200 Teams from 17 Nations Seek Innovative Solutions for Arabic Language in Saudi Arabia

The ALLaM Challenge aims to develop AI models capable of writing and understanding Arabic poetry, accurately analyzing grammar, and teaching Arabic to children in an engaging manner. SPA
The ALLaM Challenge aims to develop AI models capable of writing and understanding Arabic poetry, accurately analyzing grammar, and teaching Arabic to children in an engaging manner. SPA
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200 Teams from 17 Nations Seek Innovative Solutions for Arabic Language in Saudi Arabia

The ALLaM Challenge aims to develop AI models capable of writing and understanding Arabic poetry, accurately analyzing grammar, and teaching Arabic to children in an engaging manner. SPA
The ALLaM Challenge aims to develop AI models capable of writing and understanding Arabic poetry, accurately analyzing grammar, and teaching Arabic to children in an engaging manner. SPA

The competition in the ALLaM Challenge has intensified for the second consecutive day, with 200 teams from 17 countries, including Saudi Arabia, showcasing their capabilities in developing innovative solutions, the Saudi Press Agency reported Friday.

The focus is on enhancing large language models (LLMs) and transforming them into real-world AI projects that serve the Arabic language across various sectors.

Overseeing this significant competition, organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in collaboration with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, are more than 50 mentors and 40 judges—experts in AI and the Arabic language. They are providing support to participating teams and evaluating projects based on criteria that ensure the sustainability of the proposed solutions.

The ALLaM Challenge aims to develop AI models capable of writing and understanding Arabic poetry, accurately analyzing grammar, and teaching Arabic to children in an engaging manner. This aligns with the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to support the Arabic language, especially in technological fields, by providing high-quality Arabic data and creating AI models that can effectively handle the language.

This international competition is supported by a technical partnership with IBM and the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), with a total prize pool of SAR 1 million.



Winter at Tantora Festival Begins in AlUla

Winter at Tantora Festival begins in AlUla. (SPA)
Winter at Tantora Festival begins in AlUla. (SPA)
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Winter at Tantora Festival Begins in AlUla

Winter at Tantora Festival begins in AlUla. (SPA)
Winter at Tantora Festival begins in AlUla. (SPA)

This year's Winter at Tantora Festival opened Thursday in AlUla, celebrating the region's unique blend of art, culture, and heritage.
The festival, part of ongoing efforts to position AlUla as a premier global tourist destination, will run until January 11. The opening day attracted a large number of visitors who enjoyed a variety of cultural and heritage activities, including live musical performances, art exhibitions, guided tours to archaeological sites, and traditional folk-art displays, said the Saudi Press Agency on Friday.
The festival features a rich program of activities catering to all ages, including workshops, interactive experiences, and culinary events that highlight local cuisine. It also provides an opportunity to explore traditional wedding customs, offering visitors an authentic insight into Saudi culture.
Winter at Tantora is one of the flagship initiatives supporting tourism and heritage as part of the Saudi Vision 2030, and it serves as a platform for cultural exchange, bringing together attendees from around the world.