King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) has successfully completed a training program for 27 students from 11 Saudi universities. The intensive eight-week program was designed to build expertise in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and virtual reality.
By the Numbers
The program is a key part of the Kingdom’s strategy to build a future-ready workforce:
- 27 Students: The number of university students who participated in the program.
- 11 Saudi Universities: The number of universities the students represented.
- 8 Weeks: The duration of the intensive training program.
- 20,000 Specialists: Saudi Arabia’s goal to train over 20,000 data and AI specialists by 2030.
From Theory to Practice: Innovative Student Projects
Over the eight-week period, participants developed specialized projects under the guidance of researchers and industry experts. The innovative projects included a virtual reality bike, remotely operated robotic arms, a navigation system for autonomous vehicles, an automated sign-language translator, and generative AI tools designed to support people with disabilities.
Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry
The program is part of KACST’s wider efforts to equip young Saudis with expertise in emerging technologies and prepare them for future research and innovation environments. It also seeks to bridge the gap between academic training and labor market needs, aligning with
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to build a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. This initiative complements the Kingdom’s plans to introduce a new AI curriculum for millions of students and to train over 20,000 data and AI specialists by 2030.
Source: Fast Company Middle East
