In a significant move to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s artificial intelligence capabilities, SenseTime MEA, a joint venture with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has signed a strategic agreement with King Saud University (KSU) to establish a joint AI Innovation Center. The new center will serve as a core platform for developing AI use cases and fostering advanced research across multiple critical sectors in the Kingdom.
Powering AI Ambitions with Supercomputing Infrastructure
A cornerstone of this partnership is SenseTime MEA’s commitment to building a dedicated GPU cluster. This high-performance computing infrastructure will provide the immense processing power required to support the AI Innovation Center’s activities. Beyond the university, the GPU cluster will also be available to clients and stakeholders to scale AI initiatives in key areas such as health, energy, entertainment, logistics, smart cities, and environmental monitoring.
Bridging Academia and Industry for Talent Development
The collaboration with King Saud University is strategically focused on integrating AI into the heart of the academic experience. The initiative aims to enhance teaching and learning through intelligent course design, AI-assisted instruction, and post-class analytics. A key objective is to connect students and researchers with live, sector-aligned projects, providing them with practical experience and preparing them for high-impact careers in the AI-driven economy.
George Huang, CEO of SenseTime MEA, commented on the partnership, “The joint AI Innovation Center is a platform for the Kingdom’s transformative growth, offering a wide breadth of cross-sector use cases that convert research into impactful outcomes. We are pleased to begin this deployment with King Saud University, where the Center will strengthen teaching and research and connect students to live projects.”
He added, “Supported by SenseTime MEA’s GPU cluster and supercomputing capabilities, we will raise productivity, accelerate discovery, and provide new digital solutions across multiple sectors, contributing to Vision 2030 through stronger local competitiveness and meaningful improvements in daily life.”
Prof. Nasser Al-Daghri, Vice President for Educational Academic Affairs of King Saud University, emphasized the academic benefits. “King Saud University is committed to elevating teaching quality, accelerating research, and preparing our students for high-impact careers. By combining SenseTime MEA’s AI capabilities with our academic strengths, this joint AI Innovation Center will embed AI into everyday practice, from designing smarter courses, conducting faster and more rigorous research, and giving our students the best opportunities that turn potential into leadership.”
About SenseTime MEA
SenseTime MEA is a joint venture established in Riyadh in 2022 between the Hong Kong-based SenseTime Group and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The company is at the forefront of AI innovation in the region, with a mission to help position Saudi Arabia as a leading technology hub. SenseTime MEA is focused on nurturing local talent, fostering technological advancements, and delivering world-class AI solutions across sectors including smart cities, education, and entertainment to drive the Kingdom’s digital transformation.
Source: Zawya
