JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia condemned the deadly shooting of a passenger bus in Egypt’s Minya governorate. The attack, which was claimed by Daesh, took place near the remote desert monastery of St. Samuel. Seven people were killed and 20 wounded when gunmen opened fire on three buses carrying Coptic Christians. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a cable of condolences to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, expressed Saudi support for Egypt and its people, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry reiterated the Kingdom’s solidarity with Egypt against terrorism, extended condolences to the victims’ families and to Egypt’s government and people, and wished the wounded a speedy recovery.
Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, secretary-general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said the attack will only increase the Egyptian people’s unity and cohesion against terrorism, which is contrary to the teachings of all religions.
The Muslim World League also condemned the shooting, extended condolences to the victims’ families, and wished the wounded a speedy recovery.
Saudi Arabia condemns terror attack in Egypt
Saudi Arabia condemns terror attack in Egypt
- The Muslim World League also condemned the shooting, extended condolences to the victims’ families, and wished the wounded a speedy recovery
Indulge in the magical wizarding World of Harry Potter at Riyadh Season
- The pop-up experience offers fans of all ages an immersive opportunity to step into the magical universe of witches, wizards and muggles
RIYADH: Harry Potter: A Riyadh Season Adventure is one of the many enthralling and enchanting experiences on offer at Riyadh Season this year.
The pop-up experience, brought to life by Warner Bros., offers fans of all ages an immersive opportunity to step into the magical universe of witches, wizards and muggles.
Set in the vibrant Boulevard City, the area is designed to showcase some of the most iconic locations from the beloved film series, such as Hogwarts and others.
Interactive technology plays a significant role in the experience. Guests can take part in a Great Hall Sorting Experience, where they find out which Hogwarts house they belong to, and engage in Quidditch activities, as well as practice their Quaffle skills on the pitch.
There is also a zone where visitors can try wands and cast magical words they learned from the film series, like “Expecto Patronum.”
For those looking to take a piece of the magic home, the Wizarding World Shops offer exclusive merchandise, ranging from wands to house scarves, and the Three Broomsticks Food Hall offers refreshing drinks, cupcakes and other desserts.
Costumes are a big part of the fun experience, and there is a dedicated area for shopping, ensuring that everyone can find the perfect outfit to enhance their visit.
Maram Al-Ruwaili, a passionate fan dressed as a Slytherin, shared her excitement: “I’ve been a Potterhead since 2003. Now at 31, I still consider myself a big fan. I’ve tried one Harry Potter experience before, but not in Saudi Arabia.
“This time, sitting in the Great Hall, surrounded by sound effects from the films, made it feel like we were true Hogwarts students. The atmosphere, especially with the Dementors and Christmas sounds, was magical.”
The event has attracted a diverse crowd, including international visitors.
Nanditha Krishnakumar, an enthusiastic attendee from India, expressed her love for the experience: “I’ve adored Harry Potter since childhood, and this is truly amazing. It feels so lifelike and brings my dreams to life. I love Slytherin; it might seem like an evil house, but it’s one of my favorites. I can’t wait to see what else is in store.”
Aisleen de Asis, a nurse who has lived in Saudi Arabia for almost a decade, shared her perspective: “Harry Potter is a significant part of my childhood. I heard about this experience from friends and colleagues who enjoyed it, and I had to check it out myself. Being here brings back so many nostalgic memories.”
The Harry Potter experience at Riyadh Season also celebrates community and shared passion.
Fans from various backgrounds are coming together to relive the magic of their childhood, creating connections through their love for the series.
The excitement is palpable, as visitors share their stories, dress up as their favorite characters, and take part in the interactive activities that bring the magic of the books and films to life.
Whether you are a longtime fan or new to the series, the magical experience is not to be missed.
Misk Foundation celebrates NGO graduates
RIYADH: The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, also known as Misk, celebrated the graduation of the fourth cohort of the Misk Initiatives Incubator and Impact Accelerator programs at a ceremony held recently at Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City in Riyadh.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha and Misk Foundation CEO Badr Al-Badr, along with representatives of government agencies, NGOs and donors, attended the ceremony.
During the event, 11 youth initiatives were transformed into nonprofit organizations with the support of the Misk Initiatives Incubator program. Four NGOs were empowered through the Impact Accelerator program, contributing to achieving the objectives of the nonprofit sector and enhancing the role of young people in development.
Fifteen NGOs took part in the two programs, benefiting 177 people. They were provided with more than 2,000 hours of mentorship and financial grants exceeding SR7 million ($1.86 million) to support the implementation of projects serving young people. The ceremony also featured inspiring success stories, highlighting future projects aimed at amplifying social impact.
Saudi defense minister and Lebanese army chief review military and defense relations
- Prince Khalid bin Salman and Gen. Joseph Aoun discuss latest developments in Lebanon and how the Kingdom can support efforts to protect the security and stability of the country
RIYADH: Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s minister of defense held talks with Gen. Joseph Aoun, commander of the Lebanese army, in Riyadh on Thursday.
They reviewed military and defense relations between their countries and discussed the latest developments in Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Before setting off for the Kingdom, Aoun said the talks would focus on ways to enhance cooperation between the Saudi and Lebanese armed forces, and ways in which the Kingdom can support efforts to protect the security and stability of Lebanon.
Prince Yazid bin Mohammed, an advisor to the Saudi foreign minister on Lebanese affairs, and Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif, director general of the defense minister’s office also attended the meeting, as did Gen. Imad Khreish, director of the Lebanese army commander’s office.
Discover Beyond Hail tour wraps up under governor’s patronage
HAIL: The Saudi Tourism Development Fund has concluded a campaign promoting travel in Hail, northwest Saudi Arabia.
The Discover Beyond Hail tour was held under the patronage and presence of Hail Gov. Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz.
Hail was the latest stop on the tour, which covered Asir, Al-Ahsa and Taif. The wider scheme is part of a nationwide effort to spotlight untapped investment opportunities across Saudi tourism destinations.
Prince Abdulaziz was briefed about the participating entities and their content. Mohammad Al-Romaizan, chief of staff and corporate governance officer at the TDF, delivered a speech on behalf of the fund’s CEO, Qusai Al-Fakhri, underlining the significance of enhancing tourism investments in Hail.
He said: “At the Tourism Development Fund, we are dedicated to empowering private sector projects in Hail by offering tailored financial and non-financial solutions that support and empower investments in the tourism sector in a sustainable manner.
“By showcasing Hail’s rich heritage and unique cultural identity, we aim to drive sustainable investments in tourism that contribute to the region’s economic development and create a vibrant future for its communities.”
The Discover Beyond Hail tour featured activities including panel discussions on advancing tourism development in Hail, success stories of transformative projects, and inspiring narratives shared by local influencers and content creators in the region.
An exhibition and interactive workshops offered valuable insights into tourism enablement programs and provided one-on-one consultations for investors and stakeholders willing to capitalize on the sector’s investment opportunities.
Why 2024 was a pivotal year for AI adoption and innovation in Saudi Arabia
- AI events and initiatives throughout the year have cemented the Kingdom’s place as a regional tech leader
- Thanks to new investments, Saudi Arabia now ranks 14th globally and 1st in the Arab world in the Global AI Index
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has enjoyed a fruitful year of events and initiatives intended to advance the adoption of artificial intelligence, propelling the Kingdom to the 14th position in the Global AI Index and 1st in the Arab world.
Recently, Saudi Arabia was also ranked third globally in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s AI Policy Observatory, behind the US and the UK. But how did the Kingdom rise to such heights?
The “State of AI in Saudi Arabia” report, unveiled by Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, the president of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, detailed the Kingdom’s advancements from 2019-23 during the Global AI Summit held in Riyadh in September.
The report provided a comprehensive overview of the Kingdom’s progress in AI, focusing on seven key pillars: regulations and policies, investment, infrastructure, data, talent development, research and innovation, and adoption.
It also highlighted the Saudi Data and AI Authority’s central role in driving the Kingdom’s digital transformation. According to SDAIA’s forecasts, AI is expected to contribute SR58.8 trillion ($15.6 trillion) to the global economy by 2030 and create 98 million jobs by 2025.
Mohammed Al-Qarni, an academic and consultant on AI for business, believes the rapid pace of the Kingdom’s AI adoption has come at “a critical time.”
“It is now or never,” Al-Qarni told Arab News. “Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambition to be a globally competitive nation means that we must proactively utilize the latest technology to our advantage.
“Think of AI as a means to diversify the economy, another Vision 2030 ambition, or to develop globally competitive citizens.
“How rapidly we advance in AI adoption will significantly impact these ambitions. That being said, I think there is a long way to go. As AI is still developing, we must be agile to shape its future, whether in governance and ethics, technical development, or its impact on human lives.”
Al-Qarni said the most impressive advancement in 2024 was the Riyadh Declaration, a document announced during the 19th session of the Internet Governance Forum, hosted by Saudi Arabia and organized by the UN.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the declaration focuses on AI with its inclusive, innovative, and impactful dimensions and emphasizes the need for using AI technologies to enable digital access, enhance digital knowledge, address global challenges, and unlock economic value.
Opinion
This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field)
“It asserts Saudi global leadership in AI and focuses on AI’s inclusive, innovative, and transformative potential,” said Al-Qarni.
“The Declaration highlights the importance of leveraging AI technologies to expand digital access, enhance digital literacy, tackle global challenges, and unlock significant economic value worldwide.”
He added: “Nations that embrace AI will win, and those who let fear of AI get the best of them will lose.
“Globally, the next few years will offer as much opportunity as risk. Saudi Arabia has shown that it would be in the first camp. I expect more investment in human capital and technology. I also expect regulations to mature over the next few years, and I hope those regulations will more effectively support AI innovation and adoption.”
The past 12 months have seen a flurry of AI investment activity. The Kingdom recently launched a $100 billion AI initiative, named “Project Transcendence,” to position itself as a global tech hub.
The project, led by the Public Investment Fund in collaboration with Google, aims to support local tech startups, create jobs, and collaborate with technology firms globally.
From fashion to sports, AI is already being utilized in almost every sector imaginable. The boxing rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in Riyadh on Dec. 21 featured an experimental fourth judge powered by AI, designed to help eliminate bias and human error in scoring.
Technology that supports good sportsmanship has also extended to the digital realm. FACEIT, a platform that uses Minerva, employs specialized AI technology to understand in-game actions and other non-text chat behaviors to improve multiplayer gaming experiences.
DID YOU KNOW?
• The Riyadh Declaration focused on AI’s transformative potential, enhancing digital access, literacy, and addressing global challenges.
• Project Transcendence is a $100 billion initiative led by Saudi Arabia and Google to support startups and create jobs.
• Saudi achievements in the health sector include the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh.
• Generative AI research at KAUST aims to pioneer innovation and address global challenges through training and upskilling.
Saudi Arabia’s health-tech sector is also undergoing a major transformation driven by AI, promising significant economic and operational benefits. A McKinsey & Co. analysis forecasts that by 2030, AI could unlock $15 to $27 billion in economic value for the Kingdom’s medical sector.
The Saudi health sector has made significant strides thanks to AI, such as the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant performed on a 16-year-old patient suffering from end-stage heart failure at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh.
A medical team led by Dr. Feras Khaliel, head of cardiac surgery and director of the Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery Program at KFSHRC, performed the operation after practicing the procedure virtually.
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has also joined the global AI race by accelerating generative AI research through models aligned with the Kingdom’s Research Development and Innovation Authority.
Its Center of Excellence on Generative AI (GenAI Coe) intends to become the premier hub for pioneering generative AI technology to address the most pressing challenges faced by the Kingdom and the world.
The GenAI CoE also intends to focus on making a positive impact through GenAI training and upskilling programs for KAUST researchers, partners, and the general public. Through these training outreach initiatives, the CoE hopes to address the shortage of GenAI talent in Saudi Arabia.
As the Kingdom enters 2025, it is well-positioned to continue its meteoric rise as an AI leader.
