Modern Technologies, AI Save Saudi Arabia $13.6 Billion

Over 110 Saudi government agencies benefitted from modern technologies and artificial intelligence, resulting in significant savings and revenue opportunities amounting to $13.6 billion, all made possible through the Estishraf platform.

Estishraf, a platform affiliated with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), provides future insights for decision-makers in the Kingdom.

It provides interactive economic and social analytics and indicators in an online platform based on a national multidisciplinary team by investing in big data, advanced analytical capabilities, and artificial intelligence.

The platform also supports the formulation of decisions, policy design, and simulation of the impact of various economic, social, and demographic changes to support the future direction of achieving Vision 2030.

- Digital transformation

Director of the National Information Center at SDAIA Esam al-Wagait emphasized the Kingdom's distinguished experience in digital transformation, particularly against the backdrop of the world's escalating digital acceleration.

Wagait was speaking at the al-Baha Forum for Artificial Intelligence under the patronage of Baha Governor Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz.

The forum was attended by several officials, specialists, and researchers in AI, technologies, and smart cities.

The director stated that SDAIA exerted efforts that have had the most significant impact on enabling and accelerating government digital transformation and data and artificial intelligence progress within the Kingdom.

Notably, over 31 million users have benefited from Tawakkalna Services and the Naba platform, which serves over 124 beneficiary entities and notifies users about more than 510 services.

- Government cloud

Wagait lauded the Boroog platform as representing a great success in secure government communication by organizing more than 47,000 meetings.

In terms of cloud services, Deem technology hosts more than 230 government data centers that contributed to raising the level of services and improving efficiency.

SDAIA organized the first and second editions of the World Summit on Artificial Intelligence, developing numerous smart solutions and use cases in the energy, transportation, health, and security sectors.

The Authority also prioritized developing human capabilities and digital skills by establishing a specialized academy and launching training camps.

- Modern applications

Al-Baha University President Abdullah al-Hussein said that the institution had achieved promising and tangible steps in the digital transformation journey in line with the strategic plan, as it established a data center in private cloud computing.

Hussein pointed out that this solid infrastructure contributed to the adoption of modern applications to serve activities and businesses at the University through qualitative digital services that exceeded 120 services.

He added that the University established the Data Office for data management and governance, achieving the third level of government data maturity at 54 percent. Furthermore, over 260 electronic courses have been developed and offered in blended and educational modes.

He added that the University won the Blackboard Award for Teaching and Learning in the Middle East for Excellence in Community Participation in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

The University initiated the strategic plan for cybersecurity with four operational plans and eight projects, in addition to achieving a 71% compliance rate with cybersecurity controls.

- Smart cities

According to Hussein, artificial intelligence is not just a technical advance but a qualitative shift that touches every aspect of life and opens up new possibilities.

He stressed the significance of exploring, discussing, and sharing knowledge and ideas as a catalyst for multidisciplinary cooperation.

Egypt's revenue from the Suez Canal plunged by almost two thirds last year, officials said Wednesday, attributing the sharp drop to regional tensions and wars in the Middle East that have impacted traffic through the key waterway.

The canal is a major source of foreign currency for the Egyptian government, with about 10% of world trade flowing through the waterway in recent years.

The Suez Canal Authority, which runs the waterway, said the canal generated an annual revenue of $3.991 billion in 2024, down from a historic high of $10.25 billion in 2023, according to a statement posted on its Facebook page, The Associated Press said.

Canal traffic has been significantly disrupted after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group started to threaten maritime trade and targeting vessels heading to Israel through the Suez Canal to pressure Israel to stop the war in Gaza, which started on Oct. 7, 2023.

Between November 2023 and January 2024, the Houthis targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two ships and killing four sailors. The militant group insisted the attacks would continue as long as the wars go on and have devastated shipping through the region.

According to the Egyptian canal authority, only 13,213 ships passed through the canal in 2024, marking a 50% decline compared to the number of ships in 2023, when over 26,000 ships passed through.

Still, canal authority chief Osama Rabie said that the attacks challenge the region but have not prevented Egypt from continuing to provide its navigational and maritime services in the Suez.

The International Monetary Fund reported in March 2024 that the Suez Canal trade dropped by 50% in the first two months of that year, compared to the previous year, citing attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government in 2015 completed a significant expansion of the Suez Canal, adding a second shipping lane and allowing it to handle some of the world’s largest vessels.

The canal, which connects the Mediterranean and the Red seas, was opened in 1869. It serves as a vital artery for global trade — a crucial link for oil, natural gas and cargo. The canal authority operates a system of convoys, consisting of one northbound and one southbound per day.

Modern Technologies, AI Save Saudi Arabia $13.6 Billion