In a significant push to bolster its position as a leading technological hub, Saudi Arabia has engaged in strategic discussions with top-tier tech corporations, including Microsoft and IBM, with the intent to broaden their respective footprints in the Kingdom across various tech domains.
The conversations took place against the backdrop of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and involved the Kingdom’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Al-Swaha, as well as his deputy, Haytham Al-Ohali. The executives of Amazon, Alibaba Group, and NAXGRP also participated in these crucial dialogues, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
With Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, Minister Al-Swaha explored the enhancement of investment opportunities in generative AI, cloud computing, and entrepreneurial support. Additionally, the development of the country’s homegrown talent was a focal point of their exchange.
Correspondingly, Al-Swaha’s deliberation with IBM’s CEO, Arvind Krishna, recapped the collaboration and advancements achieved in projects centered around generative AI, big data, and digital skills enhancement. They also delved into the realms of deep tech innovation and research.
Amazon’s leader, Adam Selipsky, and the Saudi minister considered potential partnerships to bolster the digital economy’s growth within the region. They also investigated ways to hasten the adoption of innovative business models and the application of generative AI technologies.
Al-Ohali’s engagement with Alibaba Group’s Michael Evans centered on accelerating the development of national expertise and boosting investment through enhanced collaboration in cloud computing and e-commerce solutions. In a similar vein, Al-Ohali’s meeting with NAX Group’s Jeff Schumacher focused on the prospects for digital entrepreneurship and innovation within the digital economy.
These high-level meetings are in line with the minister’s previous statement to the Saudi Press Agency on January 15, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to cultivating a dialogue on creating a thriving digital future for all through investments in tech and AI-centric economies. The minister also highlighted that the Kingdom’s technology market is currently valued at over $43 billion, indicating a ripe climate for digital transformation and economic growth.