Saudi Arabia Holds Global AI Summit in Riyadh

On September 13 Saudi Arabia held its first Global AI Summit, as the kingdom looks to diversify its economy and is working full throttle to encourage technological development in the country. As the Summit ended, three points are worth noting.

1) The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) Member states adopted the "Riyadh AI Call for Action Declaration (RAICA)" which aims to address emerging and future humanitarian issues in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The declaration highlights the different ways AI can be used as a tool to benefit the lives of millions of people around the world. It presents seven key pillars, each composed of principles that seek to address methods to ensure that the benefits of AI are enjoyed by all while harming none.

2) The Summit also witnessed Aramco, the biggest oil producing company in the world, launching a project called the "Aramco Global AI Corridor" which includes an AI Delivery Factory, AI Academy, AI Venturing Studio, and multiple R&D AI labs.

The Corridor is designed to develop and commercialize complex AI solutions, to train Saudi talent, support Saudi start-ups and, together with global partners, build a local AI ecosystem. This will include an AI Delivery Factory, AI Academy, AI Venturing Studio, and unique R&D AI labs,

said Amin Nasser, president and CEO of Aramco during his keynote speech at the event.

3) Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI) signed a partnership agreement with Chinese company SenseTime to launch a joint-venture company with a capital investment of $766M focused on creating a dedicated research and development center for AI in the country.

The new partnership is expected to contribute to the goals outlined in Vision 2030, and emerge as a “driving engine of next-generation cities across the Kingdom.”