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Norway’s wealth fund encourages responsible AI engagement for enhanced profits


Norway’s $1.4 trillion wealth fund, the world’s single largest stock market investor, is urging firms it invests in to engage with artificial intelligence as a way to drive profits, but to do so responsibly, top officials told Reuters.

Fund CEO Nicolai Tangen said it was crucial for all firms in its portfolio to engage with AI, as it is “potentially a massive driver for productivity and efficiency” that is becoming an everyday business tool like power, computers or the internet.

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“We of course expect them to use AI for the best possible benefit of the business,” Tangen said in an interview. “AI is a huge opportunity for companies and for society, but we need to make sure that it is used in the right way.”

Tangen said a company that would not engage with AI “would disqualify themselves as being complete morons”.

The fund invests in 9,200 firms worldwide, for which it sets expectations on a range of issues, from children’s rights to climate change.

Its latest document, to be published Wednesday, is on consumers’ interests, with a heavy focus on AI.

When talking to firms about responsible AI, the fund will concentrate particularly on the healthcare, finance and large tech sectors, because their use of the technology will have an especially strong impact on consumers.

Companies must be able to explain why they are developing particular AI systems and how they have been designed, trained and tested, according to the document. There should also be effective human oversight and control.

That is so “people (who) are affected by the outcomes can actually go back to the company and ask ‘how does your algorithm work? Why did I not get the loan?’”, said Carine Smith Ihenacho, the fund’s chief governance and compliance officer.

Among other expectations set in the document, the fund said companies must be proactive in their management of AI-related risks, and have systems in place if or when things go wrong.

Special responsibility lies with the top tech companies that develop AI technology since they are driving the change, said the fund, a top ten investor in Microsoft, Amazon , Alphabet and Nvidia.

“They have to take responsibility for their development and use of AI,” said Smith Ihenacho, adding the fund had already discussed AI with the large US tech companies in its portfolio.

“We have done it and we will continue to do it,” she said.

She welcomed recent self-regulation moves by US tech giants as “a good start”, but noted that there were “no proper regulations in place yet” and that more was needed.

In July, US AI companies made voluntary commitments to the White House to implement measures such as watermarking AI-generated content to make the technology safer.

“That is where there is room for investors like us to come in and fill the gap,” said Smith Ihenacho.

Tech is the largest sector in the fund’s equity investments, representing 11.9 percent of the its total value at end-2022, its data showed.

Dialogue with companies and voting at annual general meetings is the focus of its environment, social and governance (ESG) approach, but the fund can, and does, divest from companies that do not comply with its requirements. Last year it divested from 74 firms on those grounds.

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fischer Shares Insights on the Future of Construction at the International Expert Forum

The fischer Group of Companies, a renowned German multinational manufacturer
specializing in fastening products for the construction and DIY industry, hosted its second
International Expert Forum (IEF) at the H Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. The event
gathered industry leaders, partners, and experts to explore advancements in construction,
focusing on sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation.
The forum emphasized fischer’s commitment to sustainable construction practices. Attendees
were introduced to the company’s latest eco-friendly solutions, aligning with global efforts to
reduce the environmental impact of the industry.”We are thrilled to host the IEF in Dubai, a
city recognized for its forward-thinking growth” said Dr. Ronald Mihala from fischer
“fischer is dedicated to driving the future of construction through innovation, digitalization,
and sustainability.”
Operating through 52 subsidiaries with over 4,700 employees, fischer reaffirmed its
commitment to sustainable growth and international expansion. A key focus of the forum was
innovation and digitalization as the future drivers of construction, with speakers discussing
cutting-edge technologies and their applications.Highlights included:

 Dr. Ronald Mihala and Dr. Oliver Geibig on BIM Integration: They showcased
how fischer leverages Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve
collaboration, minimize waste, and streamline project management globally.

 Prof. Konrad Bergmeister on The Future of Construction: Emerging technologies
were discussed as the catalysts for safer, more efficient, and sustainable construction
environments.

 Prof. Ashraf Biddah and Dr. Máté Tóth on Repair & Strengthening of
Structures: Prof. Biddah presented innovative methods for rehabilitating aging
infrastructure. Dr. Tóth introduced fischer’s carbon fiber-based solutions, highlighting
the REINFORCE-FIX software for optimized retrofitting.

The forum also unveiled fischer’s latest products, designed to meet the industry’s evolving
needs with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and advanced technology integration. The
event underscored fischer’s role as a global leader, committed to providing forward-thinking
solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.

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Shurooq’s beachfront project Ajwan Khorfakkan attracts strong investor interest at Sharjah Investment Forum 2024

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)
showcased its key projects, including Ajwan Khorfakkan, Maryam Island, and Sharjah Sustainable
City, at the 7 th edition of the Sharjah Investment Forum held on 18-19 September, under the
patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme
Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
During the forum, a key highlight was the exhibit featuring Shurooq’s residential project Ajwan,
located in the picturesque city of Khorfakkan. With its strategic location, breathtaking views of the
Gulf of Oman, and majestic mountains, the project seamlessly blends natural beauty with elegant
living spaces.
During the two-day forum, Shurooq’s exhibit garnered significant interest from investors seeking
projects with strong ROI potential and desirable locations for holiday homes or weekend retreats.
Ajwan aims to create a thriving community, offering a blend of hospitality, retail, residential, and
entertainment options, all designed to cater to families and those in search of memorable
experiences.
H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Chief Executive Officer of Shurooq, said: “We are delighted to see
growing interest in our projects such as Ajwan at the Sharjah Investment Forum 2024. As one of our
flagship projects, Ajwan stands out due to its thoughtful design and prime location, making it one of
our most appealing beachfront developments. Beyond being a significant investment opportunity,
what I value most about this project is its serene environment, which is thoughtfully designed to
promote peace, positivity, and well-being for its residents. Diverse projects such as Ajwan, Sharjah
Sustainable City, and Maryam Island—each designed to elevate the standards of sustainable and
luxury living in Sharjah—show how Shurooq supports Sharjah’s strategic vision. The forum provided
a valuable opportunity for Shurooq to showcase our commitment to developing impactful,
sustainable projects that enhance quality of life while also creating attractive investment
opportunities for investors from different parts of the world.”
Over the past months, Ajwan has garnered significant investor attention primarily due to its key
features, including competitive prices, high-quality living, a strategic location, and attractions for all
ages. Its residential buildings, Al Joon and Saahil, with captivating views, have become so popular
that only a few units are left for sale. The project also features a first-of-its-kind waterpark in the
eastern region of the UAE and is just a 5-minute drive from Khorfakkan’s main attractions such as
the waterfall and amphitheater.
Ajwan’s first phase consists of 79 units, with two-bedroom apartments ranging from 127 to 231 m²
and prices starting from AED 1,899,000. The three-bedroom apartments, ranging from 168 to 289
m², are offered at a starting price of AED 2,099,000. The three-bedroom duplex apartments measure
235 to 275 m² and start from AED 3,799,000. Four-bedroom apartments extend over 225 to 369 m²,
with prices beginning at AED 2,799,000. The four-bedroom duplex apartments cover 272 to 312 m²

and are available from AED 4,199,000. The project is slated to
be completed in the last quarter of 2026.

During the forum, Shurooq also showcased its Maryam Island project—a mixed-use development
featuring 20 residential buildings comprising over 3,500 homes. Spread over a massive 3.3 million sq.
ft. area, the waterfront destination will offer unrivaled vistas of Al Mamzar Beach and Al Khan
Lagoon. The project is due for completion in 2026.
In addition, visitors to Shurooq’s exhibit learned about Sharjah Sustainable City, the first sustainable
master-planned residential community developed by Shurooq in partnership with Diamond
Developers. This development has become one of the most sought-after residential communities,
nearly sold out with only a few villas remaining. It recently surpassed AED 2.5 billion in sales across
all four phases, with the final phase scheduled for completion in 2025.
Organized by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), under the theme ‘A Futuristic Vision for
Smart Economies,’ this year’s forum featured over 80 renowned global experts and included
workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches. The forum discussed the role of investments
and capital in directing AI systems to support global growth and enhance efficiency, flexibility, and
inclusiveness across various sectors, including real estate.

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Estithmar Holding Lists the First Corporate Sukuk in Qatari Riyals on London Stock Exchange

Estithmar Holding celebrated this morning the listing of its first Sukuk in Qatari Riyals on
London Stock Exchange, at the Stock Exchange’s headquarters. This is the first time that London
Stock Exchange has witnessed listing in Qatari riyals.
The market open ceremony for the listing of Estithmar Holding Sukuks was attended by Eng.
Mohammed bin Bader Al-Sada, Group CEO of Estithmar Holding, in addition to key executives
from the company, Mr. Shrey Kohli, Head of Debt Capital Markets and Issuer Services in
London Stock Exchange, members of the LSE team, and a group of media representatives.
The ceremony was also attended by representatives of the joint lead managers of the issuance
and Qatari financial institutions; Mr. Mohammed Ismail Al-Emadi, CEO of Lisha Bank, Mr.
Ahmed Hashem, acting CEO of Dukhan Bank, Mr. Akber Khan, acting CEO of Al Rayan
Investment and Mr. Haithem Katerji, CEO of The First Investor. The ceremony was attended
also by Mr. Charbel AbuCharaf, Managing Partner, White and Case Qatar in addition to
representatives of legal and consultancy firms.
Estithmar Holding recently announced its successful issuance of the first corporate Sukuk
denominated in Qatari Riyals, worth QAR 500 million, with an annual profit rate of 8.75%. This
issuance is the inaugural tranche of Estithmar Holding’s QAR 3.4 billion Sukuk program which
earned great interest from investors and governmental and non-governmental institutions. The
list of investors included banks, insurance companies, and asset management companies.
Commenting on the event, Eng. Mohammed bin Badr Al-Sada, CEO of Estihtmar Holding,
highlighted the significance of the listing to the Qatari economy, “This issuance demonstrates
confidence in Qatar's robust economy and highlights the ability of the Qatari private sector to
expand both domestically and internationally, with support from government initiatives that
create a seamless environment where companies can develop and thrive.”.
Al-Sada also pointed out the importance of the issuance as a milestone for the company: “Today
Estithmar Holding operates in 7 countries across four sectors and the Sukuk program we have
listed on the London Stock Exchange is a key component of our growth strategy and will
facilitate further expansion and value creation.”.

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