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Across the Gulf, governments are investing billions in sovereign AI initiatives, data center expansions, and smart city ecosystems. From NEOM’s greenfield infrastructure to Abu Dhabi’s G42-backed cloud services and Dubai’s push to embed AI in public services, the region is making AI central to its long-term economic leadership. But as these ambitions scale, they demand energy-efficient, high-performance infrastructure capable of running AI at national levels—without breaking the grids or the budgets. This challenge is prompting a closer look at energy-efficient alternatives to running AI models.This shift is already underway in the U.S., where trillions of dollars are being poured into data center infrastructure. With it, a wave of new players is emerging with hardware optimized for efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness in AI workloads. One of the most promising is Positron, a startup with deep connections to capital partners behind well-known brands—two of the most compute-intensive sectors in AI. The company recently raised $51M to scale its inference accelerators, designed for high power efficiency, strong performance-per-dollar, and optimized memory bandwidth, key factors for large-scale inference deployment.As Middle Eastern nations plant their flags and chart the course of their AI futures, it’s worth looking for solutions beyond obvious hardware, like expensive, non-specialized GPUs. Positron’s recent deployments with leading US neoclouds like Cloudflare might be an indicator of the powerful and efficient infrastructure that will soon be deployed in many countries in the Middle East.Where AI Gets ExpensiveWhile hardware choices often focus on raw power or training benchmarks, the real costs and energy demands come after the model is trained. Inference, the phase where AI models are actually deployed and used, is what makes or breaks infrastructure strategies. And it’s where the gap between traditional GPUs and purpose-built systems becomes most apparent.In the training phase, models learn from data to make predictions and perform tasks. Inference is the subsequent phase where a trained model uses its knowledge to process new data and generate outputs like user prompts and synthetic content, or power customer-facing AI assistants. Where training is a one-time cost, inference is a continuous process that scales with every user interaction on every AI platform. And today, inference has become the largest and fastest-growing source of AI’s ongoing energy consumption.Positron is directly addressing this challenge with its inference system, designed from the ground up to maximize memory capacity and support large-scale deployment across neocloud platforms and enterprise environments. By focusing on efficiency, memory optimization, and compatibility, Positron is helping AI builders and infrastructure providers improve performance while working toward more energy-efficient operations.Rethinking AI’s Cost CurveToday, inference accounts for nearly 90 percent of all model-related workloads across both consumer and enterprise applications. Despite this, most inference is still being run on power-hungry general-purpose GPUs, which were originally designed to train large, flexible models, not for the demands of real-time, high-throughput inference workloads.This misalignment has created a hidden cost structure in which enterprises and cloud providers are forced to rely on expensive GPU hardware to perform repetitive, memory-bound inference tasks, often utilizing only a fraction of each chip’s capacity. This inefficiency inflates operating costs and puts additional strain on power grids in regions where energy management and infrastructure optimization are critical concerns.Positron’s answer to this problem is Atlas, a full-stack inference system that leverages reprogrammable FPGAs to maximize memory bandwidth and throughput. Atlas is designed to make more efficient use of memory bandwidth than standard GPUs, with a focus on improving cost-effectiveness and reducing energy consumption. The platform is already in use by neocloud companies, including Cloudflare and Parasail, where it’s powering large-scale inference workloads with no code modifications required.Strategic Funding to Scale AI AccessPositron just closed a $51.6 million Series A funding round led by Valor Equity Partners, Atreides Management, and DFJ Growth with participation from 1517 Fund, Flume Ventures, and Unless. The round brings the company’s total funding to $75 million and reflects growing investor confidence in inference-optimized infrastructure as the next major wave in AI.This funding will support the continued deployment of Positron’s first-gen product and accelerate the rollout of Titan, the company’s upcoming ASIC-based inference platform slated for release in 2026. Titan is being developed to support some of the largest and most complex AI models in use today, with a planned capacity of up to 16 trillion parameters and two terabytes of high-speed memory per chip. Its modular, high-throughput design is intended to address the growing demand for scalable, sovereign AI infrastructure in both enterprise and government deployments.Unlike traditional solutions, Positron’s hardware supports existing model binaries and APIs, minimizing the need for code rewrites or major system changes.Enabling Innovation in Emerging MarketsAs AI deployment expands beyond Big Tech and into broader enterprise and public-sector applications, the economic burden of inference is becoming increasingly visible. AI-driven tools are now reaching users across every geography and industry—but their accessibility still hinges on the cost and efficiency of the underlying computer infrastructure.By making inference more affordable and energy-efficient, AI will become accessible beyond the walls of Big Tech and elite research labs, which will open the door for a broader range of users to fine-tune open-source models and run them locally. This unlocks entirely new categories of use cases, from healthcare diagnostics in rural clinics to real-time translation in schools——applications that only become viable in power-constrained environments with energy-efficient inference solutions.This transformation is especially relevant in the Middle East, where governments are prioritizing both AI leadership and sustainability. By decoupling inference performance from power-hungry GPUs, Positron offers a path forward for building AI infrastructure that is both economically and environmentally aligned with the region’s strategic goals.The Future of AI InfrastructureLooking ahead, the next phase of AI evolution will not be determined by who can train the largest model, but by who can deploy it most efficiently. Inference is already the dominant workload—and its impact on cost, access, and infrastructure design is only accelerating. As AI becomes a foundational layer across sectors, the ability to serve models at scale—securely, affordably, and sustainably—will shape the region’s global economic posture.Positron’s inference-first architecture presents a credible alternative to GPU-dominated infrastructure. By designing systems tailored to how AI is actually used in production, the company is unlocking new opportunities for cloud providers, national governments, and enterprise platforms alike. In the Middle East, a region increasingly focused on energy efficiency, technological development, and AI infrastructure, this shift in architecture could power the next chapter of AI growth in digitally ambitious, resource-aware economies like those across the Middle East.

An awareness workshop led by cybersecurity trainer Farhan Alsadi underscored the need for individuals and organisations in Qatar to strengthen their digital defences amid rising cyber threats.The session, held under the framework of the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), at the Qatar Press Center on Sunday highlighted the fast-evolving risks to personal data, critical infrastructure, and national digital assets.Alsadi cautioned that cybercrime today poses challenges not just to governments and corporations but also to everyday users navigating an increasingly connected world.He explained that cybersecurity is more than firewalls and passwords. “It is a structured set of practices and technologies designed to protect systems, networks, and information from malicious attacks,” he said. This includes securing data, preventing unauthorised access, and adopting swift response mechanisms in case of breaches.Participants were introduced to the central objectives of cybersecurity, beginning with the fundamental aim of protecting data from unauthorised access or exploitation. They learned that safeguarding sensitive information is the first line of defence in a digital world where personal, corporate, and even national assets are increasingly targeted. Closely linked to this is the need to secure networks and digital infrastructure against cyberattacks, ensuring that the systems underpinning communications, commerce, and governance remain resilient.Encryption was highlighted as a vital tool for maintaining the confidentiality of information as it moves across networks, effectively shielding it from interception or misuse. Alongside this, the importance of establishing strong security policies was emphasised, particularly in combating the persistent threat of malware that can cripple operations or compromise trust. Finally, participants were reminded that breaches, despite precautions, remain a reality; therefore, rapid response measures are essential to contain damage, restore functionality, and prevent repeat attacks.Together, these objectives framed cybersecurity not as a single action, but as an ongoing, multi-layered effort to build digital trust and resilience.The workshop stressed that protecting cyberspace is not only about technology but also about people. Raising awareness, Alsadi noted, is central to building a cyber-resilient society. Training sessions, awareness campaigns, and institutional programmes remain the first line of defence.He also pointed to the NCSA’s efforts in training national cadres on the latest cybersecurity tools, alongside supporting research to keep Qatar abreast of global challenges. International co-operation with leading countries and organisations was cited as key to keeping pace with the ever-changing threat landscape.Alsadi drew attention to the NCSA’s role in safeguarding personal data. Initiatives include educating users on their privacy rights, developing institutional training programmes, and adopting best practices based on international standards. Multiple reporting platforms are available for citizens to flag breaches swiftly, ensuring transparency and protection.The workshop also clarified how the NCSA and the Ministry of Interior work hand in hand. While the Agency focuses on awareness, prevention, and technical expertise, the Ministry investigates cybercrimes, gathers digital evidence, and coordinates with international bodies such as Interpol. Together, the two entities form a comprehensive shield for Qatar’s digital environment.Concluding the session, Alsadi urged participants to adopt a proactive stance. “Cybersecurity is not a one-off task but an ongoing responsibility,” he reminded. “Every click, every password, and every data transaction carries a risk — and also an opportunity to protect.”

The Qatar Press Center (QPC) has signed contracts with seven 5-star hotels to offer special rates to QPC members and their families on rooms, restaurants, and other hotel services. The participating hotels are: 21 High Street, The Torch, Mina & Residence, OQ, Bentley, Al Azizia Boutique, and The Muse. The discounts range from 20% to 30% for rooms or suites, meals at all of these hotels' restaurants, and fitness club services. This comes as part of the QPC's commitment to the well-being and comfort of journalists, media professionals, and their families. More offers and discounts on other services will be announced in the coming period. The QPC has signed similar agreements with the following hotels: Marsa Malaz Kempinski, Dusit Doha, Dusit Suites, and Warwick Doha, which include significant discounts on accommodation services, restaurants, and fitness clubs. The QPC has also signed a number of agreements to enable members and their families to benefit from special discounts ranging from 20% to 30% at a number of private hospitals: Al Emadi Hospital, Doha Clinic, and Naseem Medical Center. These discounts vary depending on the specialties and medical services provided, and cover a wide range of fields, including periodic checkups, medical consultations, physiotherapy, specialised surgeries, and dental services.

Qatar Press Center (QPC) continues its "Journalists at the centre of crises" series, which highlights the pivotal role of journalism in covering wars, disasters, and humanitarian crises around the world. The series documents the exceptional efforts of journalists and media professionals to convey the truth to the world, despite limited resources and information, and to give voice to victims at a time when truth is often the first casualty of conflict.In this episode, we explore the stories of journalists who sacrificed their lives to bring the truth to the world, disregarding threats and the deliberate targeting of journalists in war and conflict zones. They transformed from witnesses to truth into martyrs and role models for future generations of journalists and media professionals, exemplifying courage, bravery, and unwavering commitment to the principles of journalism and media. The killing of journalists means more than just the loss of individuals; it represents a loss to human memory and the people's right to knowledge. This makes protecting journalism a priority in an era of relentless wars that spare neither the young nor the old, nor any innocent person.Ali Hassan al-Jaber was a prominent Qatari journalist and cameraman who served as the director of photography at Al Jazeera. On March 12, 2011, while covering the Libyan revolution in Benghazi, his vehicle was ambushed by unknown gunmen who opened fire on him as he returned from a field assignment. He was killed, and his colleague was wounded. The last images captured by Al-Jaber's camera were of the tomb of Libyan martyr Omar al-Mukhtar in the town of Suluq, southwest of Benghazi. His death was the first death of an Al Jazeera correspondent during the Libyan conflict, sparking a wave of international condemnation and repeated calls for the protection of journalists in war zones.Brent Anthony Reno, the American journalist and documentary filmmaker, was not merely a reporter of events; he was part of them, moving with his camera to the front lines without ever compromising his moral and humanitarian principles. On March 13, 2022, while covering the refugee crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Reno was shot and killed by a Russian sniper while crossing an area near Irpin, northwest of Kyiv, a location that was supposed to be a safe passage for civilians.Pierre Zakrzewski, known as "Zak," was a veteran French-Irish photojournalist based in London. He was best known for his work with Fox News, covering armed conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. On March 14, 2022, while covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he and his colleague Benjamin Hall were in a vehicle near Kyiv when it came under Russian artillery fire. Zakrzewski was killed instantly, while Hall was seriously injured and taken to hospital. Following his death, the joint investigation by France, Ireland, and Ukraine led to the case being referred to the International Criminal Court.

Minister of Interior of Syria, Eng Anas Khattab, visited the National Command Center (NCC) as part of his official visit to Doha. He and his accompanying delegation were received by HE Assistant Undersecretary for Technical and Specialized Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, Staff Major General Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Suwaidi.During the visit, the delegation was briefed on the latest technologies and systems in use at the centre.The visit comes within the framework of exchanging expertise and strengthening bilateral co-operation between the two Ministries of Interior, in a way that contributes to advancing joint security efforts.

The Qatar Press Center (QPC), in co-operation with the Media Development Department of the Qatar Media Corporation (QMC), concluded the “Political Analysis for Media Professionals” course, which was held from August 31-September 3 at the Center’s headquarters.The course was attended by a select group of media professionals and journalists from various local media outlets. The course was presented by Professor Abdullah al-Shaiji, Professor of Political Science at Kuwait University, who shared his extensive academic and practical experience in interpreting the regional and international political landscape and analysing current issues in an in-depth and objective perspective. At the conclusion of the course, Abdullah bin Haji al-Sulaiti, vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of the QPC, distributed certificates to the participants. He also presented a certificate of thanks and appreciation to the lecturer, Professor Abdullah al-Shaiji, in recognition of his efforts and contributions to the success of the training programme. Sadiq Mohammed al-Ammari, director general of the QPC, expressed his happiness with the fruitful co-operation with the QMC in organising the fourth part of the political analysis course. He emphasised that this partnership comes within the framework of the Center’s commitment to providing the media arena with quality programmes that enhance skills and keep pace with current developments. The director general emphasised that the course attracted an elite group of media professionals and journalists from various media institutions, praising their interaction, which gave a practical dimension to the training experience. The director general emphasised that co-operation with the QMC will expand in the coming period to include the launch of more specialised courses and workshops aimed at providing media professionals with the knowledge and skills that keep pace with the rapid changes in the media and political landscape. Professor Abdullah al-Shaiji said: “This course is an opportunity to qualify young Qataris and provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills in the fields of media and political analysis.”He added: “The course aims to enhance the capacity of young Qataris to gather and analyse accurate information and understand Qatari achievements at all levels. This is particularly true given Qatar’s influential soft power, its significant achievements in development and charitable work, and its pivotal role in bringing viewpoints closer at the Gulf, Arab, and global levels.” He praised the efforts of the QMC and QPC in building qualified media cadres capable of conveying Qatar’s accurate image, correcting negative stereotypes, and defending national achievements with evidence, figures, and statistics, thus contributing to strengthening Qatar’s position regionally and internationally.

Qatar News Agency (QNA), through its QNA Training Center, will resume its training programs for the last quarter of 2025, starting early September.QNA is set to launch a series of specialized courses covering topics such as news verification, social media monitoring and analysis, photojournalism, news documentation, and website content management and analysis.These courses, delivered by a team of experienced trainers, aim to equip participants with the latest professional field techniques and digital tools essential for journalism and media work.Participants will include employees from various media organizations and government entities, as well as staff members from different departments within QNA.These training programs are a continuation of QNA's approach to enhancing the skills of Qatari media professionals and developing their performance and professional efficiency.The courses are being held at the QNA Training Halls, which were inaugurated in March 2023, and equipped with state-of-the-art training technologies, helping to create an encouraging training environment that keeps pace with the rapid developments in the media landscape.

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) held its annual educational forum for the academic year 2025-2026 at the Qatar National Convention Center on Tuesday. Held under the patronage and attendance of HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed al-Khater, the forum was attended by school principals, teachers, students, parents, community partners, media representatives, and senior ministry officials. The forum aims to enhance communication with school leaders, teachers, and students, and to review the ministry's strategic directions for the new academic year as part of the "Back to School 2025" event. HE MoEHE Undersecretary Dr Ibrahim bin Saleh al-Nuaimi emphasised in his speech that the "Back to School" initiative represents a welcoming celebration and an inspiring educational start. He said the event aims to prepare all stakeholders in the educational system for the new academic year, strengthen the partnership between the ministry and the community, introduce the ministry’s strategic projects and motivate students and teachers for a positive and energetic beginning. Dr al-Nuaimi also highlighted the importance of the occasion in building a supportive and integrated educational environment between home and school, in line with the goals of education in Qatar. He welcomed the new students, teachers, and administrative staff, wishing them a successful start and a fruitful academic journey. He praised the achievements made during the past period, including the expansion of early childhood education and inclusive schools, the launch of educational vouchers for students with disabilities, the adoption of inclusive education and early intervention initiatives, and curriculum development. He also noted the expansion of scholarship opportunities to prestigious universities both within the country and abroad, in line with the needs of the labour market and Qatar National Vision 2030. He pointed out that the ministry adopts a balanced and integrated approach that responds to the requirements of economic diversification and the shift toward a knowledge-based economy. He emphasised that the teacher is at the heart of educational development and that the impact is directly reflected in students. This is achieved through high-quality training programmes and increased opportunities to hire Qatari teachers through initiatives such as "Tomooh," "Tamkeen," and "Tamheen." He added that the ultimate goal of the new academic year is to provide quality education to students and prepare them to compete regionally and globally, highlighting the opening of new schools that offer education based on international standards while preserving national identity and core values. He also stressed that students' quality of life is a strategic priority for the ministry, by providing an engaging and integrated educational environment that enhances attendance, participation, and academic performance, and supports their personal development. The minister honoured 28 male and female teachers from the sixth cohort of the "Tamheen" programme, which is implemented by the ministry in cooperation with the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau. The programme aims to attract and qualify national talents to join the teaching profession, contributing to enriching the educational environment with qualified Qatari personnel. The event also included recognition of the partners who contributed to the success of the Back to School 2025 activities. These included: Ooredoo, Mowasalat (Karwa), KidZania, Al Rawnaq Bookstore, and Alif Bookstore - in appreciation of their support for the event. The event concluded with a tour by HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education of the educational projects exhibition, showcasing work by teachers participating in the "Tamheen," promising start, and innovation leaders programmes. She listened to their presentations and the outcomes of their projects, which aim to improve academic performance, boost student motivation, and increase parental involvement in the educational process.

The Qatar Press Center (QPC) condemns the killing of 20 Palestinians, including five journalists and several ambulance and civil defence crews while evacuating the wounded, in an Israeli air strike on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.Quoting a medical source, WAFA reported that the journalists killed were: Mohammed Salama, a photojournalist for Al Jazeera; Hussam al-Masri, a photojournalist for Reuters; journalist Mariam Dagga, who works for several media outlets, including Independent Arabia and AP; and journalist Moaz Abu Taha for the American NBC network. Fellow journalist Ahmed Abu Aziz succumbed to his wounds following the Israeli massacre.This brings the number of journalists killed since the beginning of the aggression on Gaza to 245. The QPC affirms that the new Israeli massacre of journalists while performing their professional duties is part of a systematic policy pursued by the occupation army since the beginning of its war of extermination against the people of Gaza on October 7, 2023, targeting journalists’ locations, homes, and tents to prevent them from conveying the truth to the world and to silence their voices forever. The QPC reiterates its call on the international community, UN, human rights, and media organisations, to condemn the targeting of journalists in Gaza and to take urgent action to hold the Israeli occupation accountable before international courts for war crimes against journalists and media professionals. Impunity has encouraged the Israeli occupation forces to continue their series of assassinations, arrests, and intimidation of journalists, in full view of the world.Cameras documented the martyrdom of the journalists live on air. A circulating video shows a group of journalists and paramedics rushing to Nasser Hospital after the fourth floor was bombed, to begin rescuing the victims and wounded.However, they were surprised by a second Israeli airstrike targeting them, resulting in an increase in the number of casualties among photographers and medical personnel.The Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip condemned the recent Israeli massacre, noting that the number of journalist martyrs in the Strip had risen to 245 following the latest attack.The office called on the International Federation of Journalists to condemn the crimes against journalists and held Israel responsible for the brutal crimes committed in the Gaza Strip.