Batelco and Qareeb Data Centers have partnered to enhance digital infrastructure in Bahrain by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum 2024. The collaboration aims to develop the first White Space Data Centre in Bahrain, a key component of Beyon’s Data Oasis project, which will become the Kingdom’s largest technology hub.
The partnership aligns with Batelco’s strategy to expand its presence in the growing data centre market and digital infrastructure sector. Together, the companies will focus on delivering colocation services, implementing regional Data Centre initiatives, and offering managed digital services to meet the increasing demand for scalable and flexible solutions in the region.
As the data centre market in the region continues to grow, particularly in demand for local edge colocation services, Batelco and Qareeb Data Centers are well-positioned to capitalise on these trends. With Qareeb’s regional expansion objectives and Batelco’s established infrastructure capabilities, the partnership will drive advancements in Bahrain’s technology sector and contribute to the broader digital economy across the Gulf region.
Amazon’s Prime Video has introduced ‘X-Ray Recaps‘, a new feature that provides spoiler-free summaries of TV episodes and seasons using AI technology. Designed to spare viewers from accidental spoilers, the feature offers concise synopses of individual episodes, entire seasons, and even specific scenes. Amazon assures that the AI-generated recaps have built-in safeguards to prevent any unwanted plot reveals, enabling viewers to enjoy their favourite shows worry-free.
X-Ray Recaps builds on Prime Video’s X-Ray feature, which traditionally offers information about cast members and trivia when viewers pause a scene. To access the new summaries, users can visit a TV show’s detail page and select from three options: episode recap, season recap, or previous season recap. Currently in beta, X-Ray Recaps is initially available to Fire TV users in the United States, with plans for broader device support by year’s end.
The feature is powered by Amazon’s own AI models developed with Amazon Bedrock and SageMaker, which analyse video, subtitles, and dialogue to craft summaries of key moments without revealing significant plot points. X-Ray Recaps also synchronises with where viewers are in an episode, delivering personalised recaps that align with the scene in progress.
The rollout comes as Prime Video’s competitor Google TV recently introduced its own AI-generated summaries for TV shows and movies, signalling growing interest in AI-powered tools for enhancing viewer experience.
e& and ZTE have forged a significant strategic collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster innovation in the telecommunications sector amid current geopolitical challenges affecting technology adoption. The partnership is centred on developing energy-efficient and sustainable solutions for network infrastructure, addressing the growing global emphasis on environmental responsibility.
Additionally, they will design and develop advanced 5G and 5G-Advanced (5G-A) solutions while exploring innovative use cases for private networks to enhance connectivity and operational efficiency. Through shared insights and knowledge exchange, both organisations will promote leadership and collaborative learning, positioning themselves as responsible leaders in the industry while striving for net-zero emissions and inspiring further innovation.
Why does it matter?
The partnership emphasises the importance of creating opportunities for joint initiatives that enhance capabilities. By fostering a shared learning environment, both organisations can learn from each other’s successes and challenges, allowing for effective navigation of the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape. Their joint efforts aim to bolster technological development and pave the way for a more connected and sustainable future.
Colt Technology Services and Rivada Space Networks collaborate to develop a next-generation connectivity network that leverages innovative satellite technology, specifically utilising a unique global data constellation of 600 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The partnership aims to enhance Colt’s digital infrastructure capabilities by delivering ultra-secure and low-latency connectivity, which combines the high speed of fibre optics with the expansive reach of satellite technology.
Notably, with the first satellite launch planned for 2025 and services expected to commence in 2026, the collaboration effectively addresses the pressing needs of enterprises that require rapid and secure data transfer. Furthermore, Rivada’s ‘Outernet’ allows data to remain in space from origin to destination, resulting in a satellite network with global pole-to-pole coverage and lower latency than traditional terrestrial fibre.
The physically separate network routing enhances security and provides organisations with greater protection when sharing sensitive information, particularly in industries such as banking and finance. In addition to these advancements, Colt Technology Services will join Rivada’s Customer Advisory Board and participate in a series of technical workshops.
These initiatives will facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen collaboration around the Outernet’s capabilities. Through this strategic alliance, Colt and Rivada aim to revolutionise the connectivity landscape by providing robust, secure, and scalable solutions that meet customers’ evolving needs worldwide.
Coventry University researchers are using AI to support teachers in northern Vietnam‘s rural communities, where access to technology and training is often limited. Led by Dr Petros Lameras, the GameAid project introduces educators to generative AI, an advanced form of AI that creates text, images, and other materials in response to prompts, helping teachers improve lesson development and classroom engagement.
The GameAid initiative uses a game-based approach to demonstrate AI’s practical benefits, providing tools and guidelines that enable teachers to integrate AI into their curriculum. Dr Lameras highlights the project’s importance in transforming educators’ technological skills, while Dr Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen from Hanoi University emphasises its potential to close the educational gap between Vietnam’s urban and rural areas.
The initiative is seen as a key step towards promoting equal learning opportunities, offering much-needed educational resources to under-represented groups. Researchers at Coventry hope that their work will support more positive learning outcomes across Vietnam’s diverse educational landscape.
CTGT, a startup founded by Cyril Gorlla and Trevor Tuttle, aims to improve the safety and transparency of AI models. Operating in a field known as ‘explainable AI,’ CTGT’s platform identifies biased outputs and hallucinations in AI models, with a particular focus on applications in healthcare, finance, and other high-stakes industries. Rather than training additional models to oversee the AI, CTGT employs mathematically-guaranteed interpretability techniques, allowing companies to identify errors more efficiently and accurately.
CEO Gorlla highlighted the dangers of relying on inaccurate or biased AI decisions, emphasising that models are increasingly deployed in critical areas where errors can have serious consequences. CTGT’s clients include three unnamed Fortune 10 companies, one of which used the platform to correct biases in a facial recognition system. By offering both managed and on-premises solutions, CTGT also addresses data privacy concerns, giving companies control over their information without compromising security.
CTGT has gained support from major investors, including Mark Cuban and the co-founder of Zapier, and is a graduate of the Character Labs accelerator. As the startup expands, it plans to build out its engineering team and enhance its platform to meet the rising demand for AI interpretability. Analytics firm Markets and Markets estimates that the explainable AI sector could reach $16.2 billion by 2028, a promising outlook for companies focused on AI safety and transparency.
Morocco’s Panafsat and Thales Alenia Space have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build a high-capacity satellite telecommunications system to advance digital connectivity across 26 African countries, including 23 French-speaking nations. Signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco, the agreement underscores the deepening partnership between France and Morocco.
Once in orbit, the satellite will provide very high-throughput services (VHTS) to around 550 million people across a vast area of 12 million square kilometres, addressing connectivity needs in underserved and remote regions. This project supports the digital transformation goals in programs like Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) and Digital Morocco 2030, fostering economic growth and expanding access to essential services for governments, businesses, and communities across Africa.
Beyond meeting immediate connectivity needs, this initiative also positions Morocco as a digital leader in Africa as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Morocco is demonstrating a commitment to modernisation and readiness for future growth by enhancing its technological infrastructure and bridging the digital divide. The collaboration with Thales Alenia Space empowers Morocco’s digital economy and contributes to broader efforts to create an interconnected and technologically resilient continent.
T-Cell and UNICEF have partnered to enhance parental support and create meaningful employment opportunities for youth in Tajikistan. Central to this collaboration is promoting the Bebbo parenting app, which equips parents with essential information on child health, immunisation, and early childhood development for children under six.
T-Cell seeks to empower parents with the knowledge necessary to give their children the best possible start in life by improving access to this app. The partnership also includes awareness campaigns targeting T-Cell’s parent customers to ensure that vital resources are effectively communicated and utilised.
Additionally, UNICEF’s establishment of six Impact Sourcing Hubs nationwide provides outsourced job options specifically tailored for young people. T-Cell will enhance the IT infrastructure of these hubs and offer insights into job prospects within the telecommunications sector, guiding young Tajiks in exploring relevant career paths.
This collaborative effort addresses the immediate needs for parental support and youth employment and contributes to the long-term economic empowerment of the youth in Tajikistan. By aligning their resources and expertise, T-Cell and UNICEF are making strides toward building a more supportive environment for families and a sustainable future for young people in the region.
ProFuturo and American Tower are expanding their digital education initiative to Nigeria, building on the success of a program initially launched in Kenya. The expansion aims to provide nearly 30,000 students in vulnerable communities across Africa and Latin America access to digital learning opportunities, addressing significant educational inequalities.
Central to this initiative is the training and empowerment of over 1,000 teachers, who will receive essential digital resources and innovative teaching methods to integrate technology into their classrooms effectively. By equipping educators with these tools, the collaboration seeks to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that underserved regions have access to the same educational resources as urban areas.
The partnership aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in promoting quality education and reducing inequalities while also aiming to reduce poverty and inequality within local communities. Additionally, American Tower’s Digital Communities initiative will establish technology-driven spaces that promote digital literacy, vocational training, and healthcare access, serving as vital hubs for learning and development.
Looking ahead to 2030, the partnership aspires to create lasting change, ensuring that all children can succeed in the digital economy and laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape in Nigeria and beyond.
Orange Middle East and Africa has announced a strategic partnership with Mastercard to expand mobile financial services across Sub-Saharan Africa, targeting seven countries – Cameroon, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. The collaboration seeks to address the financial inclusion challenge in Africa, where only 48% of the adult population is banked, by empowering underserved communities and providing them with the financial tools they need.
Orange Money customers will have access to virtual and physical debit cards linked to their wallets, facilitating seamless transactions with local merchants and online platforms accepting Mastercard. With over 160 million customers and 37 million active Orange Money accounts, Orange is crucial in enhancing financial inclusion and offering accessible financial solutions. That partnership also underscores Mastercard’s commitment to advancing financial inclusion through technology, strengthening its position as a trusted technology partner for telecom companies in the region while aligning with Orange’s strategy to provide efficient payment solutions.
The collaboration represents a significant step toward unlocking digital financial services for millions across Africa and emphasises the region’s potential for innovation and economic independence. By leveraging their combined expertise, both companies aim to support growth, drive digital transformation, and contribute to a more inclusive financial landscape, ultimately enabling individuals to engage more effectively in the economy.
