A total of 334,000 Saudi citizens have now completed artificial intelligence (AI) training under a national initiative launched by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority ( SDAIA ), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
The “One Million Saudis in AI” program, launched in September 2024, aims to equip citizens across all age groups and professional backgrounds with essential AI knowledge and skills. The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader digital transformation strategy to prepare its workforce for the future.
Speaking during the Non-Profit Sector Forum in Education and Training 2025, held in Riyadh on July 2, SDAIA President Abdullah Alghamdi highlighted the major milestones achieved so far. He emphasised the significance of inter-agency cooperation in enhancing Saudi Arabia’s global position in AI empowerment, particularly in promoting women’s participation and raising community awareness.
Among the key outcomes of the program is the SAMAI initiative, launched at the Global AI Summit, which provides customised AI learning paths for a diverse audience.
SDAIA also introduced the “Road to ATHKA” initiative, which trained more than 570,000 students on foundational AI concepts. This was complemented by the “Future Intelligence Programmers” program, which targeted educators, training over 10,000 teachers in AI instruction.
Another major achievement was the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence (ATHKA), which saw the participation of more than 260,000 students from intermediate and secondary schools. Of those, 10,000 advanced to the final stage of the competition.
To further strengthen AI integration into education, SDAIA and the Ministry of Education jointly established the Centre for Excellence in Education. The centre is focused on institutionalising AI-based learning, sustaining future-ready academic initiatives, and improving student outcomes through smart technologies.
The program continues to serve as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, aiming to boost digital literacy, foster innovation, and build a tech-enabled knowledge economy.
The “One Million Saudis in AI” program, launched in September 2024, aims to equip citizens across all age groups and professional backgrounds with essential AI knowledge and skills. The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader digital transformation strategy to prepare its workforce for the future.
Speaking during the Non-Profit Sector Forum in Education and Training 2025, held in Riyadh on July 2, SDAIA President Abdullah Alghamdi highlighted the major milestones achieved so far. He emphasised the significance of inter-agency cooperation in enhancing Saudi Arabia’s global position in AI empowerment, particularly in promoting women’s participation and raising community awareness.
Among the key outcomes of the program is the SAMAI initiative, launched at the Global AI Summit, which provides customised AI learning paths for a diverse audience.
SDAIA also introduced the “Road to ATHKA” initiative, which trained more than 570,000 students on foundational AI concepts. This was complemented by the “Future Intelligence Programmers” program, which targeted educators, training over 10,000 teachers in AI instruction.
Another major achievement was the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence (ATHKA), which saw the participation of more than 260,000 students from intermediate and secondary schools. Of those, 10,000 advanced to the final stage of the competition.
To further strengthen AI integration into education, SDAIA and the Ministry of Education jointly established the Centre for Excellence in Education. The centre is focused on institutionalising AI-based learning, sustaining future-ready academic initiatives, and improving student outcomes through smart technologies.
The program continues to serve as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, aiming to boost digital literacy, foster innovation, and build a tech-enabled knowledge economy.
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