Saudi Arabia and Microsoft Collaborate to Establish AI Center of Excellence

SDAIA and Microsoft to establish Center of Excellence to drive AI transformation and innovation

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and Microsoft today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their ongoing collaboration and advance innovation in the Kingdom's Generative AI sector. The agreement was formalized during the third edition of the Global AI Summit (GAIN 2024) being held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. The summit has brought together leading international experts and scientists in the field of technology. The MoU, signed by Dr. Yaser bin Mohammed Alonaizan, CEO of the National Center for AI (NCAI) at SDAIA, and Turki Badhris, President of Microsoft Arabia, aims to establish a comprehensive framework for collaboration between the two parties in several key areas. This includes the development of a joint Center of Excellence dedicated to accelerating innovation in the field of Generative AI, with a special focus on Arabic Large Language Models. The enhanced partnership will also see "ALLaM" - SDAIA's Arabic LLM - generally available on Microsoft Azure. The model, which was built and trained by SDAIA on Azure's robust and scalable infrastructure, will enable government institutions and businesses of all sizes to leverage the advanced capabilities of ALLaM to build their own Arabic AI applications to overcome challenges, optimize operations, enhance customer engagement, and accelerate digital transformation. Additionally, SDAIA has announced that "ALLaM" has achieved global recognition as the leading Arabic language model, as assessed by the Arabic MMLU, a prominent standard for Large Language Models. The partnership will also encompass the establishment of the Microsoft AI Academy in collaboration with the SDAIA Academy. This initiative aims to build national capacities in AI through various joint programs, including the Microsoft Azure Professional Certification Program, which will provide local talent with globally recognized certifications; and the Athka University Competition, in partnership with the Imagine Cup Competition, to encourage Saudi youth to participate in international competitions. These initiatives are integral to SDAIA's ongoing efforts to spearhead the development of the data and AI landscape in Saudi Arabia. They highlight SDAIA's commitment to developing competitive national capacities and reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a global leader in this field. About the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) is the competent authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for data and AI. SDAIA is also the national reference in all matters related to the data and AI ecosystem. It is mandated to regulate and promote the sector, enable innovation and capacity building, and operate national data and AI-related platforms and infrastructure. About Microsoft Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. For media enquiries, please contact: Rachel Dunn, Microsoft E : racheldunn@microsoft.com Christiane Salem, ProGlobal Media E: christiane.salem@proglobal.agency

SDAIA and Microsoft to Establish Center of Excellence to Drive AI Transformation and Innovation

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and Microsoft have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their ongoing collaboration and advance innovation in the Kingdom's Generative AI sector. The agreement was formalized during the third edition of the Global AI Summit (GAIN 2024) being held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. The summit has brought together leading international experts and scientists in the field of technology. The MoU, signed by Dr. Yaser bin Mohammed Alonaizan, CEO of the National Center for AI (NCAI) at SDAIA, and Turki Badhris, President of Microsoft Arabia, aims to establish a comprehensive framework for collaboration between the two parties in several key areas. This includes the development of a joint Center of Excellence dedicated to accelerating innovation in the field of Generative AI, with a special focus on Arabic Large Language Models. The enhanced partnership will also see "ALLaM" - SDAIA's Arabic LLM - generally available on Microsoft Azure. The model, which was built and trained by SDAIA on Azure's robust and scalable infrastructure, will enable government institutions and businesses of all sizes to leverage the advanced capabilities of ALLaM to build their own Arabic AI applications to overcome challenges, optimize operations, enhance customer engagement, and accelerate digital transformation. Additionally, SDAIA has announced that ALLaM has achieved global recognition as the leading Arabic language model, as assessed by the Arabic MMLU, a prominent standard for Large Language Models. The partnership will also encompass the establishment of the Microsoft AI Academy in collaboration with the SDAIA Academy. This initiative aims to build national capacities in AI through various joint programs, including the Microsoft Azure Professional Certification Program, which will provide local talent with globally recognized certifications; and the Athka University Competition, in partnership with the Imagine Cup Competition, to encourage Saudi youth to participate in international competitions. These initiatives are integral to SDAIA's ongoing efforts to spearhead the development of the data and AI landscape in Saudi Arabia. They highlight SDAIA's commitment to developing competitive national capacities and reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a global leader in this field. Media@GlobalAISummit.org Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2504058/SDAIA_Microsoft_Arabia.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sdaia-and-microsoft-to-establish-center-of-excellence-to-drive-ai-transformation-and-innovation-302246473.html SOURCE The Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Saudi Arabia: SDAIA, Microsoft to set up AI Center of Excellence

The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and Microsoft on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen their ongoing collaboration and advance innovation in the kingdom's Generative AI sector. The agreement was formalised during the third edition of the Global AI Summit (GAIN 2024) being held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. The summit has brought together leading international experts and scientists in the field of technology. The MoU, signed by Dr Yaser bin Mohammed Alonaizan, CEO of the National Center for AI (NCAI) at SDAIA, and Turki Badhris, President of Microsoft Arabia, aims to establish a comprehensive framework for collaboration between the two parties in several key areas. This includes the development of a joint Center of Excellence dedicated to accelerating innovation in the field of Generative AI, with a special focus on Arabic Large Language Models. The enhanced partnership will also see "ALLaM" - SDAIA's Arabic LLM - generally available on Microsoft Azure. The model, which was built and trained by SDAIA on Azure's robust and scalable infrastructure, will enable government institutions and businesses of all sizes to leverage the advanced capabilities of ALLaM to build their own Arabic AI applications to overcome challenges, optimise operations, enhance customer engagement, and accelerate digital transformation. Additionally, SDAIA has announced that "ALLaM" has achieved global recognition as the leading Arabic language model, as assessed by the Arabic MMLU, a prominent standard for Large Language Models. The partnership will also encompass the establishment of the Microsoft AI Academy in collaboration with the SDAIA Academy. This initiative aims to build national capacities in AI through various joint programs, including the Microsoft Azure Professional Certification Program, which will provide local talent with globally recognized certifications; and the Athka University Competition, in partnership with the Imagine Cup Competition, to encourage Saudi youth to participate in international competitions. These initiatives are integral to SDAIA's ongoing efforts to spearhead the development of the data and AI landscape in Saudi Arabia. They highlight SDAIA's commitment to developing competitive national capacities and reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a global leader in this field. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

SDAIA and Microsoft announce general availability of "ALLaM" on Microsoft Azure

This initiative is designed to enhance Arabic-language AI services and drive innovation within the field across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and globally. The announcement was made during the third edition of the Global AI Summit (GAIN 2024) in Riyadh Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and Microsoft today announced that "ALLaM" - an Arabic Large Language Model - will now be generally available on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. This initiative is designed to enhance Arabic-language AI services and drive innovation within the field across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and globally. The announcement was made during the third edition of the Global AI Summit (GAIN 2024) in Riyadh. SDAIA also revealed that "ALLaM" secured first place in its category, according to the Arabic MMLU standard tests for Arabic-language models. Developed within the National Center for AI, a subsidiary of SDAIA, the language model was built and trained on Microsoft Azure's robust and scalable infrastructure. The decision to have "ALLaM" generally available on Azure underscores the model's advanced capabilities in understanding, generating, and processing Arabic content across various disciplines. The move not only highlights the versatility of the model, but also strengthens the Kingdom's position as a global hub for cutting-edge AI technology development and innovation. Commenting on this strategic milestone, Dr. Mishari Al Mishari, Deputy Director of SDAIA said: "ALLaM represents a significant milestone in our journey towards AI excellence. With the general availability on Azure, we are not only expanding access to this powerful language model and advancing AI innovation, but also ensuring that the Arabic language and culture are deeply embedded in this technological evolution. Our collaboration with Microsoft marks a significant step forward in our journey to empower government institutions in The Kingdom to effectively leverage the latest advancements in Generative AI to enhance public services and improve the quality of life for all." Turki Badhris, President of Microsoft Arabia, said that this is a landmark moment in the region's AI transformation journey and is testament to SDAIA and Microsoft's commitment to enabling individuals from all walks of life, as well as startups, SMEs, NGOs, and businesses across all industries to explore and unlock the full potential of Generative AI. "We are thrilled to be working alongside our partners at SDAIA to provide a robust platform that supports the development and deployment of advanced AI models tailored to the Arabic language and culture. Together, we are paving the way for a new era of AI advancements, collaboration and empowerment in The Kingdom and beyond." The announcement is part of a broader collaboration between SDAIA and Microsoft in the field of AI, as revealed at the Global AI Summit. The enhanced collaboration includes the establishment of a Center of Excellence to accelerate the development of Generative AI solutions; and the launch of the Microsoft AI Academy, aimed at building national talent and expanding expertise in the AI sector. About the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) is the competent authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for data and AI. SDAIA is also the national reference in all matters related to the data and AI ecosystem. It is mandated to regulate and promote the sector, enable innovation and capacity building, and operate national data and AI-related platforms and infrastructure. About Microsoft Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. For media enquiries, please contact: Rachel Dunn, Microsoft E : racheldunn@microsoft.com Christiane Salem, ProGlobal Media E: christiane.salem@proglobal.agency

Saudi: SDAIA signs MoU with IBM for AI Centre of Excellence

The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with IBM to potentially establish an AI Centre of Excellence in Saudi Arabia. The MoU was signed during the third edition of the Global AI Summit (GAIN) at the King Abdulaziz International Convention Center in Riyadh, between Dr Yaser bin Mohammed Alonaizan, CEO of the National Center for AI (NCAI) under SDAIA, and Fahad Alanazi, General Manager and Technology Leader of IBM Saudi Arabia. The centre will focus on advancing AI technologies, with an emphasis on developing innovative applications that align with the needs of government entities while adhering to the highest global standards and governance frameworks. The collaboration also includes the launch of the ALLaM Challenge aimed at fostering innovation by developing and enhancing large language models (LLMs) in the Arabic language through a "science" model. The collaboration is intended to facilitate the exchange of expertise and the strengthening of national capacities, contributing to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by building a knowledge-based society and solidifying the Kingdom's position as a global leader in advanced technologies such as AI. This collaboration comes as part of SDAIA's broader initiative to position its "ALLaM" model as the leading Arabic generative AI model on global platforms, particularly within its category, according to the standard Arabic MMLU assessment. This model will significantly empower developers and users of AI solutions and technologies related to the Arabic language both within the Kingdom and globally. Previously, SDAIA and IBM announced the hosting of the "ALLaM" model on the "Watsonx" platform and the government cloud "DEEM." Through this initiative, stakeholders may gain access to advanced and distinctive services, with the goal of contributing to the region's technological innovation and growth. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).