Saudi Arabia urges citizens to register for SAMAI training initiative
Unprecedented initiative to provide AI training for one million Saudis
#SaudiArabia #training - Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has urged Saudi citizens to register for the national initiative to train one million Saudi citizens in artificial intelligence,. The "One Million Saudis in AI" (SAMAI) was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and launched at the Global AI Summit (GAIN) in September last year. SAMAI aims to build critical AI capabilities across the population to strengthen national competencies.
SO WHAT? - SAMAI represents the largest AI upskilling programme ever undertaken in Saudi Arabia and one of the largest training programmes of its kind worldwide. The plan to train such a substantial portion of its population in AI and related technologies, supports a wide range of AI education and training initiatives from SDAIA that have already trained nearly 800,000 people in data and AI. The government’s massive training and education effort will build competitive advantage for Saudi Arabia in the global digital economy.
Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has urged Saudi citizens to register for the "One Million Saudis in AI" (SAMAI), which aims to equip one million Saudi men and women with crucial AI knowledge and skills.
Launched during Riyadh's Global AI Summit (GAIN) in September 2024, the programme is positioned as a strategic intervention to develop human capital in AI technologies, applications, ethics, and practical tools for integrating AI into both business operations and daily life.
The initiative targets citizens across all age groups and professional backgrounds, reflecting a whole-of-society approach to AI adoption rather than focusing solely on technical specialists or certain industries.
Core objectives for SAMAI include:
Raising public awareness of artificial intelligence
Supporting lifelong learning opportunities in AI
Keeping up with labour market demands for AI skills
The timing aligns with global AI acceleration, as generative AI and other advanced applications transform industries worldwide, positioning Saudi Arabia to potentially leapfrog traditional technology adoption cycles and establish leadership in AI implementation.
By democratising access to AI knowledge, the initiative aims to empower citizens to participate in and shape a future increasingly driven by artificial intelligence technologies, rather than merely responding to changes as passive consumers.
The SAMAI initiative represents a historic investment in Saudi human capital.
ZOOM OUT - SAMAI builds upon SDAIA's impressive track record in AI education and training. According to the 2024 Vision 2030 report, the authority has already trained more than 779,000 citizens in data and AI, including 9,775 specialists, 260 scientists and experts, and 80 government leaders equipped to implement AI strategies. It has delivered technical training to over 590,000 young nationals through academic partnerships and engaged 260,000 students from 10,000 schools in its National Olympiad for Programming and AI (ATHKA). SDAIA’s wide variety of programmes addressing different education levels are building national AI capacity at an unprecedented scale.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
LINKS
SAMAI registration (SAMAI website)
Read more about education initiatives in Saudi Arabia:
SDAIA trains 779,000 in data & AI skills (Middle East AI News)
Saudi launches AI-powered National Skills Platform (Middle East AI News)
Tuwaiq Academy & Berkeley aim to equip CEOs for AI (Middle East AI News)
Aramco training over 6,000 AI developers (Middle East AI News)
Microsoft brings first Data Centre Academy to KSA (Middle East AI News)
SDAIA targets top potential AI talent (Middle East AI News)
Saudi to train 300,000 school students in AI (Middle East AI News)