Global Firms to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Speeds Up AI Progress

Panel discussion at the Global AI Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Panel discussion at the Global AI Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Global Firms to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Speeds Up AI Progress

Panel discussion at the Global AI Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Panel discussion at the Global AI Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Global tech companies at the third Global AI Summit in Riyadh emphasized Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress in artificial intelligence, noting the Kingdom’s growing leadership in the field.

They highlighted the summit as a key opportunity for businesses to expand their local and international partnerships.

In talks with Asharq Al-Awsat, they described the summit as a major event that shapes the future of AI, helping to address challenges and fully leverage the technology.

The companies also pointed out that AI, closely tied to cloud computing, provides dynamic and complex solutions. They stressed that managing and protecting AI requires top-notch cybersecurity standards.

Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al-Thehaiban, managing director of Google Cloud for the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa region (META), stressed the importance of AI, which is closely linked to cloud computing and offers innovative, adaptable solutions.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Thehaiban highlighted Google Cloud’s role in the event. He emphasized the company’s goal to connect with clients locally and globally, showcasing its AI technology solutions.

Al-Thehaiban said Google Cloud meets all AI needs for businesses and governments, including those related to climate change. He mentioned partnerships with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) that have trained women in AI.

He added that AI now significantly impacts not just businesses and governments but also individuals, with increasing reliance on the technology.

Al-Thehaiban also noted that while data collection was a major focus six years ago, it is now crucial for implementing AI solutions.

Ahmed Al-Reshoodi, COO of Saudi Cloud Computing Co., told Asharq Al-Awsat that AI needs advanced cloud services and strong data management and cybersecurity.

At the third Global AI Summit in Riyadh, he noted his company’s focus on localizing the latest technologies in Saudi data centers, operated by local talent, supporting Vision 2030 goals.

Al-Reshoodi said the company works with various organizations across the Kingdom, including government, private, financial, and small businesses.

He highlighted that AI is increasingly used in smart cities, financial tech, and healthcare, and emphasized his company’s commitment to meeting Saudi Arabia’s growing cloud service needs.



Biban24 Forum in Riyadh Concludes with Signing of Agreements Worth SAR35.4 Billion

The five-day forum attracted a large number of entrepreneurs from various countries and featured over 300 panel discussions and workshops. (SPA)
The five-day forum attracted a large number of entrepreneurs from various countries and featured over 300 panel discussions and workshops. (SPA)
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Biban24 Forum in Riyadh Concludes with Signing of Agreements Worth SAR35.4 Billion

The five-day forum attracted a large number of entrepreneurs from various countries and featured over 300 panel discussions and workshops. (SPA)
The five-day forum attracted a large number of entrepreneurs from various countries and featured over 300 panel discussions and workshops. (SPA)

The Biban24 Forum, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at), concluded in Riyadh on Saturday after five days with agreements and initiatives topping SAR35.4 billion.

The forum, which attracted more than 182,000 visitors and was held under the theme “Global Destination for Opportunities”, offered numerous opportunities and activities to support the Kingdom's rapid development in the SME and entrepreneurial sectors.

Monsha'at Governor Sami Alhussaini said: “Biban24 achieved great success this year. We witnessed record agreements and the introduction of many innovative initiatives that support entrepreneurship in the Kingdom. We are proud of the announcements for financing portfolios and strategic partnerships with prominent local and international entities.”

The five-day forum attracted a large number of entrepreneurs from various countries and featured over 300 panel discussions and workshops in which over 250 foreign and local speakers took part.

The Biban Talks stage hosted over 100 speakers who delved into topics such as media, tourism, environment, education, sports, finance, and investment. The interactive environment enabled entrepreneurs to share their success stories and challenges.

Some 115 entrepreneurs took part in the Investors Arena, showcasing their projects to investors, which resulted in preliminary agreements for investors to sign deals with 65 companies, worth over SAR15 million.

More than 1,300 startups from 72 countries participated in the forum, which also celebrated the graduation of 12 startups from the Real Estate Innovation Accelerator. Also, the virtual lab was launched to support entrepreneurs.