SCAI Launches AI Operations to Compete with Global Technologies

SCAI’s operations will focus on delivering end-to-end cutting-edge AI solutions to prioritized sectors for the Kingdom such as energy and healthcare. (Reuters)
SCAI’s operations will focus on delivering end-to-end cutting-edge AI solutions to prioritized sectors for the Kingdom such as energy and healthcare. (Reuters)
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SCAI Launches AI Operations to Compete with Global Technologies

SCAI’s operations will focus on delivering end-to-end cutting-edge AI solutions to prioritized sectors for the Kingdom such as energy and healthcare. (Reuters)
SCAI’s operations will focus on delivering end-to-end cutting-edge AI solutions to prioritized sectors for the Kingdom such as energy and healthcare. (Reuters)

The Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), a company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), launched operations to grow and develop artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies industries in the Kingdom.

The company’s operations will focus on delivering end-to-end cutting-edge AI solutions across various disciplines.

These will apply to a wide range of use cases for both businesses and consumers in prioritized sectors for the Kingdom such as energy and healthcare.

SCAI also aims to be the trusted AI provider for smart city practical solutions.

“As PIF’s arm in the AI and emerging technologies sector, the company will develop local capability, cutting edge technology, and strategic partnerships to support creating Saudi-owned solutions in the AI ecosystem,” said SCAI Chairman Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf al-Ghamdi.

This comes in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives of diversifying and growing the economy and improving the quality of life for Saudi citizens, he added.

“SCAI will be a key enabler to promote the national AI objectives and accelerate technology adoption across various sectors in the Kingdom,” said Ayman Al-Rashid, CEO of SCAI.

“The world is embracing the era of data and information, and AI is rapidly changing the way we live.”

It is critical for Saudi Arabia to invest in the foundations of the sector to unlock long-term sustainable value for all stakeholders in the Kingdom and beyond, he stressed.

SCAI’s mandate comes in line with PIF’s strategy, which focuses on 13 priority sectors, including the technology sector.

Through its mandate, PIF is establishing national champions and enabling the development of new sectors in line with Vision 2030.



Formula E: Partnership with Saudi Arabia Is a Global Model for Advancing Sustainable Transport

Formula E races serve as a means for testing new technologies in electric cars. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Formula E races serve as a means for testing new technologies in electric cars. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Formula E: Partnership with Saudi Arabia Is a Global Model for Advancing Sustainable Transport

Formula E races serve as a means for testing new technologies in electric cars. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Formula E races serve as a means for testing new technologies in electric cars. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Formula E’s partnership with Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is emerging as a global benchmark for redefining the future of sustainable transport and clean energy, aligned with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030.

Julia Pallé, Vice President of Sustainability at Formula E, said that the collaboration with the Kingdom stems from a shared vision, highlighting that both Saudi Arabia and the PIF aim to be agents of change.

One of the earliest joint initiatives was the launch of a fully female racing test in Saudi Arabia, soon after the country lifted its driving ban on women. This move reflected a mutual commitment to challenge existing norms and explore new opportunities.

Tracing the origins of Formula E, Pallé explained that the championship was launched eleven years ago with two main objectives: advancing electric vehicle (EV) technology and reshaping public perception. At the time, electric cars had limited range and options, with the Nissan Leaf being one of the few available models.

Thanks to the advancements spurred by Formula E, battery capacity has increased by over 200 percent. In the early seasons, drivers needed two cars to complete a race due to battery limitations, something that is no longer the case today.

Formula E has become a vital testing ground for automotive manufacturers to develop broader EV technologies, she said. Simultaneously, by hosting races in urban centers, the championship has helped integrate electric mobility into modern life, aligning it with contemporary and sustainable lifestyles.

Pallé noted that the partnership with PIF has extended Formula E’s presence in the Kingdom and opened the door to broader ambitions. Through initiatives like “Driving Force,” aimed at students, the collaboration is nurturing a new generation of changemakers by equipping them with knowledge in green skills, sustainability, and social impact.

She explained that in just one season, the initiative reached over 50,000 students, with plans to double that number in the upcoming season.

Another initiative, “Change. Accelerated. Live,” explores the broader narrative of how the PIF is contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future through sports, she told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Formula E does not view its growth as a contradiction to sustainability, but rather as an opportunity to accelerate innovation. The organization follows a technological roadmap that anticipates consumer challenges over the next five to ten years and works proactively to address them.

A recent example is a project launched in Jeddah, showcasing cutting-edge ultra-fast charging technology. The initiative aims to build confidence in electric mobility by highlighting real, existing solutions to infrastructure challenges.

Pallé pointed to tangible examples of race-to-road technology transfers. Nissan, for instance, enhanced battery performance by 200 percent based on lessons learned from the racetrack. Jaguar also implemented improvements from its I-PACE eTROPHY racing series into its consumer vehicles, resulting in a 10 percent increase in battery life for drivers worldwide.

On whether Formula E aims to compete with or replace Formula 1, Pallé made clear that the two are not rivals. She noted that Formula E offers a completely different experience, targeting a younger and more family-oriented audience. It was designed as a sport of the future, more accessible, more sustainable, and deeply aligned with environmental principles.