2nd Global AI Summit Concluded in Riyadh

Many participants in the 2nd edition of the Global AI Summit have described the city of Riyadh as the city of artificial intelligence, as its hosting of the summit with this big scale of international participation comes within the framework of the directives of HRH the Crown Prince to make Riyadh one of the ten largest economic cities in the world.
SDAIA’s organization of the second edition of the Global AI Summit comes as part of its great interest in supporting the initiative of transformation to the knowledge-driven economy and build a data-based economy to achieve the vision of HRH the Crown Prince to raise the Kingdom’s position to the ranks of data-based economies.
Over the course of three days, the summit formed an international platform that brought together experts, specialists, academics, CEOs of major technology companies in the world, thought leaders, innovators and decision makers in government and private sectors from around the world, including leading companies, investors and businessmen to discuss the future of artificial intelligence in various fields.
The participants participated in more than 100 sessions held at the summit with more than 220 local and international speakers who presented a set of different visions on artificial intelligence to serve as a global pact for the benefit of the world’s countries in formulating their policies towards artificial intelligence and its various uses.
On the first day of the summit, the sessions, which included various scientific dialogues, discussed the most prominent uses of technology to preserve the environment, including a session entitled “Using Technology to Revitalize Forests” within the forum of “Saudi Green ” initiative, during which the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Sawaha stressed the importance that everyone should be invoved in climate change, know the true enormity of this crisis and focus on the enhancement of carbon-economy solutions.
A session entitled “Public Sector and Global Governance: Defining the Big Vision for Current and Coming AI Technologies, Research, Policies and Social Impacts” was also held in which participants discussed how to explore them through the potential of unifying disparate AI visions and frameworks and how technology and academic leaders around the world can benefit and use them for the benefit of mankind.
In a session entitled “Artificial Intelligence for Digital Twins,” the CEO of NEOM, Engineer Nazmi Al-Nasr considered the artificial intelligence as the “beating heart” of NEOM, noting that it will lead the future in modern designs and technologies, as during the past five years expectations have been exceeded by transforming vision into strategies in cooperation with many partners.
He pointed out that The Line project will be the future of the world and will depend on the full use of artificial intelligence as well as the first stake, in addition to that the project will revolutionize the world of designs for cities, urban planning and lifestyle.
In the same context, the President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Professor Dr. Tony F. Chan, stressed in one of his participation in the summit’ sessions that artificial intelligence technology has actively contributed to the development of the industrial, innovation, health and infrastructure sectors, and has played a vital role in confronting and solving many challenges, stressing that this technology has become more important nowadays for human service.
During the first day of the summit, a number of agreements and partnerships were signed between major international companies and government agencies in the Kingdom, including the signing of an agreement between the Saudi Artificial Intelligence Company owned by the Public Investment Fund with “SenseTime” company, the world’s leading artificial intelligence company to establish a new company in the Kingdom with an estimated investment value of 776 million riyals to finance an advanced artificial intelligence laboratory, and to create distinguished jobs for talented Saudis in order to place the Kingdom in the leadership position in the field of artificial intelligence technology in the region.
The Ministry of Energy and “SDAIA”, through their joint center (Joint Artificial Intelligence Center for Energy), also signed a strategic agreement with IBM to accelerate the adoption of the circular carbon economy using artificial intelligence.
SDAIA, represented by the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center for Energy with the Ministry of Enegry, also signed a memorandum of understanding with Halliburton Company (listed on the New York Stock Exchange) to develop artificial intelligence solutions in oil and gas locally and globally.
The second day of the summit witnessed various scientific sessions and dialogues, including a session entitled “The Role of Advanced Manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence in the Field of Industry and Mining”, in which the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef participated and stressed the importance of advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence in the field of industry and mining and their role In supporting and increasing productivity. He also indicated that advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence in industry and mining contribute to improving reliability, enhancing employee safety, and making our industries more sustainable.
Also, on the second day, the summit witnessed the inauguration of the “Smartathon” competition by the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail; the SDAIA President Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, and the CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Fahd bin Abdulmohsen Al-Rasheed .
The Smartathon competition was held under the title “Smart Cities Challenge” with the aim of developing modern solutions to improve the urban landscape in the cities of the Kingdom and finding technical solutions that contribute to detecting and reducing visual distortions.
The SDAIA signed an agreement with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to develop a global framework to measure AI readiness and help countries in the world share and adopt AI best practices, regulatory frameworks and institutional reforms necessary for countries to harness all AI capabilities for the service of humanity.
In one of the dialogue sessions, the Director of Public Security, Lieutenant-General Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Basami, spoke about the work of the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Public Security “Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah Security” and SDAIA to develop a strategic partnership to develop a number of algorithms aimed at improving the service being provided to those who are visiting the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, in the context of the follow-up and attention being accorded to the Two Holy Mosques by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH the Crown Prince.
The second day of the summit also witnessed the announcement of the Kingdom’s joining, represented by “SDAIA”, to the “digital development partnership” under the umbrella of the World Bank, which is a cooperative partnership between the public and private sectors to help developing countries take advantage of digital innovations, solve some of the most challenging issues, and as a new member of this partnership, the Kingdom will contribute to supporting initiatives aimed at promoting the development of data capabilities, accelerating the use of digital tools, and sharing the Kingdom’s experiences and capabilities in order to achieve sustainable growth and economic development.
Moreover, the Kingdom launched the principles of ethics for artificial intelligence that it has prepared to contribute to facilitating the practical application of ethics during the life cycle stages of developing artificial intelligence systems. They also contribute to supporting research, development and innovation development initiatives in the Kingdom, which is reflected in the quality of services provided by the Kingdom to individuals and ensures the responsible use of artificial intelligence applications.
In a session entitled “Visualizing the ecosystem for the adoption of artificial intelligence”, the Ministry of Health and SDAIA launched the prototype of the early detection program for breast cancer using artificial intelligence algorithms.
The first center specialized in sustainability solutions and their applications using artificial intelligence techniques in the environment, water and agriculture was launched under the name “AIEWA” Artificial Intelligence Center in Environment, Water and Agriculture”. The “SDAIA, MEWA and Google Cloud and Climate Engine” launched the Earth Observation and Science Program, which relies on technology Earth observation and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide sustainability solutions that address climate change risks and enhance environmental protection in the Kingdom and the region, such as: reducing carbon emissions by more than 278 million tons annually by 2030, and planting 10 billion trees across the Kingdom by 2030.
The SDAIA and the Ministry of Health established a Center of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence in Health (AIH) to support and unify national efforts to develop knowledge and expertise in the field of artificial intelligence, and lead data focused on health and artificial intelligence innovations. The SDAIA, represented by the National Center for Artificial Intelligence, announced the launch of the advanced “Your Voice” system for converting speech into texts based on voice recognition technologies in cooperation with the Saudi Artificial Intelligence Company “Sky”, which is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund.
On day three of the summit, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, Minister of Commerce, and Qais bin Mohammed Al-Yousef, Omani Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, visited the summit’s headquarters and were briefed on the exhibition and its pavilions, with participation of major local and international companies specialized in artificial intelligence techniques. The two ministers attended a session entitled: “Future Skills in Data Science and AI”.
In a plenary session today, Dr. Badr Al-Badr, CEO of the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation “Misk”, affirmed that “Misk” is working on artificial intelligence education programs, indicating that the unique Misk schools have micro-degrees in artificial intelligence.
Another session entitled “How Can We Empower Youth Leaders Through Artificial Intelligence Education” was held, in which the CEO of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program “Ndaleb” Eng. Suleiman Al-Mazrou stressed that artificial intelligence will contribute to doubling the productivity of the energy, industry and mining sectors, indicating that the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 will contribute to the well-being of the local community.
In another plenary session entitled (The Global Elevate Program for Empowering Woman in the Field of Artificial Intelligence), Princess Haifa bint Abdulaziz Al Muqrin, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization “UNESCO”, affirmed the Kingdom’s keenness to promote women’s empowerment around the world, especially in the field of science, through various initiatives, in addition to its contribution to the formulation of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence to ensure that no one is left behind.
Before a conclusion of the summit, the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) and Google Cloud have announced “Elevate” Program which is a new collaboration aimed at enabling women in the world to practice new jobs in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning in emerging markets by training more than 25,000 women over the next five years.
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Qassim University represented by Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal Chair for Artificial Intelligence signed yesterday an agreement to enhance partnership in the field of research and technical development. The Saudi Electronic University signed a memorandum of understanding with the Digital Health Excellence Center of the Ministry of Health dealing with cooperation projects and initiatives and employing capabilities and expertise for both sides to achieve their common interest.
At the conclusion of the summit, President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, honored yesterday the winners of the AI Artathon in its second edition, as part of the Global AI Summit’s initiatives. The two contestants, “Obeid Al-Safi and Elaine Lexba”, won first place for their artwork (Where Loss Goes). Meanwhile, team members Reem Al-Ruwaili, Wafaa Al-Ghamdi, and Fatima Al-Ghamdi won second place in the competition for their work (City of Poems). The third place went to team members Yasser Sinjab and Firas Seif El-Din for their work (Spatial of Ecologies).