Saudi Arabia Seeks to Include AI Center under UNESCO

 The Global AI Summit was held in Riyadh in September 2022. (Twitter)
 The Global AI Summit was held in Riyadh in September 2022. (Twitter)
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Saudi Arabia Seeks to Include AI Center under UNESCO

 The Global AI Summit was held in Riyadh in September 2022. (Twitter)
 The Global AI Summit was held in Riyadh in September 2022. (Twitter)

The Saudi government seeks to complete discussions with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on granting the International Center for AI Research and Ethics the status of Category 2 center, which operates under the auspices of UNESCO.

The Saudi cabinet issued a decision last week to establish the International Center for AI Research and Ethics, to be based in the city of Riyadh and to enjoy legal personality and financial and administrative independence, within the framework of a Saudi endeavor to promote the uses of artificial intelligence and digital solutions.

According to information available to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Saudi government has asked the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA) to complete the discussions with UNESCO and prepare the necessary documents for the regular procedures.

The center seeks to promote sound practices in adopting AI technologies, as well as to support research, development and initiatives at the national and international levels, and ensure the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence.

The establishment of the International Center for AI Research and Ethics is also aimed at enhancing Saudi Arabia’s role in the field of artificial intelligence and ensuring the promotion of research efforts and the responsible use of AI applications, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 to transform the Kingdom into a global technical hub for AI and advanced technologies.

During the second edition of the Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence, which was held in Riyadh in September 2022, Saudi Arabia launched the principles of ethics of artificial intelligence, as part of a set of projects and initiatives that contribute to strengthening the country’s global leadership in the industry and achieving the aspirations of Vision 2030.



Saudi Ambassador Announces Launch of ‘Saudi Tours in Japan’

The Saudi Ministry of Culture logo
The Saudi Ministry of Culture logo
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Saudi Ambassador Announces Launch of ‘Saudi Tours in Japan’

The Saudi Ministry of Culture logo
The Saudi Ministry of Culture logo

The Saudi Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the Kingdom's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Dr. Ghazi Binzagr, participated in the final International Participants' Meeting, held from January 15 to 16 at the Himeji Culture and Convention Center.

During his participation, Binzagr announced that the construction of the Saudi Pavilion is 82 percent complete, with the entire front façade finished. The pavilion is scheduled to welcome visitors starting April 13 and will feature more than 700 activities and daily live shows. He also highlighted the pavilion's focus on enhancing the visitor experience and announced new campaigns encouraging the Japanese community to "Discover Saudi Arabia."
"The Kingdom is pleased to host visitors and invites them to embark on an interconnected journey of new discoveries. Through our pavilion, we will showcase the depth of our traditions and the remarkable transformations taking place in Saudi Arabia," said Binzagr. "The pavilion will present more than 700 events during Expo 2025 Osaka, including daily shows featuring fashion, music, and films, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore our rich heritage and ambitious future."
Binzagr also announced the launch of a national initiative titled Saudi Tours in Japan, aimed at enhancing cultural interaction between the two friendly nations. The tours will visit seven Japanese cities, starting in Osaka and continuing to Kyoto, Kobe, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Tokyo, concluding on March 9. These tours offer the Japanese public an immersive experience, introducing them to authentic Saudi hospitality and culture while encouraging them to visit the Saudi Pavilion when it opens on April 13 with the launch of World Expo 2025.