TLTP
RIYADH
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has joined forces with US tech giant Dell Technologies to build advanced capabilities in the fields of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, it was announced.
This will drive the joint development of engineering and technology projects in the kingdom, SDAIA said. The agreement, which was signed on Thursday at Gitex Technology Week in Dubai, will see SDAIA and Dell leveraging solutions within AI, cloud computing, data analytics and enterprise storage.
“We are excited about the growth and opportunities created by the fourth industrial revolution, and we are constantly striving to deliver products and services that are developed around advanced emerging technologies,” Dr Esam Al-Wagait, director of Saudi Arabia’s National Information Centre, said.
“We are delighted to partner with Dell Technologies on our ongoing digital journey,” said Mr Al-Wagait, who signed the pact on behalf of SDAIA.
Saudi Arabia, which is aiming to attract foreign and local investment worth $20 billion in the fields of data and AI in the next 10 years, launched its National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence in October.
AI is expected to contribute up to 12.4 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product – equivalent to $135 billion – by 2030, according to a report by consultancy PwC.
“We look forward to strengthening capacity building in the fields of AI and big data in a way that contributes to developing the knowledge economy in the kingdom,” said Mohammed Amin, Dell’s senior vice president for Middle East.
“It is a pleasure to collaborate with SDAIA as they look to enhance their role as the leading technology enabler of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation vision,” he added.
The agreement will also facilitate an exchange of best practices and expertise needed to develop integrated projects that will serve public sector entities’ technology needs across Saudi Arabia, SDAIA said.
