Latest news with #Alghamdi
Leaders
5 days ago
- Health
- Leaders
SDAIA President Reviews Smart Makkah Center Operations to Enhance Pilgrim Services
Dr. Abdullah Alghamdi, President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), conducted an inspection of the Smart Makkah Operations Center (SMART MOC) yesterday. The center is a vital component in enhancing the Hajj ecosystem and plays a key role in facilitating coordination among government agencies dedicated to serving pilgrims. It also significantly boosts crowd management and security operations across the holy sites. During his visit, Dr. Alghamdi reviewed the center's advanced operational systems, including the Baseer platform, a joint initiative between SDAIA and the Ministry of Interior. He also assessed its artificial intelligence capabilities and the efficiency of its real-time data analysis A of Interior. These systems provide intelligent analytics for surveillance camera feeds, enabling accurate, real-time field monitoring and large-scale data analysis to support timely decisions and improve overall security performance. Dr. Alghamdi commended the efforts of the SMART MOC teams and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence. He highlighted the critical role they play in delivering a world-class digital experience for pilgrims, aligning with the Kingdom's leadership vision to ensure that all pilgrims can perform their rituals safely, smoothly, and with the highest quality of service during the Hajj season. Related Topics: SFDA, SDAIA Sign MoU to Boost Data, AI Collaboration Saudi Interior Min.: Tourism Companies Deceive Pilgrims, Encourage Hajj Violations Riyadh Global Health Exhibition to Bring Together Int'nal Healthcare Experts Intensive Preparations for Smooth, Safe Hajj Season: Mecca Deputy Governor New Chapter Unfolded: Saudi Arabia Launches Electronic Intensive Care Unit Short link : Post Views: 13
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Disturbing reason you feel like you're falling off a cliff right before you nod off
Medication taken by some 8 million people in the UK could trigger a frightening sleep disturbance, research has revealed. Scientists from Saudi Arabia have found that those who take certain antidepressants are at a dramatically increased risk of suffering hypnic jerks—a feeling of a sudden jolt before falling asleep. The sensation is caused by sudden involuntary muscle contractions that happen during the transitional stage from wakefulness to sleep. While harmless in most cases, experts have warned the sleep disturbance could lead to insomnia and major depressive disorder. Now, a neuroscientist has performed an experiment that suggests psychiatric medications can alter chemicals in the brain, leading to hypnic jerks. In the study, Professor Alghamdi analysed sleep patterns of a middle-aged man who was taking escitalopram — a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which are most commonly prescribed to UK patients. The patient complained of experiencing the sudden falling feeling at night, along with heart palpitations, feeling tense and an excessive fear of not being able to sleep again. In order to treat the phenomenon, Professor Alghamdi asked the patient to stop taking the SSRI. Routinely sleeping less than six or seven hours a night demolishes your immune system and significantly raises your risk of developing numerous forms of cancer After this minor adjustment, the patient showed dramatic improvement in his condition and the hypnic jerk movement completely disappeared at night. His depressive symptoms, which were being treated with the medicine, also vanished. Prof Alghamdi hypothesised that the constant sleep disruption had made the patient's depressive symptoms far worse. 'Intensified hypnic jerks can cause chronic sleep deprivation, potentially resulting in depression as a consequence of neurochemical changes in the brain,' he said. Another study, published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, found similar results, further underling the link between SSRIs and the distressing sleep disturbance. What are antidepressants? Antidepressants are medicines that treat depression symptoms. There are around 30 different types that can be prescribed. The NHS says that most people who have moderate or severe depression notice improvement when they take antidepressants. But it notes that this isn't the case for everyone. Side effects vary between different people and antidepressants but can include nausea, headaches, a dry mouth and problems having sex. Antidepressants aren't addictive but patients may have withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking them suddenly or miss a dose. These can include an upset stomach, flu-like symptoms, anxiety, dizziness and vivid dreams. Researchers found that when a 31-year-old woman started taking escitalopram she began to experience involuntary head movements whilst sleeping. These movements abrupt, involuntary spasms which significantly disturbed her quality of sleep. When she stopped taking escitalopram and started on fluoxetine, another type of SSRI, she reported a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of the jerky head movements during sleep. This, researchers concluded, highlights the need for healthcare providers to be aware of this 'potentially overlooked' side effect of SSRIs. 'Hypnic jerks can disrupt sleep, cause anxiety, and negatively impact a patient's quality of life. 'Clinicians should recognise that these involuntary movements, while benign, can be distressing and may arise particularly after dosage increases or initiation of SSRIs', co-author, Dr Simran Sandhu added. Multiple theories have emerged regarding this mostly harmless phenomena, with experts pointing to stimulants including caffeine and nicotine, to exercise as potential explanations for the jolts. Some scientists believe that hypnic jerks are caused by the brain misinterpreting the transitional stage between wakefulness and sleep. The brain 'thinks' that the body should be awake, so sends signals to alert the muscles. While they can be startling, hypnic jerks are completely harmless, affecting around 70 per cent of adults in the UK, and are rarely a sign of any underlying conditions, experts warn. It comes as figures show an estimated 8.7million people in England take antidepressants, about one in seven people, with numbers increasing annually. However, experts have urged caution, with patients advised not to quit taking their medication without talking to the medical professional responsible for their care first. 'Close monitoring of patients, especially those who are newly prescribed SSRIs or have had dosage adjustments, is essential,' Dr Sandhu, co-author of the peer-reviewed study advised. 'Encouraging healthy sleep hygiene practices, including regular sleep schedules and relaxation techniques, can further enhance overall sleep quality and potentially reduce the occurrence of hypnic jerks', he added.
Arab News
17-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
SADAFCO wins award for corporate governance
Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Company has been recognized as one of the top-performing companies in corporate governance listed on Tadawul, based on the Corporate Governance Index assessment for Fiscal Year 2023. This was announced at the Third Corporate Governance Award, hosted by the Alfaisal University Corporate Governance Center in partnership with King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. Held under the patronage of Dr. Majed Alfayyadh, the conference successfully concluded with a strong turnout of industry leaders, experts, and professionals. The event featured an insightful program, highlighting discussions on the evolving landscape of corporate governance and the integration of AI in governance frameworks. The conference, held under the theme 'Beyond Compliance: Rethinking Corporate Governance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,' highlighted best practices in corporate governance and honored the top-performing listed companies. The assessment evaluates organizations based on key governance principles, including board structure, shareholder rights, public disclosure and transparency, and stakeholder engagement. Sultan Alghamdi, chief legal and governance, risk and compliance officer, and board secretary at SADAFCO, accepted the award on behalf of the company. 'At SADAFCO, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance, ensuring transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability,' Alghamdi said. This recognition reaffirms our dedication to maintaining robust governance practices that foster trust among our stakeholders,' said Alghamdi. SADAFCO continues to enhance its governance framework, aligning with international best practices to drive corporate excellence and sustainable growth in the region. SADAFCO is a publicly listed company producing high-quality dairy and foodstuff products under the Saudia brand name since 1976, a year after the company was formed. Saudia enjoys being one of the market leaders in the Kingdom in the production of milk, tomato paste and ice cream. Based in Jeddah, the company operates sales and distribution depots in 24 locations across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
Leaders
10-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Paris AI Action Summit: SDAIA Highlights Saudi Arabia as Comprehensive Governance Model
The President of the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), Abdullah Alghamdi, spotlighted Saudi Arabia's leading example in artificial intelligence (AI) governance during his participation in a session at the AI Action Summit in Paris, France. During his speech, Alghamdi said that the Kingdom has showcased a pioneering model for enhancing comprehensive AI governance at the regional and global levels, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Paris AI Action Summit He added that this comes at a time when the world is in growing need for such governance as AI is shaping economies, societies, and global power structure, and the AI-driven technologies are transcending international boundaries and impacting industries, governments, labor markets and security. The AI Action Summit is taking place in Paris on February 10-11, 2025. The Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, is heading the Kingdom delegation to the summit, on behalf of the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman. The session was attended by prominent figures, including the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, in addition to several world leaders, policymakers and AI experts. Comprehensive AI Governance SDAIA President explained that comprehensive AI governance ensures a role in shaping AI future for all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and underrepresented communities. He added that by strengthening cooperation and transparency, comprehensive governance can reduce risks, build trust, and create a framework that ensures AI is in service of all humanity. Moreover, Alghamdi pointed to the risks of exacerbating inequalities, reinforcing bias, and benefiting specific groups in case of the absence of diverse perspectives in AI policymaking. He noted that Saudi Arabia has released 65 AI-related policies on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) AI Policy Observatory, coming third after the US and the UK. Saudi Arabia's AI Efforts Furthermore, SDAIA President highlighted the Kingdom's local, regional and international efforts in the data and AI sector, including hosting the first AI Global Summit in Riyadh in 2020, and hosting the third and largest edition of the summit in 2024. Saudi Arabia, driven by its commitment to Islamic values and ethical principles, also hosted the largest consultative session of the UN Advisory Body on AI in Riyadh, bringing together over 53 Islamic countries. The session culminated in issuing the Riyadh Charter for AI Ethics in the Islamic World in September 2024. His Excellency the President of #SDAIA during the AI Action Summit: 'Saudi Arabia plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of global AI." — SDAIA (@SDAIA_SA) February 10, 2025 Moreover, the Kingdom established International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in Riyadh, which plays a key role in forging AI policies, enhancing capacity building, and supporting the development of a responsible and ethical AI. Alghamdi noted that Saudi Arabia, owing to its strategic position in the Arab and Muslim worlds, is ready to play active role in shaping the future of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) which will hold its 2025 ministerial council meeting in Slovakia. Concluding his speech, SDAIA President called for unifying international efforts to build an innovative, trustworthy and inclusive AI ecosystem. Short link : Post Views: 94
