Latest news with #SDAIA
Arab News
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, Shareek sign deal to accelerate AI, cloud innovation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's private sector is set to gain a boost in AI-driven innovation and data capabilities through a new agreement aimed at accelerating digital transformation across key industries. The new deal, signed between the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and the Private Sector Partnership Reinforcement Program, known as Shareek, aims to conduct comprehensive market studies and coordinate with relevant authorities, according to an official statement. The memorandum of understanding also includes a mandate to develop AI-aligned business models and provide technical consultation services to private sector entities participating in the Shareek program. This comes as the Gulf's largest economy positions itself as a global AI hub under its Vision 2030 strategy, which targets $135.2 billion in economic value from the technology by the end of the decade. The same roadmap aims to raise the private sector's contribution to gross domestic product to 65 percent by 2030, signaling a shift toward tech-led diversification away from oil dependency. In a post on X, SDAIA stated that the MoU also seeks to 'develop investment opportunities in cooperation with relevant authorities' and to 'develop business models for both parties, in accordance with established procedures.' It added that the agreement will also focus on 'identifying and prioritizing investment opportunities and providing specialized technical consultations,' as well as 'sharing investment opportunities with the sector and relevant authorities to join the Private Sector Partnership Reinforcement Program – Shareek.' Launched in 2021, Shareek is a flagship public-private partnership program aiming to unlock SR5 trillion ($1.33 trillion) in investments by 2030. It supports large Saudi companies in accelerating growth and driving economic development. Its collaboration with SDAIA highlights its role in advancing large-scale digital transformation. The development comes as the Kingdom expands its global tech alliances, with SDAIA signing an MoU with Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, on the sidelines of the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh in May to strengthen the AI ecosystem. The agreement aims to develop specialized AI data centers powered by AMD technologies, supporting the Kingdom's efforts to build a robust digital infrastructure. These developments come as Saudi Arabia's global AI standing continues to rise, with the Kingdom ranking third worldwide in the OECD AI Policy Observatory in December, behind only the US and the UK.
Leaders
12-07-2025
- Business
- Leaders
SDAIA Receives Certificates for Nominated Projects at WSIS Summit
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has received certificates for its nominated projects recognized among the best entries at the 2025 WSIS Prizes, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Organized by the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes witnessed the participation of over 194 countries, mirroring the significance of global competition. SDAIA's nominated projects stand out as technological initiatives that crystalized both innovation and creativity. After the ITU's expert evaluation, the Saudi projects were selected out of 973 submissions from various countries. Crucially, SDAIA noted that the nominated projects have covered various fields as follows: The government cloud-computing platform 'Deem,' which offers integrated and flexible cloud services for government entities. 'Nafath' app for biometric identity verification 'My Resume' service within the 'Tawakkalna' app that enables users to display their certified academic qualifications 'Tahseen' an AI-powered project that can restore and boost historical media 'Allam' and 'SauTech' projects which support and process Arabic through large language models and speech recognition technologies Prestigious Recognition Apart from this, the WSIS recognized the IAIO as an unparalleled project in Category 7 (E-Science). This recognition reflects the ongoing efforts of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) to boost innovation and elevate national and international capacities of the artificial intelligence. In collaboration with the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), AI Olympiad featured participants from more than 25 countries around the world. By hosting such a prestigious exhibition, SDAIA offers an international platform for AI competitions and an umbrella that brings together brilliant minds and spreads the concept of the Smart Olympiad among current generations. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia Showcases Digital Leadership at WSIS 2025 'Madrasati' Platform Wins Top Honor at WSIS Forum 2025 Saudi Arabia Wins Awards at WSIS +20 Forum Short link : Post Views: 13 Related Stories
Gulf Insider
12-07-2025
- Science
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia To Introduce AI Curriculum Across All Public Schools Starting 2025
Saudi Arabia will roll out a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum across all levels of public education beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year. The initiative, led by the National Curriculum Center in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), represents a major step in embedding AI literacy into the Kingdom's educational framework. The curriculum, which aligns with the goals of the Human Capability Development Program under Vision 2030, is designed to empower students from early education through higher learning with essential digital competencies and AI fluency. It aims to nurture a generation capable of driving innovation and positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in emerging technologies. Students will be introduced to age-appropriate AI concepts through interactive and practical learning modules, ensuring continuity and progression throughout the educational journey, from primary school to vocational and university tracks, and into lifelong learning. AI learning outcomes will be formally incorporated into the national student performance assessment system. The new curriculum will instil core technical skills while fostering critical thinking and ethical understanding of AI. The announcement follows the successful pilot of an 'Introduction to Artificial Intelligence' course for third-year secondary students in the general track, unveiled earlier this year at the Human Capability Initiative conference. Developed collaboratively by SDAIA, the National Curriculum Centre, and the Ministry of Education, the pilot laid the groundwork for national implementation.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Huawei's AI Chip Play: Is This the Start of a Global Power Shift?
Huawei is taking early steps to push its AI chips overseas and Washington is watching. The Chinese tech giant is quietly offering small volumes of its older-generation Ascend 910B chips to potential customers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Thailand, and Malaysia, in what looks like a soft entry into markets long dominated by Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) and AMD. While deals haven't closed, conversations are underway with Saudi's SDAIA reportedly in advanced talks. Huawei is also offering cloud-based access to its more powerful 910C chips, though those aren't available for export due to limited supply. The move signals a possible strategy to seed interest while ramping up domestic manufacturing. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with NVDA. But Huawei's ability to deliver at scale remains a big question mark. A senior Trump official recently estimated Huawei can only produce about 200,000 AI chips this year, nearly all of which are earmarked for Chinese buyers. That figure doesn't include the 2.9 million 910B dies Huawei previously sourced from TSMC, which could eventually support broader export ambitions. Still, early efforts in Malaysia and Thailand remain murky. Although Malaysia once touted a 3,000-chip rollout by 2026, both Huawei and local officials have since downplayed the plan. And in the UAE, early outreach to institutions like the Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI hasn't generated much interest. Meanwhile, the US response is caught in its own holding pattern. Two months after President Trump promised to overhaul Biden-era chip export rules, no final policy has emerged. A draft rule could tighten controls on AI chip sales to Malaysia and Thailand, but internal debates are delaying action. Some officials argue the US should move faster fearing Huawei might lock in relationships before Washington gives the green light to Nvidia and AMD deals. Others believe the US still holds the upper hand, pointing to Huawei's small volumes and older chips as signs the West can afford to wait. Either way, investors tracking the AI race across emerging markets may want to keep a close eye on what comes next because both the technology and the geopolitics are moving fast. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Science
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia to introduce AI curriculum across all school levels starting 2025
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia will introduce a national artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum across all levels of public education starting from the 2025–2026 academic year. Tthe National Curriculum Center announced nucluding the new curriculum in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). The initiative aligns with the Human Capability Development Program under Vision 2030, aiming to build a comprehensive educational system that reinforces national values while boosting the Kingdom's global competitiveness and leadership in AI. The new AI curriculum is designed to empower students with specialized skills from early stages, equipping them to engage with the digital age and contribute to innovative solutions throughout their educational journey from primary school to university and vocational training, and continuing into lifelong learning. The curriculum will feature age-appropriate AI modules delivered through interactive and practical learning methods. It also includes a framework to ensure continuity and progression across different education levels, with AI learning outcomes incorporated into the national student performance assessment system. This announcement follows the recent launch of a pilot course titled "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence" for third-year secondary students in the general track. The course, developed by SDAIA in collaboration with the National Curriculum Center and the Ministry of Education, was unveiled during the Human Capability Initiative conference held in April 2025. Officials said this marks a foundational step toward embedding AI concepts into the national education system, preparing a digitally aware generation ready to lead in advanced technology sectors.
