Monsha’at, SDAIA Close AI Week with 3,900 Participants

RIYADH — The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at), in partnership with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), has concluded the Artificial Intelligence Week, held from August 9 to 13 to coincide with the Year of AI 2026 in the Kingdom. The event, hosted at SME support centers in eight Saudi cities, brought together over 40 public, private, and educational entities, attracting more than 3,900 participants. The initiative showcased the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering innovation and digital transformation as part of Vision 2030.

Context and Background

The Artificial Intelligence Week is a key initiative under the Year of AI 2026, a national campaign led by SDAIA to promote AI adoption and awareness across Saudi Arabia. The event underscores the Kingdom’s strategic focus on becoming a global leader in AI, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and build a knowledge-based society. The participation of Monsha’at highlights the importance of empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with cutting-edge technologies to enhance their competitiveness and contribution to the national economy.

Key Details

The five-day event featured 17 exhibitors and six main sessions, providing a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange. A total of 78 entrepreneurial meetings were held, facilitating connections between startups, investors, and experts. The exhibitions and sessions covered a wide range of topics, including AI applications in business, data-driven decision-making, and the future of intelligent automation. The initiative was hosted at SME support centers in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Madinah, Aseer, Jizan, Qassim, and Al-Baha, ensuring broad regional access. The involvement of over 40 entities from the public, private, and educational sectors demonstrates the collaborative approach to advancing AI in the Kingdom.

Implications and Impact

The successful conclusion of the AI Week reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional hub for artificial intelligence. By engaging a diverse range of stakeholders, the event fostered a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly among SMEs. The focus on practical applications and entrepreneurial meetings is expected to accelerate the adoption of AI solutions in various sectors, boosting productivity and creating new economic opportunities. Moreover, the event contributed to building a skilled workforce and promoting digital literacy, which are critical for the Kingdom’s long-term development goals.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Artificial Intelligence Week exemplifies the Kingdom’s commitment to leveraging technology for economic growth and diversification. The initiative aligns with the Human Capability Development Program and the Digital Transformation agenda under Vision 2030, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of Saudi enterprises and improve the quality of life for all citizens. As Saudi Arabia continues its journey towards becoming a global leader in AI, events like this serve as building blocks for a thriving innovation ecosystem. The collaboration between Monsha’at and SDAIA underscores the strategic importance of AI in realizing the ambitious goals of Vision 2030, paving the way for a future powered by intelligent technologies.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Artificial Intelligence Week?

A1. The Artificial Intelligence Week is an event organized by Monsha’at and SDAIA to promote AI awareness and adoption, held from August 9 to 13 as part of the Year of AI 2026 in Saudi Arabia.

Q2. Who organized the Artificial Intelligence Week?

A2. The event was organized by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) in partnership with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA).

Q3. When was the Artificial Intelligence Week held?

A3. The Artificial Intelligence Week was held from August 9 to 13, 2026.

Q4. Why was the Artificial Intelligence Week organized?

A4. The event was organized to coincide with the Year of AI 2026, aiming to promote AI adoption and innovation among SMEs and the broader Saudi community.

Q5. Where did the Artificial Intelligence Week take place?

A5. The event was hosted at SME support centers in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Madinah, Aseer, Jizan, Qassim, and Al-Baha.

Q6. How many exhibitors participated in the Artificial Intelligence Week?

A6. The event featured 17 exhibitors showcasing AI solutions and innovations.

Q7. How many sessions were held during the event?

A7. Six main sessions were conducted, covering various AI-related topics.

Q8. How many entrepreneurial meetings took place?

A8. A total of 78 entrepreneurial meetings were held to facilitate networking and collaboration.

Q9. How many entities participated in the Artificial Intelligence Week?

A9. More than 40 public, private, and educational entities were involved in the event.

Q10. How many people benefited from the event?

A10. The initiative benefited over 3,900 individuals.

Q11. What is the role of Monsha’at in the event?

A11. Monsha’at, as the organizer, aimed to support SMEs by introducing them to AI technologies and opportunities.

Q12. What is the role of SDAIA in the event?

A12. SDAIA provided strategic guidance and expertise, emphasizing its mandate to drive AI adoption in Saudi Arabia.

Q13. What is the Year of AI 2026?

A13. The Year of AI 2026 is a national initiative in Saudi Arabia to promote artificial intelligence across all sectors, declared in line with Vision 2030.

Q14. How does the Artificial Intelligence Week support Vision 2030?

A14. The event supports Vision 2030 by fostering innovation, digital transformation, and the growth of a knowledge-based economy.

Q15. What topics were covered in the sessions?

A15. Sessions covered AI applications in business, data-driven decision-making, and the future of intelligence, among other relevant topics.

Q16. What types of entities participated?

A16. The event saw participation from public institutions, private companies, and educational organizations.

Q17. What were the main objectives of the event?

A17. The objectives were to raise awareness, enhance skills, and facilitate networking to accelerate AI adoption among SMEs.

Q18. How does the event impact Saudi SMEs?

A18. The event provides SMEs with new insights and connections to leverage AI for improving their operations and competitiveness.

Q19. What future initiatives might follow the AI Week?

A19. Future initiatives could include expanded training programs, more extensive collaborations, and increased support for AI-driven startups.

Q20. How can interested parties get involved in similar events?

A20. Interested parties can follow announcements from Monsha’at and SDAIA for upcoming events and participate in their programs to benefit from AI-driven opportunities.

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