DeepFest conference opens! What are the opportunities for artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia?

In 2024, DeepFest, one of the largest artificial intelligence summits in Saudi Arabia, officially opened in Riyadh on March 4th. This year's DeepFest was held simultaneously with LEAP, which is the world's most attended technology event with over 172000 visitors.

The theme of DeepFest 2024 is "Artificial Intelligence Beyond Imagination", hosted by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), aimed at exploring artificial intelligence innovation and broad application scenarios together with global leaders.DeepFest showcases Saudi Arabia's artificial intelligence initiatives and the latest innovation achievements in multiple industries, including world-class technology companies from around the world, through hosting conferences and a series of industry events, training, on-site demonstrations, innovation conferences, startup promotion events, and exhibitions.

Regarding the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA)

SDAIA is the governing body in Saudi Arabia for data and artificial intelligence (including big data). The Saudi Arabian Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority is also the national reference agency for organizing, developing, and processing data and artificial intelligence related affairs; In addition, it has unique permissions in all related affairs such as operations, research, and innovation in the field of data and artificial intelligence.

SDAIA's strategic goal is to continuously update Saudi Arabia's data and artificial intelligence agenda based on key principles. Implement the data and artificial intelligence agenda at the national level. Provide guidance for implementing data and artificial intelligence agendas for subordinate agencies of the management bureau. Enhance public awareness of Saudi Arabia's achievements in the fields of data and artificial intelligence. Maximize the contribution of data and artificial intelligence to achieving the goals of Vision 2030. Ensure that all government entities make greater use of data and artificial intelligence agendas. Support the achievement of strategic goals in legislation, operations, and innovation for the subordinate agencies of the Authority, and enhance Saudi Arabia's image as a global leader in the field of data and artificial intelligence.

By formulating national data and artificial intelligence strategic directions, monitoring their implementation through data governance, and providing forward-looking and data related capabilities, and enhancing these capabilities through continuous innovation in the field of artificial intelligence, the value of data as a national asset can be unleashed to achieve the vision of 2030.

Saudi Arabia and Artificial Intelligence

On December 10, 2023, Yasser Al Onaizan, CEO of the National Artificial Intelligence Center of Saudi Arabia (SDAIA), focused on Saudi Arabia's artificial intelligence initiatives and projects, particularly in the fields of health, Arabic, computer vision, energy, and environment, at a conference titled "Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence - Productivity and Growth" held in Shenzhen.

Last December, when Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al Falih and his accompanying delegation visited China, members of the FocuX team also had discussions with Yasser Al Onaizan. Yasser mentioned that SDAIA is the national institution in the field of data and artificial intelligence in Saudi Arabia, and has carried out multiple works in AI, including organizing a series of generative artificial intelligence forums in various universities in Saudi Arabia to raise public awareness of the AI field.

Saudi Arabia has also launched its first Generative Artificial Intelligence Accelerator (GAIA) in the Middle East and North Africa region, contributing to supporting and supporting startups specializing in generative artificial intelligence; Published content on generative artificial intelligence and large-scale language models.

SDAIA aims to exchange experiences in the field of data and artificial intelligence with countries, and will make more efforts in the development of generative artificial intelligence technology.