Tech leaders help organizations become ‘future-ready’ at LEAP23

Tech leaders help organizations become ‘future-ready’ at LEAP23
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The four-day conference also saw numerous agreements and partnerships established between the private and public sectors locally and internationally. (Huda Bashatah)
Tech leaders help organizations become ‘future-ready’ at LEAP23
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More than 700 tech leaders from 50 countries participated at LEAP23, which registered over 250,000 attendees. (Huda Bashatah)
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Updated 11 February 2023

Tech leaders help organizations become ‘future-ready’ at LEAP23

Tech leaders help organizations become ‘future-ready’ at LEAP23
  • Salman Faqeeh said Saudi Arabia is focusing on the development of artificial intelligence that would bring advantages in the short and long term

RIYADH: This year’s LEAP technology conference, which ended in Riyadh on Thursday, explored various cutting-edge tech in the fields of artificial intelligence, smart cities, finance, medicine, space, and the fourth industrial revolution, among others.

Salman Faqeeh, managing director of Cisco Saudi Arabia, told Arab News that Saudi Arabia is focusing on the development of artificial intelligence that would bring advantages in the short and long term. 

“Saudi Arabia’s artificial intelligence focus is in line with Cisco. AI is an area that would (benefit) business, education, and healthcare. It needs to be addressed in the right way, because that could affect how utilizations of AI will move forward.” 

Bader Bahaian, country manager at statistical analysis firm ‎SAS, said that his team participated at LEAP23 to “address pressing challenges to improve decision-making, accelerate digital transformation across all industries, and open new doors for future customers and partnerships.” 

He explained: “SAS advanced analytics, cloud-native, and advanced fraud detection solutions backed by AI will support organizations in Saudi Arabia to advance on their roadmap to achieve business sustainability in line with the goals of Vision 2030. Using SAS analytics and AI solutions, we aim to provide organizations with the capabilities to transform data into intelligence that propels the business forward.” 

Yarob Sakhnini, vice president, emerging markets EMEA at Juniper Networks, said that Juniper’s participation at LEAP23 was focused on helping organizations to achieve business transformation, resilience and sustainability through high-performance networks.

“The government of Saudi Arabia revealed a number of initiatives over the years, aiming to become one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world,” Sakhnini said. 

“This highlights the need for organizations to ensure their networking-solution choices are future-ready and flexible to accommodate emerging technology and customer experience-led trends. 

“For example, as 5G network capabilities expand into new service areas such as mission-critical communications and (the internet of things), organizations’ networking solutions will need to cope with the demands of the changing traffic dynamics.” 

The four-day conference also saw numerous agreements and partnerships established between the private and public sectors locally and internationally.  

More than 700 tech leaders from 50 countries participated at LEAP23, which registered over 250,000 attendees.


Saudi, Somali defense ministers discuss ties 

Saudi, Somali defense ministers discuss ties 
Updated 08 June 2023

Saudi, Somali defense ministers discuss ties 

Saudi, Somali defense ministers discuss ties 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman met with his Somalian counterpart Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday.

The meeting discussed bilateral ties and ways to enhance cooperation and coordination in the military and defense fields.

Senior Saudi and Somali officials attended the meeting.


Saudi Arabia highlights its tech achievements at Global Technology Forum in Paris

Saudi Arabia highlights its tech achievements at Global Technology Forum in Paris
Updated 08 June 2023

Saudi Arabia highlights its tech achievements at Global Technology Forum in Paris

Saudi Arabia highlights its tech achievements at Global Technology Forum in Paris
  • The forum, hosted by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, had the theme ‘Shaping our future at the tech frontier’

RIYADH: During the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Global Technology Forum in Paris on Tuesday, Saudi experts talked about the Kingdom’s achievements in the tech sector.

Saudi Arabia was represented at the event, which had the theme “Shaping our future at the tech frontier,” by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Its aim was to exchange experiences and ideas relating to developments in the technology sector, policies for the digital economy policies, and innovation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Daniah Orkoubi, the deputy minister for technology foresight and digital economy, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to create an advanced digital infrastructure that can rival the best in the world, in line with the goals of the nation’s Vision 2030 development and diversification plan.

She also discussed the Kingdom’s pioneering work to empower women, which has helped to increase female participation in the labor force to 33.6 percent.

Orkoubi also highlighted the Kingdom’s continuing efforts to help bridge the global digital divide, including the provision of satellite and non-terrestrial networks.
 


Saudi Arabia makes final preparations for 10th Arab-China Business Conference

Saudi Arabia makes final preparations for 10th Arab-China Business Conference
Updated 08 June 2023

Saudi Arabia makes final preparations for 10th Arab-China Business Conference

Saudi Arabia makes final preparations for 10th Arab-China Business Conference
  • The aim of the two-day event, which begins on June 11, is to support and promote strategic collaboration in the fields of economics, commerce and investment
  • Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi minister of investment, said this year’s conference will be the biggest yet, with more than 3,000 delegates from 23 countries set to attend

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan will open the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh on Sunday, June 11.

The theme for the two -day event, held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is “Collaborating For Prosperity,” and its aim is to support and promote strategic collaboration in the fields of economics, commerce and investment that benefits Arab nations and China.

The event is being organized by the Saudi Ministry of Investment in partnership with the Arab League secretary-general, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and the Union of Arab Chambers.

It will look at investment opportunities in a variety of industries, organizers said. Key areas for potential cooperation include technology, renewable energy, agriculture, real estate, minerals, supply chains and innovation.

The agenda includes dialogue sessions and bilateral meetings to discuss ways in which Arab nations and China can work together to achieve prosperity and sustainable development.

Khalid Al-Falih, the Saudi minister of investment, said the crown prince’s patronage of the event reflects the commitment of the Saudi leadership to efforts to foster strategic partnerships with global economic powers.

He said that this year’s conference will be the biggest yet, with more than 3,000 decision-makers, government officials, investors, business owners and experts from 23 countries set to attend.

It will include eight panel discussions, 18 workshops, and a showcase of high-quality projects and cutting-edge technology. In particular, it aims to strengthen the Arab-Chinese partnerships as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing’s infrastructure-development strategy, in the areas of investment, the economy and trade, organizers said.


Saudi Arabia condemns storming, vandalizing of its embassy in Sudan

Saudi Arabia condemns storming, vandalizing of its embassy in Sudan
Updated 08 June 2023

Saudi Arabia condemns storming, vandalizing of its embassy in Sudan

Saudi Arabia condemns storming, vandalizing of its embassy in Sudan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Thursday the storming and vandalism of its embassy building and attache offices in Sudan by armed groups.

In a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry, the Kingdom also denounced the sabotaging of housing and property of Saudi embassy staff.

The ministry expressed the Kingdom's total rejection of all forms of violence and sabotage towards diplomatic missions and representations.

It reiterated the importance of confronting these armed groups that are trying to undermine the return of security and stability to Sudan and its people. 


Saudi crown prince, Russia’s Putin discuss ties

Saudi crown prince, Russia’s Putin discuss ties
Updated 07 June 2023

Saudi crown prince, Russia’s Putin discuss ties

Saudi crown prince, Russia’s Putin discuss ties
  • The two sides exchanged views on a number of issues and matters of common concern

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin, the state-run SPA news agency announced on Wednesday. 
During the call, they discussed relations between the two countries and means of developing cooperation in various fields. 
The two sides also exchanged views on a number of issues and matters of common concern.