Outer Edge Summit in Riyadh explores AI, digital futures

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Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)
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Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)
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Updated 24 April 2024
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Outer Edge Summit in Riyadh explores AI, digital futures

  • Experts highlight issues in data ownership and the revolutionary Web3

RIYADH: By owning our data, we will be empowered and safe, says Krista Kim at Outer Edge Innovation Summit on April 23 at The Garage in Riyadh.

Kim spoke in one of the summit’s panel discussions, titled “Web3 and AI for business and smart cities,” which included guest speakers Naif Al-Rabeah, director of Web3 and spatial reality portfolio at NEOM; Eric Pulier, founder & CEO at Vatom Corporation; and Kamal Youssefi, president at the Hashgraph Association.




Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)

The Korean Canadian artist has a goal to raise awareness of the importance of each person owning their data: “I believe that data is power. You need to allow people to be empowered by owning their own data and to give them a choice of what projects they want to be involved in.”

Kim highlighted that data ownership “is one of the greatest human rights issues in the 21st century.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Topics at the Outer Edge Innovation Summit in Riyadh include smart cities, gaming, esports, art, culture, and more.

• The panel discussion titled ‘Web3 and AI for business and smart cities’ included guest speaker Naif Al-Rabeah, the director of Web3 and spatial reality portfolio at NEOM.

• Last month, Krista Kim presented ‘Heart Space,’ the first collaborative generative AI biometric artwork in history, commissioned by Julius Baer at Art Dubai.

“Right now, in the Web2 system, our data is taken for free. The companies practice surveillance capitalism and they take your data and they monetize on your free data.”

Scott Lawin, CEO of Candy Digital, a gaming and fan engagement company focused on sports and entertainment, attended the summit to support Web3: “Web3 really gives people that opportunity to authenticate their data and share it in a selective way where necessary. And also benefit from the contribution of that data.”




Krista Kim, Contemporary artist

Lawin attended the panel discussion highlighting the importance of the harmony of web3 and smart cities. Web3 is a term used to describe an idea for the next stage of internet development, which incorporates concepts such as decentralization, blockchain technologies, and token-based economics.

"I’m really excited about the Kingdom’s push forward and support for Web3. And I wanted to come and sort of see it here at first hand and meet the community here."

(Data ownership) is one of the greatest human rights issues in the 21st century.

Krista Kim, Contemporary artist

“As it relates to smart cities, (they) are designed and built around data. And understanding how the personalization of that data can help improve citizens’ lives,” he explained. “But ownership of that data and giving each individual the ability to sort of turn on and turn off the way that data is utilized is also quite important. From a privacy perspective and just a self-determination perspective.”

Meanwhile, Kim hopes to raise awareness of the global issue through personal projects and artistic efforts.

Last month, she presented “Heart Space,” the first collaborative generative AI biometric artwork in history, commissioned by Julius Baer at Art Dubai.

Within the exhibition, visitors take their heartbeat measurements with an app that will create a heart signature to be used an artwork in the immersive space.

“So, you are contributing through your heartbeat to the experience of the artwork, and you have the opportunity to create the NFT of your heart signature on the app,” the artist explained. “This is a project that I'm creating for people to take the first step to create your heart signature and then from that first step, you can start the movement toward that privacy and identity on the chain.”

The line between real and fake is being blurred further, creating ramifications in various fields. “AI can now create fake articles and they can fake your identity ... in three years, AGI (artificial general intelligence) is going to automatically just create stories,” Kim said. “So, we need to differentiate between what is real and what is fake, and also what is made by a human being versus what is made by the machine.”

Technology can be used to its advantage. Blockchain provides a solution of creating verification for newspapers, journalists and online media outlets, Kim says.

Speaking about how it works, she added: “On-chain media is very important, so that you can see the verification of this story on the blockchain. To bring it a step further — biometrics. So, your heart signature that I spoke about, as a journalist, you can use your heart signature to sign your story online.”

Outer Edge Innovation Summit brought together some of the biggest names in the blockchain, AI, and gaming ecosystems from all over the world.

In partnership with Animoca Brands and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, the summit highlights advances in Web3 and the gaming ecosystem development in Saudi Arabia.

Topics at the summit will include smart cities, gaming, esports, art, culture, and more.

For more information about the Outer Edge Innovation Summit in Riyadh, visit outeredge.live/riyadh.

 

 


Saudi FM meets US envoy to discuss developments in Lebanon

Updated 06 January 2025
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Saudi FM meets US envoy to discuss developments in Lebanon

  • Explored collaborative efforts to address challenges facing Lebanese people and in broader region

RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Amos Hochstein, the US Special Envoy to Lebanon, on Sunday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Riyadh.

The meeting focused on regional issues, with particular attention given to the situation in Lebanon, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

Both sides exchanged views on recent developments and explored collaborative efforts to address the challenges facing the Lebanese people and the broader region, SPA added.

Also in attendance was Prince Yazid bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Farhan, advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Lebanese Affairs, who contributed to the discussions.


Saudi leadership offers condolences after death of Jordan’s Princess Majda

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 05 January 2025
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Saudi leadership offers condolences after death of Jordan’s Princess Majda

  • Princess Majda passed away in Amman on Jan. 3, the Royal Hashemite Court said
  • Swedish-born princess was born Margaretha Inga Elisabeth Lind and became known as Princess Majda after her marriage.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of condolences to the king of Jordan after the passing of Princess Majda Raad, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Jordan’s King Abdullah attended the funeral of Princess Majda, the wife of Prince Raad bin Zeid, at the Royal Cemetery on Friday, The Jordan Times reported.

Princess Majda passed away in Amman on Jan. 3, the Royal Hashemite Court said. The Swedish-born princess was born Margaretha Inga Elisabeth Lind and became known as Princess Majda after her marriage.


New community initiative brings Saudi artisans together for ‘Year of Handicrafts’

Updated 05 January 2025
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New community initiative brings Saudi artisans together for ‘Year of Handicrafts’

  • Workshops held for aspiring artisans and crafters
  • Events will be held throughout the year

RIYADH: The Royal Institute for Traditional Arts launched a new community initiative on Saturday with a packed day of workshops and discussions with inspiring figures in the handicrafts field.

As 2025 kicks off with the Ministry of Culture labeling it the “Year of Handicrafts,” TRITA aims to bring a sense of camaraderie to artisans and aspiring crafters with its “Wrth Community,” which will host several events through the year.  

The Royal Institute for Traditional Arts will bring a sense of camaraderie to artisans and aspiring crafters with Wrth Community. (AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)

Nermeen Al-Naimi, an artisan at TRITA, told Arab News: “Today, the community of Wrth started, so that’s very good for artisans because we are looking for somewhere we can belong.

“Wrth is the place we belong now with this community, it’s more like a second house for us because we exchange experiences, we exchange techniques and tools and stuff like that. It’s a growing kind of family, so we’re happy that they made this step today, and we’re grateful.”

The Royal Institute for Traditional Arts will bring a sense of camaraderie to artisans and aspiring crafters with Wrth Community.
(AN photos by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)

The six-hour event brought artisans at various levels and from various crafts together for a day of engagement through workshops on traditional crafting with wood, metals, clay, and stones.

Silversmiths Ayat Dhahi and Revan Abdulsabour shared their expertise on sculpting and formation, from design to implementation, while others, such as sculptor Helwa Al-Atawi, shared success stories of turning a passion into a career.

Jewelry Designer Rughad Alhogail chimed in with her entrepreneurial experience of taking local crafts to international markets during a discussion. (Supplied)

Jewelry designer Rughad Al-Hogail weighed in with her entrepreneurial experience of taking local crafts to international markets.

Al-Naimi is an instructor for jewelry manufacture and design, but came to the inaugural Wrth event as a student, signing up for a wood-carving workshop that allows participants to identify the types of traditional engravings in the Najd region, and producing a wooden coaster using the technique with a copper inlay.

The six-hour event brought in artisans at various levels and crafts together for a day of engagement through workshops on traditional crafting with wood, metals, clay, and stones. (Supplied)

“I decided to go back to wood because I did clay before, and I did metals before, so I wanted to incorporate wood in my designs …

“It has metal in it, so, the experience was amazing because I use metal combined with wood, combined with a little bit of this technique.”

Workshops at the Wrth Community event explored traditional engraving modeling methods, their use in the manufacture of innovative products, and employing traditional engravings in contemporary arts. (AN Photo Abdulrhman Bin Shalhuob)

Other workshops explored traditional engraving methods, their use in the manufacture of innovative products, and employing traditional engravings in contemporary art.

Al-Naimi works as a personal branding consultant, and part of her job is to help individuals realize their hopes and connect with ways to energize themselves.

Workshops at the Wrth Community event explored traditional engraving modeling methods, their use in the manufacture of innovative products, and employing traditional engravings in contemporary arts. (AN Photo Abdulrhman Bin Shalhuob)

“One of the things that makes me happy is working with my hands. So working with metal, with wood, it’s all a stress relief. Plus you make something beautiful.”

Al-Naimi joined TRITA about two years ago, working with metals, but quickly found that it was more than just a space to create.

“Here at the Royal Institute, it’s support all the way — for the trainers, for the products; they have an online store now,” she said. Here students’ creations are up for sale at the physical location and online, creating profitable opportunities for aspiring and established artisans.

Wrth Community aims to lead the revival and development handicrafts, linking them to modern design and technology, enhancing the participation of institutions and the local community to highlight the importance of traditional arts in defining cultural identity, while also equipping people with ways to create traditional arts in today’s market.

Wrth Community provides opportunities for artisans to meet, exchange knowledge and enhance personal and professional skills with a focus on education, crafts, entrepreneurship, and dialogue sessions. By creating a supportive environment, TRITA hopes to stimulate talent and creative individuals to learn and practice traditional arts and crafts.

TRITA is a pioneering organization that highlights the national identity and enriches Saudi traditional arts locally and globally, promoting them and recognizing pioneers in the fields of traditional arts. This contributes to the preservation of traditional arts by supporting national capabilities and talents while encouraging those interested in learning, mastering and developing them.

 


KSrelief and UNHCR officials discuss enhanced humanitarian support in Syria

Updated 06 January 2025
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KSrelief and UNHCR officials discuss enhanced humanitarian support in Syria

  • An estimated 6.8 million Syrians remain displaced within the country, while more than 5.5 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries

DAMASCUS: Officials from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees met in Damascus on Sunday to discuss coordinated efforts to assist the Syrian people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting, focused on bolstering humanitarian and relief operations in the region, was attended by Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Harees, charge d’affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Syria.

During the discussions, UNHCR officials praised their strategic partnership with KSrelief, highlighting the importance of their joint initiatives to support refugees and displaced persons in Syria.

Both parties also reiterated their commitment to ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential resources and services to live with dignity.

The humanitarian crisis in Syria remains one of the most pressing in the world, especially after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in December of last year, following over a decade of civil war.

Assad’s ouster came after years of intensified international sanctions and a lightning offensive across key cities by opposition militias, culminating in his government’s collapse.

An estimated 6.8 million Syrians remain displaced within the country, while more than 5.5 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Turkiye, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Humanitarian organizations like KSrelief and UNHCR play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, providing essential aid such as food, shelter, and medical care.

In Syria, UNHCR has been a critical player in responding to the humanitarian crisis, assisting the millions of displaced Syrians and advocating for sustainable solutions to their plight. Its collaboration with partners such as KSrelief has been key to addressing the evolving needs of those affected by the conflict.

On Sunday, Fadi Al-Qasim, the Syrian Minister of Administrative Development in the transitional government, met with the KSrelief team in Damascus in the presence of Al-Harees.

During the meeting, they discussed strategies for delivering relief aid to support the Syrian people and civil society.

Al-Qasim expressed his gratitude to the KSrelief team for their generous assistance and praised the urgent humanitarian aid provided by Saudi Arabia to Syria. 


Saudi minister receives British ambassador to Riyadh

Updated 05 January 2025
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Saudi minister receives British ambassador to Riyadh

  • They discussed bilateral relations and various topics of common interest

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received UK Ambassador to the Kingdom Neil Crompton in Riyadh on Sunday.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and various topics of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Ahmed Farooq signed the condolence book honoring the life and legacy of former US President Jimmy Carter, the Embassy of Pakistan wrote on X on Sunday.