News

Smartphones Dominate The Saudi Online Gaming Sector

Around 73% of gamers use smartphones in the Kingdom to play online, according to a YouGov survey.

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2023

Nour Nasir

smartphones dominate the saudi online gaming sector

Gamers8

By 2026, the global gaming market is projected to surpass $200 billion in value, with mobile devices continuing to dominate the sector.

As in many other markets, smartphones are the gaming device of choice for Saudi Arabians, with nearly three-quarters of users (73%) preferring portability and convenience over consoles and PCs.

UK-based research firm YouGov found that game consoles like Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony’s PlayStation, and Nintendo’s Switch were favored by 34% of gamers, with desktops and laptops recording a 33% score. Meanwhile, high-end gaming PCs were preferred by just 14% of users.

On how much time is spent gaming per week, the biggest portion of respondents (22%) admitted they spend about 3-6 hours per day, YouGov found.

“Although mobile devices have opened the gates to casual gaming in a big way, the likes of Xbox and PlayStation continue to appeal to gaming enthusiasts, with a third of weekly gamers using dedicated gaming consoles to play video games. Men are more likely than women to say this,” YouGov analysts explained.

Like citizens in most other developed nations, social media interaction remains the top online activity for Saudi Arabians, with 41% of those surveyed engaged in it, according to experts. As you’d imagine, the likes of YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime came in next, dominating the rankings ahead of other activities like checking emails and general browsing.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Video Games Set In The Middle East

As for online gaming, Saudi Arabia’s government will be pleased with the survey’s findings, as the country plans to develop 30 new gaming titles locally and create around 40,000 jobs by 2030 as part of a program known as the National Gaming and Esports Strategy.

Last month, the Kingdom began hosting Gamers8, one of the world’s largest gaming festivals, which YouGov found to be well received by residents. Saudi Arabia’s online gaming industry also received a boost with $488 million of funding from the Saudi Esports Federation, the National Development Fund, and the Social Development Bank, announced at Riyadh’s Leap Technology Conference back in February.

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

19 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.