SDAIA trains 215 students from 28 universities
Programme aims to build national AI talent pool
#SaudiArabia #education — Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has begun training 215 students from 28 Saudi universities at its Riyadh headquarters, aiming to build skills in data, AI and advanced technologies. The programme, delivered through the SDAIA Academy, combines scientific training with practical experience across computer science, data science and AI. The training forms part of SDAIA’s national talent development efforts under Saudi Vision 2030.
SO WHAT? — This is one of many training programmes run by SDAIA Academy, which serve academia, public sector, private sector and government. It has a wide range of partnerships with universities and educational institutions across the Kingdom. This training aims to combine knowledge with practical experience outside of the university environment.
KEY POINTS;
Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has begun training 215 male and female students from 28 Saudi universities at its headquarters in Riyadh.
The training programme aims to build skills in data, AI and advanced technologies, combined with practical work experience.
Training is delivered through SDAIA Academy, combining scientific knowledge with practical application across computer science, data science and AI.
Participants will contribute to high-impact projects and initiatives, gaining exposure to best practices and advanced technologies used within SDAIA.
The programme is built on partnerships between SDAIA and universities and educational institutions across Saudi Arabia, aimed at aligning academic outcomes with labour market needs.
SDAIA said the initiative supports national efforts to build a generation of skilled data and AI professionals capable of strengthening the Kingdom’s competitiveness.
The programme is positioned as a contribution to Saudi Arabia’s Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026, translating the designation into practical training outcomes.
ZOOM OUT — SDAIA's announced a National Cross-Disciplinary Curriculum in February, making data and AI training mandatory for every undergraduate at Saudi universities, regardless of discipline. Unveiled at the International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building (ICAN 2026), the curriculum extends AI literacy beyond computer science departments into fields such as healthcare, engineering and business. SDAIA initially signed partnership agreements with 14 public and private universities, including King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University and Alfaisal University, to deliver courses and build long-term collaboration.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Source: SPA, MEAIN
Read more about SDAIA education and training initiatives:
SDAIA launches national data and AI university curriculum (Middle East AI News)
Saudi Arabia launches SAMAI 2 workforce AI initiative (Middle East AI News)
SAMAI trains over one million Saudis in AI (Middle East AI News)
Saudi Arabia launches AI school curriculum (Middle East AI News)
Saudi to deploy nationwide AI education in schools (Middle East AI News)