Saudi Tuwaiq Academy Launches First AI Diploma in Partnership with Meta

Saudi Tuwaiq Academy Launches First AI Diploma in Partnership with Meta
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Saudi Tuwaiq Academy Launches First AI Diploma in Partnership with Meta

Saudi Tuwaiq Academy Launches First AI Diploma in Partnership with Meta

Saudi Arabia’s Tuwaiq Academy launched its first diploma in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in partnership with Meta at its headquarters in Riyadh.

The nine-month program, which begins in December 2024, aims to develop exceptional national talent and address the need for advanced positions across various sectors, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

Accredited by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, the diploma focuses on developing trainees' practical and applied skills in a competitive learning environment tailored to market needs.

Key areas include machine learning, data analysis using Python and Tableau, AI-based system development, and big data management to create innovative technological solutions for various segments of society.

The academy has opened registration for the diploma on its website.

Tuwaiq Academy is the first of its kind to offer professional boot camps and programs, benefiting over 1,000 in-person trainees daily.

The academy partners with major global organizations, including Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alibaba, and other leading entities to bridge the gap between advancements in modern technology and the needs of the labor market.



Microsoft 365 Down for Thousands of Users, Downdetector Shows

General view of Microsoft Corporation headquarters at Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France, April 18, 2016. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo
General view of Microsoft Corporation headquarters at Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France, April 18, 2016. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo
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Microsoft 365 Down for Thousands of Users, Downdetector Shows

General view of Microsoft Corporation headquarters at Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France, April 18, 2016. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo
General view of Microsoft Corporation headquarters at Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France, April 18, 2016. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo

Microsoft's (MSFT.O), suite of productivity software was down for more than 16,000 users on Thursday, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com.

This comes nearly two months after a faulty software update from cybersecurity services provider CrowdStrike (CRWD.O), affected nearly 8.5 million Windows devices, crippling operations across industries ranging from airlines and banks to healthcare, according to Reuters.

"We're investigating an issue where users may be unable to access multiple Microsoft 365 services," the Windows parent said in a post on X.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to queries on the nature and cause of the outage and when it expects a recovery, but its Azure cloud platform said on X it was probing customer reports of a potential issue connecting Microsoft's services from AT&T (T.N), networks.

The telecom operator did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

After the incident reports peaked at around 23,000 for Microsoft 365, there were signs of the issues ebbing. Some users on social media said Microsoft's services were up and running.

About 4,000 users reported issues with AT&T services and more than 16,500 said they had trouble accessing Microsoft's 365 products, as of 9:12 A.M. ET, according to Downdetector, which tracks outages by collating status reports from a number of sources, including user-submitted errors on its platform.