King Salman academy launches AI Arabic language processing center

King Salman academy launches AI Arabic language processing center
A King Salman Arabic Language Academy official explains to the audience the sections of the Arabic Intelligence Center’s electronic dashboard. (Supplied)
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Updated 30 April 2024
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King Salman academy launches AI Arabic language processing center

King Salman academy launches AI Arabic language processing center

RIYADH: The first center for automated Arabic language processing, called the Arabic Intelligence Center, has opened in Riyadh, operated by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language.

The center aims to enhance Arabic content in the fields of data and artificial intelligence and support scientific research and applications to help achieve the goals of the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence and Saudi Vision 2030, which seek to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in this field.

Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of the academy, said the center’s success relies on its strategic goal of advancing Arabic language innovation, integrating AI technology for local and international use.

He told Arab News that the center brings together Arabic language specialists and technology experts. “Their shared interest in the Arabic language unites them,” he said.

To achieve its strategic goals, the center will enable AI-based innovations, support the development of applications, and certify qualified individuals with international standards to advance automated Arabic language processing knowledge, Al-Washmi said.

The center comprises five main laboratories: the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, which focuses on developing technical research for the Arabic language and its processing; the Data Formatting Laboratory, which collects, tags, processes, and ensures the quality of Arabic data, whether written, audio, or visual; the Audio and Visual Laboratory, which records, processes, stores, and classifies audio and visual data; the Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Laboratory, which creates Arabic software using virtual and augmented reality; and the Researchers’ Laboratory, which provides office space for researchers working in these fields to conduct their studies on Arabic computing.

Al-Washmi said: “The center ensures its strategic role through initiatives that support the Arabic language, aligning with the objectives of the Human Capacity Development Program, one of the programs under Saudi Vision 2030.”

He added that these initiatives focus on supporting computer applications that aim to stimulate automated Arabic language processing in both understanding and production, placing it in a uniquely competitive position among other languages.

The center’s services also include providing technical and linguistic consultations in the field of processing the Arabic language with AI, organizing meetings and training sessions, offering paid licenses to researchers, supporting studies with similar objectives, and contributing to data tagging for collaborative research.


Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York

Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York
Updated 26 September 2024
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Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York

Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York

NEW YORK: Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim, the Saudi minister of economy and planning, met with Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s minister of arts, culture and creative economy, on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future in New York.

The meeting focused on exploring areas of cooperation and addressing topics of shared interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Saudi interior minister receives Jordanian counterpart

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz receives his Jordanian counterpart in Riyadh.
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz receives his Jordanian counterpart in Riyadh.
Updated 26 September 2024
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Saudi interior minister receives Jordanian counterpart

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz receives his Jordanian counterpart in Riyadh.
  • During the meeting, ways to enhance security cooperation between their ministries and topics of common interest were discussed

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz received his Jordanian counterpart Mazen Abdullah Hilal Al-Faraya in Riyadh on Thursday.

During the meeting, ways to enhance security cooperation between their ministries and topics of common interest were discussed. 

The two ministers also signed a cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Jordan that aims to combat illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and chemical precursors.


‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology

‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology
Updated 26 September 2024
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‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology

‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology
  • The event marks the 20th anniversary of German Archaeological Institute’s excavations in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: A new art exhibition inspired by early archaeological exploration in Saudi Arabia has opened in Riyadh.

The Goethe-Institut in Riyadh, in partnership with the German Embassy and the German Archaeological Institute, or DAI, in Berlin, recently opened “Echoes of Time,” an exhibition marking the 20th anniversary of DAI excavations in Saudi Arabia.

Curated by Salma Al-Khalidi, the exhibition displays work from Saudi artist Daniah Al-Saleh and German artist Susanne Kriemann.

“The Saudi art scene is fantastic,” Al-Saleh told Arab News. “It’s alive and expanding, with numerous opportunities for artists thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture and the government.

“It’s an amazing time to be an artist, especially with the backing of the German Archaeological Institute and the German Embassy. This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our work and collaborate with fellow artists.”

The opening reception was held on Sept. 24 at 6:00 p.m. and was attended by Michael Kindsgrab, the German ambassador to Saudi Arabia, along with several members from the German Embassy and DAI.

Set against the archaeological landscapes of Tayma and AlUla, the exhibition encourages viewers to perceive the desert as a place where history and modernity intersect, emphasizing the significance of environmental stewardship in global discussions about history and ecology.

Al-Saleh’s artwork, “A Stone’s Palette,” utilizes carnelian beads from ancient sites like Rujum Sa’sa’ and Tell Saq, blending ancient materials with contemporary techniques to create mixed-media pieces.

“Initially, my proposal focused on the Nabatean queens, but the German archaeologists were more interested in the Bronze Age. In our discussions, I discovered that carnelian beads were consistently found at various sites. In Tayma, there’s a carnelian bead factory that dates back about 5,000 years, leading me to shift my focus to these beads,” Al-Saleh explained.

Susanne Kriemann’s work, “Datadust Skin on Sand,” contrasts ancient artifacts with modern waste found in Qurh and Tayma. Her photographic prints combine archaeological discoveries with microplastics, shedding light on the environmental impact of plastic pollution in desert landscapes and offering a nuanced perspective on contemporary ecological issues.

Kriemann described her process: “I began early one morning when it was still dark, taking photos of a mountain every 10 minutes, capturing a hidden watchtower. I selected about 12 images depicting the slowly rising sun mirrored in the tower’s colors. I used Datadust textile, which is employed in archaeological sites, to create layers in my work.”

The exhibition is running at the Ahlam Gallery in Riyadh from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7, 2024.


Saudi Arabia on a Guinness World Records winning streak

Saudi Arabia on a Guinness World Records winning streak
Updated 26 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia on a Guinness World Records winning streak

Saudi Arabia on a Guinness World Records winning streak

RIYADH: From virtual assistant devices to extravagant light shows, Saudi Arabia has achieved more than 233 Guinness World Records over the years.

Guinness World Records lists human achievements and extremes of nature, and has great expectations for the country over the coming months.

The Kingdom has been placed second behind the UAE in the Middle East and North Africa region for its record-breaking streak.

Each region within the Kingdom has achieved notable Guinness World Records, setting the bar high.

Hassan Ibrahim, head of brand communications at Guinness World Records MENA and Turkiye, told Arab News that since the company’s expansion in the Middle East, “there has been a surge in record-breaking requests including many from Saudi Arabia.

“We’ve seen an increase in record attempts across various fields, such as art, with the largest coffee painting, environmental initiatives like the largest bottle cap mosaic, and gaming, with the most gaming consoles connected to a single TV. There have also been notable achievements in other areas, such as the youngest newspaper columnist (Ritaj Al-Hazmi).

All world records require thorough research to ensure that they meet the strict criteria set by Guinness World Records, including being globally competitive, breakable, verifiable and standardized, Ibrahim said.

“No world record is easy to achieve or monitor — each attempt undergoes a rigorous assessment process before a final decision is made. Guinness World Records is dedicated to publishing accurate and verified facts about the world, so as the term ‘facts’ suggests, the results of our findings should be accurate and true descriptions of what has been achieved.”

Ibrahim highlighted the significance of the creation of the darkest man-made substance by scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in 2015, in a collaboration between Prof. Yu Han and Prof. Andrea Fratalocchi.

The substance is a black material made of gold nanoparticles and called “dark chamaleon dimers,” which absorb more than 99 percent of visible light.

“It is also amazing to witness a local university breaking a record for the darkest man-made substance, or a community event creating the largest human awareness ribbon. Universities, charities, children and schools all contribute to this incredible variety of accomplishments.”

 
RIYADH

The most recent record broken was by Diriyah, which made history on Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day by setting a mark recognized by Guinness World Records for the largest display of virtual assistant devices.

The show featured more than 500 Amazon Echo devices and Alexa voice assistants and was part of Diriyah’s celebrations of the Kingdom’s national day.

Noor Riyadh, an annual citywide festival celebrating the beauty of light and art, has secured 14 Guinness World Records, with its most prominent title being the largest light art festival in the world.

Architect and Designer Nouf Al-Moneef has been the festival director of Noor Riyadh since its launch in 2021. She told Arab News that preparing for Noor Riyadh’s records involved meticulous planning, collaboration with experts, advanced technical setups, securing permits, and rehearsals.

“A large, passionate team provided not only logistical support but also emotional encouragement, ensuring everyone stayed motivated and focused on delivering a flawless execution.”

She said that the festival’s record-breaking projects were driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to promote cultural growth, gain global recognition and showcase innovation.

“The festival is also influenced by the history and legacy of light art and its pioneers, celebrating creativity through large-scale, impactful works that push artistic boundaries.”

In 2023, Riyadh Season, a range of entertainment cultural and sporting events held in Saudi Arabia’s Capital, also received Guinness World Records.

During the same year, Saudi Arabia entered Guinness World Records with the creation of the largest sustainable farm in the world, with a total area of more than 3.2 million sq m.

Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli received the registration certificate from the Guinness World Records during a ceremony held by the Saudi Reef Program at its headquarters in Riyadh.

 
EASTERN PROVINCE

Saudi columnist and author Ritaj Al-Hazmi has been awarded two Guinness World Records, in 2024 as the world’s youngest female newspaper columnist at the age of 15 and in 2020 for being the youngest female to publish a book series at the age of 12. 

 
JEDDAH

In 2023, Olympic athlete Kariman Abuljadayel achieved the fastest time to row 10 km in open water at 57 min 24 sec in Jeddah.

In 2021, the largest LEGO® brick F1 car was 5.73m x 2.32m x 1.15m (18ft 9in x 7ft 7in x 3ft 9in) and was created by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation in Jeddah.

 
ALULA

AlUla Moments set the Guinness World Record for the largest hot air balloon glow show twice — first in 2019 with 100 balloons, and then surpassed this achievement in 2022 by lighting up the skies with 142 balloons.

In 2019, the Royal Commission for AlUla achieved a GWR for the largest mirrored building covered by 9,740 m² (104,840 ft² 71 in²) of mirrored facade.


KSrelief head participates in Sudan meeting on sidelines of UNGA

Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah participates in a meeting on Sudan.
Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah participates in a meeting on Sudan.
Updated 26 September 2024
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KSrelief head participates in Sudan meeting on sidelines of UNGA

Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah participates in a meeting on Sudan.
  • Al-Rabeeah said Saudi Arabia has “made great efforts since the beginning of the crisis in order to find means to bring hope back to” Sudan

RIYADH: The Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah participated in a meeting on Sudan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

The meeting, called “The Cost of Inaction - Urgent and Collective Support to Scale Up the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region,” aimed to strengthen support for the humanitarian response in Sudan and the region.

Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the US, the European Union, and the African Union took part in the high-level event.

Al-Rabeeah said Saudi Arabia is fully aware of its duty toward Sudan and has “made great efforts since the beginning of the crisis in order to find means to bring hope back to” the country.

“This includes the Jeddah declaration for the protection of civilians, as well as humanitarian access. There have also been efforts made on behalf of the working group to save lives and bring peace to Sudan so that we can reach thousands of people in Darfur.”

“However, the escalation of violence that has recently been seen in a number of regions has caused even further damage, which has pushed millions of people to flee their homes, leaving behind their families and their possessions,” he said.

Al-Rabeeah added that the Kingdom has allocated $3 billion of assistance to the country which has been distributed among the various regions and humanitarian sectors.

He said that KSrelief, even before the outbreak of the crisis in April 2023, had shifted toward implementing more sustainable interventions.

“The worsening of the security situation has, however, impacted the progress that had been made, which has required further efforts on our part. We have redoubled our efforts and stepped up our contributions. Since April 2023, we have launched a number of projects amounting to $73 million dollars,” the head of KSrelief said. 

Al-Rabeeah said that the Kingdom, together with the UN and other humanitarian organizations, has brought in assistance through land and sea routes. 

“We are providing support to the government and also carrying out a campaign to assist the Sudanese people with contributions above $125 million dollars. 

“However, despite all of these efforts made by our country, challenges remain, and the crisis requires coordinated efforts in order to bring unhindered humanitarian access to the country and provide a sustainable and coordinated response, as well as safe and unhindered access to areas affected by conflict.

“The international humanitarian community must bring a response to this humanitarian crisis in Sudan that goes beyond any political considerations. This is a humanitarian tragedy that requires us to overcome existing divisions,” he said. 

Al-Rabeeah added that the Kingdom is making significant efforts to make sure that the necessary assistance is delivered to the Sudanese people.