AI Chip Startup Groq Secures $1.5 Billion Investment From Saudi Arabia

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 11, 2025

Groq, a U.S.-based AI semiconductor startup, has secured a $1.5 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to expand its advanced AI chip delivery in the country. The startup, founded by a former Alphabet AI chip engineer, specializes in AI inference chips that optimize speed and execute commands for pre-trained models.

Groq already has a partnership with Aramco Digital, the tech arm of oil giant Aramco, through which they developed a key AI hub in the region in December. The investment will fund the expansion of Groq’s data center in Dammam, with the startup having obtained the necessary licenses to export its chips despite U.S. export controls.

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The announcement was made at Saudi Arabia’s LEAP 2025 event, where the country also secured $14.9 billion in AI investments. One of the technologies supported by the Dammam Center is Allam, an AI language model developed by the Saudi government that operates in both Arabic and English.

In August, Groq raised $640 million in a funding round led by Cisco, Samsung, and BlackRock, bringing its valuation to $2.8 billion.

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WISTA Cyprus Uses Music And Creativity To Bring The Sea Closer To The Next Generation

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 9, 2026

WISTA Cyprus brought members and their families together in Limassol for a children’s workshop focused on the Mediterranean monk seal, the sea, and the marine environment as part of its World Maritime Day 2026 activities.

A Creative Entry Point To Maritime Awareness

The workshop, titled Here Only Monachus, took place on September 19 at the Limassol Municipal Gallery and offered children an engaging introduction to the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) through music, sound and creative activities.

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Led by Rebecca Katsaris, associate educator at Enalia Physis, and music educator Christina Charalambidou, the session invited children to listen closely to the sounds of the sea, experiment with instruments and collaborate on creating their own musical piece.

Building Family Connections Around The Maritime World

For WISTA Cyprus president Anna Pittalis, the event was as much about community as it was about education.

“Our members came together not only as colleagues and professionals, but also as mums and dads, bringing their children with them,”
she said.

Pittalis added: “Our connection with the sea starts long before a career in maritime. It starts with curiosity, with discovering what is beneath the surface, and with learning to appreciate the world around us.”

Part Of A Broader Maritime Day Programme

The workshop formed part of WISTA Cyprus’ wider programme for World Maritime Day 2026, observed under the theme From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.

For the association, creating meaningful opportunities for younger generations to engage with the marine environment is also part of strengthening long-term ties to the maritime sector.

About Wista Cyprus

WISTA Cyprus is the local chapter of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International), a global network connecting women across the maritime, trading and logistics sectors. The organisation provides a platform for networking, professional development, knowledge-sharing and collaboration, while working to expand visibility and opportunities for women throughout the industry.

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