Global AI Summit In Riyadh: Pioneering Strategies And The Ascendancy Of Cloud Computing

Riyadh: The burgeoning field of cloud computing, now worth over half a trillion dollars globally, took center stage at the third edition of the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit in Riyadh. This announcement was made by Eng. Abdullah Al-Sawaha, the Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, highlighting the rapid growth from a $10 billion industry to its current monumental value.

Hosted under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the summit convened at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center from September 10 to 12. It featured 450 speakers and drew an elite array of participants—including policymakers, thought leaders, and AI specialists from over 100 countries—engaging in 150 sessions and workshops aimed at unraveling the complexities and potential of artificial intelligence.

In his address, Minister Al-Sawaha outlined three primary challenges facing artificial intelligence today: energy efficiency in devices, advancements in memory and storage, and the need for accurate models to curb misinformation and biases.

The event also saw Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, Chairman of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), emphasizing the transformative impact of AI. "Today, we push the boundaries of AI for the betterment of humanity," he stated during his opening speech. He discussed the ethical dilemmas posed by generative AI and the international race to secure top-tier talent, which is crucial for maintaining technological leadership.

Dr. Al-Ghamdi proudly referenced several national projects such as the Alam model—a pioneering Arabic language AI developed in Saudi Arabia—and the “Sawtak” speech-to-text tool, now employed by the Ministry of Justice to transcribe virtual court sessions efficiently.

The summit fostered discussions on empowering societies through AI and digital transformation, with a focus on harnessing technology to boost human productivity and prosperity across local, regional, and global fronts. "We aim for a human-centered AI where technology enhances, not replaces, human creativity and empathy," Dr. Al-Ghamdi concluded, calling for collaborative efforts to bridge gaps and enhance life quality through technology.

This year’s Global AI Summit not only highlighted the Kingdom’s position at the forefront of technological advancement in AI but also reinforced its role in shaping a future where technology and humanity coexist in sustainable, innovative harmony.