Saudi Arabia to Host Global Artificial Intelligence Summit in October

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Global Artificial Intelligence Summit in October

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (SPA)

Under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA) will host in October this year’s Global Artificial Intelligence Summit (GAIS).

The summit, “AI for the Good of Humanity”, will be geld on October 7 and 8.

SDAIA said the summit will be held virtually due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and in line with the Saudi government’s precautions to safeguard participants from the disease.

GAIS will bring together decision-makers, experts and specialists from public and private sectors from Saudi Arabia and around the globe, including technology companies, investors and businessmen.

GAIS will address several critical AI-related issues under four main themes: Shaping a New Normal, AI and Governments, AI Governance, and the Future of AI. The topics will be discussed through keynotes, panels and interactive activities.

The summit aims to build significant dialogues, whether on recovering from the pandemic or the directions that shape AI. Participants will discuss main strategic factors that will help form an effective and influential AI system and what this means in terms of strategic national options for policymakers. The summit also aims to provide an inspirational vision over the demands of the future for organizers, investors and companies. The summit will also serve as a platform for innovative pioneers who use AI to build a better future for humanity.

The summit will tackle global changers and their impact on AI. It will offer presentations on how this technology is used in shaping a new reality that will create a better future for all. It will also highlight the most significant technical challenges AI is facing in the world today and how such technology can be developed in a secure and ethical way.

The summit is set to announce the launch of a national strategy for data and AI in Saudi Arabia. The strategy was recently approved by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and is in line with the Kingdom’s pursuit of an economy that is built on data and AI.



Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Affirm Continued Joint Efforts to Confront Attacks

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir in Riyadh. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir in Riyadh. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Affirm Continued Joint Efforts to Confront Attacks

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir in Riyadh. SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz said early on Saturday that he had affirmed with Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Riyadh continued joint efforts to confront attacks against the Kingdom in accordance with the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.

The pact was signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye last month.

Prince Khalid met with Munir to discuss the attacks on Makkah and on civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They commended the outcomes of the meeting of the chiefs of staff of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement states and stressed the continuation of joint efforts to confront the attacks under the agreement, SPA said.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban; Chief of the General Staff Gen. Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili; and Adviser to the Minister of Defense for Intelligence Affairs Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif, along with several Pakistani officials.

Hours earlier, the military chiefs of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye reviewed threats facing Saudi Arabia at ⁠a ⁠meeting in the Saudi capital.


Saudi Coalition Says it Intercepts Missiles, Drones

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki
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Saudi Coalition Says it Intercepts Missiles, Drones

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said early on Saturday that the Coalition had intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones launched by the Houthis towards the Kingdom.

Al-Malki said in separate statements that the missiles were headed towards Khamis Mushait and the drones towards the capital, Riyadh, adding that the Coalition was monitoring the missile threat and drones launched at the Kingdom.

The Saudi civil defense had ⁠sent alerts overnight ⁠for Khamis Mushait and Abha.


Albudaiwi: Water Security is Strategic Priority for Gulf Stability, Energy Security

Part of the "Water as a Strategic Imperative: From Global Challenges to Collective Action" session held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York (GCC)
Part of the "Water as a Strategic Imperative: From Global Challenges to Collective Action" session held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York (GCC)
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Albudaiwi: Water Security is Strategic Priority for Gulf Stability, Energy Security

Part of the "Water as a Strategic Imperative: From Global Challenges to Collective Action" session held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York (GCC)
Part of the "Water as a Strategic Imperative: From Global Challenges to Collective Action" session held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York (GCC)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi stressed that water security constitutes a strategic priority for GCC member states, directly intersecting with human security, economic prosperity, food security, and energy security as a fundamental pillar of stability.

Albudaiwi made the remarks during a panel titled "Water as a Strategic Imperative: From Global Challenges to Collective Action," organized by the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, SPA reported.

He noted that enduring regional water scarcity has driven GCC countries to innovate, invest, and build extensive expertise in desalination, wastewater recycling, demand management, and advanced technologies, while strengthening the water-energy-food-climate nexus.

Emphasizing that technology alone cannot guarantee water security, Albudaiwi highlighted ongoing GCC joint initiatives to establish a regional water grid interconnection. The project aims to bolster supply security, regional readiness, and emergency response capabilities during crises.

He also called for leveraging artificial intelligence, smart water management systems, and renewable energy, alongside collaborative financing models linking governments, development institutions, and the private sector to develop scalable infrastructure projects.

Albudaiwi concluded by pointing to the upcoming UN Water Conference, co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in Abu Dhabi in December 2026, as a pivotal platform to advance multilateral water partnerships and tangible investments.