the Middle East, with year-to-date (YTD) sales up 10%, largely driven by the success of its flagship models, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has reinforced its significant presence in the region, achieving an 8% YTD sales increase as of October 2024. It consistently ranks among the top three in the competitive SUV segment across the Middle East, while securing the #2 position in Iraq and Oman. The Grand Cherokee’s popularity extends to corporate customers, with Jeep currently engaged in fleet discussions with several prominent businesses across the region.
The Jeep Wrangler has also delivered strong results, with a 12% YTD increase in sales as it continues to dominate the off-road category and foster a dedicated community across the region. Earlier this year, Jeep introduced the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, the world’s most recognized and off-road-capable SUV, to the Middle East. With a unique blend of off-road prowess, iconic Jeep design, open-air freedom, advanced powertrain options, exceptional on- and off-road dynamics, and a suite of innovative safety and technology features, the new Wrangler has already made a lasting impression on Middle Eastern customers.
Rakesh Nair, Managing Director at Stellantis Middle East, commented on the brand’s momentum: “Jeep’s performance in the Middle East remains robust, underscoring our commitment to delivering a quality driving experience that aligns with our customers’ evolving needs and lifestyles. Both the premium Grand Cherokee and the versatile Wrangler resonate strongly with customers across the diverse landscapes of the Middle East. Our focus is on maintaining and strengthening our leadership as we look toward 2025 and beyond. The future of Jeep will continue to evolve, including the introduction of new electrified models, supporting the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 vision.”
Jeep is also witnessing significant growth in brand loyalty across the region. In the UAE, 29% of Jeep owners have returned to the brand for their next vehicle, while 49% of customers in Saudi Arabia are repeat buyers. This loyalty is further supported by the launch of My FlexCare, a comprehensive ownership program introduced in the Middle East to enhance the Jeep ownership experience and provide drivers with peace of mind on every journey. The strength of Jeep’s thriving community in the region further bolsters brand advocacy and reinforces customer connections.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
GoDaddy Airo™, available in English language, makes leveraging the power of AI easy for anyone wanting to start a business or take their existing one to the next level.
2 min
For small businesses, every second saved and every AED spent is the difference between surviving and thriving. GoDaddy recently found that 95% of Emirati small business owners view implementing AI in their businesses would yield a positive impact to their bottom line.
However, they have challenges when it comes to getting started. The top reasons for not implementing AI in the UAE reported are potential costs (46%), lack of awareness about available solutions (44%), lack of understanding of the benefits (37%), and lack of time to implement these tools (25%). To make using generative AI fast and easy, GoDaddy launched GoDaddy Airo™, an AI-powered experience designed to save small business owners precious time in establishing their online presence and attract new customers.
The Right Solution for Any Small Business
GoDaddy Airo™, available in English language, makes leveraging the power of AI easy for anyone wanting to start a business or take their existing one to the next level.
GoDaddy Airo™, using GoDaddy’s AI Domain Search tool, can recommend catchy domain names with just a description of their business. Within minutes of purchasing a domain from GoDaddy, GoDaddy Airo™ can instantly generate content for the business, including:
- Unique, eye-catching logo designs that can be easily customized to fit the business.
- A fully built website, using GoDaddy’s Websites + Marketing, with a paid subscription, including imagery and content designed to help the business engage and attract customers.
- A professional email account, with a paid subscription, that strengthens the credibility and prestige of the business.
If a new or existing business wants to grow, it can quickly get plans and recommendations through GoDaddy Airo™ features in seconds, including:
- Comprehensive email marketing campaigns with suggested content and imagery.
- Social media calendar with recommendations of when to ideally post.
GoDaddy Airo™ Is Always Evolving
GoDaddy Airo™ is live now for small businesses to take advantage of, and even more capabilities are coming.
“GoDaddy Airo™, as an AI powered experience, continuously evolves and improves ensuring that small businesses stay at the forefront of the latest technology,” said Selina Bieber, Vice President for International Markets at GoDaddy. “GoDaddy empowers entrepreneurs with online tools and solutions that combines the latest AI technology with the ease of use we’re known for, helping small businesses drive growth and stay connected with their customers.”
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Self-tracking has moved beyond professional athletes and data geeks.
