Microsoft Invests $15.2 Billion Alongside Google's AI Mode Rollout

Artificial intelligence continues to dominate global economic discussions and investment strategies, with Hong Kong positioning itself as a major AI hub. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po highlighted that global private capital investment in AI has already exceeded US$190 billion this year, emphasizing the city's commitment to attracting international capital and talent. AI was a central theme at Hong Kong's Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit, where experts likened its transformative impact to Taylor Swift's economic influence, with PwC predicting a $15.7 trillion boost to global GDP by 2030. Major tech companies are making significant moves in the AI space. Microsoft announced a substantial $15.2 billion investment in the UAE through 2029, partnering with G42 to expand AI and cloud infrastructure, develop local talent, and build digital trust. This investment includes securing special US licenses to bring advanced NVIDIA GPUs to the UAE. Google is also making its AI Mode more accessible, adding a new shortcut button to Chrome on iOS and Android devices, aiming to encourage broader use of its AI services across 160 new countries. The impact of AI extends across various sectors. The global market for AI in medical writing is projected to reach USD 2.24 billion by 2032, driven by increased clinical trials and regulatory complexities. Similarly, the sales enablement platform market, boosted by AI-powered insights and CRM integration, is expected to grow to USD 11.37 billion by 2033. Asana's Chief Product Officer, Arnab Bose, foresees AI agents, like the company's 'AI Teammates,' transforming knowledge work by automating tasks and improving collaboration. However, the rapid advancement of AI also presents challenges and necessitates careful consideration. Wall Street executives predict a significant divergence in AI stock performance by 2026, advising investors to favor high-quality companies with strong financials over speculative stocks, noting Meta's stock drop due to diversification concerns. On a societal level, the rise of AI deepfakes, particularly 'nudify' apps, is causing many Indian women to limit their online presence due to fear of manipulated images and harassment. Meanwhile, in education, CodeMonkey launched 'AI Is a Hoot,' a free course teaching kids about AI by having them train a model with their webcams, while studies show that workplaces providing AI training see twice the productivity gains, underscoring the importance of closing the AI skills gap.

Key Takeaways

• Global private capital investment in AI has surpassed US$190 billion this year, with Hong Kong actively investing to become a leading AI hub.
• Microsoft is investing $15.2 billion in the UAE through 2029, partnering with G42 to expand AI infrastructure and talent development, including securing licenses for NVIDIA GPUs.
• Google is enhancing AI accessibility on Chrome for mobile devices, rolling out a new shortcut button for its AI Mode to 160 new countries.
• The AI in medical writing market is projected to reach USD 2.24 billion by 2032, while the sales enablement platform market is expected to hit USD 11.37 billion by 2033, driven by AI integration.
• Wall Street predicts a significant divergence in AI stock performance by 2026, advising investors to focus on financially strong companies, with Meta's stock performance cited as an example of diversification challenges.
• AI deepfakes are causing Indian women to withdraw from online platforms due to fear of manipulated images and harassment.
• Workplaces providing AI training experience double the productivity gains, with trained employees saving 11 hours weekly compared to 5 hours for untrained ones.
• CodeMonkey launched a free 'AI Is a Hoot' course for kids, teaching them to train AI models using webcams, as part of the 2025 'Hour of AI' initiative.
• Asana's Chief Product Officer believes AI agents, such as 'AI Teammates,' will transform knowledge work by automating tasks and improving collaboration.
• Media agencies are utilizing generative AI to significantly speed up the creation of ad 'inclusion lists,' though human oversight remains crucial.

Hong Kong Boosts AI Investment and Talent Attraction

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced the city is heavily investing in artificial intelligence to attract global funds and talent. AI has already seen over US$190 billion in private capital investment this year. Hong Kong plans to make AI a core industry and use it to improve traditional sectors, working with local universities and the Greater Bay Area. The city has already drawn top AI companies with its funding programs and incentive schemes. Chan stated that Hong Kong is an ideal place to invest due to its growing AI ecosystem and support for new economy companies.

Hong Kong Financial Chief Urges AI Investment

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po stated that artificial intelligence is key to attracting global investment and driving the city's economic growth. He highlighted that global private capital investment in AI has already surpassed US$190 billion this year. Hong Kong plans to make AI a central part of its economy, encouraging innovation and technological progress. The city will also focus on attracting AI talent and fostering partnerships between schools and businesses for research. Chan emphasized Hong Kong's strong finance, logistics, and trade sectors will support its goal to become a leading AI hub.

AI Dominates Hong Kong Global Financial Leaders Summit

Artificial intelligence was the main topic at Hong Kong's three-day Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit. Experts like Hendrik du Toit and Andrew Schlossberg discussed AI's massive and transformative impact, comparing it to Taylor Swift's economic influence. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po stated Hong Kong is ready to attract international capital and talent by building a strong AI ecosystem. While some saw a potential bubble in AI valuations, others like Jean Hynes and Eric Stein suggested diverse investment strategies beyond the "Magnificent Seven" tech giants. The consensus was that AI will reshape industries and benefit humanity, but investors should be selective.

AI Called Investment's Taylor Swift at Hong Kong Summit

Artificial intelligence was the central theme at Hong Kong's Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit, where it was called the "Taylor Swift" of the investment world. Experts believe AI will bring huge benefits to industries, consumers, and investors, with PwC predicting it will boost global GDP by $15.7 trillion by 2030. HSBC Holdings CEO Noel Quinn highlighted AI as the most transformative technology of our time. However, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink advised investors to be careful and choose AI companies with strong business foundations. The summit, attended by over 20 global financial leaders, confirmed AI's growing impact on sectors like healthcare, finance, and transportation.

Medical Writing AI Market to Hit 2.24 Billion by 2032

The global market for AI in medical writing is projected to grow significantly, reaching USD 2.24 billion by 2032 from USD 869.05 million in 2024. This growth, at a 12.5% annual rate, is fueled by more clinical trials, complex regulations, and AI's quick adoption in life sciences. Advances in Natural Language Processing and AI for regulatory automation are making medical document creation more efficient and accurate. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are the main users of these AI tools. North America currently leads the market, but Asia Pacific expects strong growth due to increased outsourcing and healthcare expansion.

Sales Platforms Market to Reach 11.37 Billion by 2033

The sales enablement platform market is expected to grow to USD 11.37 billion by 2033, driven by the increasing need for AI-powered sales insights and better integration with CRM systems. These platforms help businesses improve sales processes, manage content, and boost productivity. In the U.S., this market alone is projected to hit USD 3.56 billion by 2033. Software currently dominates the market, while cloud-based solutions are most popular for deployment. Large enterprises are the biggest users, and the IT and Telecom sector leads in adoption. North America holds the largest share of this expanding market.

Microsoft Invests 15.2 Billion in UAE AI Growth

Microsoft announced a significant $15.2 billion investment in the UAE through 2029, partnering with G42. This funding will expand AI and cloud infrastructure, develop local talent, and build digital trust between the UAE and the United States. Microsoft has already spent $7.3 billion since 2023, including a $1.5 billion equity investment in G42 and billions for data centers. The company also secured special US licenses to bring advanced NVIDIA GPUs to the UAE, powering various AI models. Microsoft is committed to talent development, aiming to train one million people in the UAE by 2027 and co-founding the Responsible AI Future Foundation.

AI Deepfakes Drive Indian Women Offline

Fear of "nudify" apps and AI deepfakes is causing many Indian women to avoid using the internet. AI tools are increasingly used to create manipulated images and videos, often targeting women and gender minorities, as highlighted by a report from the Rati Foundation. High-profile figures like singer Asha Bhosle and journalist Rana Ayyub have been affected. This online harassment leads to a "chilling effect," causing women to limit their online presence or withdraw completely. Some women are even blackmailed with altered photos, resulting in severe personal distress and harassment.

CodeMonkey Launches Free AI Course for Kids

CodeMonkey has launched "AI Is a Hoot," a free and fun one-hour coding course designed to teach kids about artificial intelligence. This course is part of the 2025 "Hour of AI" initiative, which is the new name for the Hour of Code. Students in grades 4 and up can train an AI model using their webcam to recognize poses like squat or stand, which then control a virtual owl. CodeMonkey ensures student privacy by not storing webcam images. The program aims to make AI concepts accessible and relevant, as AI tools are increasingly used in classrooms today.

Wall Street Predicts AI Stock Market Shakeup

Wall Street executives predict that the AI stock market will soon see a clear division between winning and losing companies. Morgan Stanley's chief, Ted Pick, expects more "dispersion" in 2026, meaning investors will favor high-quality companies with strong financials. This trend was seen when Meta's stock dropped due to its lack of diversification compared to other AI firms. Lisa Shalett of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management advises investors to sell speculative stocks and instead invest in large-cap companies with solid attributes, including the "Magnificent 7" and AI beneficiaries in finance, healthcare, and energy. This strategy aims to protect against potential valuation corrections in the booming AI sector.

Google Adds Easy AI Mode Access to Chrome Mobile

Google announced it is making its AI Mode more accessible on Chrome for iOS and Android devices. Starting Wednesday, users in the U.S. can find a new shortcut button for AI Mode directly under the search bar on a "New Tab" page. This feature allows users to ask complex questions and follow up within Google Search. The company plans to roll out this shortcut to 160 new countries and several languages, including Hindi and Japanese, hoping to encourage more people to use its AI services.

AI Training Doubles Workplace Productivity Gains

Workplaces that provide AI training to their employees see twice the productivity gains compared to those that do not. A study found that 68% of employees received no AI training in the last year, yet trained employees save 11 hours weekly using AI, while untrained ones save only five. Grace Lordan from The Inclusion Initiative emphasizes that closing this training gap is crucial for businesses. The study also revealed a generational gap, with Gen Z using and receiving more AI training than Baby Boomers. Companies that encourage AI use and train all age groups will achieve higher overall productivity and better adoption rates.

AI Helps Media Agencies Build Ad Inclusion Lists

Media agencies are now using generative AI to make creating "inclusion lists" much faster and easier. These lists ensure that advertisements only appear on approved websites, protecting brand safety. Traditionally, building and updating these lists took many hours, but AI can now generate them in minutes. While AI helps agencies expand their lists quickly, human oversight remains crucial because AI recommendations are not always perfect. Some agencies are still cautious, using AI for sorting rather than full compilation, and some worry that strict inclusion lists might limit advertising reach.

Asana Product Chief Sees AI Agents as Work Future

Arnab Bose, Asana's new Chief Product Officer, believes that AI agents will transform knowledge work. He joined Asana in September, drawn by its progress in integrating generative AI and large language models. Bose noted that non-human AI identities are growing rapidly in businesses, making AI agents crucial for future productivity. Asana's "AI Teammates" exemplify this vision, designed to understand team workflows and proactively automate tasks. These AI-powered tools aim to save time and improve collaboration across organizations, allowing for easier, low-code automations without complex programming.

Sources

• Hong Kong bets big on AI to boost investment and attract talent
• Invest in Hong Kong as AI drives city's next economic surge, financial chief says
• AI, the investment world’s Taylor Swift, steals the show at Hong Kong summit
• AI, the investment world's Taylor Swift, steals the show at Hong Kong summit
• Global AI in Medical Writing Market Set to Reach USD 2.24 Billion by 2032, Driven by Advances in Natural Language Processing and Regulatory Automation
• Sales Enablement Platform Market Projected to Hit USD 11.37 Billion by 2033, Driven by Rising Demand for AI-Powered Sales Insights and CRM Integration
• Microsoft announces $15.2B UAE AI investment with G42 partnership | ETIH EdTech News
• ‘The chilling effect’: how fear of ‘nudify’ apps and AI deepfakes is keeping Indian women off the internet
• CodeMonkey's "AI Is a Hoot" course is part of the 2025's Hour of AI, A Free and Fun AI-Driven Learning Experience for Kids
• Wall Street execs say the AI stocks dominating the market will soon be split into winners and losers
• Google makes it easier to access AI Mode in Chrome on iOS and Android
• How AI Training Can Lead to Productivity Gains
• Media agencies look to AI to reduce inclusion list toil
• Asana’s New Product Chief Says AI Agents Are the Future of Knowledge Work