Riyadh to Host Global AI Summit in Mid-September

Abdullah Bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of Saudi Data and Al Authority, speaks during the Global Al Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Abdullah Bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of Saudi Data and Al Authority, speaks during the Global Al Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
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Riyadh to Host Global AI Summit in Mid-September

Abdullah Bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of Saudi Data and Al Authority, speaks during the Global Al Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Abdullah Bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of Saudi Data and Al Authority, speaks during the Global Al Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

Under the patronage of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Riyadh will host the second Global Artificial Intelligence Summit on Sept. 13-15 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

Held under the slogan, “Artificial Intelligence for the Good of Humanity,” the summit is organized by the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), and will discuss the effects of AI on many vital sectors, namely: smart cities, human capacity development, health care, transportation, energy, culture and heritage, environment, and economic mobility.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, the president of SDAIA, noted that the international gathering would see experts and specialists from various government agencies and giant tech companies share experiences on AI challenges and aspirations, as well as the latest research, technologies, and investment opportunities in this field.

Al-Ghamdi added that the summit, in its second edition, was an opportunity for stakeholders and experts in this field to benefit from the presence of more than 100 speakers and global innovators from around the world and to participate in work sessions, panel discussions, and accompanying workshops.

The first edition of the Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence was held two years ago with the participation of more than 200 experts and decision-makers and witnessed dialogues on the means to recover from the pandemic and trends that shape the field of artificial intelligence. The summit activities were attended by more than 13,000 participants.



Drug Trafficking Networks Busted in Riyadh, Hail

The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Drug Trafficking Networks Busted in Riyadh, Hail

The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Interior Ministry stressed the vigilance of security forces in confronting criminal schemes (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi security forces have dismantled criminal networks operating in the Riyadh and Hail regions that were trafficking in amphetamine, methamphetamine (known locally as shabu), and medically regulated pills, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday.

The networks were uncovered based on intelligence gathered by relevant authorities within the ministry, a ministry spokesperson said in a statement. A total of 37 individuals were arrested, including 28 Saudi nationals—among them one employee from the Interior Ministry, two from the National Guard, two from the Ministry of Defense, and one from the Ministry of Health.

Also detained were two Ethiopian nationals accused of violating border security laws, five Syrian expatriates, and two Yemenis—one a resident and the other a visitor.

Authorities said all legal procedures had been completed, and the suspects were referred to the Public Prosecution for further investigation.

The Interior Ministry said the announcement underscored the vigilance of Saudi security forces in confronting criminal plots aimed at targeting the kingdom and its youth with narcotics.

It added that authorities would continue to thwart such schemes and take firm action against anyone involved, regardless of their status, to safeguard the security of Saudi Arabia, its citizens, and residents.