More than 3,900 people benefited from the AI Week programs held from August 9 to 13, coinciding with the AI Year 2026. The event involved over 40 entities from the government, private, and educational sectors.
According to SPA, the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) organized the event in collaboration with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) as part of the Business Weeks series. The program included 17 exhibitors, six main sessions, and 78 entrepreneurial meetings.
Activities took place at business support centers in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, and Madinah. Other locations included the Work Corner innovation center in Asir through the Asir Region Development Authority, Road 30 in Jazan via the Social Development Bank, the Qassim Chamber of Commerce, and the Al Baha region.
The initiative aimed to increase awareness among entrepreneurs and SME owners regarding AI applications to develop products and services, increase business productivity, and strengthen competitiveness. SDAIA participated by hosting a session on supporting AI investment led by Hisham Al-Shaddi, Director General of the Investment Department at SDAIA, and providing a booth for digital data and AI solutions and specialized consultations.
Raed Al-Fayez, Deputy Governor for the Technology Sector at the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, discussed the importance of adopting AI and cloud computing in business. He stated that linking technology to actual value and return should lead to increased productivity and operational efficiency, noting that cloud solutions accelerate business activities without requiring integrated infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who participated in the AI Week event and how many people benefited? More than 40 entities from the government, private, and educational sectors participated in the event. According to the report, over 3,900 individuals benefited from the various programs offered during the week.
Where were the AI Week activities held across the Kingdom? Programs were held in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, and Madinah. Additionally, activities took place at the Work Corner in Asir, Road 30 in Jazan, the Qassim Chamber of Commerce, and the Al Baha region.
What were the specific contributions of SDAIA during the event? SDAIA hosted a session on supporting AI investment featuring Hisham Al-Shaddi, Director General of the Investment Department. The authority also operated a booth providing specialized consultations and digital solutions in data and AI.
What were the main goals and outcomes of the AI Week programs? The event aimed to educate SME owners and entrepreneurs on using AI to improve productivity and competitiveness. It featured 17 exhibitors, six main sessions, and 78 entrepreneurial meetings to facilitate these goals.