May 15, 2025

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Trump Saudi AI Deals, Cisco AI Innovation, AI Talent Demand, AI Startups, AI Shopping Tools

Recent developments in the world of technology and politics have seen significant investments and innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia has led to the announcement of billions of dollars in deals between the US and Saudi Arabia, including investments in AI. Meanwhile, companies like Cisco are driving AI innovation in the Middle East, with initiatives to build AI infrastructure and advance AI research. However, not all are convinced of the benefits of AI, with some CEOs questioning the return on investment of their AI initiatives. Despite this, the demand for AI talent is on the rise, with nine out of 10 organizations expected to hire experts in generative AI in the next year. New career paths are emerging, such as the role of Chief AI Officer, and companies like Sierra Ventures are investing in AI startups that address real-world problems. Banks are also predicting that AI will handle a significant portion of their workload, with almost half of bank executives expecting generative AI to handle between 21% and 40% of their teams' daily tasks by the end of the year. Additionally, companies like Schemata and Winxvideo AI are developing innovative AI-powered solutions, such as AI training platforms and video and image enhancement tools. Google and eBay have also launched AI-powered shopping tools to enhance the online shopping experience.

Key Takeaways

  • President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia has led to the announcement of billions of dollars in deals between the US and Saudi Arabia, including investments in AI.
  • Cisco is driving AI innovation in the Middle East, with initiatives to build AI infrastructure and advance AI research.
  • Only a quarter of CEOs believe their AI initiatives have delivered the expected return on investment, but 85% expect their investments in AI to return a positive ROI by 2027.
  • Nine out of 10 organizations are expected to hire talent with generative AI expertise in the next year, with the role of Chief AI Officer becoming increasingly important.
  • Sierra Ventures is investing in AI startups that address real-world problems, using a 'layered cake' framework to guide their investments.
  • Banks are predicting that AI will handle a significant portion of their workload, with almost half of bank executives expecting generative AI to handle between 21% and 40% of their teams' daily tasks by the end of the year.
  • Schemata has raised $5 million in seed funding to develop its AI training platform for the defense and enterprise sectors.
  • Winxvideo AI is a powerful all-in-one solution that uses advanced Artificial Intelligence software to upgrade the quality of video and image content.
  • Google and eBay have launched AI-powered shopping tools to enhance the online shopping experience, including 360-degree, 3D views of products and generative AI video tools.
  • Jamie Lee Curtis has spoken out against an AI deepfake that used her likeness to sell products, highlighting the need for greater regulation and awareness of AI-powered scams.

Trump visits Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has pledged billions of dollars in deals with the US, including $600 billion in investment and $142 billion in weapons. President Donald Trump has welcomed the promise and announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria. The US leader will also visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia is his first state visit of his second term, and he has praised the kingdom's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The crown prince has worked to change Saudi Arabia's image, easing restrictions on women and diversifying the economy. Trump has said that normalisation with Israel is his 'fervent hope and wish', but Saudi Arabia has said it cannot follow other countries in recognising Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Cisco announces AI initiatives

Cisco has announced a series of strategic initiatives to drive AI innovation across the Middle East region. The company will join HUMAIN's alliance to build Saudi Arabia's future AI infrastructure and extend its partnership with G42 to advance AI innovation in the UAE. Cisco will also collaborate with the AI Infrastructure Partnership to drive investment in data centers and AI infrastructure. The company's CEO, Chuck Robbins, has said that the Gulf region's AI revolution is 'truly impressive' and that Cisco is proud to play a key role in it. Cisco has also announced plans to invest in AI research and talent development in the region.

Jamie Lee Curtis blasts AI deepfake

Jamie Lee Curtis has spoken out against an AI deepfake that used her likeness to sell products. The actress took to Instagram to call out the scammers and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, asking him to take down the fake commercial. Curtis has said that the use of her image without her permission is a 'misuse' of her brand and diminishes her opportunities to speak her truth. The fake video has since been removed from Instagram and Facebook. This is not the first time a celebrity has been targeted by AI scammers, with two women in Europe being scammed out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by an account pretending to be Brad Pitt.

CEOs question AI investments

A recent survey by IBM has found that only a quarter of CEOs believe their AI initiatives have delivered the expected return on investment. Despite this, 85% of CEOs expect their investments in AI to return a positive ROI by 2027. The survey also found that only 16% of CEOs have scaled AI across their entire enterprise. Tech leaders have warned of the dangers of fueling an AI bubble, with some saying that the industry is heading in the wrong direction. However, many companies are still investing heavily in AI, with some predicting that it will bring significant efficiency gains and productivity improvements.

New career path emerges in AI

A new survey has found that nine out of 10 organizations are expected to hire talent with generative AI expertise in the year ahead. The survey, conducted by AWS, found that 60% of companies now have a chief AI officer to guide the process. The survey also found that 64% of businesses with fewer than 250 employees have already appointed CAIOs. The role of the CAIO is to oversee the integration of AI into the organization, manage risk, and drive value creation. The survey found that the most in-demand skills for CAIOs are AI strategy, data science, and machine learning.

Sierra Ventures invests in AI startups

Sierra Ventures has announced its investment thesis for AI startups, which focuses on companies that address massive pain points, have rich datasets, and provide large efficiency improvements. The firm has developed a 'layered cake' framework for AI investments, which includes five distinct layers: infrastructure, applied infrastructure, horizontal applications, vertical applications, and novel innovations. Sierra Ventures has invested in several AI startups, including Cimulate AI and Eudia. The firm believes that the AI market will continue to grow and that there will be significant opportunities for startups that can address real-world problems.

Banks predict AI will handle 40% of workload

A recent survey by KPMG has found that almost half of bank executives expect generative AI to handle between 21% and 40% of their teams' daily tasks by the end of the year. The survey also found that 57% of executives believe generative AI is an integral part of their long-term vision for fueling innovation and remaining relevant in the future. Banks are investing heavily in AI, with six in 10 executives saying it is a top investment priority this year. The survey found that the most common uses of generative AI in banking are fraud detection, financial forecasting, and cybersecurity.

Schemata raises $5M for AI training platform

Schemata has raised $5 million in seed funding to develop its AI training platform for the defense and enterprise sectors. The platform uses 3D reality capture, spatial AI, and contextual information to create photorealistic and interactive training programs. Schemata's technology can convert 2D images into 3D environments and apply AI to create personalized training assistance. The company has already piloted its platform with the Department of Defense and has been awarded $3.4 million in contracts. Schemata plans to use the funding to accelerate the development of its platform and expand its reach into new markets.

Winxvideo AI enhances video and image quality

Winxvideo AI is a powerful all-in-one solution that uses advanced Artificial Intelligence software to upgrade the quality of video and image content. The platform can rescue old photos and footage, and its AI upscaling tool can convert low-resolution videos to 720p, 1080p, or 4K. Winxvideo AI also offers dedicated AI models for different video types, including enhancing fine details, smoothing low-detail footage, and refining animations. The platform's AI Stabilization capabilities can fix camera shaking, and its AI frame interpolation can boost frame rates for smooth footage. Winxvideo AI also includes a full suite of video editing features and can restore and enhance photos and images.

Google and eBay launch AI-powered shopping tools

Google and eBay have launched new AI-powered shopping tools to help brands and sellers entice consumers. Google's new capability allows consumers to see 360-degree, 3D views of products, while eBay's generative AI video tool enables sellers to create content for social media platforms. The tools are designed to make shopping online more delightful, informative, and engaging for users. Google's technology can build a 3D rendering of a product based on as few as three images, and eBay's tool can create videos for YouTube and TikTok. The companies plan to continue refining their shopping experiences and expanding their AI-powered capabilities.

Sources

AI Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Deepfake Generative AI AI Investments