Tech News : June 2025

Monday, 30 June 2025

Google leaps further into AI-powered search & tools

1. Google leaps further into AI-powered search & tools

At Google I/O 2025, “AI Mode” was introduced, transforming search into a conversational, context-aware experience. Gemini, the next-gen AI assistant, now integrates camera, voice, and web data for real-time task execution (techinfospark.com).
Gemini also launched CLI tooling for developers, enabling terminal-based AI code generation, debugging, and system administration with strong free usage tiers (esenthil.medium.com).

🤖 2. Breakthroughs in AI & deep learning

OpenAI unveiled o3‑pro, its most advanced model yet, and cut prices by around 80%—now $2 per million input tokens, $8 per million output tokens (medium.com).
xAI (Elon Musk) released Grok 3, a competitor to GPT‑4o, excelling in technical fields—though currently only accessible to X Premium users (techinfospark.com).

📱 3. Major device announcements

Samsung is set to debut the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 at its July 9 Galaxy Unpacked event, featuring slimmer designs, Snapdragon 8 Elite chipsets, One UI 8 with smarter AI, and possibly a tri‑fold “Galaxy G Fold” (techradar.com).
Nintendo Switch 2, launched June 5, has sold 3.5 M units in its first week. Specs include a 7.9″ 120 Hz handheld display, 4 GB LPDDR5X, 256 GB storage, 4K docked, and a custom Nvidia Tegra chipset (en.wikipedia.org).

🧠 4. AI ethics & sustainability concerns

New research highlights the carbon footprint of AI, prompting calls for more efficient and eco-friendly AI development (styletech.net).

🥽 5. Apple steps into wearables aggressively

Analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo reports Apple is planning at least seven head‑mounted devices by 2028, including Ray‑Ban‑style AR glasses by 2027. Vision Pro headsets may receive upgraded M5 chips in 2025 (timesofindia.indiatimes.com).

🏭 6. Big semiconductor and corporate shifts

Intel restructures, shedding 20 % of global staff starting July 15, closing its automotive chip division, and replacing its CSO with a new CTO/AI Officer (indiatimes.com).

🚘 7. Tesla debuts robotaxis

Tesla introduced a pilot robotaxi fleet in Austin (around 10 Model Y vehicles), flat $4.20 rides with onboard safety operators—marking a major step for autonomous ride-hailing (medium.com).

🔎 Summary & What to Watch

AI & cloud: Ongoing price wars, new tools, and sustainability pressures.
Devices: Foldables heat up, consoles evolve, Apple doubles down on AR wearables.
Auto-tech: Autonomous services enter the real world in pilot form.

Labor Market Snapshot you find jobs in Saudi Arabia

📈 Labor Market Snapshot

Saudi Arabia’s unemployment rate has dropped to a historic low of 2.8%, with national unemployment at around 6.3% in Q1 2025 (saudiajobs.net, m.economictimes.com).
Female labor-force participation is climbing—36.3%, with unemployment among Saudi women down to 10.5% (gulfbusiness.com).
Key demand areas include AI/tech, healthcare, engineering, finance, hospitality, and construction as part of Vision 2030 and Saudization policies (zawya.com).

🔍 Top Job Portals & Platforms

Platform	Highlights
LinkedIn	Thousands of vacancies: roles like Business Analyst, Cabin Crew, Quality Supervisor, Finance, Govt, etc. (linkedin.com)
Bayt.com	6,000+ listings including engineering, sales, accounting, remote, part-time, and fresher roles
Wuzzuf	Listings in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam across tech, sales, education, etc.
GulfTalent	~1,200 jobs focused on mid/senior-level professional roles
Indeed Saudi	15,000+ listings; e.g., bilingual chat‑AI content/training positions in your region
SaudiaJobs.net	Broad categories—healthcare, engineering, IT, finance, construction, nursing—plus helpful expat insights

These platforms are up-to-date and regularly refreshed.

🧭 Getting Started

Define your target: Pick your sector—tech, healthcare, engineering, etc.
Choose a portal: Use Bayt or GulfTalent for broader exposure, LinkedIn for professional networking, and Indeed for gig or flexible jobs.
Create strong profiles:
- Highlight relevant skills, certifications, and (if applicable) Arabic proficiency.
Apply strategically: Use filters by location (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Al‑Qassim/Buraidah), experience level, and sector.
Follow Saudization rules: Many roles are for Saudi nationals; expats may need extra qualifications or sponsorships.
Consider Premium Residency if you're an expatriate—helps with work and property rights without needing a sponsor (careerjet.com.sa, bayt.com, en.wikipedia.org).

💼 Other Useful Insights

Construction & hospitality: Often recruit abroad—e.g., initiatives like PSDF for Pakistani workers indicate similar programs exist for others (bloompakistan.com).
Tech hiring accelerated: Firms like TASC are fast-tracking hiring in AI/tech roles (zawya.com).
Major giga‑projects ongoing: Projects in Jeddah, Medina, Neom, SPARK, etc., are generating tens of thousands of jobs (en.wikipedia.org).

✅ Next Steps

Decide on your preferred field and city.
Sign up on 2–3 portals and tailor your CV for each.
Set up job alerts for your sectors.
Network—reach out via LinkedIn or attend local events.
If you're an expat, explore Premium Residency to improve hiring chances.

Let me know if you’d like help tailoring your CV, prepping for interviews, or digging into specific industries or locations (e.g., Buraidah‑Al Qassim, Riyadh, Jeddah). I’m here to help!

🇸🇦 Top Logistics Companies in Saudi Arabia

1. Bahri (National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia)

Saudi’s national maritime carrier, operating 97 vessels including VLCCs, chemical tankers, multi-purpose and dry‑bulk ships (clickpost.ai, en.wikipedia.org).
Strong in oil, chemicals, bulk cargo, roll-on/roll-off, and integrated logistics. Plays a major role in global shipping. (en.wikipedia.org)

2. Saudi Post (Al‑Bareed)

Government postal and logistics network with 478 main offices and 180 branches.
Handles domestic and international parcels, e‑commerce logistics. (en.wikipedia.org, namaait.com)

3. Aramex

Global express courier, freight-forwarding, warehousing, and e‑commerce logistics.
Widespread coverage in Saudi Arabia with advanced tracking systems. (varahii.com, 3rd-partner.com)

4. DHL Express / DHL Supply Chain

Investing €500M+ in ME infrastructure (hub development, fleet, warehousing, tech) through 2030.
Offers express delivery, freight forwarding, customs clearance, and full supply-chain solutions. (wsj.com, saudiarab.info)

5. SMSA Express

Leading Saudi-based express courier and logistics provider.
Extensive domestic network, e‑commerce logistics support, customs clearance.

6. Naqel Express (formerly Zajil/Hala Express)

Joint venture between Saudi Post and Hala Express, active since 1993/2005.
Offers domestic/international shipping, COD, inventory, and distribution services. (namaait.com)

7. FedEx Express

International courier and freight delivery with full operational coverage in Saudi Arabia.

8. UPS

US-based global delivery and logistics provider with operations across major Saudi cities.

9. Almajdouie Logistics

Specializes in freight forwarding, heavy lift, project logistics, and warehousing.
Prominent for serving oil & gas and industrial sectors. (varahii.com)

10. Agility Logistics

Global 3PL provider active in Saudi Arabia, offering freight forwarding, contract/project logistics, warehousing.
Recognized for digital innovation and sustainability efforts.

11. Saudia Cargo

A subsidiary of Saudia airlines; national air‑freight carrier with dedicated freighter fleet (747F, 777F).
Serves Jeddah, Riyadh plus 58+ destinations worldwide. (en.wikipedia.org)

12. SISCO / Sustained Infrastructure Holding Company

Operates ports, logistics parks, bonded zones.
Owns Red Sea Gateway Terminal; diversified into logistics investments. (en.wikipedia.org)

13. Binzagr Company

Century-old distributor with robust logistics and SCM infrastructure (ERP, GPS, nationwide coverage).
Strong presence in food, beverage, home care, auto sectors. (clickpost.ai)

14. Aldrees Petroleum & Transport (APTSCO)

Offers petroleum distribution and logistics; operates ~600 gas stations plus transport services. (en.wikipedia.org)

15. Fast n Accurate Freight Forwarder

Rapidly growing local freight forwarder with customs brokerage roots. Operates a 30,000 m² terminal + 5,000 m² warehouse (reddit.com)

🧭 Other Notable Mentions

CMA CGM, Maersk, MSC – global shipping giants with Jeddah-based operations (rasmal.com)
Four Winds Logistics – Riyadh-based freight forwarder with customs, warehousing, and container services
Wared Logistics, Al‑Futtaim Logistics, CEVA Logistics, Kuehne+Nagel, DB Schenker – strong regional 3PL players (mordorintelligence.com)

✅ Choosing the Right Partner

Sea freight / oil & bulk → Bahri, CMA CGM, Maersk, MSC
Air cargo / express → Saudia Cargo, DHL, FedEx, Aramex, SMSA, Naqel, UPS
3PL / heavy logistics → Almajdouie, Agility, Binzagr, SISCO
Last‑mile & e‑commerce → Saudi Post, Aramex, DHL e‑commerce, SMSA, Naqel, Fast n Accurate

📈 Market Trends

Saudi Vision 2030 aims to develop the Kingdom as a global logistics hub—leading infrastructure expansion at ports, airports, and logistics zones (clickpost.ai, aviaanaccounting.com, aviaanaccounting.com).
Companies are heavily investing in automation, digital tracking systems, and sustainable fleets to optimize costs and improve performance.