The Saudi capital, Riyadh, hosted the “Microsoft Global AI Tour,” which highlighted the rapid developments witnessed by the Kingdom in the field of adopting cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies in various sectors, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 .
The event witnessed the participation of software developers, innovators and business leaders, in addition to senior Microsoft executives, including Charles Lamanna, Executive Vice President of Copilot Business at Microsoft; Jessica Hook, Executive Vice President of Data, AI, Digital Applications and Product Marketing at Microsoft; and Vasu Jakkal, Executive Vice President of Cybersecurity at Microsoft.
During his meeting with business leaders and government entities, Charles Lamanna, Executive Vice President of Copilot Business at Microsoft, praised the remarkable acceleration in the digital transformation process in the Kingdom, as institutions have witnessed remarkable progress in adopting advanced artificial intelligence and cloud computing technologies from Microsoft in recent months. He explained that these technologies have contributed to the development of smart applications that enhance the efficiency of operational processes, improve decision-making, and support sustainable growth. He pointed out that artificial intelligence has become a pivotal element in many sectors, starting from automating operations in the manufacturing sector, improving supply chains in the retail sector, and enhancing customer experience in the banking sector, which reflects the increasing positive impact of these technologies in various fields .
Lamana stressed that institutions in the public and private sectors in the Kingdom are making exceptional progress in adopting artificial intelligence and cloud computing technologies, which contributes to developing industries, enhancing productivity, and creating new economic opportunities. On the sidelines of the event, he explained that Saudi Arabia’s commitment to adopting cloud computing as a fundamental pillar of its digital transformation paves the way for qualitative achievements, and expressed his happiness at seeing the great development witnessed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia .
A key factor contributing to this rapid progress is the establishment of Microsoft’s new datacenter region in Saudi Arabia, which represents a milestone in the Kingdom’s digital transformation journey. This advanced datacenter region will provide high-level performance and enterprise reliability, while adhering to the highest standards of data privacy, security, and hosting within the Kingdom. With the infrastructure for the three Azure Availability Regions complete and expected to be operational by 2026, this step underscores Microsoft’s commitment to supporting innovation, agility, and growth in the Kingdom .
In this regard, Turki Badris, President of Microsoft Arabia, said: “Microsoft confirms its commitment to accelerating the adoption of AI technologies in Saudi Arabia. As institutions in the Kingdom rely on AI technologies to achieve higher operational efficiency and enhance innovation, we continue to provide the latest technological solutions and global expertise to support the digital transformation and development of Saudi Arabia. By building an integrated AI system, we enable companies, government agencies and developers to optimally invest in the capabilities of AI, which contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. ”
During a dialogue session with Lamana, His Excellency Eng. Haitham Al-Ohali, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology, praised the collaborative efforts between the two parties in advancing the transformation process of artificial intelligence in the Kingdom. His Excellency said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is leading a global revolution in the field of artificial intelligence, where the power of partnerships and innovation is evident in achieving sustainable growth and promoting societal progress. Microsoft’s partnership with Saudi institutions is the cornerstone of our journey to establish the Kingdom’s position as a leading global center for technology and innovation . ”
Lamana also met with senior leaders from prominent organizations in key sectors in Saudi Arabia, who have been able to harness AI technologies to achieve a tangible impact on their businesses: –
- Obeikan Investment Group , a leader in digital transformation, has successfully harnessed Azure OpenAI and IoT technologies to transform its manufacturing operations. By implementing the smart factory platform in 22 manufacturing facilities, Obeikan was able to increase operational equipment efficiency by 30 % , increase labor productivity by 1.5 times, reduce costs by 30%, and significantly reduce industrial waste and energy consumption. The company was also able to reduce downtime in its facilities . These developments reflect the power of artificial intelligence in enhancing sustainability and operational excellence .
- Saudi Telecom Company ( STC ), the leading telecommunications company in the Kingdom, has partnered with Microsoft to develop the “ STC AI Marketplace ” platform, an integrated set of applications powered by artificial intelligence based on “ Azure OpenAI ” services. These applications aim to enhance the customer experience, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce costs. For example, these smart solutions enable sales teams to improve their interactions with customers by providing them with accurate and immediate information, which contributes to increasing sales and reducing call duration.
- Jemt, an innovative Saudi startup, has leveraged Azure OpenAI technology to develop AI-powered games that aim to enhance children’s cognitive skills, such as focus, memory, logical thinking, auditory and visual perception, as well as social skills. These games are scientifically designed to help all school students, including those with learning challenges. Jemt also leverages Microsoft Azure services to develop AI-powered smart platforms that provide personalized learning experiences for students, instant analytical feedback on their progress, and individualized training goals. Jemt is the first Saudi startup to access the Azure Marketplace , reflecting its leading position in the field of technical innovation .
- Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden), the largest mining company in the Middle East, adopted Microsoft 365 Copilot to help its employees reduce time spent on administrative tasks and focus instead on strategic field tasks. Over a six-month period, employees were able to significantly boost their productivity, saving an average of 27 minutes per day in unnecessary meetings, 14 minutes searching for and summarizing documents, and 18 minutes creating high-quality content. With this technology, employees were able to save more than 2,000 working hours per month . Additionally, by relying on Azure machine learning and the Internet of Things, Maaden was able to reduce its energy consumption by 20 % .
- Diriyah, the birthplace of the first Saudi state and home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, has partnered with Microsoft to transform it into a leading global tourism destination, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and its ambitions to boost the tourism sector. Through the Copilot Studio platform , Diriyah has developed an innovative tool called the CXQA AI Assistant , an artificial intelligence assistant that enables employees to enhance the visitor experience by analyzing visitor data to extract important insights, provide personalized offers that meet tourists’ needs, and manage high-pressure on-site situations with flexibility and smoothness. By adopting an integrated digital approach, Diriyah is cementing its position as a leading developer in the Kingdom, with a focus on achieving operational excellence .
Microsoft’s AI Roadshow in Riyadh, sponsored by STC as the main sponsor , reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting the digital transformation journey in Saudi Arabia, as its partnership with the Kingdom extends for more than 25 years. The event highlights the vast potential of AI to reshape sectors, empower talent, and contribute to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, in addition to establishing a new phase of innovation and technological cooperation in the Kingdom .
The pulse of the event – Ahmed bin Abdul Qader
