News
IDC Saudi Arabia CIO Summit 2022 Will Explore KSA’s Digital Transformation
The two-day event will explore the Kingdom’s accelerated pace of innovation, its evolving technology landscape, and present-day strategies.
Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable digital transformation guided by its Saudi Vision 2030 strategic framework, whose overarching goal is to lessen the country’s dependence on oil by diversifying its economy and enhancing innovation. The IDC Saudi Arabia CIO Summit 2022 edition will explore the Kingdom’s digital transformation over the course of two days filled with discussions, panel sessions, and keynote presentations from regional and global technology experts alike.
“This event will explore the Kingdom’s accelerated pace of innovation, its evolving technology landscape, and present-day strategies that the country’s organizations are implementing to transform into digitally resilient future enterprises,” states International Data Corporation (IDC) on its website.
The in-person event will be hosted on September 19 & 20, 2022 at the Fairmont Hotel Riyadh, a luxurious five-star hotel located in the Business Gate Complex, and those who would like to attend it can register free of charge to learn how the Kingdom’s CIOs and their international partners are building resilient digital infrastructures to make Saudi Arabia a leading ICT nation within the next decade.
Hamza Naqshbandi, Associate Vice President (Saudi Arabia & Bahrain) at IDC, will kick off the event with a welcome address, and his speech will be followed by a talk about tech strategies for a digital-first world given by Steven Frantzen, IDC’s Senior Vice President & Regional Managing Director (EMEA).
The long list of confirmed speakers who will share their valuable experience with the attendees of the IDC Saudi Arabia CIO Summit 2022 edition includes experts in the field, respected practitioners, and leaders from the industry, including:
- Jason Roos, CIO of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
- Phil Andrews, Regional Vice President of Northern and Eastern Europe for Red Hat.
- Stephane Monboisset, Business Development Manager at Fortinet.
- Zaid Ghattas, Senior Commercial Lead at AMD.
- Turki Aldahmash, Executive Director of Business Technology (CTO) at National Center for Performance Measurement (Adaa).
- Neil Harbisson, the world’s first officially recognized human cyborg.
In addition to its main agenda, the IDC Saudi Arabia CIO Summit 2022 edition will also play host to the IDC Excellence Awards to recognize the efforts of the country’s leading technology executives across 3 categories (CISO of the Year, CIO of the Year, and Women in Technology & Business), with a winner and 10 finalists named in each. A live awards ceremony will be held on Day 2 and hosted on a virtual platform.
As a premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology sector, IDC is deeply familiar with the impact of technology on the world around us. Its worldwide network of 1,300 analysts spans 110 countries, helping public and private sector decision-makers alike make fact-based technology decisions to achieve their key business objectives.
News
Google To Launch AI Hub In Saudi Arabia, Aiming For $71B GDP Boost
The tech giant also plans to develop local AI solutions, and train regional talent to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Google has announced plans to set up a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Saudi Arabia, a move aimed at accelerating technological growth and economic development across the wider gulf region. The ambitious project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, an initiative that champions technology and innovation as central to economic diversification away from the oil industry.
According to Google, the hub has the potential to contribute as much as $71 billion to Saudi Arabia’s economy. The initiative will likely speed up the adoption of AI across industries such as healthcare, retail, and financial services — not only within Saudi Arabia but also throughout the wider MENA region and beyond.
Yasir Al Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), highlighted the importance of the project for the Kingdom: “This partnership demonstrates PIF’s dedication to fostering an AI-friendly environment through investments in human capital and technology, upskilling thousands with cutting-edge tools to support our sustainable and innovative infrastructure goals,” he explained. Al Rumayyan also emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s combination of sector knowledge and long-term investment strategies makes it an ideal environment for global technology partnerships.
Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East
A central aim of Google’s initiative is nurturing local talent. The AI hub will offer a range of training, research, and collaboration opportunities for developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs within Saudi Arabia. Google envisions training “millions” of people, helping to create a robust innovation ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and ensures economic benefits reach all segments of society.
As international technology giants increasingly look to develop solutions tailored to regional needs, Google’s initiative reflects a progressive approach that leverages the strengths of local markets. With the potential to inject billions into the economy and strengthen digital capacities, Saudi Arabia could soon emerge as a prominent center for AI innovation in the Middle East.
-
News2 weeks ago
Ericsson And e& Join Forces To Bring Superfast 5G To Egypt
-
News2 weeks ago
Google Launches Largest AI Initiative In The MENA Region
-
News2 weeks ago
New High-Tech Immersive Gaming Attraction Arrives In Dubai
-
News2 weeks ago
Xiaomi Launches SU7 Ultra Electric Sedan With 1,500 Horsepower