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ByteDance Sets Ambitious $20 Billion Budget For 2025, Focusing On AI Expansion

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is planning a substantial capital investment of over 150 billion yuan ($20.64 billion) in 2025, with a significant portion directed towards advancing artificial intelligence, sources familiar with the matter revealed.

Approximately half of this budget will be allocated overseas, primarily for AI infrastructure projects such as data centers and networking technology. This strategic expenditure is expected to benefit major players like Huawei Technologies, Cambricon Technologies, and U.S. chipmaker Nvidia, according to the sources, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the information.

ByteDance, however, dismissed the claims, stating that the details regarding its spending are inaccurate, without providing further clarification.

In response, Nvidia declined to comment, while Huawei and Cambricon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This investment comes as ByteDance aims to consolidate its position as a leader in AI technology. Despite starting 2024 behind its competitors, the company now boasts over 15 independent AI applications, surpassing rivals such as Baidu and Tencent. Notable among its creations is the popular chatbot, Doubao. The spending plan is also set to strengthen ByteDance’s AI capabilities abroad, especially at a time when the future of TikTok remains uncertain in the United States, where a 75-day delay in the enforcement of a potential ban on the app was recently signed into effect by U.S. President Donald Trump.

While ByteDance, a privately held company, does not typically disclose financial figures, the new spending strategy represents a significant step forward. The Financial Times had earlier reported that the company plans to invest $12 billion in AI infrastructure, with additional funds allocated to secure Nvidia chips outside China, where the U.S. imposes restrictions on high-tech exports.

ByteDance is already the largest consumer of Nvidia’s H20 AI chips, which were specifically designed for the Chinese market in light of the restrictions. Additionally, it is Nvidia’s top client in Asia for cloud-based chips, sources have indicated.

In China, ByteDance’s AI applications include Doubao, which boasts 75 million active users, as well as the text-to-video tool Jimeng, the image generator Xinghui, and platforms like Kouzi and Maoxiang for chatbot creation and emotional support. Internationally, ByteDance has adapted its leading apps for foreign markets, with Doubao being known as Cici and Jimeng as Dreamina outside China.

ByteDance recently updated its flagship AI model, also called Doubao, positioning it to compete with Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s advanced reasoning products.

Despite these ambitious plans, ByteDance’s AI investments remain modest compared to its American counterparts. In 2024, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, allocated $50 billion for chips, data centers, and related expenses, while Microsoft spent $55.7 billion in its fiscal year, with a considerable portion devoted to AI infrastructure.

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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