Al-Ghamdi to Asharq Al-Awsat: SDAIA Adopts 3 Pillars for Building AI Capabilities

Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, the supervisor of the capacity-building sector at the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the GAIN Summit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, the supervisor of the capacity-building sector at the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the GAIN Summit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Al-Ghamdi to Asharq Al-Awsat: SDAIA Adopts 3 Pillars for Building AI Capabilities

Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, the supervisor of the capacity-building sector at the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the GAIN Summit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, the supervisor of the capacity-building sector at the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the GAIN Summit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, the supervisor of the capacity-building sector at the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), said the Authority is building its capabilities on three main pillars: inspiration, development, and sustainability.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the third edition of the Global AI Summit (GAIN) in Riyadh on Tuesday, Al-Ghamdi revealed that SDAIA has achieved notable results, reaching nearly 600,000 beneficiaries through its AI awareness and inspiration activities.

He stated that the Authority is focused on developing capabilities that can create AI applications and technologies, having empowered around 7,000 specialists and experts in this field to date.

Al-Ghamdi also announced that SDAIA is forming partnerships with major AI companies to enhance capacity building, particularly at the national level. He explained that the Authority will establish partnerships with Microsoft, Dell, Oracle, and several national organizations, stressing that these efforts will significantly contribute to strengthening AI capacity building.

He added that SDAIA is working to raise AI awareness by promoting its proper use and ethics.

The summit brings AI leaders, thinkers, and inventors to Riyadh to discuss key issues in the field and to develop future visions and solutions for the benefit of humanity, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a leader in technology and artificial intelligence, he remarked.

The presence of these elite leaders from major tech companies, academic institutions, and universities in Riyadh will shape future directions for AI in tackling important and critical issues, he stressed.

Among these issues, he noted AI governance, avoiding bias, ethics, and strengthening capacity building in the field, while ensuring learning opportunities for all.

AI is a revolutionary, transformative technology that will reshape the global landscape, impacting daily life, tasks, and business operations, stressed Al-Ghamdi.



Abu Dhabi's MAIR Group to List in Abu Dhabi Next Month

Abu Dhabi's MAIR Group to List in Abu Dhabi Next Month
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Abu Dhabi's MAIR Group to List in Abu Dhabi Next Month

Abu Dhabi's MAIR Group to List in Abu Dhabi Next Month

Abu Dhabi-based MAIR Group, an investment firm active in sectors including food retail and commercial real estate, said on Thursday it would list on the local bourse next month.

The company, which operates over 100 stores in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the ADCOOP and SPAR brands, said in a statement the listing on the Abu Dhabi securities exchange (ADX) would take place on Dec. 9.

It did not disclose the amount of stock shareholders and employees plan to sell through the so-called direct listing, which takes place when a company offers shares to the public without going through a bank-backed initial public offering, Reuters reported.

As MAIR prepares to list "we are ready to amplify our impact, strengthen our foundations, and invite stakeholders to join our journey," Managing Director and CEO Nehayan Al Ameri said.

MAIR, which also manages more than 12 shopping centers through its commercial real estate division, booked revenues of 1.2 billion dirhams ($326.7 million) in the first half of 2024.

Last year, it distributed 135 million dirhams in dividends, equal to 12.11% of the share capital, to its over 12,000 shareholders.