��������

RIYADH: ��������’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha will lead a high-level delegation from the Kingdom’s digital economy, space and innovation ecosystem to the US.

The visit will strengthen strategic partnerships in technology, artificial intelligence and innovation between the two countries, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The delegation will meet with US government officials and leaders from leading technology and AI companies to enhance cooperation in developing advanced computing and AI infrastructure, with a focus on empowering innovators and developers within ��������’s innovation ecosystem.

This visit underscores the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the US, and reaffirms ��������’s position as a global hub for technology and innovation, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of building sustainable, knowledge-based digital economy.

�������� has rapidly emerged as a global leader in data and artificial intelligence in only six years, a transformation spearheaded by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority since its establishment in 2019, the Saudi Press Agency noted in a recent report.

The authority has developed a strategic roadmap to boost the Kingdom’s global competitiveness by leveraging data and AI to drive economic growth, enhance human capabilities and support integrated government services.

SDAIA also emphasizes the responsible and ethical use of AI, creating regulatory frameworks aligned with the Personal Data Protection Law to ensure privacy and compliance.

Experts note that these initiatives reflect a broader national commitment to technological leadership. 

Muhammad Khurram Khan, professor of cybersecurity at King Saudi University, told Arab News earlier this year: “��������’s AI journey journey is a direct reflection of visionary leadership, strategic foresight and an unwavering national commitment to technological sovereignty.”

The Kingdom has further strengthened its AI ecosystem through Public Investment Fund-backed entities such as Human, the adoption of the Saudi AI Qualifications Framework, and large-scale talent development initiatives. 

The SAMAI initiative will equip 1 million Saudis with AI skills, while a national curriculum integrating AI concepts has reached more than six million students, Khan said. 

Since its launch in September 2024, the “One Million Saudis in AI” program, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, has already empowered 334,000 citizens with essential AI competencies. 

These measures underscore ��������’s ambition to position itself as a global hub for artificial intelligence, setting the stage for the delegation’s high-level engagement with US leaders in technology and AI. 

ALKHOBAR: A Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology national program to certify 100,000 citizens in artificial intelligence and data skills is “crucial” in reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in AI, said a ministry official.

Run in partnership with the software development company Incorta, it is one of the largest training efforts of its kind in the region and a major step toward the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.

A wider aim of the Kingdom’s upskilling strategy is to train 1 million Saudis in AI, a goal outlined by the Saudi Data and AI Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

The MCIT also launched the Mostaqbali program to train an additional 50,000 Saudis in AI, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

Speaking to Arab News, Osama El-Kady, CEO and co-founder of Incorta, said the initiative is focused on preparing Saudis for the future.

“We are grateful for the immense support from the MCIT on this initiative. While the new generation is highly adept with current AI technology, our program is designed to look beyond what is already happening in the industry,” El-Kady said.

“We will focus on preparing participants for what lies ahead by providing them with practical applications of AI.

“Our goal is to empower employees across ministries, government entities, and private companies to harness data effectively, and make informed, data-driven decisions to ultimately contribute to the growth of the Kingdom and Vision 2030,” he added.

The program, unveiled at Incorta’s No Limits 2025 event in Riyadh, will be delivered through the National eLearning Center. It is designed to prepare students, professionals, and executives with applied AI and data skills that strengthen the Kingdom’s competitiveness across critical sectors.

Safa Al-Rashed, acting deputy minister for capabilities and future work at MCIT, said in a statement that the program reflects a long-term commitment to inclusive growth.

“Equipping our citizens, especially our youth and women, with future-ready AI and data skills is crucial.

“By certifying 100,000 individuals, we are upskilling a workforce, building a new foundation for sustainable growth and reinforcing ��������’s position as a global leader in AI.”

New details shared exclusively with Arab News reveal that the program will not only certify tens of thousands of Saudis but also build a pipeline of work-ready professionals through a phased rollout.

The first official cohort is set to launch in early 2026, bringing together a select group of 50 to 75 participants.

These will include top-performing university students and early-career professionals, each gaining hands-on experience through projects drawn directly from Incorta and industry partners.

Standout participants will earn certifications, internships, and even potential full-time roles.

“This approach ensures that the program is not just theoretical, but that it is shaping a new generation of work-ready AI and data professionals,” El-Kady said.

According to the company, the rollout covers three areas: future talent, workforce skills and career development, and executive readiness.

University pilots and live industry challenges will begin as early as the fourth quarter of 2025, laying the groundwork for the first cohort in 2026.

Summer internships will provide 100 placements over five years at Incorta’s US offices, giving Saudi students direct exposure to applied AI and data projects.

At the same time, Vision 2030 Hackathons will launch in early 2026, enabling participants to tackle national priorities such as renewable energy optimization, trade resilience and industrial efficiency.

Workforce upskilling is already underway nationwide through online certifications, with tracks such as Foundations of Data for AI, Champions of Data, and the AI Masterclass. These will expand steadily through 2026.

For executives, multi-day leadership programs and roundtables delivered in partnership with global names such as Gartner, Wipro and Google are scheduled to begin mid-2026, giving senior leaders frameworks to translate AI strategies into measurable business outcomes.

Incorta confirmed that several milestones have already been reached.

Noha Rizk, chief marketing officer at Incorta, described the importance of the program: “This program will serve as a global model for how nations can proactively build a people-centered, AI-powered future.”

Her remarks reflect a wider Gulf trend where digital transformation strategies are being framed around people rather than technology alone.

Surveys show more than 80 percent of employees in �������� and the UAE view AI with optimism, compared to skepticism in many Western economies.