The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in order to collaborate on AI research and modern technology development in the Kingdom.
The MoU supports science and technology research and improves its quality by establishing a joint center for research and innovation in AI. The center will also focus on many other sectors, including health, energy, environment, water, agriculture, bioinformatics, and natural language processing. Further, the two sides want to work together to achieve national goals in data science and AI, tackling both local and international concerns.
Under the terms of the agreement, SDAIA and KAUST will collaborate on the creation of academic programs and vocational training, as well as provide mutual support to growing enterprises in AI and marketing research, as well as facilitate the exchange of experiences among teachers and students.
Dr. Abdullah Bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi President – SDAIA
“SDAIA continues its work with many entities to achieve integration, thanks to the continuous support by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, who is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of SDAIA. SDAIA is taking a new step by signing the MoU with KAUST to promote research and innovation in the field of AI and support national talents. The signing of the MoU comes in the implementation of the directives of our leadership to unify efforts between SDAIA and the national authorities, which aims primarily to make a tangible impact in many fields related to the achievement of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
Prof. Tony Chan, President of KAUST noted, “The university is making major investments in the field of data science and AI, which support the university’s strategic directions to build the national capabilities and competencies that Saudi Arabia needs, to push the fourth industrial revolution in the world that will make Saudi Arabia a leading destination in the field of AI technology, in addition to enhancing its contribution to developing solutions to real-world problems.”
