SDAIA, EU Experts Discuss Future of AI Technologies in Visual Arts

The meeting was held at the headquarters of SDAIA - SPA
The meeting was held at the headquarters of SDAIA - SPA
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SDAIA, EU Experts Discuss Future of AI Technologies in Visual Arts

The meeting was held at the headquarters of SDAIA - SPA
The meeting was held at the headquarters of SDAIA - SPA

Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority "SDAIA" hosted a meeting between a number of artificial intelligence specialists in SDAIA and art experts at the National Institutes of Culture of the European Union.

During the meeting, they discussed the project of the future of visual arts in light of the renewed uses of AI technologies, in addition to reviewing the global “AI Artathon” initiative presented by SDAIA for creative artists in various fields of art from around the world, SPA reported.

 

The meeting, held at the headquarters of SDAIA, discussed the relationship between AI technologies and visual and audio arts in addition to aesthetic arts, and how these technologies can be utilized to serve and contribute to the creation of new forms of art that are no less creative than those produced by human senses in forming artistic images.

They also discussed the mechanism and the future of the AI Artathon initiative.

The European participants expressed their admiration for the AI Artathon initiative, which provided creators from various countries around the world with the opportunity to showcase their artistic abilities and create works of art using artificial intelligence and Artathon technologies.

This initiative is one of the cognitive initiatives of SDAIA that aligns with the Kingdom's cultural character.

It has been integrated with the artistic aspect to reflect artistic concepts that draw inspiration from various Saudi cultural fields, particularly in natural heritage, heritage and archaeological sites, social heritage, and visual arts.

The delegation of National Culture Institutes of the European Union included French experts who closely examined the rich experience of SDAIA in the AI Artathon.

The first edition of the AI Artathon was launched in 2021 with the participation of 60 countries and 300 experts in data science, AI, and artists who competed to create the best visual art using AI technologies.



Runaway Kangaroo Shuts Down Alabama Interstate

A runaway kangaroo moves down a stretch of interstate in Tuskegee, Ala., Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Austin Andrew Price via AP)
A runaway kangaroo moves down a stretch of interstate in Tuskegee, Ala., Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Austin Andrew Price via AP)
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Runaway Kangaroo Shuts Down Alabama Interstate

A runaway kangaroo moves down a stretch of interstate in Tuskegee, Ala., Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Austin Andrew Price via AP)
A runaway kangaroo moves down a stretch of interstate in Tuskegee, Ala., Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Austin Andrew Price via AP)

A runaway kangaroo named Sheila shut down a stretch of interstate in Alabama on Tuesday before state troopers and the animal’s owner wrangled the wayward marsupial.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the kangaroo was spotted Tuesday hopping along the side of Interstate 85 in Macon County, which is between Montgomery and Auburn.
The sight snarled traffic, and state troopers shut down both sides of the interstate for the safety of motorists. The animal's owner and troopers were able to capture it, Capt. Jeremy J. Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said.
“When somebody said there was a kangaroo of course I didn't believe it, and nobody believed it. But I'm looking at him,” Macon County Sheriff Andre Brunson said in a Facebook live video as the animal was captured.
The owner used a dart to tranquilize the animal.
Brunson’s video showed the drugged kangaroo being carried to a vehicle to be returned to its home. The animal was captured on the side of the interstate between Tuskegee and Auburn, the sheriff said.
“We see a little bit of everything here," the sheriff said.
The animal's owner, Patrick Starr, told The Associated Press that the animal's name is Sheila and that she escaped from her enclosure.
“She's back home safe. She's up. She's not sedated anymore. She's eating. She's drinking. She's not injured,” Starr said.
The kangaroo was treated by the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, he said.
The family runs a pumpkin patch and petting zoo, but Sheila is just a personal pet, Starr said.
"She's a sweet pet. I'm glad she's back home, and I'm glad everybody slowed down a little bit," he said.
Austin Price, who took video of the animal hopping down the interstate, said he had to briefly question if he was seeing things.
“I hear my grandmother yell, ‘Is that a kangaroo?'” Price said.
He assumed it was probably a deer until he looked. “And yeah, it's a kangaroo.”