Latest news with #SaudiMinistryofCommunicationsandInformationTechnology
Asharq Al-Awsat
17-03-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia, Amazon Launch AWS Builder Accelerator for Cloud Computing Training
The Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), has launched the AWS Builder Accelerator program, aimed at developing national competencies in cloud computing and equipping them with advanced skills in AWS technologies. The initiative provides an intensive training program conducted at the AWS headquarters in Virginia, United States. The program offers a comprehensive four-week educational experience that combines theoretical learning with practical application under the supervision of a select group of AWS experts. It includes practical projects using the latest cloud computing technologies, enabling participants to gain hands-on experience and earn accredited certificates. Acquiring these skills contributes to meeting market needs and enhancing the readiness of national competencies to keep pace with technological changes. The program is designed for graduates in technical fields, specifically those working in computer science and information technology, and it targets individuals with two to three years of experience to enhance their competitiveness in the cloud computing sector.
Arab News
11-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia puts AI at the core of its digital transformation: deputy minister
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia continues to prioritize artificial intelligence as a cornerstone of its digital transformation, a top official said. In an interview with Arab News during the third edition of LEAP 2025, Mohammed Robayan, deputy minister for technology at the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, stated that the Kingdom is dedicated to ensuring robust computing infrastructure to fuel AI-driven innovation and economic diversification. He underscored that AI is at the heart of Saudi Arabia's digital transformation strategy, with unwavering support from the nation's leadership, government agencies, and the private sector. 'It's all about AI. It's top of mind of our leadership. It's top of mind of our ministry, of the different government entities that we collaborate with to achieve this agenda,' Robayan said. He continued: 'It's also top of mind of the private sector, which is extremely important, so AI is really important. We have to make sure that this computing power is available to our ecosystem here in Saudi Arabia. I would say this is the No.1 agenda item that we're tackling.' Robayan also emphasized that a flourishing startup ecosystem is a vital element of the nation's long-term digital strategy. He highlighted that supporting startups is key to cultivating a pipeline of companies with the potential to become unicorns—startups valued at over $1 billion. 'But another important part is the startup ecosystem here in Saudi Arabia. This is extremely important. This feeds into the pipeline of companies that eventually graduate to become unicorns,' Robayan said. He added: 'We have seven unicorns already in the market, and you need to build the pipeline… We have multiple initiatives that we are working on. Robayan went on to say: 'We have the National Technology Development Program. We have the Garage. They have been extremely helpful. They're pumping a lot of money into this tech sector here in Saudi, and this has resulted in jobs, which is a big priority for us.' The Kingdom is also experiencing substantial private sector investments in AI and technology, which are crucial for bolstering computational capacity and supporting economic diversification under Vision 2030. According to Robayan, these investments will play a pivotal role in reshaping Saudi Arabia's technology landscape. 'These will enable us to, first of all, have different computer power that is necessary for the Kingdom to advance in its agenda. This is one of the highest priorities, technology and the adoption of technology,' he said. He said the these initiatives will have a profound impact on the Kingdom and its efforts to diversify away from oil. Additionally, ensuring a balanced regulatory framework is a key focus for the Ministry, as it strives to foster investment while protecting innovation. 'With regulation, you don't want to overdo it—just enough to avoid stifling innovation. Protecting investments and ensuring the democratization of AI and compute power is critical,' Robayan said. Cybersecurity is another top priority, with Saudi Arabia positioning itself as a global leader in cyber defense. Robayan stressed that collaboration with the National Cyber Security Agency plays a critical role in ensuring regulatory requirements are met early, offering clear guidelines for investors. 'Cybersecurity is extremely important, and you can imagine why and Saudi Arabia is one of the top-ranking countries in cybersecurity. This is also part of the education of the investors throughout the journey prior to announcing different investments. We don't want any surprises to happen for them or for the market,' he said. The Kingdom has already secured nearly $15 billion in tech investments announced at LEAP 2025, with more to come. Robayan hinted at upcoming initiatives to further accelerate the Kingdom's digital transformation.
Arab News
11-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
685 technology experts, talents granted Saudi residency
RIYADH: About 685 individuals with exceptional talents and researchers in the technology sector have been granted distinctive residency in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said on Tuesday. Those individuals obtained their residencies under the 'distinctive residence visas' program, the ministry announced during the day of the LEAP Tech Conference. Specialists in 5G technology topped the list with 16 percent, followed by cloud computing specialists with 15 percent. These fields are the cornerstone of enhancing digital infrastructure, which enhances the Kingdom's position as a leading country in adopting modern technologies, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The distinctive residency was also granted to experts in artificial intelligence and machine learning, who constituted 12 percent. The SPA report said these fields are a priority in the Kingdom due to their role in contributing to the development of many sectors such as healthcare, education and digital industries. Also, experts in Big Data sets comprised 13 percent of those who received the distinctive residency. Not only that, but the program also attracted professionals in Internet of Things technologies, financial technology, and advanced computing, which are areas that are considered a priority in supporting the growth of the Kingdom's digital economy. These experts come from various countries around the world including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Brazil, India, Pakistan and Egypt. The Kingdom's distinctive residence visas allow skilled professionals in the health and scientific competencies to apply for residency up to five years depending on their monthly income. Among the advantages, applicants get to reside in the Kingdom with the family, conduct business and own real estate properties, as well as engage in cooperation with government agencies.
Bahrain News Gazette
11-02-2025
- Business
- Bahrain News Gazette
Transportation Minister Participates in LEAP 2025 Tech Conference
Riyadh: Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, participated in the fourth edition of the LEAP 2025 Tech Conference. The conference was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Tahaluf company, a joint venture between SAFCSP and the global company Informa, along with the Events Investment Fund, under the theme 'Into New Worlds'. The event is being held at the Riyadh Exhibition and Conference Centre and will continue until Wednesday, February 12. According to Bahrain News Agency, the minister commended the historic and strategic partnership between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the domains of telecommunications, information technology, and digital transformation. He highlighted the ongoing support from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed expressed pride in the continuous tech initiatives supported by the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council, co-chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. He noted the positive impact these initiatives have had on enhancing investment cooperation and exchanging expertise in telecom infrastructure and digital innovation. He commended Saudi Arabia's efforts in organizing the global event, which addresses the future of the telecom and IT sector and showcases the latest innovations. The event involves 18 countries, over 1,000 speakers and experts, 1,800 exhibitors, and around 680 startups. The minister emphasized the importance of the event as a key platform for attracting investments and tech companies, accelerating digital transformation locally, regionally, and globally, with a focus on AI, digital economy, smart cities, and clean technology. The minister opened Bahrain's pavilion, highlighting the participation of 22 Bahraini startups in telecom and IT. He highlighted Bahrain's commitment to providing a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and startups through modern policies and initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and the quality of services. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed held meetings with several ministers, officials, investors, innovators, and representatives from both the public and private sectors. He also visited various exhibition booths to discuss developments in digital transformation and explore global technological innovations related to healthcare, education, sustainable energy, and the digital economy.
Leaders
09-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Into New Worlds: LEAP 2025 Drives Saudi Arabia's Tech Ambitions
Saudi Arabia is gathering AI leaders, innovators and investors from around the globe at LEAP 2025, the world's largest tech conference. To be held from February 9-12, 2025 in Riyadh, LEAP 2025 aims to explore the future of the technology sector, accelerate innovation, and solidify Saudi Arabia's position as a global hub for technology and innovation. LEAP 2025: Largest Tech Gathering The LEAP 2025 Tech Conference is organized by the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology; the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones; and Tahaluf, a joint venture among the federation, global company Informa PLC, and the Events Investment Fund. Under the theme 'Into New Worlds,' LEAP 2025 aims to discuss the future of the technology sector, explore the latest innovation systems, and exchange expertise in this promising field, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Wide Participation With the participation of over 18 countries, the tech event brings together a select group of tech experts, prominent innovators, global leaders from the public and private sectors, and key stakeholders in the tech industry. LEAP 2025 will see the participation of more than 1,000 speakers and tech experts from across the world, 1,800 exhibitors, and 680 startups, offering a prize pool exceeding $1 million. The fourth edition of the tech conference focuses on harnessing technological and digital transformation, with expectations to attract more than 170,000 visitors. A Platform for Innovation LEAP 2025 returns in its fourth edition with new and exciting features that delve into new worlds, showcasing advanced technology, fostering new connections, and celebrating innovation. The tech event aims to encourage innovative solutions for global challenges by supporting innovators and startups. Moreover, LEAP 2025 focuses of building international partnerships by bringing together tech industry leaders, innovators, investors and startups to forge strategic partnerships. The grand tech conference hosts lectures and workshops presented by tech experts. It also displays the latest tech advancements of global startups. Additionally, LEAP 2025 features an accompanying tech exhibition that showcases the latest tech products and services. New Features The fourth edition of the tech conference brings new features, including the LEAP Nights. It is an immersive experience to discover Riyadh through a series of events. Tech enthusiasts, business leaders and the public can connect, learn and engage in cultural experiences during LEAP 2025. Furthermore, the Tech Arena inspires innovators with a showcase of the latest innovations. Over four days, the Tech Arena will feature live demos, interactive experiences, and cutting-edge technologies. LEAP 2025 also features the Tech Tours, guided tours which highlight the latest government, tech, AI and investor innovations. Moreover, the flagship event includes the Ecosystem Xchange feature, fostering impactful exchanges among global innovation ecosystems to drive growth, foster knowledge sharing and promote collaboration. Rocket Fuel Competition In support of startups, LEAP 2025 organizes the Rocket Fuel competition. It divides 120 startups into six categories, offering prizes that amount to $1 million. The participating startups will be classified according to size, scale, their impact on society, amount of funding, years in business, and number of employees. From February 9-11, 2025, participants will take the stage live in front of a panel of top judges, including investors and entrepreneurs. The top 12 startups will compete in the Grand Finale on February 12 to win one of six grand awards. DeepFest The DeepFest event is a global AI ecosystem that gathers thought-leaders, change-makers, big tech, data scientists, innovators, enterprises, academia, start-ups, and entrepreneurs. The event will see the participation of over 150 speakers and more than 120 exhibitors, with an expected turnout of over 50,000 visitors. Co-located with LEAP 2025, DeepFest displays the latest AI innovations and tech solutions, aiming to discover pioneering technologies, foster connections, exchange expertise, and build partnerships in the field of AI to advance innovation and strengthen cooperation among experts across various fields. DeepFest 2025 focuses on several areas, including robotics, generative AI, customer experience, machine learning, automation and large learning models. Saudi Arabia: A Global Tech Hub As one of the largest tech conferences in the world, LEAP 2025 is a further testament to Saudi Arabia's status as a global hub for technology and innovation. Under the transformative Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to diversify its national economy, including by advancing its technology sector. Moreover, it underscores the unwavering support of the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, for the technology sector. It also aligns with the Kingdom's efforts to establish itself as the largest digital market in the Middle East and North Africa. Short link :
