Saudi minister outlines Vision 2030’s role in empowering youth, women at G20 meeting in India

Through jobs and new business models, the digital economy is the greatest social equalizer and economic multiplier. (SPA)
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Updated 19 August 2023
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Saudi minister outlines Vision 2030’s role in empowering youth, women at G20 meeting in India

  • Al-Swaha said that artificial intelligence is expected to generate about $1 trillion in wealth worldwide this year and almost $14 trillion by 2030

RIYADH: Speaking at the G20 Ministerial Meeting on the Digital Economy held in India, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha highlighted the pivotal role of Saudi Vision 2030 in enhancing the Kingdom’s competitiveness through empowering youth and women, and building a sustainable future for the Kingdom based on technology and innovation.

Al-Swaha said that the digital economy is the biggest social equalizer and economic multiplier through the creation of future jobs and new business models.

On the achievements of the Kingdom in the digital field, Al- Swaha said that Saudi Arabia has provided the world with a pioneering model in bridging the digital divide and succeeded in bringing digital infrastructure to 99 percent of the population.

Moreover, the Kingdom has provided the first-ever experiment to connect the offline world to terrestrial networks.

Saudi Arabia has also launched the world’s largest virtual hospital that uses artificial intelligence to provide advanced medical services. Al-Swaha praised the efforts of Saudi Vision 2030 in empowering youth and women. The Kingdom recently recorded a jump in women’s employment in the technology sector, from 7 to 33 percent, exceeding the average of the G20 and EU countries.

Al-Swaha also highlighted important sustainability initiatives in the Kingdom, citing the battery storage facility in the Red Sea project and the use of technology to carry out major marine surveys to protect coral reefs.

The Saudi minister said that artificial intelligence is expected to generate about $1 trillion in wealth worldwide this year and almost $14 trillion by 2030.

Al-Swaha praised the efforts of the Indian presidency in the G20 Digital Economy Working Group and its initiatives related to public digital infrastructure, stressing Saudi Arabia’s determination to overcome the challenges facing the digital economy.

 


Canadian expert praises Saudi Arabia’s rapid AI, social progress

Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. (AN photos
Updated 6 sec ago
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Canadian expert praises Saudi Arabia’s rapid AI, social progress

  • ‘I think Canada can learn a lot,’ says Janice Stein in call for partnership, shared learning

RIYADH: Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, has praised the Kingdom’s ongoing transformation and its growing role in artificial intelligence and education.

During a two-day visit, Stein met officials from government, academia, and the private sector, and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s regional role while noting that much can be learned from Saudi Data and AI Authority’s initiatives.

“We went to universities, think tanks, and government ministries that work in education and artificial intelligence,” said Stein, Belzberg professor of conflict management. She added: “I think Canada can learn a lot.”

Stein noted that officials at the SDAIA had explained that the Kingdom will have a K-12 AI education strategy “in which students from grade three onward will start to learn about artificial intelligence and engage with it.”

She told Arab News: “Well, we are not there in Canada, and depending on how SDAIA measures and tracks its results, I think Canada can learn from the experiment SDAIA is running.”

Stein added that the future project led by SDAIA had not yet been implemented in Saudi Arabia, but much could be learned from its research and rollout.

“There is a sense that things are moving quickly and that will be foundational to the role Saudi Arabia will play in the future,” she said.

Stein also discussed the traditional educational cooperation model between Saudi Arabia and Canada, which has mainly involved Saudi students going abroad to study.

She said: “I think that will remain, but that is the old model.”

Looking to the present, Stein said she was interested in sharing and learning from the “very large experiment that Saudi society is now running.”

She stressed that the goal was in partnership and not encouraging Saudis to leave the Kingdom, adding: “Saudi Arabia is playing a leading role in the Gulf; I think all Saudis know that.”

She said that Saudi Arabia had the weight and urgency to lead, and that what it needed was a clear focus and annual measurement to benchmark the country’s progress against others.

“As a long-time student of the Middle East, my strong sense is that the Gulf is growing in strategic importance, things are moving, and the pace of change is accelerating,” she said.

“I thought, what a wonderful time to find an institutional partner here.”

Stein stressed how impressed she was by the “sense of urgency” in Saudi Arabia’s developmental efforts.

She said that in her conversations she had been struck by the strong focus on results and the awareness that time is limited, describing the urgency as “really, really impressive.”

Stein also noted the clear changes that women are undergoing, saying that it was encouraging to see women working at the airport on her arrival.

She underlined that as women’s roles start to change in society, that society itself begins to change.

Stein said that Saudi people understood the “rapid pace of global change and the need to act quickly — something often missing in more established societies.”

She added: “I think we all need that sense of urgency.”


Saudi, Turkish foreign ministers reaffirm cooperation during meeting in Riyadh

Updated 12 min 32 sec ago
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Saudi, Turkish foreign ministers reaffirm cooperation during meeting in Riyadh

  • Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, Turkiye’s Diplomacy Academy to work together, share knowledge
  • Hakan Fidan praises increasing momentum of Turkiye-Saudi relations

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has met his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Riyadh to discuss recent regional developments.

The ministers co-chaired the second meeting of the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council on Sunday, a key diplomatic forum aimed at strengthening political, economic, and strategic exchanges between Ankara and Riyadh.

Officials discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and coordination on issues of mutual interest, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji and his Turkish counterpart Nuh Yilmaz signed a memorandum of understanding between diplomatic centers affiliated with their respective ministries.

Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, and Turkiye’s Diplomacy Academy are to work together to improve collaboration and share knowledge, a statement said.

Fidan praised the increasing momentum of Turkish-Saudi relations, attributing it to the “vision put forward by our leaders,” reported the Anadolu Agency.

He added: “Turkish-Saudi relations, shaped by historical and human ties, have proven their strength and resilience in the face of challenges and difficulties.”

The first meeting of the Saudi-Turkish Coordination Council, which was established during the visit of King Salman to Turkiye in 2016, took place in Ankara in February 2017.

Several senior Saudi and Turkish officials attended Sunday’s meeting, including the Saudi Ambassador to Turkiye Fahd bin Asaad Abu Al-Nasr.


Asaan museum breaks ground in Diriyah ceremony

The groundbreaking ceremony took place at Diriyah Sales Center.
Updated 16 min 16 sec ago
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Asaan museum breaks ground in Diriyah ceremony

  • New 40,000 sq. meter cultural landmark is backed by Misk Foundation

RIYADH: Construction on Asaan, the Misk Heritage Museum, officially began in Diriyah on Sunday, marking a key milestone in Saudi Arabia’s cultural development and coinciding with the celebration of International Museum Day.

The groundbreaking ceremony at Diriyah Sales Center was attended by senior representatives from the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), Diriyah Company, and design partners Zaha Hadid Architects.

Cultural institutions were also present in a show of support for the museum’s mission.

Spanning 40,000 sq. meters, the museum is envisioned as a living institution that reflects Saudi identity through immersive exhibitions and cultural experiences.

It will highlight traditional arts, crafts, oral histories, and social customs in a space designed to bring Saudi heritage to life.

In a statement to Arab News, Khaled Al-Saqer, CEO of Asaan, said the architectural vision for the project was rooted in a deep cultural responsibility.

“The vision was to preserve and pass on Saudi heritage from generation to generation,” Al-Saqer said. “With the rapid advancements in technology, we wanted to make sure there is no gap between current and future generations and their connection to their historical roots.

“At Asaan, we are developing heritage in a new way — one that bridges this gap and ensures our cultural legacy is protected and passed forward.”

He emphasized that Asaan is not just about preserving artifacts, but about inspiring deeper engagement with Saudi heritage.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the museum draws inspiration from traditional Najdi design, combining organic forms with modern lines to reflect the authenticity and evolution of Saudi architecture.

The structure itself is intended to be a cultural statement, rooted in local tradition yet open to global dialogue.

The museum will feature a conservation lab to support the restoration and preservation of heritage artifacts.

It will serve as a center for knowledge exchange and training, preparing future generations of Saudi museum professionals.

Asaan is part of the Misk Foundation’s broader mission to promote creativity, heritage appreciation, and knowledge sharing through platforms that empower Saudi youth and cultural institutions.


Saudi Arabia launches new production hub in Riyadh

The Saudi Film Commission has unveiled Jax Film Studios, a new production complex in Riyadh. (SPA)
Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia launches new production hub in Riyadh

  • Scheduled for completion later this year, the studio spans more than 7,000 sq. meters
  • The complex also includes a private cinema, meeting rooms, production prep areas, dining spaces, and a VIP lounge

RIYADH: The Saudi Film Commission has unveiled Jax Film Studios, a new production complex in Riyadh, marking a step forward in the Kingdom’s efforts to develop a connected and competitive film and media industry.

Scheduled for completion later this year, the studio spans more than 7,000 sq. meters and features two soundstages of 1,500 sq. meters, along with a virtual production stage using Sony’s latest screen technology.

The complex also includes a private cinema, meeting rooms, production prep areas, dining spaces, and a VIP lounge — designed to accommodate a range of needs, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The facility provides convenient access to hotels, the international airport, restaurants, and a growing network of creative and technical professionals.

Filmmakers can find local crews, equipment, and post-production services to support their projects, all within a 20-minute radius.

Saudi Film Commission’s CEO Abdullah Al-Qahtani said: “Jax Film Studios represents a cornerstone of our strategy to develop a world-class film infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

“As we become one of the region’s premier production hubs, this facility is built to meet the highest international standards — empowering local creatives while attracting global talent.”

Abduljalil Alnasser, the commission’s general manager of sector development and investment attraction, said: “With Jax Film Studios we are introducing one of the world’s most advanced and largest virtual production stages, powered by Sony’s latest innovations, unlocking limitless creative possibilities.”


Saudi Arabia showcases digital progress at Osaka expo 

Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia showcases digital progress at Osaka expo 

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority revealed the Kingdom’s progress in digital transformation and smart city development during its participation in Saudi events at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

The authority outlined national efforts to adopt data and artificial intelligence technologies to improve service efficiency and support sustainable development, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Mishari Almishari, deputy director of the authority’s National Information Center, said that Saudi Arabia was steadily moving toward a more integrated digital society under Vision 2030, which identified digital transformation as a key development goal.

He noted that the authority’s establishment in 2019 marked a significant step, coordinating efforts through three main entities: the National Information Center, the National Center for Artificial Intelligence, and the National Data Management Office.

The authority plays a central role in data and AI regulation and development, according to Almishari, contributing to the Kingdom’s growing position in data and AI-based innovation.

He also highlighted support for smart city systems through projects like the National Smart C Platform, the Smart Riyadh Operations Center, and initiatives promoting innovation, such as training camps, incubators, accelerators, and national hackathons.

The authority’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka reflects Saudi Arabia’s aim to contribute to global AI development and build a more inclusive digital future.