Microsoft CEO Highlights Importance of AI to Boost Economic Development in Saudi Arabia

Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella has highlighted the importance of artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to support economic development in Saudi Arabia. SPA
Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella has highlighted the importance of artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to support economic development in Saudi Arabia. SPA
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Microsoft CEO Highlights Importance of AI to Boost Economic Development in Saudi Arabia

Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella has highlighted the importance of artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to support economic development in Saudi Arabia. SPA
Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella has highlighted the importance of artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to support economic development in Saudi Arabia. SPA

Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella has highlighted the importance of artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to support economic development in Saudi Arabia in a speech at the Riyadh event “Artificial Intelligence, A New Era.”

At the event, Nadella met on Wednesday with pioneering local business leaders, government officials, and a leading group of technical developers, reiterating the significant role played by AI in providing new opportunities to enhance the digital economy in the Kingdom, ensuring the improvement of citizens' quality of life in alignment with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Nadella said in a statement that the new AI generation will radically transform the level of individuals’ productivity and boost innovation in institutions and business sectors at the global and local levels, including the Kingdom.

Nadella praised Saudi institutions' efforts on the levels of the government and private sector in devoting these technologies to motivate innovation and provide multiple opportunities to strengthen economic development.

During the event, a discussion was held between the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, and the Microsoft CEO about strategies of employing the latest AI innovations. The discussion aimed to fast-track the Kingdom’s vision for its transformation into a digital society that involves a digital government and a prosperous digital economy and support an innovative future that embraces the interest of everyone without exception.



OpenAI Offers to Help Countries Build AI Systems

ChatGPT maker OpenAI's initiative to help countries build infrastructures for 'sovereign' artificial intelligence systems comes as it faces competition from China-based DeepSeek. Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP
ChatGPT maker OpenAI's initiative to help countries build infrastructures for 'sovereign' artificial intelligence systems comes as it faces competition from China-based DeepSeek. Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP
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OpenAI Offers to Help Countries Build AI Systems

ChatGPT maker OpenAI's initiative to help countries build infrastructures for 'sovereign' artificial intelligence systems comes as it faces competition from China-based DeepSeek. Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP
ChatGPT maker OpenAI's initiative to help countries build infrastructures for 'sovereign' artificial intelligence systems comes as it faces competition from China-based DeepSeek. Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP

OpenAI on Wednesday announced an initiative to help countries build their own artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructures, with the US government a partner in projects.

The San Francisco tech firm's move to put its technology at the heart of national AI platforms around the world comes as it faces competition from Chinese rival DeepSeek, AFP said.

DeepSeek's success in delivering powerful AI models at a lower cost has rattled Silicon Valley and multiplied calls for US big tech to protect its dominance of the emerging technology.

"It's clear to everyone now that this kind of infrastructure is going to be the backbone of future economic growth and national development," OpenAI said in a blog post.

"This is a moment when we need to act to support countries around the world that would prefer to build on democratic AI rails, and provide a clear alternative to authoritarian versions of AI that would deploy it to consolidate power."

The OpenAI for Countries initiative was launched under the auspices of a Stargate drive announced by US President Donald Trump to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure in the United States.

"We've heard from many countries asking for help in building out similar AI infrastructure," OpenAI said.

"In response to these interested governments, OpenAI is offering a new kind of partnership for the Intelligence Age."

OpenAI, in "coordination" with the US government, will help countries build datacenters and provide customized versions of its ChatGPT AI tailored for local languages and cultures to improve healthcare, education and public services, according to the tech firm.

Projects are to involve "local as well as OpenAI capital".

Partner countries would invest in the broader Stargate Project to expand "US-led AI leadership," OpenAI said.