Sommet Education recognises emerging talent in Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector in Partnership with Future Leader Award
As part of Lama's prize, she will get access to an exclusive scholarship opportunity within Sommet Education's portfolio of Master's, Executive Master's or part-time education at Glion Institute of Higher Education or Les Roches Global Hospitality in the UK, Switzerland, and Spain as well as access to Sommet Education's alumni networks, internships, and job placement opportunities.
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Gulf Insider
19 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Launches Self-Driving Taxis In Landmark Pilot Across Seven Key Locations In Riyadh
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday launched the pilot phase of its first self-driving taxi programme in the capital, Riyadh — a move hailed as a milestone in the Kingdom's push to modernise its transportation infrastructure and embrace artificial intelligence as part of its Vision 2030 agenda. The 12-month trial introduces autonomous taxis at seven strategic locations across the city, including King Khalid International Airport (Terminals 2 and 5), Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, the Roshn Business Front, and key connecting highways. A total of 13 designated pick-up and drop-off stations have been established to support the pilot, which will run under close regulatory and technical oversight. 'Qualitative leap' The project was formally inaugurated by Eng. Saleh Al Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Public Transport Authority. Speaking at the launch, Al Jasser described the initiative as a 'qualitative leap' that reflects the Kingdom's commitment to building a smart, sustainable, and integrated transport system. 'This pilot phase embodies the Kingdom's ambitious vision to build a future-ready transport sector that supports economic diversification, enhances quality of life, and promotes technological innovation,' Al Jasser said. He underscored the importance of sustainability, operational efficiency, and localising innovation, calling the initiative a model of successful public-private collaboration. The initiative is spearheaded by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in cooperation with a coalition of national and international stakeholders. These include the Ministry of Interior, the Digital Economy, Space and Innovation System, the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. Private sector partners include leading technology firms such as AiDriver, WeRide, and Uber, reflecting a strategic blend of regulatory, academic, and commercial expertise. Operating under the supervision of the General Transport Authority, the autonomous vehicles are currently running in live urban conditions. Each taxi is equipped with a safety officer onboard to monitor system performance and ensure passenger safety during this early stage. Advanced navigation systems 'The aim is to enable the use of autonomous vehicle technology in a real-world setting, build the appropriate legal and operational frameworks, and lay the foundation for eventual nationwide rollout,' said Dr. Omaima Bamasq, Deputy for Transport Enablement at the General Authority for Transport. 'This is a foundational step in making Saudi cities smarter, more connected, and more sustainable.' The self-driving taxis are equipped with advanced navigation systems, real-time traffic sensors, and AI-based decision-making capabilities. While passengers will ride alongside trained safety personnel during the pilot, future iterations aim to move toward fully autonomous, human-free operation. This trial also fits into broader national efforts under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which seeks to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub, diversify transport modes, and cut emissions through smarter, greener technologies. The pilot will be closely monitored throughout its 12-month run, with performance metrics and passenger feedback helping to shape potential expansion into other Saudi cities. As Riyadh becomes the latest global capital to introduce self-driving vehicles, Saudi Arabia is staking its claim in the future of mobility — one where artificial intelligence, sustainability, and innovation drive the journey forward.
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Hits Reset On NEOM: Did Costs For ‘The Line' Spiral Out Of Control?
Saudi Arabia is officially reassessing its $500 billion NEOM mega-city, with its most iconic component—'The Line'—now under a strategic review. The move, confirmed by NEOM, has sparked renewed scrutiny over whether the costs and complexity of the futuristic project are spiraling beyond control. NEOM described the strategic checks as 'common practice' for long-term developments, but the timing of the announcement coincides with growing reports of budget strain and operational slowdowns across the kingdom's Vision 2030 infrastructure program. According to Bloomberg , the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which backs NEOM, has hired external consultants to assess the viability of the linear city. While the exact scope of the review has not been disclosed, industry experts suggest it likely includes evaluations of technical feasibility, financing options, and projected economic impact. In a separate development reported by Semafor , NEOM is preparing to lay off a significant portion of its workforce and relocate more than 1,000 employees from the remote construction site to Riyadh. The planned move marks a reversal of a prior policy under former CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who had mandated that staff remain based at the site itself. Employees moved to the capital are expected to lose on-site benefits such as housing and meals, effectively resulting in a pay cut, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to Semafor . The scope and timeline of The Line are also reportedly being scaled back. CNBC , citing sources close to the project, reported that development has been frozen on large sections of The Line, with the number of active construction workers cut by 35% since April 2025. The report attributed the cutbacks to a wider liquidity crunch that has hit Vision 2030 projects, prompting government agencies to prioritise financial stability over rapid expansion. Vendors have reportedly faced delayed payments, and capital originally earmarked for energy-sector projects is being reallocated. One of the affected sub-projects could be Oxagon's green hydrogen facility, which is 80% complete and jointly developed by Air Products, ACWA Power, and NEOM. Though still progressing, CNBC sources suggest that financial pressures are increasingly affecting NEOM's ability to maintain its ambitious timelines. Perhaps the most eye-catching development is the estimated final cost of NEOM. According to an internal report seen by The Wall Street Journal , the total price tag has now ballooned to $8.8 trillion—a staggering leap from the original $500 billion projection. The WSJ report also revealed that the project is now expected to reach its so-called 'end-state' by 2080. The first phase, expected to cost $370 billion, may only be completed by 2035. The dramatic increase in costs and delay in timelines is likely to place even greater pressure on Saudi Arabia to attract private investment—something the government has repeatedly stated it is banking on to complete the futuristic city. Also per Bloomberg , Saudi officials have scaled down some of NEOM's most ambitious targets. Instead of 170 kilometres of linear development, only 2.4 kilometres of The Line are expected to be built by 2030. The targeted population figure for the same year has also been reduced from 1.5 million to just 300,000. Despite the downsizing, Saudi authorities still maintain that The Line will eventually span 100 kilometres and remain a centrepiece of the NEOM vision. The project, personally championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, remains a key pillar of the kingdom's plan to diversify away from oil through technology, tourism, and innovation. But as the reassessment continues and fiscal constraints mount, NEOM's evolution may no longer mirror the sci-fi blueprint initially envisioned. Instead, it could unfold as a much more gradual—and costly—experiment in urban design.
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Gulf Insider
UAE's Air Arabia To Co-Launch Saudi Low-Cost Airline Flying 81 Routes From Dammam Hub
Saudi Arabia is launching a new national low-cost airline, with operations based out of King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, as part of a broader push to transform the Kingdom into a regional aviation hub. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced that a consortium led by UAE-based Air Arabia, Kun Investment Holding and Nesma Holding, has won the bid to operate the new carrier. The airline will begin operations with a fleet of 45 aircraft, covering 24 domestic and 57 international destinations, and aims to serve 10 million passengers annually. This expansion is part of Saudi Arabia's National Transport and Logistics Strategy, a key component of Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and enhance the Kingdom's competitiveness in transport, logistics, and tourism. According to GACA, the new low-cost airline will enhance air connectivity to and from the Eastern Province, improve operational efficiency, and boost seat availability at King Fahd International Airport. The airline is also expected to create more than 2,400 direct jobs and raise service quality across Saudi Arabia's growing aviation market. Air Arabia's inclusion in the consortium reflects its expanding regional footprint and aligns with its strategy of entering high-growth partnerships to serve underserved routes. This latest venture positions the Dammam airport as a growing hub for affordable air travel and supports the Kingdom's goal of moving 100 million passengers annually by the end of the decade.
