logo
Saudi Ministry of Interior Opens 'No Hajj Without a Permit' Exhibition in Jeddah

Saudi Ministry of Interior Opens 'No Hajj Without a Permit' Exhibition in Jeddah

Asharq Al-Awsat28-05-2025
The Saudi Ministry of Interior inaugurated on Tuesday an exhibition titled "No Hajj Without a Permit" at the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah Region.
The exhibition, aimed at raising awareness about Hajj regulations and instructions, will run until May 31.
At the exhibition, the ministry is showcasing AI applications for crowd management, its Hajj season efforts to ensure pilgrim security and safety, the 911 system for urgent security and humanitarian reports, and key services of the Absher electronic platform.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Time to tackle the misalignment at the heart of education
Time to tackle the misalignment at the heart of education

Arab News

time3 hours ago

  • Arab News

Time to tackle the misalignment at the heart of education

As we look back on the 2024/25 school year which has just ended, Misk Schools celebrated a defining moment — our first graduating class. But this milestone represents far more than academic tradition. It marks the beginning of a bold, necessary shift in how we think about schooling, success and Saudi Arabia's future. Founded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Misk Schools was established with a clear mandate — to redefine K–12 education, to prepare the Kingdom's future leaders and to catalyze innovation across the national education system, all in support of Saudi Vision 2030. A key part of fulfilling that mandate lies in how we assess learning. For too long, education globally has been shaped by outdated, exam-centric systems that reward memorization over understanding and grades over growth. These systems fail to recognize and assess the full breadth of a student's ability. In particular, they do not measure critical thinking, creativity, leadership or adaptability in real-world scenarios — qualities essential for success in a world driven by rapid innovation. This is not a new idea. Aristotle believed that the purpose of knowledge is action, not discourse. Einstein is credited with saying that knowledge is experience and everything else is just information. That wisdom remains strikingly relevant today. Yet our education systems often still fall short of preparing students to apply their knowledge meaningfully in life, work, and leadership. In response, Misk Schools developed the Misk Schools Diploma, which has been validated by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It extends assessment (ergo, learning) beyond rote exams, integrating rich evidence of holistic development as part of the final certification, through portfolios, interdisciplinary projects, internships, narrative feedback and structured self-evaluation. It is rigorous, yes, but also relevant, personalized, and aligned with the expectations of both top universities and the innovation economy. This shift in assessment is already informing how our students engage with the world beyond school. We are collaborating with a number of Saudi Arabia's leading companies for our internship program and with higher education institutions such as Stanford University, where our students are engaging with the Human Perception Lab in the emerging field of symbiotics — a frontier science exploring how humans interact with intelligent systems. These partnerships exemplify how K–12 education needs to evolve, bringing high school students — with their untapped originality and technological ingenuity — closer to where research, industry, and higher education converge. In order to garner broader input to the challenge of how to best evolve school assessment, I have authored a white paper on: Assessment 3.0: Aligning K–12 Education with Life Beyond School, which has been released through the Council of British International Schools. The paper calls for an urgent realignment of how we define success in education. Relying exclusively on high-stakes testing doesn't just sort students; it shapes them. For learners less suited to time-pressured, performance-driven assessments, these systems can leave lasting scars — diminished confidence, disengagement and a reluctance to take risks or lead. The paper argues that assessment should shift from exposing failure to nurturing potential. As another quote widely attributed to Einstein reminds us: 'If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.' The full white paper is available here.

How AI is transforming Saudi businesses, from homegrown startups to global creative agencies
How AI is transforming Saudi businesses, from homegrown startups to global creative agencies

Arab News

time4 hours ago

  • Arab News

How AI is transforming Saudi businesses, from homegrown startups to global creative agencies

RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the landscape for small businesses, offering innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, creativity, and competitiveness. As technology evolves, many entrepreneurs are leveraging AI tools to streamline operations and drive growth. One of the most significant advantages of AI is its ability to automate repetitive tasks. Tools like chatbots can handle customer inquiries around the clock, freeing up valuable time for business owners to focus on strategic initiatives. This not only improves customer service but also enhances overall efficiency. AI-powered analytics platforms can process vast amounts of data, providing actionable insights that help businesses make informed decisions based on market trends and consumer behavior. In this dynamic environment, AI is transforming small business operations. A notable example is Hams Nabeel, a working mother who founded her business, Thikra, to preserve cherished memories for families. 'There was a clear need for my business idea,' she told Arab News. 'Since I had my daughter, I wanted to preserve her hospital items — like her hat, blanket, and hand bracelet — all in one place.' AI has become crucial in Nabeel's entrepreneurial journey, streamlining various aspects of her operations. 'ChatGPT helped me expand my business by crafting a clear structural plan,' she said. What typically took weeks can now be accomplished in minutes, providing clarity when she faced uncertainties. AI also assisted Nabeel in comparing 3D printers and defining her business's vision. 'AI guided me in crafting my mission and vision and even generated social media posts,' she said. For financial management, she relies on QuickBooks, which automates tasks and offers valuable insights. Furthermore, Nabeel uses Salla, a website creation tool that simplifies online store management. 'Creating a business is so easy with Salla,' she said, allowing her to focus on creativity rather than technical details. In creative sectors, AI tools are essential for content creation and design. From generating social media posts to developing marketing materials, AI helps small business owners maintain a robust online presence without extensive resources. 'We have traditionally always been creatives before tech developers, but with AI it is now enabling us to combine both,' Denis Bodart, who operates a creative animation agency called Feed Me Light in London and Riyadh, told Arab News. 'We are now building more creative tools and AI products, including a new SaaS (Software as a Service) platform focused on the out-of-home advertising sector, which allows us to dynamically display content on various screens at once. 'Imagine walking through a city filled with screens that communicate and showcase engaging, interactive content. For example, the displays can respond to the latest football or esports results, presenting teams in an exciting manner. 'They can also adapt to weather conditions and customize their content based on audience presence in events, venues, and shops.' This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field) Bodart highlighted how AI agents support his team. 'By training AI agents to understand our business more, we can use these agents to help support our teams, providing a helping hand with more repetitive tasks such as receipts, bookings, data fetching, or even helping enhance our marketing and sales teams, amplifying our business's online presence.' He added: 'For Saudi Arabia, the strategic integration of AI holds immense potential to create a truly transformative and positive impact on how they approach upcoming global events such as the Winter Olympics, Asian Cup, and World Cup events. 'This technology can significantly elevate fan engagement, optimize operations, and craft unparalleled experiences, setting new benchmarks for global sporting events hosted in the Kingdom.' Integrating AI allows small businesses to provide seamless customer experiences. Automating processes like order management and payment processing enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty. 'AI has completely changed the game for small creators like me,' Salwa Beauty, a prominent social media influencer in Saudi Arabia, told Arab News. 'It's like having a full creative team in your pocket.' Salwa utilizes AI to generate content ideas, animate scenes, write captions, and redesign photos — tasks that once required extensive time and resources. For her fitness content, Salwa has eliminated the need for models or physical products. 'I can animate people, create scenes, and even showcase products being used — all without hiring anyone or incurring upfront costs,' she said. This capability allows her to build a complete brand presence independently, showcasing the democratizing power of AI. The freedom AI provides is substantial for small businesses. By enabling entrepreneurs to launch ideas, test visuals, and create professional content quickly and affordably, AI empowers them to stand out in a crowded market. 'AI is literally my assistant now,' said Salwa. AI also reduces costs associated with traditional modeling. Additionally, AI facilitates content creation and scheduling, allowing businesses to maintain a consistent online presence effortlessly. Platforms like Salla and Zid are enhancing the landscape for small businesses in Saudi Arabia. These platforms leverage AI to optimize customer interactions, enabling efficient order scheduling, carrier connections, and targeted marketing messages based on customer data. Such features not only save time but also enhance the overall customer experience. AI has emerged as an invaluable asset for small businesses, offering innovative solutions that enhance productivity, creativity, and financial management. Integrating AI tools can significantly transform the entrepreneurial journey, enabling working mothers and small creators to thrive in today's competitive market. With AI as a partner, the possibilities for growth and success are limitless. As small businesses in Saudi Arabia continue to embrace these technologies, they open the door to a future where creativity and efficiency flourish, paving the way for new ideas and opportunities. AI is a powerful ally for small businesses, empowering them to optimize operations, enhance marketing efforts, and improve customer experiences. As more entrepreneurs embrace these technologies, the potential for growth and innovation continues to expand.

A new chapter in impactful digital cooperation
A new chapter in impactful digital cooperation

Arab News

time5 hours ago

  • Arab News

A new chapter in impactful digital cooperation

When the Digital Cooperation Organization was established in 2020 on the sidelines of the G20, with its headquarters in Riyadh, it marked a significant milestone for the region. It was a bold step by Saudi Arabia, alongside four additional founding members, to anchor a global multilateral platform focusing on the digital economy to enable digital prosperity for all. Today, the DCO unites 16 member states across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe, collectively representing over 800 million people and a gross domestic product of $3.5 trillion. The organization was created with a clear purpose — to ensure that no country is left behind in the digital economy. It exists to help governments design and implement forward-looking digital policies, build foundational infrastructure and align on responsible innovation. It is action-oriented, member-led and impact-focused. The DCO is already making a difference. Over the past four years we have launched key tools, including the Digital Economy Navigator, which helps member states assess their digital readiness and align policy frameworks. We have built strategic partnerships with the UN, the International Telecommunication Union and other global institutions. And we have supported digital upskilling, cross-border regulatory collaboration and startup ecosystem development, all tailored to the needs of our members. Now, we are entering a phase of intensified execution, guided by the Four-Year Agenda, a roadmap co-developed with member states that sets out strategic priorities and measurable goals. Our focus will be on accelerating inclusion, promoting digital trust and enabling investment in infrastructure, people and innovation. The DCO Four-Year Agenda is aimed at enhancing cooperation among member states to boost digital economic resilience and foster social prosperity. It is focused on building a modern, integrated digital economy. Central to this effort is the digital enablers pillar, which aims to establish a unified policy framework, accelerate regulatory harmonization and enhance resilience through resource sharing. The organization was created with a clear purpose — to ensure that no country is left behind in the digital economy. Hajar El Haddaoui The agenda also emphasizes digital corridors, integrating the digital economies of member states by strengthening cross-border digital trade and mobility. This includes promoting secure data exchange and cultivating a skilled, mobile workforce. To support innovation, the digital business and innovation pillar empowers startups and small and medium-sized enterprises by fostering innovation ecosystems and expanding access to capital, driving growth in digital enterprises. Finally, the digital society pillar champions digital inclusion, accessibility and environmental sustainability, ensuring equitable digital access and minimizing environmental impact. This comprehensive strategy focuses on advancing digital maturity across the region, recognizing the critical role that digital technologies play in today's economy. At a time when digital regulation, artificial intelligence and data governance are reshaping the global landscape, the DCO continues to help member states lead, not just adapt. Whether it is helping a government harmonize its data policies, supporting the rollout of artificial intelligence frameworks or enabling small enterprises to connect to global markets, we are committed to practical, inclusive solutions. The reappointment of Secretary-General Deemah Al-Yahya to a second four-year term, announced during a visit to Kuwait — the member state currently holding presidency of the organization — reflects a clear vote of confidence in her leadership. Over the past four years, the DCO has moved from concept to implementation. Under the secretary-general's stewardship, we are already delivering real value to member states. The next chapter will be about delivering more, scaling our work, deepening our impact and turning vision into long-term outcomes that benefit people and economies. This is also a moment of pride. While Saudi Arabia submitted the nomination for her reappointment, it was endorsed by the DCO council — a powerful reflection of the Kingdom's growing leadership in multilateral diplomacy and digital policy. Our member states may span diverse geographies, cultures and economies, but they are united by a shared belief in the power of cooperation. The power of partnership. That belief is the foundation of everything we do. As director general of DCO, I am honored to work alongside our secretary-general, member states, observers and partners to realize the organization's full potential. The next four years will be defined by action, alignment and achievement. Together, we are building a future where the digital economy works for all. • Hajar El Haddaoui is director general of the Digital Cooperation Organization

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store