Riyadh to Host International Conference on Arabic Language Computing

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Riyadh to Host International Conference on Arabic Language Computing

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language will hold its third international conference in Riyadh from October 6 to 7.

Tackling "Arabic language computing and linguistic data enrichment", the event is expected to draw local, regional, and international institutions involved in the field.

University professors, and 40 researchers from 22 countries will attend to tackle subjects, such as computational linguistics, computer science, and Arabic language.

Through this conference, the academy hopes to contribute to the integration of the work of computer scientists and linguists in computational linguistics, bridge the knowledge gap, present their work and projects, and enrich Arabic datasets to improve and develop AI models.

It also seeks to support Arabic language automated processing and make it accessible, in line with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, one of Saudi Vision 2030 programs.

The conference will address topics related to the automated processing of the Arabic language, including machine learning, speech-to-text conversion, automated recognition of images, and topics related to computational linguistics, used in learning and teaching Arabic.



Najdi Doors: Portals to Cultural Legacy in the 2025 Year of Handicrafts

The year 2025 has been designated the Year of Handicrafts in the Kingdom to reinforce handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage
The year 2025 has been designated the Year of Handicrafts in the Kingdom to reinforce handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage
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Najdi Doors: Portals to Cultural Legacy in the 2025 Year of Handicrafts

The year 2025 has been designated the Year of Handicrafts in the Kingdom to reinforce handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage
The year 2025 has been designated the Year of Handicrafts in the Kingdom to reinforce handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage

The year 2025 has been designated the Year of Handicrafts in the Kingdom to reinforce handicrafts as authentic cultural heritage. This initiative aims to promote the practice, preservation, documentation, and integration of handicrafts into contemporary life, celebrating an ancient cultural legacy central to people's identity.

The designation seeks to support artisans, enhance their skills, and prevent traditional crafts from fading. It emphasizes manual crafts that utilize simple tools, without relying on modern technologies, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday.

Prominent crafts include Sadu weaving, mud building, wood carving, pottery, hand embroidery, and palm frond products like baskets and mats. Engraving doors with Najdi motifs is another traditional art for which the Najd region is renowned.

An SPA reporter interviewed artisans skilled in Najdi door engraving.

Ali Al-Jasser shared his journey from wooden installations to three-dimensional wooden pieces that blend tradition with contemporary art. He noted the regional variations in engravings: Najdi in the center, Al-Qatt Al-Asiri in the south, Rawashin in the west, Bab Al-Bahr in the east, and Sadu in the north.

Nouf Al-Suwailim highlighted that Najdi door engravings are key elements of traditional architecture in the Najd region, embodying its cultural and urban identity. She described the doors' elegant designs, featuring geometric and floral motifs enhanced by decorative iron nails.