Hajra Naz
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is increasingly emerging as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation, a theme reinforced throughout discussions at the Absher Conference organized by the Saudi Ministry of Interior.
From Hackathons to High-Level Dialogue
Following the announcement of the successful Tuwaiq Hackathon on the conference’s opening day, day two shifted toward deeper conversations around the Kingdom’s fast-growing AI ecosystem. Panels examined how digital transformation is being applied across government services while giving space to training academies, technology startups, and media leaders shaping the sector’s future.
GovTech and Startups: Building the Digital State
A panel titled “Investing in GovTech: Empowering AI Startups to Redefine Government Services” spotlighted collaboration between public institutions and private AI ventures. Speakers discussed how investment, infrastructure, and talent development are converging to modernize government operations.
Mohamed El-Abbouri, CEO of Signit, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s readiness to scale government technology.
“Saudi ranks among the top countries globally in government tech,” he said, citing strong digital infrastructure and a digital-first population with local talent ready to deliver transformation.
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Education as the Engine of AI Growth
Speakers emphasized that progress at scale depends on education. Training academies and learning institutions continue to fuel the Kingdom’s AI ambitions by equipping students with practical, industry-ready skills.
During “Technical Academies: Engines of Transformation,” Renad Alkhathiri, General Manager of AI at Metaverse Tuwaiq Academy, explained how programs transform technology users into creators. Mentorship anchors the learning model, supported by access to the latest tools and hands-on experience, with most programs built around practical training from day one.
Media, AI, and Taking Saudi Stories Global
As education and investment propel the AI sector forward, media organizations are increasingly responsible for showcasing the Kingdom’s progress worldwide. That role was explored in a discussion on AI’s impact on media, featuring Avneesh Prakash, CEO of Camb.AI, in conversation with Noor Nugali, Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Arab News.
“The Saudi stories need to reach the world in a language the world understands,” Prakash said, pointing to Camb.AI’s partnership with Arab News, which allows readers to access content in more than 50 languages.
Speed, Scale, and Storytelling
Camb.AI’s technology extends beyond news into sports, animation, and film, enabling shared cultural experiences across borders. Prakash said AI is helping media organizations move faster, scale further, and broaden access—while preserving emotion and nuance in human storytelling.
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A Unifying Force for Transformation
By the end of the conference’s second day, one message stood out: AI is no longer confined to a single sector. Its ability to connect government services, education systems, and media platforms positions artificial intelligence as a unifying force in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing progress and digital transformation.
