In a groundbreaking collaboration, Google and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) are set to elevate artificial intelligence research in Saudi Arabia, aiming to establish the Kingdom as a global AI powerhouse.
Table of Contents
Short Summary:
- Google awards five seed grants to KAUST faculty for AI research.
- AI.M initiative launched to enhance Saudi Arabia’s AI innovation ecosystem.
- KAUST hosts AI bootcamps and professional training programs.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is taking significant strides in the realm of artificial intelligence, driven by a concerted effort between King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and tech giant Google. This move signals a deliberate push to position the nation at the forefront of global AI innovation.
Forging Ahead with AI.M Initiative
The AI.M initiative, launched by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP), KAUST, and the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), aims at building a robust AI ecosystem. The goal? To catapult the Kingdom into a regional and global AI leadership position within five years.
Key to this initiative is AIM-X, a startup accelerator led by SparkLabs Group, a venture capital firm with a portfolio of over 550 startups globally. Ibrahim Neyaz, CEO at NTDP, emphasized SparkLabs’ crucial role:
“They are the ideal partner, bringing a solid track record and access to top AI founders,” Neyaz stated.
Accelerating AI Innovation
AIM-X will start accepting applications for early-stage AI startups, providing a $200,000 investment for up to 6% equity. According to William Chu, Managing Partner at SparkLabs AI Lab:
“We believe KSA is poised to become a key AI hub globally.”
The program intends to launch this initiative on September 17, 2024.
The Powerhouse: KAUST AI Initiative
Since establishing the KAUST Artificial Intelligence Initiative in 2021, the university has leveraged its state-of-the-art infrastructure and top-tier experts, notably with Jürgen Schmidhuber, known as the “father of modern AI,” at the helm. Schmidhuber’s leadership focuses on expanding AI applications in vital sectors like security, energy, data analytics, and health.
“Our AI is helping to make human lives longer, healthier, and easier,” remarked Schmidhuber.
Empowering Through Education: KAUST Academy
The KAUST Academy has been pivotal, offering comprehensive training from bootcamps to master’s degrees, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Vision 2050. Director Sultan Albarakati proudly highlighted the academy’s progress:
“Our goal is to contribute to the growth of the country’s rapidly transforming economy.”
Courses span various domains, including AI, cybersecurity, bioinformatics, and materials science, with plans to introduce sustainability and robotics courses in 2023.
Google’s Generous Grants
Google’s recent allocation of $100,000 in seed grants to five KAUST faculty members underscores a commitment to advance AI research focused on multilingual and multimodal machine learning. Gianluca Setti, dean of the CEMSE division at KAUST, praised the collaboration:
“These grants will strengthen our efforts in developing technologies with tremendous societal impact.”
Meet the Recipients
Grantees include Bernard Ghanem, Tareq Al-Naffouri, Mohamed Elhoseiny, Di Wang, and Xin Gao, all distinguished faculty members spearheading revolutionary AI projects. Google will provide mentorship by pairing each awardee with experienced researchers from their own ranks.
Paving the Path to AI Leadership
As AI competition heats up globally, Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia are making bold moves. The Kingdom’s substantial investments and collaborations with global AI leaders could potentially shift the balance of power in AI innovation. Schmidhuber is optimistic:
“From an academic perspective, KAUST offers excellent conditions. It’s a very attractive place packed full of brilliant academics.”
His aspirations align seamlessly with Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions to diversify its economy and lead the AI frontier. With the Kingdom’s powerful new supercomputer, Shaheen III, nearing completion, KAUST is well-equipped to attract top-tier AI talent and conduct groundbreaking research.
Training the Future
The KAUST AI bootcamp has already seen impressive engagement, with students and AI professionals alike benefiting from a blend of theoretical and practical learning experiences. Ahmed Almohammed and Hassain Alsayhah from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals found the courses invaluable for their professional growth.
“The experience was amazing. Every day felt like I learned something new,” shared Talal Alkharashi, a junior owner of an AI product.
The Road Ahead
As Saudi Arabia continues its ambitious AI journey, the collaboration with Google and initiatives like AI.M and KAUST Academy exemplify the Kingdom’s determination to be a trailblazer in artificial intelligence.
Artificial general intelligence (AGI) aspirations, bold vision, and robust partnerships mark this pivotal moment in AI for Saudi Arabia, whose leaders and thinkers are poised to make a global impact in this critical field.
