\n\tALKHOBAR: A Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology national program to certify 100,000 citizens in artificial intelligence and data skills is \u201ccrucial\u201d in reinforcing the country\u2019s position as a leader in AI, said a ministry official.<\/p>\n
\n\tRun in partnership with the software development company Incorta, it is one of the largest training efforts of its kind in the region and a major step toward the Kingdom\u2019s Vision 2030 goals.<\/p>\n
\n\tA wider aim of the Kingdom\u2019s upskilling strategy is to train 1 million Saudis in AI, a goal outlined by the Saudi Data and AI Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe MCIT also launched the Mostaqbali program to train an additional 50,000 Saudis in AI, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.<\/p>\n
\n\tSpeaking to Arab News, Osama El-Kady, CEO and co-founder of Incorta, said the initiative is focused on preparing Saudis for the future.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cWe are grateful for the immense support from the MCIT on this initiative. While the new generation is highly adept with current AI technology, our program is designed to look beyond what is already happening in the industry,\u201d El-Kady said.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cWe will focus on preparing participants for what lies ahead by providing them with practical applications of AI.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cOur goal is to empower employees across ministries, government entities, and private companies to harness data effectively, and make informed, data-driven decisions to ultimately contribute to the growth of the Kingdom and Vision 2030,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe program, unveiled at Incorta\u2019s No Limits 2025 event in Riyadh, will be delivered through the National eLearning Center. It is designed to prepare students, professionals, and executives with applied AI and data skills that strengthen the Kingdom\u2019s competitiveness across critical sectors.<\/p>\n
\n\tSafa Al-Rashed, acting deputy minister for capabilities and future work at MCIT, said in a statement that the program reflects a long-term commitment to inclusive growth.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cEquipping our citizens, especially our youth and women, with future-ready AI and data skills is crucial.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cBy certifying 100,000 individuals, we are upskilling a workforce, building a new foundation for sustainable growth and reinforcing Saudi Arabia\u2019s position as a global leader in AI.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tNew details shared exclusively with Arab News reveal that the program will not only certify tens of thousands of Saudis but also build a pipeline of work-ready professionals through a phased rollout.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe first official cohort is set to launch in early 2026, bringing together a select group of 50 to 75 participants.<\/p>\n
\n\tThese will include top-performing university students and early-career professionals, each gaining hands-on experience through projects drawn directly from Incorta and industry partners.<\/p>\n
\n\tStandout participants will earn certifications, internships, and even potential full-time roles.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cThis approach ensures that the program is not just theoretical, but that it is shaping a new generation of work-ready AI and data professionals,\u201d El-Kady said.<\/p>\n
\n\tAccording to the company, the rollout covers three areas: future talent, workforce skills and career development, and executive readiness.<\/p>\n
\n\tUniversity pilots and live industry challenges will begin as early as the fourth quarter of 2025, laying the groundwork for the first cohort in 2026.<\/p>\n
\n\tSummer internships will provide 100 placements over five years at Incorta\u2019s US offices, giving Saudi students direct exposure to applied AI and data projects.<\/p>\n
\n\tAt the same time, Vision 2030 Hackathons will launch in early 2026, enabling participants to tackle national priorities such as renewable energy optimization, trade resilience and industrial efficiency.<\/p>\n
\n\tWorkforce upskilling is already underway nationwide through online certifications, with tracks such as Foundations of Data for AI, Champions of Data, and the AI Masterclass. These will expand steadily through 2026.<\/p>\n
\n\tFor executives, multi-day leadership programs and roundtables delivered in partnership with global names such as Gartner, Wipro and Google are scheduled to begin mid-2026, giving senior leaders frameworks to translate AI strategies into measurable business outcomes.<\/p>\n
\n\tIncorta confirmed that several milestones have already been reached.<\/p>\n
\n\tNoha Rizk, chief marketing officer at Incorta, described the importance of the program: \u201cThis program will serve as a global model for how nations can proactively build a people-centered, AI-powered future.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tHer remarks reflect a wider Gulf trend where digital transformation strategies are being framed around people rather than technology alone.<\/p>\n
\n\tSurveys show more than 80 percent of employees in Saudi Arabia and the UAE view AI with optimism, compared to skepticism in many Western economies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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