In a strategic move aimed at solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading power in science and technology, the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) announced the signing of three significant local and international partnerships on the sidelines of the International Conference on Capacity Building in Data and Artificial Intelligence. These agreements aim to enhance the innovation ecosystem in vital areas including artificial intelligence, urban innovation, and industrial transformation, directly aligning with the ambitious goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Strategic context: Driving national transformation
These partnerships are part of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to diversify its economy and build a knowledge-based society. Since the launch of Vision 2030, the Saudi leadership has prioritized digital and technological transformation, recognizing artificial intelligence and advanced technologies as key drivers of future growth. As the leading national institution for scientific research and technological development, KACST plays a pivotal role in realizing this vision by bridging the gap between academia and the public and private sectors, localizing advanced technologies, and fostering an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Partnership to develop future cities: Urban innovation in Madinah
The first partnership, signed between KACST and the Madinah Region Municipality, aims to establish a joint framework for addressing contemporary urban challenges. Under this agreement, KACST will serve as the research and consulting arm for the Municipality’s Urban Lab project. This lab represents a platform for testing and implementing innovative solutions in areas such as waste management, smart transportation, energy efficiency, and urban landscape enhancement. This partnership is expected to contribute to improving the quality of life for Madinah’s residents and visitors and will develop successful business models that can later be replicated in other cities across the Kingdom, thus supporting sustainable urban development at the national level.
Accelerating the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Empowering the Industrial and Logistics Sector
In its drive to enable industrial transformation, KACST has entered into a strategic tripartite partnership with the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) and Rockwell Automation , a global leader in industrial automation. This partnership aims to support the Kingdom's transformation into a leading industrial powerhouse and a global logistics hub. The joint efforts will focus on implementing advanced research programs, localizing Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, and accelerating the adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions in Saudi factories. This collaboration will enhance production efficiency, boost the competitiveness of national products, create high-skilled, high-quality jobs, and solidify the Kingdom's position as a logistics center connecting three continents.
Regional leadership in artificial intelligence: Developing a massive Arabic language model
To bolster the Kingdom’s position as a regional AI hub, KAUST has entered into a strategic partnership with Naver Cloud Corporation . This collaboration centers on developing a sophisticated Large Language Model (LLM) that efficiently supports the Arabic language. This project goes beyond mere translation, as it will understand cultural contexts and local dialects, opening up vast possibilities for AI applications across the education, media, government services, and customer service sectors. This model will empower Arabic digital content, support developers and researchers in the region, and enhance the Kingdom’s digital sovereignty in the field of artificial intelligence.
