Saudi Aramco executives emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing materials science and engineering, particularly in addressing the global challenge of metal corrosion and accelerating the development of innovative materials at an industrial scale.
Their remarks came during the 19th Middle East Corrosion Conference and Exhibition, hosted in Dhahran. The event brought together international experts to explore solutions for mitigating corrosion, a problem that costs the global economy an estimated $3 trillion annually.
During the conference, Aramco announced 28 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) collectively valued at more than $1 billion. These agreements include proposed collaborations in advanced materials research and development, technology innovation, local manufacturing, and training and development initiatives.
In his opening address, Executive Vice President of Technical Services at Aramco Wail Al Jaafari stressed that corrosion management is not merely a technical concern but a strategic priority tied to operational reliability, safety, and environmental stewardship.
Executive Vice President of Technology and Innovation Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter noted that AI-driven solutions could significantly reduce the global cost of corrosion, which accounts for nearly 3% of the world’s GDP. He added that approximately $1 trillion could be saved annually through the application of AI and emerging technologies in this field.
The Middle East Corrosion Conference and Exhibition, the oldest and most prestigious regional event dedicated to corrosion science, is being hosted in the Kingdom for the first time.
This year’s edition marks the largest in the conference’s history since its inception in 1979, drawing more than 5,200 participants from 45 countries, featuring over 300 research papers and 25 specialized workshops. The event also includes the first-ever hackathon focused on innovation in corrosion and materials science, with the participation of more than 1,500 students.
