The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology signed today, Friday a memorandum of understanding with IBM, a leading digital technology company, to upskill 100,000 young Saudis over five years. Under this MoU, IBM aims to implement eight innovative initiatives under future definitive terms to bolster the Kingdom's position as a hub of technology and innovation in the Middle East and North Africa region. The agreement was signed during the American president's visit to Saudi Arabia and was signed by the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Partnerships, Mr. Issam Al-Thukair, and Mr. Fahad Alanazi, General Manager, IBM Saudi Arabia, in the presence of H.E. Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Mr. Jonathan Adashek, IBM's Chief Marketing and Communications Officer & Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Mr. Saad Toma, General Manager, IBM Middle East, and Ms. Dina Abo-Onoq, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting Saudi Arabia. Mr. Issam Al-Thukair, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Partnerships, affirmed that the memorandum with IBM is an activation of the Ministry's efforts towards establishing a supportive and enabling digital environment for the theme "Connected today, innovative tomorrow", and enabling investment opportunities provided by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Within the framework to be established, IBM will provide training and development programs for up to 100,000 Saudis over five years, which will boost the Kingdom's leadership, with the Kingdom holding the ninth position globally in digital capabilities, according to the World Economic Forum. The MoU's initiatives will encompass artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity and joint research, innovation accelerators, a policy laboratory, and IBM's cloud and open technology centers for software interoperability. "Our collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology will help identify, co-create, and co-develop innovative applications to provide the Kingdom with access to advanced technology aligned to its Saudi Vision 2030 objectives. Our programs also reinforce IBM's commitment to developing future skills of the Kingdom in critical areas where the use of technologies is fundamental," said Mr. Fahad Alanazi, General Manager, IBM Saudi Arabia. The number of artificial intelligence projects expected to be implemented within entities operating in the public sector will reach approximately 66 projects. The memorandum aims, within five years, to hold 100 workshops with government agencies based on the "Design Thinking" methodology, and train 600 public sector employees in the accelerator established. The two sides will also work together to conduct many joint research and studies over the years of the memorandum's period to promote the digital transformation process, accelerate the growth of the digital economy, and consolidate the Kingdom's position as the largest digital economy in MENA with the highest concentration of digital capabilities in the region.
