Saudi data agency teams up with LinkedIn on AI studies for labor market

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Updated 24 October 2022
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Saudi data agency teams up with LinkedIn on AI studies for labor market

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority has signed a deal with LinkedIn to cooperate on research related to the Kingdom’s labor market in the field of data and artificial intelligence.

The agreement aims to enrich knowledge and launch awareness initiatives to build a digital professional identity and link it to appropriate career opportunities.

A memorandum of understanding was signed at the SDAIA’s headquarters in Riyadh by Majid Alshehry, manager of the general department of studies, and Rajai El-Khadem, LinkedIn’s head of the public and academic sectors for the Middle East.

The SDAIA is keen to increase cooperation with outside agencies in the field of data and AI as part of its work to boost national capabilities.

The two sides said they were looking forward to developing a general framework for studying the Saudi labor market in the area of data and AI and making recommendations to fill skills gaps in specialist fields.


Saudi Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent over contract violations

Updated 29 December 2025
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Saudi Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent over contract violations

  • Company failed to provide accommodation for a number of Umrah pilgrims, despite these services being documented in the contractual programs, ministry says

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday announced the suspension of an Umrah company and its overseas agent for failing to provide accommodation services for pilgrims in line with approved contractual programs.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the company’s failure constitutes a clear violation of regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.

It noted that a number of pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom without secured accommodation, despite these services being documented in the contractual programs.

This prompted immediate regulatory action against the company and its overseas agent under the established legal frameworks, the ministry said. 

Pilgrims circumambulate the Holy Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah in this photo taken earlier this month. (SPA)

"The measures are intended to safeguard the rights of affected pilgrims, prevent a recurrence of such violations, and ensure the continued enhancement of service quality," it added.

Last June, the ministry suspended seven Umrah companies due to deficiencies in providing transport services to pilgrims.

In an earlier report quoting the Hajj Ministry and the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, SPA said more than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during Jumada Al Akhira alone.

Also referred to as Jumada Al Thani, Jumada Al Akhira is the sixth month of the Islamic calendar. For Hijri year 1447, this sixth month ended on December 20, 2025 in the Gregorian calendar.