- Microsoft and PwC have partnered to establish an AI center of excellence in Saudi Arabia.
- The center focuses on training the local workforce in AI skills, including machine learning and cloud capabilities.
- Cohorts of engineers from leading universities will undergo training every two months.
- The initiative aims to nurture well-rounded professionals to meet the talent demands of AI companies.
- Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in AI, with a $40 billion fund to support local AI firms and chip manufacturing.
- Despite growth prospects, concerns persist about government repression impacting AI development in the region.
Main AI News:
In a concerted effort to propel the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), Microsoft and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have collaborated to inaugurate a center of excellence dedicated to bolstering the uptake of this transformative technology.
The establishment of this novel center, as highlighted by The CIO, underscores a pivotal focus on empowering the indigenous workforce with AI proficiencies to meet the escalating demand for machine learning specialists. With the recent inauguration of the AI center of excellence in Riyadh, Microsoft, and PwC Middle East are poised to impart tailored training to local engineers in structured cohorts every other month.
Competition for enrollment in these bi-monthly cohorts is fierce, predominantly drawing participants from prestigious local universities. Beyond the realms of AI instruction, the center will delve into the realms of burgeoning technologies, including cloud capabilities, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s overarching agenda of digitalization.
Microsoft Arabia President Turki Badhris emphasized, “Equipping the workforce with aptitudes in cloud and AI technologies is imperative in harnessing the full potential of these groundbreaking innovations, and we are honored to be instrumental in this significant undertaking.”
This collaborative learning approach, orchestrated in tandem with inputs from both the public and private sectors, aims to nurture well-rounded professionals poised to fill the burgeoning talent needs of AI enterprises.
The cadre of emerging AI experts fostered by the excellence center is earmarked to fortify Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning AI landscape. Notably, several indigenous enterprises have commenced operations within the Gulf nation, while multinational corporations are eyeing the Middle East for their expansion endeavors.
PwC Middle East CTO Ali Hosseini asserted, “By investing in indigenous talent, PwC is at the forefront of catalyzing a new epoch of technological prowess, benefitting not only the Kingdom but also the wider region. In collaboration with Microsoft, we take pride in launching a platform that nurtures and grooms next-generation AI talent meticulously selected from the Kingdom’s premier educational institutions.”
Harnessing Existing Foundations for Future Growth
The strategic foray of Microsoft and PwC into Saudi Arabia’s AI landscape is poised to amplify the existing infrastructure laid down by the nation. The Gulf nation is embarking on a trajectory towards a $40 billion AI investment fund via its Public Investment Fund, aimed at bolstering indigenous chip manufacturing and supporting the burgeoning local AI enterprises.
The recent high-profile procurement of Nvidia’s latest chip series underscores Saudi Arabia’s resolute commitment to steering the long-term trajectory of AI development within the Middle East. As Saudi firms gear up with sophisticated AI integration strategies, apprehensions regarding governmental constraints loom over the ambitious plans.
Conclusion:
The partnership between Microsoft and PwC to establish an AI excellence center in Saudi Arabia signals a strategic move to address the growing demand for AI skills in the region. With a focus on training local talent and exploring emerging technologies, this initiative is poised to bolster Saudi Arabia’s position in the global AI landscape, potentially attracting further investment and fostering innovation in the market.
