RIYADH: Comic Con Arabia, the Saudi version of the global brand, launched Thursday with high-profile guests at the Riyadh International Convention Center.
A long and energetic queue of comic enthusiasts of all ages stood in the cold and rain waiting to get through the gates and meet their favorite superheroes. The three-day event, backed by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), features various activities and panels.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet stars of some of the most famous movies and TV shows, including “Game of Thrones”, “Big Bang Theory”, “Underworld: Awakenings” and “Lost Girl.”
Winners of cosplay, a superhero costume contest that is the most anticipated comic-con activity, will receive SR7,000 ($1,867) each.
Young cosplayer Yusuf told Arab News that he chose Captain America because “he’s the best.”
Discussion panels were held on the opening day, as was a costume workshop by designer Christopher Donio, who has worked in many films and TV shows.
Comic Con Arabia fires up Riyadh youth in rainy weather
Comic Con Arabia fires up Riyadh youth in rainy weather
SDAIA president says Saudi Arabia is building an integrated AI ecosystem
RIYADH: Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi says that Saudi Arabia is moving steadily to establish artificial intelligence as a trusted national capability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Guided by the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, Al-Ghamdi said the goal is to use AI to help develop government services, enhance competitiveness, build human capacity and improve quality of life through a comprehensive strategy based on three main pillars that unlock the potential of this technology and achieve sustainable developmental impact.
“The first pillar focuses on building human capacity and enhancing readiness to engage with AI technologies,” he said.
The second pillar is building an integrated national AI ecosystem that drives expansion and innovation by developing advanced digital infrastructure that enables various sectors to adopt AI applications efficiently, consistently and with effective governance, Al-Ghamdi said.
The third pillar, he said, is governance that ensures responsible and measurable AI through a national framework aligned with international standards.
This came during Al-Ghamdi’s speech at a high-level ministerial session held on Thursday on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
He is heading the Saudi delegation, and the session saw broad participation from heads of state, decision-makers and technology leaders from around the world.
Al-Ghamdi also had a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening, discussed AI cooperation and expressed his gratitude for hosting the summit and for the hospitality extended to the participants.
