Arsyan Ismail – Early first of ai.com domain name

A domain name registered by a Malaysian child in the early days of the internet has become one of the most valuable digital assets ever sold. AI.com, originally secured in 1993 by Arsyan Ismail when he was just 10 years old, has been sold for USD 70 million in a landmark transaction that underscores the growing strategic value of ultra-premium web addresses.

Arsyan Ismail registered the two-letter domain using his mother’s credit card, reportedly charging $100 at the time. The choice was simple: the letters matched his initials, “A” and “I.” There was no market forecast or long-term investment framework behind the decision — only instinct and curiosity during the internet’s formative years.

More than three decades later, that early registration has culminated in one of the largest publicly known domain sales. The buyer, Kris Marszalek, CEO of Crypto.com, completed the purchase in cryptocurrency in April 2025. The deal remained private for months before becoming public, drawing global attention across technology and investment circles.

A Career Built Before the AI Boom

While the sale has dominated headlines, it represents just one chapter in Ismail’s broader technology career.

A computer science graduate from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, Ismail began building online platforms in the late 1990s. In 2003, he helped launch Kawanster, one of Malaysia’s earliest social networking platforms, at a time when online communities were still emerging globally. Though it did not expand internationally, it introduced localized social networking to Malaysian users well before global platforms took over the market.

He later contributed to Malaysia’s first blog advertising network, Nuffnang, during a period when digital advertising infrastructure in Southeast Asia was still developing. His experience also includes serving as a senior web developer at Friendster, where he worked on large-scale systems during the platform’s peak traffic years.

Over the past decade, his focus shifted toward blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies. By 2014, he was already exploring Bitcoin-related initiatives, years before digital assets gained mainstream institutional recognition. His work centered on building secure, transparent transaction systems designed to withstand technical and regulatory scrutiny.

Digital Scarcity as Strategy

Beyond AI.com, Ismail has accumulated a portfolio of rare digital identifiers — including ultra-short domain names, minimalist email addresses such as a@a.ai, Ethereum Name Service assets, and distinctive numeric phone numbers. To many, such holdings may appear unconventional. In digital branding terms, however, brevity and memorability carry substantial long-term value.

Two-letter domains in particular represent extreme scarcity. With only 676 possible combinations in the Latin alphabet, they function as digital equivalents of prime real estate. Long before artificial intelligence became a dominant global industry, AI.com carried inherent strategic weight due to its simplicity and universal recognition.

AI.com’s Next Chapter

The domain’s new ownership has shifted attention from the transaction price to its intended application. The AI.com platform is expected to support decentralized AI agents designed to operate collaboratively, automating tasks and optimizing workflows while prioritizing encrypted, secure data handling.

As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in enterprise and consumer systems, premium digital real estate tied directly to the sector’s name carries both symbolic and commercial significance.

A Lesson in Long-Term Thinking

For early-stage entrepreneurs, the story highlights the power of patience in digital investing. What began as a $100 domain registration in the early 1990s evolved into a multi-decade hold that intersected with blockchain growth and the global AI surge.

Ismail’s trajectory reflects consistent engagement with emerging technologies rather than reactive trend-chasing. From early social networks to digital advertising infrastructure and blockchain systems, his career has followed the arc of the modern internet itself.

As online ecosystems grow more crowded, compact and memorable digital identities are increasingly positioned as strategic assets. The AI.com sale demonstrates that in the digital economy, scarcity combined with foresight can yield extraordinary returns — even when the original decision was made by a ten-year-old with little more than intuition.

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Coursera has announced plans to acquire rival online education company Udemy in an all-stock transaction that values the combined business at $2.5 billion. The deal comes as the online education sector continues to consolidate following a post-pandemic slowdown and increased investor scrutiny.

Under the agreement, Udemy shareholders will receive 0.8 shares of Coursera for each Udemy share they own, valuing Udemy at approximately $930 million, according to Reuters calculations. Following the announcement, Coursera shares rose about 4%, while Udemy stock surged nearly 22%.

Focus on AI and Workforce Upskilling

Both companies believe the merger will strengthen their ability to serve corporate clients seeking workforce training—particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and software development. As generative AI rapidly reshapes industries, employers are investing heavily in reskilling and upskilling their employees.

“At a high level, this deal makes sense both strategically and financially,” said Stephen Sheldon, an analyst at William Blair. He noted that the companies’ complementary content libraries and overlapping markets could unlock meaningful cost synergies.

Deal Timeline and Valuation

Based on Coursera’s most recent closing price, the offer values Udemy shares at $6.35, representing a premium of about 18.3%. The companies expect the transaction to close in the second half of next year, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Different Models, One Platform

Coursera is known for partnering with universities and institutions to offer degree programs and professional certificates, while Udemy operates a marketplace of independent instructors, selling individual courses and enterprise subscriptions. The merger aims to combine these strengths into a single, more competitive platform.

Investor Caution Persists

Despite strong narratives around AI-driven growth, investors remain cautious about online education stocks due to intense competition, pricing pressures, and uncertain returns on AI investments. Udemy shares are down roughly 35% year-to-date, while Coursera has declined about 7%, leaving both companies trading well below their post-IPO highs.

If approved, the Coursera–Udemy merger could mark one of the most significant consolidations in online education, positioning the combined firm to better compete in the fast-growing AI training market.

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Pakistan’s government is launching AI regulatory sandboxes—controlled testing areas where companies can safely experiment with artificial intelligence (AI). The goal is to support at least 50 businesses by 2027, giving them room to innovate without worrying about breaking rules.

These sandboxes will be run by dedicated Centres of Excellence, offering flexible regulatory guidance and oversight.

To support this, the government is building a national AI compute grid using High-Performance Computing (HPC) centres with advanced hardware. Industry-led data centres will contribute resources, granting access to over 100 universities for training AI models, processing big data, and conducting advanced research.

The plan also includes creating national and provincial AI data repositories—central hubs for high-quality data that industries and researchers can use.

In addition, AI hubs will be set up across major cities to connect universities with industry, support AI research, and help turn ideas into real products.

The policy encourages use of cloud services and open-source AI platforms, aiming to co-develop around 50 new AI models each year, in partnership with international initiatives.

By investing in technology, data infrastructure, and collaborative ecosystems, Pakistan is positioning itself to become a leader in AI innovation.

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Pakistani freelancers will now have access to PayPal, streamlining international transactions and bolstering the nation’s burgeoning freelance economy. Additionally, Pakistan advances its National Space Policy, opening doors for satellite communication and aiming for 5G services by July.

In a landmark decision set to invigorate Pakistan’s freelance industry, freelancers in the nation can now seamlessly receive payments via PayPal, a leading global online payment platform. This move is poised to catalyze the country’s growing freelance sector, offering a streamlined approach to international transactions.

Dr. Umar Saif, the caretaker Minister for Information and Technology, highlighted the significance of this development, emphasizing the longstanding demand by Pakistani freelancers for PayPal’s integration. He elucidated the mechanics, stating that freelancers won’t necessarily need to create individual PayPal accounts. Instead, international clients can directly transfer funds to their accounts, simplifying the payment process.

Beyond the freelance arena, Dr. Saif shed light on Pakistan’s progressive strides in space technology. He unveiled the nation’s inaugural space policy approved by the federal cabinet, which paves the way for international companies to provide communication services via low-orbit satellites. This innovative approach, utilizing satellites closer to Earth, promises enhanced communication capabilities compared to traditional geostationary satellites.

Dr. Saif articulated the transformative potential of this policy, noting the rapid advancements in satellite communication technology globally. With the infrastructure and private sector interest aligning, Pakistan stands on the brink of a new era in communication.

Discussing further advancements, Dr. Saif expressed optimism about Pakistan’s 5G rollout, targeting a launch by July. He emphasized the necessity of augmenting the country’s optic fibre network to support this transition, revealing plans to connect a significant portion of mobile towers.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to nurturing IT talent, Dr. Saif revealed collaborative efforts with esteemed institutions. A notable initiative includes the revamping of IT education in universities, aiming to produce industry-ready professionals. Moreover, plans are underway to establish 10,000 e-Rozgar centers nationwide, dedicated hubs equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for freelancers and startups.

Concluding his address, Dr. Saif underscored the pivotal role of the IT and telecom sector in Pakistan’s economy. While the official IT export stands at $2.6 billion, he indicated the actual figures could surpass $5 billion, considering the industry’s external expenditures. The government remains steadfast in its endeavors to propel Pakistan’s tech landscape to new heights.

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Infinix, with its latest and high-quality premium products, is one of the leading smartphone brands in Pakistan. It has continued growing stronger, and one of the primary reasons is the company’s continuous investment and contribution to the economic and labor empowerment in the country. Now, very proudly Infinix becomes the first smartphone brand manufacturing in Pakistan.

Fully aligning with the country’s initiative of “Made in Pakistan”, the company keeps growing its investment to contribute to turning the country into a regional tech hub, and it just got one step further towards its mission and local commitment to put Pakistan on road to progress and prosperity.

This Chinese smartphone brand’s manufacturing facility is located in the country helps prevent unnecessary worry of Corona Virus and the inaccessibility of newest Infinix products, and also fulfills its aim of playing its role in empowering the local labor, and particularly women, as 60% of the workforce working in the Infinix Pakistan factory are women.

The manufacturing vicinity was also visited by the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Li Bijian, who applauded Infinix’s contribution to promoting local employment in the country.

Talking about their company mission, CEO of Infinix Pakistan Mr. Joe Hu said,

“Infinix’s vision as a company is to enrich our customer’s experiences, whether it is through our products, or what goes in their manufacturing. To be able to play a small part in the empowerment of the labor force in Pakistan, and particularly the women of the country is an important step further towards our mission.”

Infinix has currently been marked as the largest mobile phone production and assembly company in Pakistan. The existing factory produces 3 million units per year. All the local products selling in the country are being manufactured in the factories that are churning out smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices.

About Infinix

Infinix Mobile is a premium online-driven smartphone brand. With “THE FUTURE IS NOW” as the brand essence, Infinix aims to allow consumers to stand out in the crowd and to show the world who they really are. Infinix is committed to providing the most cutting-edge technologies, bold and stylish designs, keeping consumers on-trend and up-to-date.

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The San Bruno police have stormed YouTube’s global headquarters in Silicon Valley where an active shooter was reported.

The San Bruno police tweeted that they are responding to an active shooter situation at YouTube’s California headquarters on Tuesday, and advise others to stay away from the area.

We are responding to an active shooter. Please stay away from Cherry Ave & Bay Hill Drive.

— San Bruno Police (@SanBrunoPolice) April 3, 2018

“Active shooter” is a general police term meaning only that someone may have fired a shot and has not been stopped or taken into custody.

Emergency services are on the scene at YouTube’s headquarters in San Bruno, California

No information on the active shooter or shooters was immediately available. Zuckerberg General Hospital told that it had received three patients, while Stanford Medical Center said it was expecting four or five patients.

NBC reported that the shooter, a women, is down. Multiple victims were apparently transferred to the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, but no fatalities have been reported yet.

YouTube’s parent company Google said that they are

“coordinating with authorities and will provide official information here from Google and YouTube as it becomes available.”

YouTube headquarters is about 12 miles south of downtown San Francisco, close to San Francisco International Airport. The San Bruno offices house 1,700 employees in a largely open-plan environment, in four different buildings.

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Pakistan becomes the first country to test the 5G network. The news was confirmed by the State Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Anusha Rehman. Not only will this but by the end of the year 2020, Pakistan become the first country to launch its 5G service.

The new in this news:

1) The 4G spectrum license sold for $295 million.
2) 10% advance tax from JAZZ Communications added to the bid price for a total of $300 million.
3) Broadband penetration has improved from 3% to 29%.
4) 5G technology is 40 times faster than 4G.

According to the minister, Pakistan is the first ever country to test the 5G technology services and after some years in 2021 it will launch 5G technology network service too.

Anusha Rehman said,

“Through the Ministry’s spokesperson Saghair Watto that preparations were underway to ensure that the technology was rolled out fast enough to reap its benefits.”

According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA),

“Mobile internet users in the country have grown significantly in the numbers and reached a record 40.56 million active mobile internet users by the end of April 2017.”

Saghair Watto,

“It would be great to make sure that the various beneficiaries such as industries, the government, companies, and individual users will all realize faster working rates. With speeds of up to 40 times faster than the 4G network, 5G networks will have a huge impact on the country as a whole (5G has a capacity of up to 10 Gigabits per second).”

Internet has changed the lives of people. It has made communication easier. From shopping online to chatting with people overseas, everything on internet is just one click away. This is the reason, telecommunication industries are planning out services that are fast so that the user experience can be accelerated and people can enjoy the better service.

Anusha Rehman also added,

“At the penetration of broadband in the country has increased from 3 percent to 29 percent in a very short while.”

The initiative has been taken after the authorities have seen the huge increase of internet users after the availability of 4G network in Pakistan. The 4G network has gained popularity overnight and is praised by people all over Pakistan. To make the internet service better, the authorities are planning to test an even faster and efficient network 5G technology.

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The biggest video streaming website Youtube is making an effort to stop extremist content reaching the users. It has prepared four easy steps to achieve its target.

With the increasing use of social media it has become easier for some platforms to spread extremist content.  Social media platforms demonstrate a large variety and huge number of media content. Unfortunately, these have thus become an easy platform for the people who want to spread propaganda and extremist content to other users.

The increasing extremist content has led to a decision to rake serious action against them. The government now has decided the removal of extremist content from the social networks.

Google based online video platform, YouTube has come up with four steps to combat the problem of extremist video content.

YouTube issued a statement that outlined four steps that could prove useful. In collaboration with different law enforcement agencies, YouTube is soon going to remove the extremist content from the platform.

According to YouTube:

• The first step will entail the use of automated systems for better identification of content related to terror. The company is thus using machine learning that will make it easier to classify the terror-related content so that it can be removed.
• The second step is to increase the number of experts in its Trusted Flagger user’s program. This group already made up of 63 organizations, will get 50 more NGOs to help in reviewing flagged content so that it can be easily removed from the YouTube list of videos.
• Step three will entail making it more difficult for videos that may not violate community standards but all the same have content that is supremacist or inflammatory religious in nature. Such videos are to be denied any ad revenue and will be hidden behind a warning to those who may wish to view them.
• The last step is the most effective one. Using its Creators for Change program, YouTube will redirect those who wish to view extremist content to channels with counter-terrorist content which will provide them with another perspective to the terror menace. They will thus be convinced not to join groups such as ISIS.

YouTube is not the only solider in the battle with the extremist video content but it is also supported by platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The aim is to make the extremist content disappear and by looking at the efforts being done and steps being taken it is pretty obvious that the extremist content will vanish soon.

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Jazz and Nokia have joined hands for launching the Nokia Smartphones and Nokia 331, officially in Pakistan. The partnership was done between the Jazz and HMD Global. HMD Global is the new manufacturers of the Nokia phones.

The distribution of Nokia 3310 is going to be started just in a day or two and people can get their hands on the device after 2 to 3 days.

As per the partnership, Jazz will promote the Nokia phones. Kamran Khan who is working as the Country Head of HMD Pakistan said,

“This partnership will go a long way to help us in providing a seamless experience to the mobile phone users in Pakistan.”

He further added,

“We have partnered with Jazz – Pakistan’s largest mobile network to build up on the excitement & the anticipation we’ve seen from Pakistani consumers following the announcement of Nokia phones at the Mobile World Congress in February this year. We are working closely with Jazz to bring the Nokia phones into the hands of fans and ensure we’re accessible to everyone.”

On the other hand CEO of Jazz, Amir Ibrahim said,

“The partnership between Jazz and HMD Global will be an excellent experience for fans of the Nokia phones. As the leader in digital telecommunication in Pakistan, Jazz believes such enterprises will reap stimulating benefits for our customers.”

Nokia 3310 Features:

Nokia 3310 has been famous over the years because of its long lasting battery and its resistibility to damage. Previously, 126 million units of the phone were sold across the world.

With the new designs ad features the mobile is surely going to make place in market. The mobile now features a much sleek look. It also has VGA camera. In addition to that Nokia’s Series 30+ software has been installed. It comes with a 2.4-inch QVGA display. It also has 2-megapixel camera and a microSD card slot.

It comes with a 1,200 mAh battery that can last 31 days standby time according to Nokia.

The legendary snake game has been already installed in the phone. The phone costs you EUR 49 in Europe (around Rs. 5,700).

Affordable and legendary is the best combo.

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Don’t miss out Pakistan’s first National Freelancing Convention to be held in Lahore

The use of internet has become compulsory now. Nowadays, from doing homework to making big business deals, internet is playing an important role. We, Pakistanis have succeeded in every field and freelancing is one of those many fields. With a constant rapid growth in freelancing Pakistan has one of the top freelancing markets.

To keep climbing the ladder Punjab Information Technology Board has now introduced National Freelancing Convention (NFC). NFC is a project that aims to provide all kinds of freelancers, bloggers etc. a single platform that will serve as the accelerator to county’s ultimate success.

The event aims to bring together all the freelancers to explore the freelancing industry and the opportunities that lie within it. The event will be attended by many stakeholders in the freelancing industry and there they will contribute to establish a well maintained and unique network of communication.

Sessions:

NFC will be presenting following sessions at the convention:

• The Art of Blogging 11:00 am-12 pm
• Building efficient Gateways for Freelancers 12 pm – 1 pm
• Women in Tech 2 pm- 3 pm
• Freelancing to Entrepreneurship; Opportunities and Challenges 3 pm- 4 pm

Meetup:

Meetups are planned to bring the people from each group to convey their message and share their ideas. The meet ups include:

• Crossover community meetup
• Official Behance community meetup
• Official Payoneer community meetup
• Facebook Developers Group meetup
• Open source Pakistan meetup
• Official Word Press community meetup
• Official Fiverr Community meetup

The event will be graced by worthy CM of Punjab, Mr. Shehbaz Sharif. He will address the attendees and according to the reports he is planning to launch e-rozgaar program officially on this day. The other notable personalities to attend the event are Dr. Umar Saif, Mr. Sajid M. Latif, and Mr. Nayyer Iqbal.

The event will be held at the Arfa Software technology Park on 28, March 2017. The timings will be from 9am to 6pm sharp and for all the willing participants we are announcing that you can register yourself on their official website. You can book your stalls and display your products. For more information click here.

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