Categories
Small Business Growth

Saudi Arabia, Microsoft partner to integrate AI in media [Video]

The Saudi Ministry of Media and Microsoft Arabia (NASDAQ: MSFT) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore a wholesale integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for local media in the Gulf state.

The partnership will cover several areas in the media ecosystem, including television, radio, and print, to bring the industry to par with its contemporaries in other regions. The collaboration is expected to provide the ministry with advanced solutions “to improve the quality of local media content.”

Microsoft will offer the ministry its advanced AI offerings including Copilot and its new range of small language models (SMLs) to improve media productions in the oil-rich country. The partnership is projected to yield positive results for data analysis, security solutions, and machine learning integrations across the board.

Several high-ranking officials from both entities attended the MoU signing ceremony, with Microsoft Arabia President Turki Badhris representing the technology giant.

Speaking with journalists after the signing, Badhris hinted at the monetary benefits of …

Watch/Read More
Categories
Small Business Growth

How the Black Restaurant Challenge is spotlighting Black-owned restaurants in Boston [Video]

Restaurant owners at an event to kick off the Black Restaurant Challenge in Boston said they were excited to be spotlighted in a big way.The challenge is an initiative aimed at promoting economic growth and visibility for Black-owned restaurants, bars and hospitality businesses all across Boston.Murl's Kitchen in Dorchester is one of the dozens of restaurants participating in this year's challenge. "There is so much culture in Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, in Boston period," Shantae Romain said. "Its not just limited to whats in Back Bay, what's in downtown, whats in Seaport.""There arent a lot of us, and this time of year, its great to have the extra visibility and have people want to come in and support," Hue Boston co-owner Rob Eugene said.Massachusetts state Rep. Chynah Tyler has been a champion of the challenge for eight years. She says highlighting the businesses can be the extra boost they need to help them thrive. "When you dine at a Black restaurant, its kind of a chain effect. All of their vendors then are able to thrive just because you dined there," Tyler said. Some restaurant owners said they are glad Black-owned businesses are being highlighted, especially at a time when diversity and inclusion initiatives are under attack. Although the challenge is only for the month of February, Tyler said you can easily find a new favorite restaurant to add to your normal rotation. "Its important to be able to do this 12 months a year. And not only restaurants, its all Black businesses and businesses of color as a whole," Tyler said. The challenge's kickoff event at Grace By Nia is open to the public and will run until 10 p.m. Monday.