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Saudi Arabia’s AI-ready workforce will power its digital economy

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Reham Al-Musa
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Author
Reham Al-Musa

Saudi Arabia’s AI-ready workforce will power its digital economy

Author
Reham Al-Musa
Saudi Arabia’s AI-ready workforce will power its digital economy
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https://arab.news/5ytje

In today’s fast-evolving digital environment, the average shelf life of skills is less than five years. This rapid pace of change, driven by technological advancements, presents a significant challenge to organizations and countries.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a leading force in upskilling its youth. As the Kingdom transitions away from oil to a more diverse, knowledge-based economy, it is building a future-ready workforce.

This strategic shift is yielding positive results, with the value of the non-oil economy reaching SR1.7 trillion ($453 billion), and a surge in new investments indicating a thriving economy.

The rise of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning is redefining the workforce at an unprecedented pace. Automation is transforming the way we conduct mundane tasks, and AI algorithms are venturing into areas previously thought to be limited to human capabilities. This change necessitates a reevaluation of how we approach workforce development, ensuring individuals are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for the future.

With its recently announced plans to launch a $40 billion fund focused on AI investments, Saudi Arabia is cementing its position as one of the world’s largest investors in the technology. While the investment itself is a significant step toward becoming an AI leader, the full potential of this fund hinges on having a workforce equipped with the knowledge and expertise to utilize it effectively.

By nurturing AI talent, Saudi Arabia is cultivating the homegrown innovators who will power its digital economy.

To equip its workforce with the skills needed to drive the digital future, the Kingdom launched several initiatives, such as the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence, which focuses on training programs for women, youth, and entrepreneurs in data analysis, machine learning and other relevant skills. Through collaborations with educational programs to integrate data science and AI into schools, and enabling entrepreneurship support via incubators and accelerators, the initiative is cultivating a generation of young experts equipped to lead the nation’s advancements in these crucial science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

By nurturing AI talent, Saudi Arabia is cultivating the homegrown innovators who will power its digital economy

Reham Al-Musa

Similarly, the Kingdom’s Human Capability Development Program takes a comprehensive approach to upskilling youth in STEM fields. It starts with a strong foundation in early childhood education, aligns educational curricula with industry needs, and provides lifelong learning opportunities in STEM knowledge to enable the future STEM leaders of Saudi Arabia.

However, it is not just about technical skills. Initiatives like the launch of the region’s largest startup hub and the National Technology Development Program provide resources and infrastructure to cultivate a thriving startup ecosystem, particularly one fueled by AI. Saudi Arabia is not just building AI expertise, but also empowering a generation of citizens who will become the engine of the country’s future economy. In essence, investing in STEM education enables the growth of the Kingdom’s startup ecosystem, which in turn will drive innovation across sectors, accelerate job creation, boost competitiveness, attract investment, and further diversify the economy.

The Kingdom is actively investing in venture capital and entrepreneurship support structures. In May 2024, $8 billion was specifically allocated for this purpose. This financial backing can fuel the growth of promising startups and translate into substantial economic contributions.

By equipping its youth with expertise in AI development, automation principles and data science methods, the Kingdom is nurturing a generation of entrepreneurs who can build AI-powered solutions tailored to public and private sector needs. Imagine startups driving AI-powered learning platforms that cater to schools or machine learning-driven platforms to drive tourism in the Kingdom. This unique understanding of emerging technologies will help address local challenges, materialize new ideas, and boost the Kingdom’s global competitiveness.

At Oracle, we have introduced “Mostaqbali” (My Future) aimed at upskilling 50,000 Saudis in AI and emerging technologies. Launched in collaboration with Future Work and supervised by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the program aims to train and certify 50,000 Saudi nationals in the latest cloud-powered digital technologies, AI, machine learning, and the Internet of Things by 2027.

By investing in capacity building and AI skills, Saudi Arabia is unlocking the full potential of a thriving digital economy. These programs act as a catalyst, transforming the nation’s workforce into a powerful engine driving innovation and diversification. Arming citizens with the latest digital literacy and technical skills creates the fertile ground for the Kingdom’s next wave of entrepreneurship, innovation, and technological advancement.

• Reham Al-Musa is vice president of cloud applications for Oracle’s public sector business and managing director and country leader for Oracle Saudi Arabia

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

Libya to resume oil production after central bank dispute ends

Libya to resume oil production after central bank dispute ends
Updated 3 min 10 sec ago
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Reuters
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Libya to resume oil production after central bank dispute ends

Libya to resume oil production after central bank dispute ends
  • Libya produces more than 1.2 million barrels of oil per day, and Sharara is the country’s largest field, producing up to 300,000 barrels per day
  • Authorities in Benghazi closed the oilfields on Aug. 26 after the Tripoli-based Presidential Council replace the veteran central bank chief
Updated 3 min 10 sec ago
AP Reuters

CAIRO: Libya’s state-run oil company said Thursday it was restarting full oil production, almost two months after shutting down operations in two of its major fields amid a political crisis.
The National Oil Corporation said in a statement that it would resume production at the Sharara and El-Feel oil fields, and export shipments from Es Sider, the country’s largest port. In August, the company declared “force majeure,” a legal maneuver that lets a company get out of its contracts because of extraordinary circumstances.
As part of the review of the force majeure situation, NOC confirmed in its statement that it “can resume the operations of crude oil production and exporting operations to its customers.”
The National Oil Corporation previously blamed the shutdown on the Fezzan Movement, a local protest group. It came as the country’s rival authorities were locked in a dispute over the governance of its Central Bank, which distributes the country’s oil revenues.
In August, the UN warned that the country was poised to face even greater instability due to the dispute. But that was resolved in recent days, when the country’s parliament appointed a new governor to the bank.
Libya produces more than 1.2 million barrels of oil per day, and Sharara is the country’s largest field, producing up to 300,000 barrels per day.  It was exporting most of it. In September, exports averaged 460,000 bpd according to oil analytics firm Kpler.

The oil-rich country has been in political turmoil since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011. Since then, Libya has been split between rival administrations in the east and the west, each backed by militias and foreign governments.

The latest dispute
NOC declared force majeure on Aug. 7 at Sharara oilfield — one of Libya’s largest production areas with a capacity of about 300,000 barrels per day — and on Elfeel oilfield on Sept.2.
Sharara is located in southwestern Libya and operated by a joint venture of NOC with Spain’s Repsol, France’s TotalEnergies, Austria’s OMV, and Norway’s Equinor.
Elfeel has a capacity of 70,000 barrels per day and is operated by Mellitah Oil and Gas, a joint venture between NOC and Italy’s Eni.
Two engineers at the field told Reuters the oilfield resumed production but not with full capacity due to maintenance work.
Earlier, three engineers said there were some “technical problems” at Elfeel.
The government in Benghazi in the east said oil production and exports would resume normal operations, after the rival authorities agreed last month to appoint Issa as new central bank governor.
Authorities in the second-largest city had closed oilfields and halted most of crude exports on Aug. 26 in protest against a move by the Presidential Council, which sits in Tripoli in the west, to replace veteran central bank chief Sadiq Al-Kabir.
The head of the Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, met with Issa on Wednesday and stressed “the need for the central bank governor to commit to the technical role of the bank, stay away from politics, and not surpass the legal jurisdictions of the board of directors.”
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya UNSMIL welcomed in a statement NOC announcing the lifting of force majeure on oil production.
The mission emphasized that “it is essential that revenues from this vital resource be channeled through the appropriate institutional framework, and ultimately to the Central Bank of Libya.”

Topics: Libya Sharara oil field El-Feel oil field National Oil Corporation

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US dockworkers’ union suspend strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate new contract

US dockworkers’ union suspend strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate new contract
Updated 35 min 51 sec ago
AP
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US dockworkers’ union suspend strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate new contract

US dockworkers’ union suspend strike until Jan. 15 to allow time to negotiate new contract
Updated 35 min 51 sec ago
AP

DETROIT: The union representing 45,000 striking US dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports has reached a deal to suspend a three-day strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract.
The union, the International Longshoremen’s Association, is to resume working immediately. Both sides also reached agreement on wages, but no details were given, according to a joint statement from the ports and union Thursday night.
The union went on strike early Tuesday after its contract expired in a dispute over pay and the automation of tasks at the ports from Maine to Texas. The strike came at the peak of the holiday shopping season at 36 ports that handle about half the cargo from ships coming into and out of the United States.
The walkout raised the risk of shortages of goods on store shelves if it lasted more than a few weeks. But most retailers had stocked up or shipped items early in anticipation of the work stoppage.
The strike came at the peak of the holiday shopping season at 36 ports that handle about half of the cargo from ships coming into and out of the United States.
It raised the risk of shortages of goods on store shelves if it lasted more than a few weeks. But most retailers had stocked up or shipped items early in anticipation of the work stoppage.

Judge me at the end of the season, says under-fire Man Utd boss Ten Hag

Judge me at the end of the season, says under-fire Man Utd boss Ten Hag
Updated 58 min 56 sec ago
AFP
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Judge me at the end of the season, says under-fire Man Utd boss Ten Hag

Judge me at the end of the season, says under-fire Man Utd boss Ten Hag
Updated 58 min 56 sec ago
AFP

PORTO, Portugal: Erik ten Hag pleaded to be given until the end of the season as Manchester United boss after needing a late Harry Maguire equalizer to salvage a 3-3 draw at Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.
Ten Hag was under major pressure before the trip to Portugal after just two wins from United’s first six Premier League fixtures of the season left them languishing in 13th place in the table.
The Red Devils have also drawn their opening two Europa League games to sit 21st in the 36-team table.
“We will get there, don’t judge us in this moment,” said Ten Hag.
“Judge us in the end of the season. We will improve, we have two seasons where we achieved finals. Just wait, we will develop and progress this team.”
Ten Hag has fiercely defended his record after winning the League Cup and FA Cup in his first two seasons in charge at Old Trafford — ending United’s six-year trophy drought in the process.
A shock victory over Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final was widely credited with saving his job despite finishing eighth in the Premier League.
But the United hierarchy could be forced to act in the upcoming international break after they travel to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.
Ten Hag could not have asked for a better start in Porto as goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund put United 2-0 up inside 20 minutes
However, the English giants have failed to win any of their last four away European games despite scoring three times in each of them.
Last season they crashed out of the Champions League at the group stages after losing 4-3 at Bayern Munich and FC Copenhagen plus a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.
Another six-goal thriller took place at the Estadio do Dragao as Pepe and Samu Omorodion brought Porto level before half-time.
Omorodion smashed the home side in front early in the second half before United captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second consecutive game.
But Maguire’s header from a corner at least salvaged a point for Ten Hag.
“When you get 2-0 away from home you have to be a little bit more solid and there were far too many gaps,” said Maguire.
“Too many crosses were coming into the box for sure and they ultimately punished us for it.”
The England international has lost his regular starting spot in the side to Matthijs de Ligt, who previously worked under Ten Hag at Ajax.
Maguire said the pressure his manager was facing is what comes with the “privilege” of being in the spotlight at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
“I’ve played for this club for six years, I know how it works. When you go on a bad spell players come under pressure and also the manager does,” added Maguire.
“He’s experienced enough and been at this club long enough so I’m sure he knows how to deal with it. It’s part of the privilege you have playing for this club.”

Security Council backs UN secretary-general after Israel bans him from entering country

Security Council backs UN secretary-general after Israel bans him from entering country
Updated 04 October 2024
Arab News
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Security Council backs UN secretary-general after Israel bans him from entering country

Security Council backs UN secretary-general after Israel bans him from entering country
  • Foreign Minister Israel Katz described Antonio Guterres as an “anti-Israel secretary-general who lends support to terrorists” and declared him persona non grata
  • Council members say all nations need to have a ‘productive and effective relationship with the secretary-general’ and must not undermine his work or office
Updated 04 October 2024
Arab News

NEW YORK CITY: The Security Council on Thursday affirmed its “full support” for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and said any decision not to engage with him or his office was counterproductive. 

Israel on Wednesday banned Guterres from entering the country. Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared him to be persona non grata and an “anti-Israel secretary-general who lends support to terrorists,” citing as a reason what he described as the UN chief’s failure to condemn the Iranian missile attack against Israel on Tuesday.

“Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel, as nearly all the countries of the world have done, does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil,” he said.

“Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold its national dignity, with or without Antonio Guterres.”

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Guterres, described Katz’s comments as political and “just one more attack on UN staff that we’ve seen from the government of Israel.” The concept of “persona non grata” does not apply to UN staff, he added.

Addressing an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Wednesday, Guterres said he had condemned a similar attack against Israel by Iran in April and added: “As should have been obvious yesterday, in the context of the condemnation I expressed, I again strongly condemn yesterday’s massive missile attack by Iran on Israel.

“These attacks, paradoxically, do not seem to support the cause of the Palestinian people or reduce their suffering.”

Guterres also criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza, describing them as “the most deadly and destructive military campaign in my years as secretary-general.”

Switzerland holds the presidency of the Security Council this month. The country’s permanent representative to the UN, Pascale Baeriswyl, said on Thursday that members of the council stressed the need for all nations to “have a productive and effective relationship with the secretary-general and to refrain from any actions that undermine his work and that of his office.”

She added: “The members of the Security Council further underscored that any decision not to engage with the UN secretary-general or the United Nations is counterproductive, especially in the context of escalating tensions in the Middle East.”

Topics: UN UN Security Council UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres Israel

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37 killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in past 24 hours, health ministry says

37 killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in past 24 hours, health ministry says
Updated 04 October 2024
Reuters
AP
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37 killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in past 24 hours, health ministry says

37 killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in past 24 hours, health ministry says
  • Nearly 2,000 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel and Hezbollah started swapping fire as the Gaza war worsened
Updated 04 October 2024
Reuters AP

BEIRUT: Thirty seven people were killed and 151 wounded in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in the past 24 hours, the Lebanese health ministry said in a statement early on Friday

Among the dead were nine residents of an apartment in the Lebanese capital, according to ministry.

Israel has been pounding areas of the country where the Hezbollah militant group has a strong presence since late September, but has rarely struck in the heart of Beirut.

There was no warning before the strike late Wednesday, which hit the building close to the United Nations headquarters, the prime minister’s office and parliament. Hezbollah’s civil defense unit said seven of its members were killed.
Israel is also conducting a ground incursion into Lebanon against Hezbollah, while also conducting strikes in Gaza that killed dozens, including children. The Israeli military said nine soldiers have died in the conflict in southern Lebanon.
Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire across the Lebanon border almost daily since the day after Hamas’ cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 others hostage.

Israel declared war on the militant group in the Gaza Strip in response. More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the territory, and just over half the dead have been women and children, according to local health officials.

Nearly 2,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

 

 

 

Topics: Battlefield Lebanon Lebanon

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