The New Development Bank (NDB) will fully embrace AI, in terms of both supporting the industry's development and incorporating the technology in its operation, according to president of the organization Dilma Rousseff.
The NDB will maintain its direction of supporting digital infrastructure development in the coming years, Rousseff, who will start her second five-year term as NBD president in July, told China Media Group (CMG) in an interview in Shanghai on Monday, while giving a special mention of Chinese AI model DeepSeek.
"We will continue to invest in digital infrastructure. Digitalization and the digital economy are prerequisites for achieving this goal. In my view, China presents an example that must be taken into consideration, and that is the emergence of the big AI model DeepSeek. It proves that it is possible to create groundbreaking new technologies using existing technology. Previously, Western countries blocked (China's import of) chips to prevent China from advancing in the field of artificial intelligence. DeepSeek is an inspiring case for the Global South," Rousseff said.
Rousseff also says the NDB is actively studying how it can utilize the power of AI.
"I even hope to promote the use of DeepSeek at the New Development Bank. We have already started doing this, engaging with various fields to understand where we can apply it because this is not traditionally the bank's area of expertise. We want to become a multilateral bank that embraces new technologies, and that is our responsibility," she said.
New Development Bank president highlights need to fully embrace AI
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
