Jeddah: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has been an early adopter of artificial intelligence (AI), positioning itself as a leading academic institution in Saudi Arabia and the region for enhancing human capabilities and fostering innovation in this field. This commitment is evident in its robust infrastructure, advanced technologies managed by leading experts, and strategic partnerships with key institutions in the public and private sectors.
KAUST’s focus on integrating AI across vital sectors with national impact, such as security, energy, data analytics, and healthcare, is in line with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030.
As part of its efforts to enhance its AI expertise, KAUST has introduced a series of science and technology-based training programs under the umbrella of the KAUST Academy’s “Continuing Education” initiative. Since its inception in 2022, the KAUST Academy has delivered six training programs and three summer camps, collaborating with 20 Saudi universities and at
tracting participants from 12 cities across the Kingdom, with women comprising 70% of the attendees. Notably, the Academy has trained approximately 2,000 students by the end of 2022, with the involvement of distinguished experts in the field, including Professor Jurgen Schmidhuber, globally recognized as the “father of modern AI.”
By solidifying its AI journey, KAUST aims to leverage AI capabilities to process information at unprecedented speeds, foster innovation, draw meaningful insights, and effectively implement skill development plans. The establishment of the KAUST Academy as a tuition-free training entity underscores KAUST’s commitment to providing accessible education opportunities to citizens and residents of the Kingdom, regardless of background.
Furthermore, KAUST is dedicated to nurturing capabilities in areas aligned with national objectives, such as cybersecurity, bioinformatics, applied and computer sciences, business analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics. Its participation in the
2022 Global AI Summit in Riyadh showcased KAUST’s pioneering projects in AI and deep neural networks (DNNs), emphasizing its role in advancing AI research and talent development in the Kingdom.
Through initiatives like the University of Oxford’s program, launched in collaboration with Oxford University and integrated into KAUST’s offerings, KAUST aims to strengthen partnerships and empower students with modern technological skills. This program enables students to gain insights into the workings of these technologies, building on KAUST’s track record of supporting over 800 students from diverse regions of the Kingdom through effective partnerships. Overall, KAUST’s Artificial Intelligence Initiative is committed to fostering interdisciplinary education and facilitating opportunities for local and global engagement in AI innovation and education.
Source: Saudi Press Agency