Allam platform included in IBM’s watsonx

Allam platform included in IBM’s watsonx
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority announced Wednesday that Allam, the AI generative platform serving Saudi Arabia and Arabic speakers around the world, was included in IBM’s watsonx data platform at the IBM Think 2024 conference. (SPA)
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Updated 07 June 2024
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Allam platform included in IBM’s watsonx

Allam platform included in IBM’s watsonx
  • Watsonx is IBM’s commercial generative AI and scientific data platform based on the cloud
  • The director of the National Information Center at the SDAIA commended the watsonx platform’s exceptional technical capabilities

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority announced Wednesday that Allam, the AI generative platform serving Saudi Arabia and Arabic speakers around the world, was included in IBM’s watsonx data platform at the IBM Think 2024 conference in its pilot phase as one of the best generative models in Arabic in the world.
Watsonx is IBM’s commercial generative AI and scientific data platform based on the cloud.
In a speech at the annual conference, the director of the National Information Center at the SDAIA, Essam Al-Waqeet, commended the watsonx platform’s exceptional technical capabilities in enabling large language models and simplifying machine learning, as well as enhancing AI governance, compliance and hybrid cloud deployment flexibility, and praised the inclusion of Allam for global use, which significantly strengthens SDAIA’s position as a leader in the field of AI.
“It is acknowledged that large linguistic models trained on high-quality data are the basis for the successful implementation of generative AI, and Allam has been trained on more than 500 billion linguistic units in Arabic. We will seek to expand the addition of high-quality data and work to improve the accuracy of its models,” Al-Waqeet said.
He also reaffirmed the SDAIA’s commitment to make Allam the best generative AI model in the Arabic language in the world.
Al-Waqeet also invited the participants at the IBM Think 2024 to join the third Global Artificial Intelligence Summit, to be organized by the SDAIA in Riyadh from Sept. 10-12 later this year.


Afghanistan hails Saudi ties as Taliban FM meets Kingdom’s envoy in Kabul

Afghanistan hails Saudi ties as Taliban FM meets Kingdom’s envoy in Kabul
Updated 8 sec ago
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Afghanistan hails Saudi ties as Taliban FM meets Kingdom’s envoy in Kabul

Afghanistan hails Saudi ties as Taliban FM meets Kingdom’s envoy in Kabul
  • In 1996-2001, Taliban rule was recognized by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • Saudi Embassy in Kabul has been reopened since December

KABUL: Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister has said ties with Saudi Arabia were “invaluable” to the country, following his first meeting with Riyadh’s new envoy in Kabul.

Amir Khan Muttaqi held talks with the Saudi Ambassador to Afghanistan Faisal Torki Al-Buqam on Sunday, less than a month since the Kingdom reopened its embassy in the Afghan capital.

“The meeting underlined matters related to expanding bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia,” Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Hafiz Zia Ahmad said in a statement.

“Welcoming the ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and calling Afghanistan-Saudi relations invaluable and historic, FM Muttaqi underscored the need to increase the exchange of delegations between the two countries.”

Saudi Arabia was among a host of nations that withdrew its diplomats from Kabul in August 2021, following the Taliban’s return to power and the withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan.

Though the Taliban are not officially recognized by any country in the world, Saudi Arabia has joined a number of foreign governments in resuming the work of its diplomatic mission in Kabul.

The Kingdom has been providing consular services for Afghans since November 2021 and resumed sending aid through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center later that same year.

“Our goal is to take advantage of the opportunities available to us,” Zakir Jalaly, director of the second political division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Arab News on Monday.

“We also welcomed the (reopening) of the Saudi embassy and expressed our desire to see increased cooperation between the two countries. Saudi Arabia’s religious, political, and regional position make relations with the country vital for Afghanistan.”

During the first Taliban stint in power in 1996-2001, their administration was recognized by three countries: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Since they retook control of Afghanistan, the Taliban administration has been working to gain international recognition and dealing on a bilateral level with regional countries, including India, China, Central Asian republics, as well as Gulf nations.

“Resuming diplomatic relations with another country like Saudi Arabia means further steps towards legitimacy and recognition of the Islamic Emirate,” Abdul Saboor Mubariz, board member of the Center for Strategic and Regional Studies in Kabul, told Arab News.

“Cooperation between Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia can also be enhanced in other areas. For instance, Saudi Arabia needs a human workforce, and Afghanistan can cooperate in this regard in case of an agreement and facilitation of work visas for Afghans … Afghanistan can also encourage Saudi Arabia to invest in the country.”

Azizullah Hafiz, a political science lecturer at the Ghalib University in the western city of Herat, said the Kingdom was a “very important country” at the global and regional level.

“Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan have had very long relations. Like other nations in the Muslim world, Afghans look at Saudi Arabia as a leader of the Islamic world and, therefore, expect an active role from the country in Afghanistan,” Hafiz told Arab News.

Afghans also stand to benefit from critical humanitarian aid and development assistance, particularly through investment in infrastructure projects, he added.

“(The) presence of the Saudi ambassador in Kabul will facilitate direct engagement with the Afghan government and overcome concerns as it will also pave the way for enhanced cooperation in areas such as diplomacy, trade and investment.”


Saudi project clears 639 Houthi mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 639 Houthi mines in Yemen
Updated 43 min 48 sec ago
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Saudi project clears 639 Houthi mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 639 Houthi mines in Yemen
  • The total included eight anti-personnel mines, 45 anti-tank mines, 585 unexploded ordnances and one explosive device

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 639 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included eight anti-personnel mines, 45 anti-tank mines, 585 unexploded ordnances and one explosive device, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 478,222 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.


Japan govt officials attend Saudi Vision 2030 Ministerial Roundtable

Japan govt officials attend Saudi Vision 2030 Ministerial Roundtable
Updated 13 January 2025
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Japan govt officials attend Saudi Vision 2030 Ministerial Roundtable

Japan govt officials attend Saudi Vision 2030 Ministerial Roundtable
  • Plan for further cooperation between Riyadh and Tokyo in culture, sports, education and research

TOKYO: A Japan government delegation including Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Hisashi Matsumoto held talks with Saudi Arabia government officials on Vision 2030 in Riyadh on Jan. 12, the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo said.

Saudi Arabia officials who attended the Japan-Saudi Vision 2030 Ministerial Roundtable included Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih and Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al-Saud, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation.

According to a ministry statement, the officials discussed cooperation and progress between the two nations since the 7th Ministerial Meeting of the Japan-Saudi Vision 2030 in December 2023.

Matsumoto stated that he was satisfied with the progress made and that further cooperation was being planned in culture, sports, education and research.

He said Japan remained committed to strengthening relations with Saudi Arabia to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations this year.

The Japanese officials hoped that EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, would be a success, and that there would be a smooth handover to Riyadh for EXPO 2030.


Riyadh Season announces over 16m visits

Riyadh Season announces over 16m visits
Updated 13 January 2025
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Riyadh Season announces over 16m visits

Riyadh Season announces over 16m visits
  • ‘Exceptional success’ from boxing, wrestling, international concerts, unique dining experiences, scenic gardens

RIYADH: Riyadh Season 2024 has so far surpassed 16 million visits, according to the General Entertainment Authority’s Chairman Turki Alalshikh.

In March 2024, at the end of the previous Riyadh Season, Alalshikh reportedly announced that there were 20 million visits. In January, at the halfway mark for the previous season, it stood at over 12 million.

Launched in October, Riyadh Season has “captivated audiences with its diverse range of events and newly introduced areas, attracting visitors from the Kingdom and abroad,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

“Its exceptional success is attributed to a wide variety of offerings, including boxing and wrestling matches, international concerts, unique dining experiences, scenic gardens, and innovative entertainment zones,” the SPA reported.

The attendance was “further bolstered by the mid-term break of the second semester, which featured the unveiling of the Dunes of Arabia area, popular among camping and winter atmosphere enthusiasts.”

In addition, the Boulevard Runway area drew aviation enthusiasts, further enhancing the season’s appeal, the SPA reported.


Jazan Winter Season’s Erth Village showcases tradition, art and culture

Jazan Winter Season’s Erth Village showcases tradition, art and culture
Updated 13 January 2025
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Jazan Winter Season’s Erth Village showcases tradition, art and culture

Jazan Winter Season’s Erth Village showcases tradition, art and culture
  • Erth Village highlights region’s food, clothing, crafts, perfumes and herbs

JAZAN: Erth Village, a highlight of the Jazan Winter Season, is attracting a significant number of domestic visitors because of its range of cultural and entertainment activities.

Located at the southwestern city’s waterfront, the village showcases traditional handicrafts, games and clothing, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Jan. 12.

Located at the southwestern city's waterfront, the village offers a unique experience that seamlessly combines entertainment and culture. (SPA)

There is also an array of dishes that showcase local ingredients and culinary traditions.

The region’s distinctive local perfumes and herbs are also on display, highlighting the rich local culture.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in traditional dishes that showcase local ingredients and culinary traditions. (SPA)