Saudi Arabia, US explore ways to build next generation of AI

Saudi Arabia, US explore ways to build next generation of AI
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Saudi Minister of Information and Communications Technology Abdullah Alswaha and David Sacks, a Silicon Valley veteran (Screengrab)
Saudi Arabia, US explore ways to build next generation of AI
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Sacks said he was impressed, during his tour of some technology companies, that founders and entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia. (Screengrab)
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Updated 13 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia, US explore ways to build next generation of AI

Saudi Arabia, US explore ways to build next generation of AI
  • Partnerships key, says David Sacks, Silicon Valley veteran
  • Google’s Ruth Porat outlines her firm’s work in Kingdom

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and US officials discussed ways to further collaborate on artificial intelligence at the Saudi-US Investment Forum here on Tuesday.

The discussions took place during two sessions titled “Pioneering Digital Futures: Joint Leadership in AI and Emerging Technologies,” and “Digital Foundations: Building the Next Generation of AI and Infrastructure.”

In the first session, the speakers were Saudi Minister of Information and Communications Technology Abdullah Alswaha and David Sacks, a Silicon Valley veteran who is helping the administration of President Donald Trump develop the crypto industry.

Sacks said he was impressed, during his tour of some technology companies, that founders and entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia “are really on the cutting edge of what’s happening with AI.”

“The thing that that I’ve learned in Silicon Valley for the past 25 years is that every successful company in Silicon Valley gets to be that way by creating an ecosystem, and the biggest, the most powerful companies … are the ones that create the biggest ecosystem.”

“In fact, they do that by creating a standard. They want everyone to build on top of them. They create app stores, things like that. In fact, they’re able to build these ecosystems without even having any lawyers involved.

“There’s no need for a contract. You just publish an API (Application Programming Interface) and people will build. And I think in a similar way, the United States needs to encourage the world to build on our text that.

He spoke about how Trump challenged them to be at the forefront of the AI race. “He said, we have to win the AI race. The United States has to win the AI race,” Sacks said.

“And the answer is that we have to build the biggest partner ecosystem. We need our friends like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other strategic partners and allies to want to build on our cap.”

Sacks also criticized what has become known as former US President Joe Biden’s diffusion rule.

This restricted access to mainstream computing applications and set caps on the number of advanced chips that could be exported to most countries.

“Over the past few years, that’s been the opposite of the approach in Washington,” said Sacks.

“The Trump administration just announced that (it) would be rescinding what’s known as the Biden diffusion rule, which was a rule that came out in January.”

Using iPhones as an example, Sacks said that if Trump had created a rule for these products, the technology backing it would not have spread throughout the world.

He said that the diffusion of iPhones was “a very good thing” for the US.

“I think in a similar way, we want our technology to diffuse or to spread. We want people to use it. We want to become the standard.

“And I think that in Washington, that mentality is, I think that sorely lacked over the past few years, but we’re gonna bring it back.”

In the later session CEOs and tech innovators discussed growth in this sector globally, and developments in the Kingdom.

Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Alphabet and Google, outlined her company’s work in Saudi Arabia.

“Google is now building data centers, bringing graphic processing units, tensor processing units, and developing the most advanced version of our AI software Gemini which is now available in 16 Arabic dialects,” said Porat.


Saudi minister highlights tech, security, and record numbers ahead of Hajj season

Saudi minister highlights tech, security, and record numbers ahead of Hajj season
Updated 29 min 57 sec ago
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Saudi minister highlights tech, security, and record numbers ahead of Hajj season

Saudi minister highlights tech, security, and record numbers ahead of Hajj season
  • The minister revealed the Kingdom is using artificial intelligence and modern digital infrastructure to improve services

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Information, Abdullah Alswaha, outlined on Monday key preparations for this year’s Hajj season, emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring a safe, organized, and technologically advanced pilgrimage.

The minister announced that more than 1.07 million pilgrims have arrived from abroad so far, including approximately 250,000 via the Makkah Road Initiative. He added that 177 accommodation halls have been prepared and an operations room activated to respond to pilgrims’ needs.

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the pilgrim experience, the minister revealed the Kingdom is using artificial intelligence and modern digital infrastructure to improve services. He also said daily water quality tests are being conducted and that 25,000 volunteers are being mobilized to assist.

“We will not accept any unauthorized pilgrim who affects the comfort of others,” he warned, stressing that violations will not be tolerated and urging all to adhere to official instructions.

The minister also said this year’s Hajj will reflect the integration of national efforts and the goals of Vision 2030, with the Supreme Hajj Committee coordinating services across sectors to deliver an exceptional and secure experience.


Saudi communications minister inspects telecom services for Hajj pilgrims

Saudi communications minister inspects telecom services for Hajj pilgrims
Updated 26 May 2025
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Saudi communications minister inspects telecom services for Hajj pilgrims

Saudi communications minister inspects telecom services for Hajj pilgrims
  • Abdullah Al-Swaha visits holy sites, meets IT volunteers
  • Makkah, Madinah will be served by 10,500 Wi-Fi access points

RIYADH: The Saudi minister of communications and information technology has been reviewing preparations for the provision of telecommunications services to pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj season.

Abdullah Al-Swaha was accompanied by Haytham Al-Ohali, acting governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, on a tour of holy sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Al-Ohali said the commission was committed to providing reliable communication and technology services in cooperation with public and private entities.

He said that there were more than 10,500 Wi-Fi access points across Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites, where 5G and 4G coverage had reached 99 percent. Mobile internet speeds reached 264Mbps in Makkah and 336Mbps in Madinah, the report said.

The officials also visited King Abdulaziz International Airport, Halat Ammar Border Crossing, Yanbu Port and Jadidat Arar Border Crossing, as well as facilities operated by national telecom and tech companies Stc, Mobily, Zain and Tawal to review network performance and assess their operational and emergency plans.

Al-Swaha praised their efforts to provide reliable services and highlighted their role in maintaining strong digital connectivity at the holy sites, the report said.

The minister also met some of the more than 200 technology volunteers who will be working during Hajj to provide technical support.

The volunteers are supported by the Awon Tech Charitable Society, which provides training in digital skills and support services in collaboration with public entities and the communications ministry.

Al-Swaha commended Awon Tech’s efforts to apply technology in support of Hajj operations, noting its contribution to service improvement and infrastructure support.

Such initiatives would enhance the pilgrim experience and reflected the Kingdom’s commitment to providing reliable and efficient services, he said.


Mexican artist displays Saudi and Mexican culture in ‘Tiny Homes’

Artist Erika Place displayed her “Tiny Homes” exhibition at a recent event in Riyadh. (AN photo by Loai Elkelawy)
Artist Erika Place displayed her “Tiny Homes” exhibition at a recent event in Riyadh. (AN photo by Loai Elkelawy)
Updated 26 May 2025
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Mexican artist displays Saudi and Mexican culture in ‘Tiny Homes’

Artist Erika Place displayed her “Tiny Homes” exhibition at a recent event in Riyadh. (AN photo by Loai Elkelawy)
  • Artwork combines cultural elements using recycled materials
  • Mexican ambassador in Riyadh says exhibition is ‘incredible’

RIYADH: Mexican artist Erika Place has been living in Riyadh for 14 years and through her work highlights key elements of Saudi and Mexican culture.

In her pieces created using recycled materials, Place combines key elements of both cultures including Mexican-inspired colors, architecture and major Saudi landmarks such as the Kingdom and Faisaliah towers.

“It is in Saudi Arabia that I got inspired,” Place told Arab News at her recent exhibition “Tiny Homes,” hosted at the Mexican ambassador’s residence in Riyadh.

“I have been here 14 years and I consider this place my home, and I feel at home. I do miss Mexico but I don’t feel that I am not home here,” she said.

Born in Guadalajara, Place moved to Europe at a young age. She always had a passion for art but never realized her talents until later in life when she moved to Saudi Arabia with her husband in 2012.

In the Kingdom Place’s artistic vision was realised, and she began to draw inspiration from the country’s landscapes, architecture and people.

“I made this my home and the experience has been beautiful,” she told Arab News.

Mexico’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Anibal Gomez-Toledo, hosted the exhibition and gave his perspective on Place’s art.

“She is a self-taught artist, and what she has been doing is incredible. After many years of practice and discipline, the outcome is noteworthy,” Gomez-Toledo said.

In her art, Place takes discarded small boxes and turns them into tiny homes and tiny villages, repurposing materials that would have otherwise end up in a landfill.

Place believes that this is her way to help the environment, by reducing waste and giving new purpose to products that can still be useful.

She takes these recycled materials, paints them, and gives them a new life that reflects Saudi landscapes and culture through the bright and vibrant colors of Mexico.

“For me the Mexican touch is the colors. In Mexico, we have colors everywhere, the Mexican touch is putting colors in my paintings,” Place said.

During his remarks, the Gomez-Toledo said: “Generally speaking, after using something, you throw it away and forget about it. However, can you imagine how many tonnes of waste there are worldwide?”

Gomez-Toledo underlined that, according to the World Bank, as of 2020 there were 2.24 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste generated annually and that by 2050, global waste generation is expected to reach 3.4 billion tonnes a year.

“The global production of paper and cardboard waste is over 400 million tonnes annually, paper and cardboard are the materials Erika has used to create tiny homes,” he said.

In her works, Place also depicts scenes of Saudi life, portraying people dressed in traditional thobes and abayas.

Through her art, Place invites visitors to explore the diversity of Saudi Arabia through the tiny cardboard homes she creates.


Saudi-French archeological mission uncovers ancient sites on Farasan Island

Saudi-French archeological mission uncovers ancient sites on Farasan Island
Updated 26 May 2025
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Saudi-French archeological mission uncovers ancient sites on Farasan Island

Saudi-French archeological mission uncovers ancient sites on Farasan Island

RIYADH: A joint Saudi-French archeological mission to excavate ancient sites on Farasan Island, in the Jazan region, has been concluded by the Heritage Commission.

The initiative, in collaboration with Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University, featured a team of experts from the French National Centre for Scientific Research, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It aimed to reveal settlement phases and chronological sequences at the excavation sites — Qusar, Ghurrayn, and Wadi Shami, which date from the first to third centuries — as well as study various burial grounds.

The work is part of a scientific project highlighting the historical and strategic importance of the Farasan archipelago, particularly its key role in maritime trade across the Red Sea through various historical periods.

It included male and female students from national universities, as well as participants from Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne University.

Previous excavations under the same project, which took place from 2011 to 2024, have yielded significant findings dating back to the Bronze Age and the periods of Southern Arabian states.

Discoveries have included watchtowers and industrial sites believed to be remnants of a camp dating back to the second century B.C.

The findings underscore the rich cultural exchange that took place on Farasan Island, highlighting its pivotal role in connecting Southern Arabian civilizations with those of the Mediterranean. Prehistoric shell mounds and human settlements further emphasize the islands’ historical significance.


Sources deny recent media reports regarding alcohol in the Kingdom

Sources deny recent media reports regarding alcohol in the Kingdom
Updated 47 min 52 sec ago
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Sources deny recent media reports regarding alcohol in the Kingdom

Sources deny recent media reports regarding alcohol in the Kingdom
  • False claims lack any official confirmation and do not reflect existing policies or regulations

RIYADH: Claims carried by a number of foreign media outlets suggesting that Saudi Arabia is planning to license alcohol sales starting in 2026, are false. According to informed sources aware of the matter, “these claims lack any official confirmation from relevant authorities and do not reflect existing policies or regulations in Saudi Arabia.” 

The sources told Arab News that Saudi Arabia, under its ambitious vision to develop the tourism sector, remains committed to offering a unique and culturally immersive experience.

This approach has been well-received by international visitors who come to explore the Kingdom’s rich heritage and diverse natural landscapes.

Regarding alcohol regulations for non-Muslim diplomats, the sources clarified that Saudi Arabia has introduced a new framework aimed at preventing the unauthorized use of diplomatic shipments.

Under these new measures, embassies of non-Muslim countries are no longer permitted to import alcohol and certain other items in diplomatic shipments. However, controlled access to such goods remains possible under strict regulatory guidelines to prevent misuse.