Al-Swaha at FII summit: Saudi Arabia is an ideal partner in the AI era
Saudi Gazette report
MIAMI — Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha affirmed that Saudi Arabia has become a strategic partner for the United States and the world in bridging digital gaps and leading the transformation toward the "smart age". In his speech at the main session of the third edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII Priority) Summit held in Miami, US, under the title 'Investing with Purpose,' AlSawaha underscored Saudi Arabia's efforts and ambitious vision to enhance global cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.He pointed out that Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, constituted 'the most prominent success story of the twenty-first century', with the country's digital economy reaching nearly $132 billion, contributing 50% of the regional digital economy of $260 billion. He noted the increase in the number of technical talents in Saudi Arabia from 150,000 to 381,000.He highlighted the interest of major global investors such as Oracle, Google, and Microsoft, which made Saudi Arabia one of the fastest growing technology centers in the world.Al-Sawaha concluded his speech by calling on the world to consider Saudi Arabia as the ideal partner to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence.He expressed his confidence in the ability of international cooperation to overcome challenges and reach the stage of sustainable productivity in this field, appreciating the role of the Future Investment Initiative in bringing together thought and investment leaders to create the future of technology.On the sidelines of the summit, Al-Sawaha met with Oracle CEO Safra Ada Katz to discuss expanding the partnership in the fields of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and its role in supporting the digital economy in Saudi Arabia.
He also met with NEA CEO Tony Florence to discuss supporting tech entrepreneurs and stimulating investment in tech and innovation startups in Saudi Arabia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
3 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Smart medical wristband launched to monitor field officers' health during Hajj
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — For the first time during the Hajj season, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior has introduced a smart medical wristband powered by artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to enhance the health and safety of security personnel serving pilgrims in the field. The wearable device continuously monitors the vital signs of officers deployed across the holy sites and sends real-time alerts to the Command and Control Center at the Security Forces Hospital in Makkah. In advanced or emergency cases, medical intervention is immediately dispatched. The Command and Control Center is equipped with electronic screens directly connected to the wristbands. A specialized medical team monitors the incoming data, classifies cases by urgency, and generates heatmaps to track health risks among personnel. The system enables proactive medical response based on real-time health indicators. The wristband is also capable of sending SOS alerts directly to the center, facilitating instant communication between the medical team and the officer, and allowing field units to provide immediate assistance. The system is fully compliant with national cybersecurity standards and data privacy regulations established by the National Cybersecurity Authority and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's Port of NEOM installs 1st automated cranes, targets 2026 launch
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's $500-billion giga-project NEOM has installed the Kingdom's first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes at its Red Sea port as it moves ahead with plans to begin operations in 2026. The delivery of next-generation ship-to-shore and electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes marks a key milestone in the development of Terminal 1, which will accommodate the world's largest container ships. NEOM is aiming to position the facility as a global logistics hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. The facility supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by contributing to economic diversification through enhanced trade, logistics, and industrial capabilities. As global supply chains shift toward resilience and efficiency, NEOM's strategic Red Sea location positions it as a vital link between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Sean Kelly, managing director of Port of NEOM, said: 'The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port.' He added: 'We're not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but we're also setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, innovation and establishing a vital trade gateway for the Kingdom and the region beyond.' The new cranes will enable high-efficiency operations while allowing remote control from ergonomic workstations. Infrastructure developments, including a 900-meter quay wall and an 18.5-meter-deep channel, ensure the port can handle the largest vessels transiting the Suez Canal. Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation, boosting logistics capacity and regional industrial growth. Alongside infrastructure upgrades, the port is investing in local talent development. A specialized program is training Saudi workers, including women, for high-tech roles such as remote crane operations. Ten participants from Saudi Arabia's Tabuk region are currently in a two-year program combining technical training and mentorship. Trainee Hajjer Alatawi said: 'This experience has shown me that port logistics is far more complex than just moving cargo; it's about teamwork, precision and responsibility. Seeing more Saudi women entering this space gives me hope for a future where industries are defined by skills, not gender.' The press release added that by empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, 'Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM's vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.'
Al Arabiya
13 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
NATO looks to thrash out spending deal under US pressure
US defense chief Pete Hegseth will seek on Thursday to drive home a deal on ramping up NATO defense spending that can satisfy President Donald Trump at a summit later this month. The volatile US leader has demanded that alliance members agree to boost defense spending to five percent of their GDP at the June 24-25 meeting in The Netherlands. NATO chief Mark Rutte has put forward a compromise agreement for 3.5 percent of GDP on core military spending by 2032, and 1.5 percent on broader security-related areas such as infrastructure. Multiple diplomats say that Rutte looks on track to secure the deal for the summit in The Hague -- but that some allies are still hesitant about committing to such spending. 'I'm really, absolutely, positively convinced that at the summit with the 32, we will come to an agreement when it comes to this really big increase in defense spending,' the NATO chief said on Wednesday. Most vocal in its reluctance is Spain, which is only set to reach NATO's current target of two percent of GDP by the end of this year. Diplomats say that other countries are also haggling over making the timeline longer and dropping a demand for core defense spending to increase by 0.2 percentage points each year. But the deal appears an acceptable compromise to most that will allow Trump to claim that he has achieved his headline demand, while in reality setting the bar lower for struggling European allies. Hegseth looks set to use a meeting with his NATO counterparts in Brussels to pressure them into signing up to the agreement. The United States has backed Rutte's plan -- but its ambassador to NATO insisted on Wednesday that Washington wants to see 'plans, budgets, timelines, deliverables' to meet the target. In a connected move, NATO ministers will sign off at their meeting in Brussels on new capability targets for the weaponry needed to face the threat from Russia. NATO officials have estimated that, on average, meeting the new targets would cost countries between 3.5 and 3.7 percent of GDP. Hegseth, a former TV presenter, rocked NATO on his last visit in February with a fiery warning that Washington could look to scale back its forces in Europe to focus on China. Since then there has been no concrete announcement from the United States on troop withdrawals but NATO allies remain on tenterhooks. Ukraine question With NATO appearing headed for the defense spending deal, another thorny issue now threatens to overshadow the summit in three weeks time: what to do about Ukraine? Trump's return to the White House ripped up Washington's support for Ukraine and upended the West's approach to Russia's three-year-long war. Hegseth underlined US disengagement with Kyiv by skipping a meeting of Ukraine's backers in Brussels on Wednesday. Kyiv's European allies are pressing strongly to overcome US reluctance and invite Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to The Hague as a sign of support. So far, NATO has only said that Ukraine will be represented at the gathering -- but has not confirmed that Zelensky will be in attendance.
