How Saudi Arabia is preparing students for the high-tech AI jobs of the future

Special How Saudi Arabia is preparing students for the high-tech AI jobs of the future
Infographic courtesy of KAUST
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Updated 09 August 2024
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How Saudi Arabia is preparing students for the high-tech AI jobs of the future

How Saudi Arabia is preparing students for the high-tech AI jobs of the future
  • Training in high-demand skills will equip Saudi citizens for success in a tech-driven economy
  • KAUST is focused on upskilling undergraduate students to prepare them for future job markets

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s education sector is undergoing a strategic transformation as it shifts its focus toward specialized fields like artificial intelligence, robotics and nuclear energy.

Driven by the Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, this marks a decisive step in equipping the Kingdom’s future workforce with the high-demand skills needed to secure the jobs of tomorrow.

Mansoor Ahmed, executive director of the Middle East and North Africa region at Colliers, the Canada-based professional services and management company, says the shift towards AI and technology is creating new job opportunities and driving higher education reforms.

“Graduates with expertise in these areas will fill high-demand roles, helping to reduce youth unemployment,” Ahmed told Arab News.

Saudi Arabia’s National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, launched in 2020, seeks to attract $20 billion in investments by 2030 and cultivate a workforce of 20,000 AI and data specialists.

Ahmed says the emergence of this highly skilled tech workforce will in turn help attract foreign investment, “positioning Saudi Arabia as a potential leader in innovation.”

AI could add more than $320 billion to the Middle East economy. A PWC analysis predicts Saudi Arabia is expected to have the largest gains in absolute terms, worth $135.2 billion, and the UAE will see the largest overall impact at 14 percent of its anticipated 2030 gross domestic product.

“The development of nuclear power plants and the integration of AI across various sectors will generate specialized roles in engineering, data analysis and machine learning,” said Ahmed. “This underscores the need to prioritize education in technology, AI, robotics and nuclear energy.”

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Saudi Arabia has affirmed its commitment to future tech by becoming a hub for global events and forums such as LEAP, the Global AI Summit, and the International Exhibition and Conference for Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing.

However, if the Kingdom hopes to lead in these specialized fields, it must first close the gap between market demand and educational output.

A report produced by Colliers found the current enrollment distribution in the Kingdom’s public universities “lacks alignment with the employee market,” with students still favoring humanities and Islamic studies.

That is now changing. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has an Artificial Intelligence Initiative focused on research and graduate level education, while KAUST Academy focuses on talent development in AI with programs targeting outside learners.

“KAUST aims to address this gap by offering specialized training and development programs in areas that are in high demand, helping students transition from traditional fields of study to more market-aligned disciplines,” Sultan Albarakati, director of KAUST Academy, told Arab News.

“We are focusing on upskilling a broad range of undergraduate students to prepare them for future job markets.”

DID YOUKNOW?

Saudi Arabia’s National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence seeks to attract $20 billion in investments by 2030.

The Kingdom aims to cultivate a workforce of 20,000 AI and data specialists by the end of the decade.

AI could add more than $320 billion to the Middle East economy, with Saudi Arabia alone gaining $135.2 billion.

Supported by the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence, the KAUST Academy’s AI program covers the entire field, from essentials to advanced level, with projects allowing students to demonstrate the knowledge they acquire.

The program focuses on improving skills in key areas such as deep learning libraries, optimization, linear algebra, machine learning, computer vision, artificial intelligence applications, Python programming and large-scale deep learning.

To support AI research in Saudi Arabia, Silicon Valley tech giant Google recently awarded five seed grants to KAUST faculty members. The grants, which total $100,000, will fund projects focused on multilingual, multimodal machine learning, specifically generative and large language models.




KAUST Academy focuses on talent development in AI with programs targeting outside learners. (Supplied)

Ahmed says the Kingdom’s investment in AI spans multiple sectors, integrating into healthcare, robotics, manufacturing, and service industries — introducing new roles that require a blend of technical and analytical skills.

“This cross-industry application will significantly expand job opportunities for graduates,” he said.

AI is expected to transform the world of work over the coming years. Some 23 percent of jobs are expected to change by 2027, with 69 million new jobs created and 83 million eliminated, according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023.

To ensure alignment of educational outputs with labor market needs, Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Development Program has set out to review higher education degrees based on their recent and expected employability results.

“Training in these high-demand skills will equip Saudi citizens for success in a tech-driven economy, with the HCDP emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving and technical expertise,” said Ahmed.

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KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister

KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister
Updated 4 sec ago
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KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister

KSrelief supervisor general meets UK development minister

RIYADH: Anneliese Dodds, the British minister for development, has praised Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts in various countries of the world through its relief agency KSrelief.
The minister made this comment during a video conference Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, the head of KSrelie, where they also discussed matters of common interest related to humanitarian and relief affairs.
Meanwhile, Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, KSrelief assistant supervisor for operations and programs, met with Gavi Vaccine Alliance chief executive Sania Nishtar in Riyadh to discuss humanitarian and relief measures and ways to provide essential vaccines to countries assessed in need.
Elsewhere, the aid agency has also awarded an initial approval certificate to the Ain Ophthalmology Association in Jazan, allowing it to conduct operations outside the Kingdom.
In Jordan, KSrelief clinics provided services to 2,551 Syrian refugees in Zaatari Camp.


KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 

KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 
Updated 3 min 42 sec ago
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KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 

KSelief distributes thousands of date cartons in Yemeni cities 

RIYADH: KSrelief continues implementing several projects in Yemen, including the distribution of dates across the country to neediest groups.
The agency distributed 6,000 cartons of dates in the districts of Al-Houta and Al-Melah in Yemen’s Lahj Governorate, benefiting 36,000 individuals, state news agency SPA reported. 
It also delivered 3,187 cartons of dates to vulnerable groups in the Midi district of Yemen’s Hajjah governorate.
This aid, benefiting 18,000 individuals, is part of the date assistance distribution project in Yemen for 2024.


Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory

Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory
Updated 7 min 15 sec ago
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Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory

Arab League FMs urge enforcement of UN court decision on occupied Palestinian territory
  • International Court of Justice has ruled settlements are illegal
  • Ministers call for UN to suspend Israel from general assembly

CAIRO: The Arab League’s foreign ministers have urged the international community to enforce the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion declaring Israel’s settlements illegal in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

At the conclusion of their discussions on Tuesday at the 162nd Ministerial Meeting of the Arab League Council in Cairo, the ministers said Israel must cease its illegal presence and all settlement activities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They called on the UN General Assembly and Security Council to consider additional measures to end Israel’s illegal occupation.

The ministers also urged the ICJ to expedite its judgment on the case brought by South Africa against Israel, which accuses Tel Aviv of failing to abide by the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

They said Israel’s expulsion of the Palestinian people from their land constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

It was also a declaration of war and aggression against Arab nations, undermines peace prospects, and exacerbates conflict in the region.

They called on the UN to suspend Israel from participating in its general assembly, SPA reported.

This was because of Israel’s “non-compliance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, its threat to international peace and security, and its failure to fulfill its obligations that were a condition for its admission to the United Nations.”

They also slammed Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor, which they said were obstructing efforts for a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners and hostages.


Saudi Arabia reaffirms strong support for Sudan

Saudi Arabia reaffirms strong support for Sudan
Updated 11 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms strong support for Sudan

Saudi Arabia reaffirms strong support for Sudan

GENEVA: Saudi Arabia reiterated its support for Sudan during the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, reported state news agency SPA.

Abdulmohsen bin Majed bin Khothaila, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, delivered a statement on the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan.

In his statement, Khothaila emphasized the need to protect Sudan and its people from further destruction and the worsening humanitarian situation.

The Sudanese army, led by de facto ruler Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, is locked in conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Khothaila has stressed the importance of adhering to the protection of civilians and aid workers and ensuring the safety of humanitarian corridors for the delivery of essential aid.

The war, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Saudi Arabia also urged the prioritization of the interests of Sudanese people and halting of the conflict to safeguard state institutions and lead Sudan to safety.

The Kingdom called on the international community to commit to protecting Sudan and its people and working to restore security and stability in the country while welcoming international efforts and initiatives aimed at achieving peace in Sudan.


 


Saudi FM discuss Palestine, Syria and Somalia crises with counterparts in Cairo meeting

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends an Arab League meeting in Cairo on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends an Arab League meeting in Cairo on Tuesday. (SPA)
Updated 11 September 2024
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Saudi FM discuss Palestine, Syria and Somalia crises with counterparts in Cairo meeting

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends an Arab League meeting in Cairo on Tuesday. (SPA)
  • Ministers discussed joint Arab action to intensify coordination on the Palestinian issue at the meeting

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his counterparts at the sidelines of the Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo on Tuesday.

During the meeting, ministers discussed joint Arab action to intensify coordination on the Palestinian issue and other matters of concern.

Regional and international developments were also discussed at the meeting that was attended by a Turkish foreign minister for the first time in 13 years.

Bin Farhan bin Abdullah additionally met with his Tunisian counterpart Mohamed Nafti, who discussed ties and regional and international issues of common interest. 

The Kingdom’s foreign minister also met with the Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Salem Ould Merzoug, on the sidelines of the Ministerial meeting and discussed cooperation.

Several Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and the Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit took part in a Liaison Committee meeting which discussed strengthening the Arab role in settling the Syrian crisis.

Similarly, a meeting was held to support Somalia in confronting the assault on its sovereignty. The meeting was attended by many Arab leaders including Faisal bin Farhan, and Arab the importance of respecting sovereignty of states was discussed.