The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to foster innovation in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement outlines partnership areas, including the launch of the Microsoft AI Academy in collaboration with the SDAIA Academy. In addition, it seeks to build national AI capabilities through various joint programs, including the Microsoft Azure Professional Certificate Program, which will equip national talent with globally recognized professional certifications.
SDAIA and Microsoft signed the agreement during the third edition of the Global AI Summit in Riyadh.
In collaboration with Microsoft, the authority also announced that ALLaM, SDAIA’s Arabic Large Language Model, is now available on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. This move aims to boost AI services in Arabic and foster innovation in Saudi Arabia and globally.
Advancing Kingdom’s AI capabilities
SDAIA also signed a memorandum of understanding with IBM to potentially establish an AI center of excellence that focuses on advancing AI technologies, with an emphasis on developing innovative applications that align with the needs of government entities. The collaboration seeks to facilitate the exchange of expertise and strengthen national capacities, contributing to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in the latest technologies such as AI.
During the summit, SDAIA also announced plans to collaborate with NVIDIA to help developers easily build and deploy AI applications using the “ALLaM” Arabic language model. The partnership also aims to enhance the model’s effectiveness and expand its capabilities by leveraging NVIDIA’s technological expertise.
Read: Saudi Aramco signs MoUs to collaborate on advanced AI, supercomputing solutions
AI to raise Saudi quality of life, education
During the summit, SDAIA also inked an agreement with ST Engineering, a leading technology and engineering company. The agreement seeks to explore collaboration and knowledge exchange in various areas related to smart traffic management in Saudi cities. The two parties seek to develop AI solutions that will enhance road safety and improve the quality of life.
During his participation at the summit, SDAIA CEO Dr. Yaser bin Mohammed Alonaizan stressed that AI is not an end in itself but a tool designed to serve humanity. He stressed that the relationship between AI and humans is complementary with AI working alongside humans to make jobs more accessible and efficient, not replacing them. He also stressed the need for collaboration among specialized organizations and institutions to maximize the benefits of AI modeling technology.
In addition, the authority partnered with Pearson, a leading education company, to foster the development of national capabilities in the AI and digital fields. The two parties will collaborate to create comprehensive assessment mechanisms that accurately measure proficiency in AI and digital technology skills. Such assessment will provide valuable information to employers, educational institutions, policymakers, and individuals, facilitating better decision-making regarding skill development and career paths.
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