News

Saudi Arabia Plans To Swap Oil Production For Gaming

The Kingdom is going all in with a massive new game development program.

Published

2 years ago

April 8, 2023

Nour Nasir

saudi arabia plans to swap oil production for gaming

Gamers8

As Saudi Arabia rapidly transitions from an oil-reliant economy, the government has begun investing in several tech-centric and sustainable projects. With a disproportionately young population, 21 million of which are gamers, officials have recently decided to stake $38 billion on building a local gaming industry from scratch.

The Savvy Games Group — a subsidiary of the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) — will help Saudi Arabia develop and publish its game titles while building a home-grown gaming ecosystem in the capital, Riyadh.

Also Read: DDoS Attacks Are A Growing Threat In Gaming

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has already invested billions of dollars into the likes of Nintendo, Activision Blizzard, and Tencent. In a recent interview with Bloomberg News, the CEO of Savvy, Brian Ward, said that the company would look for opportunities to “work together on publishing in (the Middle East and North Africa), run their Esports businesses, or develop new IP together”.

The PIF’s recent round of acquisitions and an extensive portfolio of investments suggest that Saudi Arabia will continue on its aggressive mission to play alongside industry giants such as Microsoft and Sony.

News

“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships

The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.

Published

21 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Nour Nasir

ai seal certification now required for dubai gov partnerships

Dubai Media Office

Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.

Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.

The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.

dubai ai seal certification

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.

All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.