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Larry King to Asharq Al-Awsat: I was Disappointed in Fidel Castro and I Do Not Interrupt My Guests

May 1 marks the 61st anniversary of broadcasting legend Larry King’s first radio broadcast
May 1 marks the 61st anniversary of broadcasting legend Larry King’s first radio broadcast
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Larry King to Asharq Al-Awsat: I was Disappointed in Fidel Castro and I Do Not Interrupt My Guests

May 1 marks the 61st anniversary of broadcasting legend Larry King’s first radio broadcast
May 1 marks the 61st anniversary of broadcasting legend Larry King’s first radio broadcast

May 1 marks the 61st anniversary of broadcasting legend Larry King’s first radio broadcast at WAHR in Miami Beach in Florida. Since then, he’s conducted more than 60,000 interviews on both radio and TV, most famously for 25 years on CNN.

After stepping back from his regular show on CNN in 2010, King returned to the airwaves in 2012, founding the Ora TV production company in conjunction with Mexican businessman Carlos Slim. The following year, Ora signed a deal with controversial Russian media conglomerate Russia TV to carry his “Larry King Now” and “Politicking” shows.

To mark his 61 years of broadcasting, King, now 84, recently sat down with Asharq Al-Awsat to discuss the highs and lows of his illustrious career, the “fake news” phenomenon, his views on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and what keeps him going after so many years in the business.

You have been broadcasting and working in the media for almost more than 60 years, and you will celebrate your 61st year in this field on May 1st. How do you feel about that?

I never thought I would last for so long, I thought I could retire in 2010 when I left CNN but I couldn’t, and then we came up with ora.tv for more than six years now. I think it keeps me going, I love what I do, I love asking questions and I had no idea that I would be on the air for 61 years.

Do you think someone who works in the media can retire one day?

It's hard to retire from the media, I do not call it work. I love what I do and I love meeting people, I do not know what I’d retire to, retire to what.

Let’s go back to the beginnings of your career. Do you remember what was the worst moment for you on radio or on TV?

My first day on radio was scary because I did not know what to say, I just been given a new name, I was nervous. I always wanted to be on radio, but I did not think I could talk well, I could not say anything. The general manager kept talking, he said “this is communication business, communicate”. I turned on the microphone and I told the audience what was happening, that I just had a new name, that I wanted to be on radio all my life, that I was nervous, so I told them the truth. Since then, I’ve never been nervous, I have complete confidence in myself on the air. I love what I do. So I would say that my worst moment was my first moment.

If the time goes back, would you work in the media? Or you would have chosen something else? Why?

I'd still work in the media, I love what I do. But, if I couldn't have done that, I think I'd have been a standup comedian. I do a lot of that - comedy and storytelling - when I go out speaking. And I've done a comedy tour in the past. But my favorite job will still to be in the media. There's nothing like communicating with and interviewing interesting people for a living.

After all these years in the media, who was your favorite guest?

It's very hard to pick one up, you can say Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela. In the entertainment field, Sinatra and Brando would be the top 2.

And in the political field?

I met presidents, prime ministers from around the world, France, Germany, England, Mexico, South American leaders. Long list.

After conducting more than 60,000 interviews, who is the person that you wish to interview, and did not have the chance to?

Fidel Castro, I thought I could arrange a meeting with him when I went to Cuba some years ago, but we could not make it happen. Castro has led his country for more than 60 years, and I do not think any other leader have done that. Forget what you think of him politically, he would have been fascinating to talk to, but I never got to meet him.

If you had the chance to have the last interview in your life who would you like to meet?

I’d like to be old enough to meet "the president not yet born". I would like to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, she is a fascinating woman she has a lot of power, maybe the most powerful person in Europe. I also like to meet the prime minister of England, she is also fascinating to me, Theresa May and new French President Emmanuel Macron.

Do you think you will interview Prince Mohammed bin Salman?

Oh, I would love to interview him, I would like to have an interview with Saudi King Salman, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. I am sure I will make this interview.

Do you remember all the interviews that you conduct?

No, I did a lot of interviews and I do not remember many of them.

Who helps you to prepare the questions?

No one tells me the questions, I make up my own questions, they give me facts about people. I have a great staff that gives me information about the people, this staff I am working with, is the best, we had the biggest staff in CNN, but this staff is the best. They give me preparation and I make my own questions. The most important thing in questioning is listening to the answers, because often answers bring up follow up questions.

What about your experience with the Russians, why did you accept their offer to move to RT (Russia Today)?

I did not do it, RT made an agreement with ora.tv. I own a percentage of the company but not the majority. They licensed my program, in other ways I don’t work for them, and they never ever interfere with it. At my Politicking show, Russia and Putin are often criticized, they have never taken it out. I’ve never been edited.

And before that, with CNN, have they ever forced you to say something, have they ever interfered, did you change some political points of view?

Never, I’ve been very lucky, in all my years I’ve never been told what to ask what to do, who to be against or not to be against.

What do you think of what is happening now in the media, and the "fake news" terminology?

I do not know what that means. I have been in the media for a long time. In all my years in CNN and Ora, I’ve never said a word that is fake. There are opinionated news, MSNBC and FOX are opinionated, but fake news I have never seen.

Do you think the media is in risk because of social media? Or do you think they complete each other?

On social media, everyone has an opinion, everyone gives information, and people use it a lot. I don’t pay much attention to it, but anonymous people sending in their opinions are fine. I look responsibly at the major networks CBS, NBC and ABC. I respect the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, I respect the BBC and a lot of media.

Media is fine, I am sad that the newspapers are going away in America, as well as books and encyclopedias, because everything has become dependent on the Internet. It’s a changed world.

Do you think journalism will disappear or the print will disappear?

I hope print doesn’t disappear, I love print. I've written a column for years for USA TODAY and MIAMI HERALD. I am sorry that our kids don’t read newspapers, that’s sad to me. I have teenage boys, I never see them reading newspapers, they get all their information from their iPhone and television. But you cannot stop time and this technology advance. It is very hard to read in the newspaper news that you don’t know, because you heard it already.

In one of your interviews, your guest Jerry Seinfeld got mad on air. Tell us why?

He got mad because I asked him “was the show cancelled?” and that was my fault. In fact, when I was on the air, Seinfeld was on the air, so I never got to watch Seinfeld until after I left CNN. Now I've been watching Seinfeld for 6 or 7 years, because I tape in the afternoon, and the show is brilliant, and I understand his success. We became friends after that, and I was in his movie The Bee Movie, and we did all the scenes together, and he appeared in my show after that.

People say that Larry King never "crowds his guests" in a corner, you do not interrupt them if not needed, he asks questions and lets them answer. How do you comment on this?

I do not believe in interrupting, but I never was afraid to ask any question. I ask in a different manner than other people ask. I am not confrontational, we make more fun page news than a talk show and I always got to the point. I have heard that said, but I have never heard a good example of it.

Why do people say that?

I don’t know why, I guess jealousy, I ask good questions, I listen to the answers, I follow up. I am a journalist, I am curious. I want to know everything about everything, so I’ve never understood that. I can’t tell people what to like and what not to like. I do my show my way, and I love what I do. You can either like me or not like me, you can be informed or not informed. I will say this, you watch any interview of mine and you will learn a lot more than you knew before it started.

Why is Larry King different? Why Larry King more famous than anyone?

I do not know why I am different; I just do me. I don’t analyze myself, someone told me years ago, "The only secret in your business is that there is no secret. Be yourself”. I’ve always been myself so I can’t write down what I do, I don’t know how I do it, I just know I love to communicate, I love broadcasting, I love radio, I love television I love print, and I love the whole business of communication. If you like what I do, you like it, and if you don’t, I can’t make you like it.

So, What makes you famous? What makes you different?

I've thought about that a lot. I think it's just because I don't pretend to be an intellectual. I don't have an agenda. I'm very curious. I ask short questions. I leave my ego at the door. I’m an everyman - and my guests have responded to that over the years. I can be as interested in a conversation with someone I meet on the street as I am in a conversation with the president. I like talking to people and hearing their stories. I ask questions that the average person wants to know about, maybe doesn't think about, but clearly wants to know about.

Have you watched Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's interview on "60 Minutes" on CBS?

Of course, he was very good. I am really interested in what he does, he is changing the country and I see the big things coming to Saudi Arabia, things we have not seen before.

I see Saudi Arabia changing rapidly, it’s almost a kind of revolution. He is a special young man, I love people who transform, I love people who change the landscape, and I think that this is what Prince Mohammed bin Salman is doing. I wish him the best.

What is your advice for people in the media? For those who want to be great like Larry King?

Always be yourself and never give up. If someone tells you, you can’t be in and you believe them, then you can’t be in, if you want it you’ll get it. There’s always a room in the media for talent you can make it if you’re good at it and you want it. Never give up.

May I ask some personal questions, general ones?

Yes sure, go ahead.

You have experienced critical health conditions in your life starting from the heart, type-2 diabetes in 1987 and prostate cancer in 1999 and recently you underwent surgery for lung cancer. How have these health crises affected your life and your way of thinking especially since you have always spoken of your fear of death?

Well, the way it has affected my life is that everything that’s happened has made me be a healthier person. I gave up smoking cigarettes. I try to eat right. I try to keep my body and mind in shape. It also forces me to get regular checkups, which is how I picked up the lung cancer at a very early stage. I'm very health aware. I'm not a hypochondriac, but I'm very health aware. I've been very lucky.

My work and my family keep me going. It keeps you alert. I think the fact that I keep on working keeps me young. I don't know where my stamina comes from, but I have a lot of stamina.

What’s your daily schedule? Your favorite hobby? Your favorite show? Your favorite food?

I get up early. I have breakfast with friends every day. We eat food and talk about things that are happening in the news, in sports, in politics. I read five newspapers every day. Then I go into the studio and tape my shows, “Larry King Now” and Politicking until the early afternoon.

I watch news and sports on television. I'm always learning. I'm always reading. I love going to the movies. For a laugh, I love watching all the old episodes of Seinfeld. I love going to my kid’s baseball games. For my favorite meal - I believe that would be lamb chops. I've always loved lamb chops since I was a child. With a baked potato and caesar salad, and if I had to choose something for dessert it would be lemon meringue pie.

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Interviews

Bin Habrish to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hadhramaut on Threshold of New Era

Sheikh Amr bin Habrish, First Deputy Governor of Hadhramaut (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Amr bin Habrish, First Deputy Governor of Hadhramaut (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Bin Habrish to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hadhramaut on Threshold of New Era

Sheikh Amr bin Habrish, First Deputy Governor of Hadhramaut (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Amr bin Habrish, First Deputy Governor of Hadhramaut (Asharq Al-Awsat)

After nearly 500 days spent in the mountains and highlands, Sheikh Amr bin Habrish, First Deputy Governor of Hadhramaut and commander of the Hadhramaut Protection Forces, has returned to the provincial capital, Mukalla, declaring what he described as the beginning of a “new phase” that will shape a different future for Yemen’s largest eastern governorate.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat from his residence overlooking the Arabian Sea, Bin Habrish said Hadhramaut is currently experiencing “a state of stability and reassurance,” which he attributed to the steadfastness of its people and to Saudi support and intervention that came “at the right time.”

He said the current ambition is to build a state based on institutions under which all citizens are united, while preserving Hadhramaut’s distinct character. Bin Habrish also affirmed his commitment to integrating the Hadhramaut Protection Forces into “fair” state institutions.

Addressing security concerns, he described terrorism as “manufactured” and said it has no social base in Hadhramaut. He accused external powers and local actors of exploiting it for their own agendas, while stressing readiness to confront terrorism in all its forms.

Bin Habrish offered his account of the recent handover of military camps led by the Nation’s Shield Forces, saying the achievements were made possible by the resistance of Hadhramaut’s people on their own land, and by Saudi support and what he called the Kingdom’s “honest and decisive” stance at a critical moment.

He said this outcome would not have been possible without the “genuine bond” between Hadhramaut’s society and Saudi Arabia, adding that this relationship has helped restore security and stability to Mukalla after what he described as unnecessary turmoil.

“We were not satisfied with the arrival of forces and the internal conflict and fighting that followed,” he said, adding that some parties felt emboldened and left no room for dialogue.

He accused the Southern Transitional Council of deploying its forces and “fully occupying the governorate,” stressing that Hadhramaut belongs to its people and that any mistake should have been addressed locally, not imposed by force. “We were compelled to resist,” he said, citing home raids and pursuits as “wrong and unjustified.”

Open Channels with Saudi Arabia

Bin Habrish credited Saudi Arabia’s leadership — King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, along with the Special Committee and the Joint Forces Command — for Hadhramaut’s current stability.

He said coordination with the Kingdom takes place “at the highest levels,” with open channels and no barriers, praising Saudi intentions and expressing deep appreciation for its support.

A New Era

Bin Habrish said Hadhramaut is entering a new era rooted in its traditions of peace, wisdom, and culture. He reiterated calls for self-rule based on historical grounds, describing it as the minimum requirement for enabling Hadhramaut to build its institutions and deliver services.

He urged unity, mutual compromise, and prioritizing the governorate’s interests, saying: “We forgive and open a new page. We are not seeking revenge. What matters is that Hadhramaut remains at the center of decision-making. Without it, there can be no development.”

Interviews

President of Madagascar to Asharq Al-Awsat: Three-Pillar Economic Plan to Revive the Country

President of Madagascar Michael Randrianirina (Presidency)
President of Madagascar Michael Randrianirina (Presidency)
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President of Madagascar to Asharq Al-Awsat: Three-Pillar Economic Plan to Revive the Country

President of Madagascar Michael Randrianirina (Presidency)
President of Madagascar Michael Randrianirina (Presidency)

President of Madagascar Michael Randrianirina said his country views Saudi Arabia as its “main partner” in the phase of “refoundation” and in building a new development model, revealing to Asharq Al-Awsat a three-pillar economic plan aimed at restoring political and institutional stability, activating structural sectors, and improving the business environment to attract investment, with a focus on cooperation in mining and natural resources, including rare minerals.

In his first interview with an Arab newspaper since assuming office in October, Randrianirina said in remarks delivered via Zoom from his presidential office that Madagascar “possesses real potential in energy, agriculture, mining, tourism, and human capital,” stressing that driving national revival requires consolidating institutional stability and building balanced partnerships with countries such as Saudi Arabia in order to translate potential into tangible outcomes for citizens and youth.

Three-Pillar Economic Plan

The president explained that his plan is based on three main pillars. The first focuses on restoring political and institutional stability through a clear transitional roadmap, the establishment of an executive body to manage and review projects, and the formation of a supporting committee to ensure an orderly and transparent transition.

The second pillar centers on investment in structural sectors, including energy, ports, digital transformation, health, and mining, in partnership with Saudi Arabia and other partners, with the aim of removing the main obstacles to economic revival.

The third pillar, he said, targets creating an attractive environment for investors by improving the business climate, strengthening public-private partnerships, activating special economic zones, and leveraging regional frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to open broader African markets through Madagascar.

Strategic Partnership and “Investment-Ready” Projects

On plans to enhance economic, investment, and trade cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Madagascar, Randrianirina said his objective is to build a long-term strategic partnership within a clear institutional framework and through flagship projects with tangible impact for both countries.

He proposed the creation of a joint Madagascar–Saudi investment body, to be known as “OIMS,” to coordinate and finance projects in energy, ports, health, digital governance, mining, agriculture, and tourism. He noted that Madagascar is simultaneously preparing a package of investment-ready projects aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and Africa’s regional integration, in order to provide organized and secure opportunities for Saudi capital and expertise.

Saudi Arabia as the “Main Partner”

Randrianirina emphasized that Madagascar considers Saudi Arabia a key partner in priority sectors. In energy and refining, he said the country plans to establish a national oil refinery, supply fuel directly from the Kingdom, and jointly develop heavy oil resources in western Madagascar.

In ports and logistics, he pointed to efforts to modernize and expand the ports of Toliara and Mahajanga to position Madagascar as a logistics and energy hub in the Indian Ocean.

Regarding digital transformation and secure governance, he said Madagascar aims to launch a secure national digital platform for public administration and security, drawing on Saudi experience.

He also highlighted mining and natural resources, including rare minerals, as a cornerstone of cooperation, with the goal of improving valuation and ensuring traceability of Malagasy gold and other mineral resources in a transparent and mutually beneficial manner. He further expressed interest in the health sector, proposing the establishment of a royal health complex in Antananarivo, followed by a gradual expansion of similar facilities in other regions.

Planned Visit to Riyadh

The President said Madagascar is working with Saudi authorities to arrange an official visit in the near future, with the date to be determined in coordination with the Kingdom.

He described the visit as an important opportunity to meet and engage with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, noting that Vision 2030 has brought about a qualitative transformation in the Kingdom’s image and economic trajectory. He said Saudi Arabia has strengthened its role as a major player in economic modernization, energy diversification, digital transformation, and global investment, while maintaining its central role in the Arab and Islamic worlds.

He added that the reforms and major projects achieved under the vision are a source of inspiration for Madagascar’s refoundation efforts, expressing a desire to benefit from the Saudi experience in areas including energy, infrastructure, digital transformation, health, and natural resource development.

The president said he hopes the visit will include meetings with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as sectoral meetings covering energy, ports, digital transformation, health, mining, defense and security, trade, culture, and sports, alongside discussions on establishing the joint investment body.

Historical Links with the Arab World

Randrianirina noted that Madagascar had historical links with the Arab world prior to the arrival of Western powers, explaining that Arab sailors, traders, and scholars reached its coasts and left their mark on certain languages, place names, and customs.

Three Major Challenges

The president acknowledged three main challenges facing his country: poverty and food insecurity, lack of infrastructure, and weak institutions. He said a large segment of the population still lives in poverty and that food security is not guaranteed in several regions, stressing that addressing these challenges requires investment in agriculture and rural infrastructure and the search for partners to support sustainable value chains that improve farmers’ incomes.

On infrastructure, he said the capacity of the energy and port sectors remains insufficient, hindering growth and trade, noting that upcoming discussions with Saudi Arabia focus on projects such as the refinery, heavy oil development, the ports of Toliara and Mahajanga, and digital infrastructure. He added that repeated crises have weakened institutions, and that his government is working to strengthen the rule of law, anti-corruption mechanisms, and public investment governance through independent oversight and transparent reporting to restore trust.

Combating Corruption

The President said financial corruption is a serious problem in Madagascar as it undermines public trust and diverts resources away from development. He explained that the anti-corruption strategy is based on three levels: establishing an executive body with clear procedures, independent audits, and periodic reporting; using digitalization to improve traceability and reduce misuse; and strengthening anti-corruption bodies while supporting judicial independence.

When asked about allegations of financial corruption linked to the previous leadership, he said his focus is on institutions rather than personal accusations, stressing that addressing any allegations falls under the jurisdiction of the competent judicial and oversight bodies, which must be protected from political interference and allowed to operate in accordance with the law and due process.

Duty to the Country and Its Youth

The president concluded by saying that he assumed office out of a sense of duty toward the country and its youth, noting that young people represent a significant demographic weight in Madagascar and are demanding change, dignity, and a better future through jobs, education, stability, and opportunities within their own country.

 

Interviews

Microsoft President: Saudi Arabia is Moving from Exporting Oil to Exporting Artificial Intelligence

Naim Yazbeck, President of Microsoft for the Middle East and Africa (Microsoft) 
Naim Yazbeck, President of Microsoft for the Middle East and Africa (Microsoft) 
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Microsoft President: Saudi Arabia is Moving from Exporting Oil to Exporting Artificial Intelligence

Naim Yazbeck, President of Microsoft for the Middle East and Africa (Microsoft) 
Naim Yazbeck, President of Microsoft for the Middle East and Africa (Microsoft) 

As Saudi Arabia accelerates its national transformation under Vision 2030, the region’s technology landscape is undergoing a decisive shift. For the first time, “the region is not merely participating in a global transformation, it is clearly leading it,” said Naim Yazbeck, President of Microsoft for the Middle East and Africa, in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat.

Yazbeck argued that Saudi Arabia now stands at the forefront of what he called “a historic turning point not seen in the past century,” defined by sovereign cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and national innovation capabilities.

He noted that Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress is driven by clear political will, explaining that the state is not simply modernizing infrastructure, but views AI as a strategic pillar comparable to the historical role of oil. While oil underpinned the economy for decades, AI has emerged as the new resource on which the Kingdom is staking its economic future.

According to Yazbeck, the recent visit of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to the United States underscored this shift, with AI and advanced technologies taking center stage in discussions, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s intent to build a globally influential knowledge economy.

This direction marks the start of a new phase in which the Kingdom is no longer a consumer of imported AI technologies but a developer of local capabilities and a producer of exportable knowledge, strengthening technological sovereignty and laying the foundation for an innovation-driven economy.

A Distinctive Tech Market

Yazbeck stressed that the regional landscape, especially in Saudi Arabia, is witnessing an unprecedented shift. Gulf countries are not only deploying AI but also developing and exporting it. The Kingdom is building advanced infrastructure capable of running large-scale models and providing massive computing power, positioning it for the first time as a participant in global innovation rather than a mere technology importer.

He pointed to a common sentiment he encountered in recent meetings across Riyadh’s ministries, regulatory bodies, national institutions, and global companies: “Everyone wants to be ahead of AI, not behind it.” Ambition has translated into action through revised budgets, higher targets, and faster project timelines.

He added that Saudi institutions now demand the highest standards of data sovereignty, especially in sensitive financial, health, and education sectors. The regulatory environment is evolving rapidly; Saudi Arabia has modernized its cybersecurity, data governance, cloud, and AI frameworks faster than many countries worldwide, turning regulatory agility into a competitive asset.

Yazbeck emphasized that success is not measured by the number of AI projects but by their alignment with national priorities, productivity, healthcare, education, and cybersecurity, rather than superficial, publicity-driven initiatives.

The ‘Return on Investment’ Equation

According to the Microsoft official, building an AI-driven economy requires more than advanced data centers. It begins with long-term planning for energy production and the expansion of connectivity networks. He further said that running large models demands enormous electrical capacity and long-term stability, which the Kingdom is addressing through strategic investments in renewable energy and telecommunications.

Yazbeck said return on investment is a central question. Nationally, ROI is measured through economic growth, job creation, higher productivity, enhanced innovation, and stronger global standing. At the institutional level, tangible results are already emerging: with tools such as Copilot, employees are working faster and with higher quality, shedding routine tasks and redirecting time toward innovation. The next phase, he added, will unlock new business models, improved customer experiences, streamlined operations, and higher efficiency across sectors.

Sovereignty and Security

Digital sovereignty is now indispensable, Yazbeck said. Saudi Arabia requires cloud providers to meet the highest accreditation standards to host sensitive national systems, which are criteria Microsoft is working to fulfill ahead of launch. Once the new cloud regions in Dammam go live, they will become part of the Kingdom’s sovereign infrastructure, requiring maximum protection.

Microsoft invests billions annually in cybersecurity and has repelled unprecedented cyberattacks, an indicator of the threats national infrastructure faces. The company offers a suite of sovereign cloud solutions, data-classification tools, and hybrid options that allow flexible operation and expansion. Yazbeck noted that sovereignty is not a single concept but a spectrum that includes data protection, regulatory control, and local hosting all play critical roles.

Data: The Next Source of Advantage

Yazbeck identified data as the decisive factor in AI success. He warned that any model built on unclean data becomes a source of hallucinations. Thus, national strategy begins with assessing the readiness of Saudi Arabia’s data landscape.

He revealed that the Kingdom, working with SDAIA, the Ministry of Communications, and national companies, is constructing a vast, high-quality data ecosystem, laying the groundwork for competitive Arabic language models.

He also called for a robust framework for responsible AI, saying that speed alone is not enough. He stressed that safe and trustworthy use must be built from the start, noting that Microsoft is collaborating with national bodies to craft policies that prevent misuse, protect data, and ensure fairness and transparency.

Skills: A National Advantage

Human capability is the true engine of national power; Yazbeck underlined, pointing that infrastructure means little without talent to run and advance it. He stated that Saudi youth represent the Kingdom’s greatest competitive advantage.

Microsoft has trained more than one million Saudis over the past two years through programs with SDAIA, the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Education, and the MISK Foundation. Its joint AI Academy has graduated thousands of students from over 40 universities, and it has launched broad programs to train teachers on AI tools in education.