PwC Middle East and Microsoft launch an AI excellence center in Saudi Arabia

Artificial Intelligence will be a big game changer in the global economy. We have seen a global shift towards AI and advanced technologies in the Middle East. According to PwCm the Middle East is expected to accrue 2% of the total global benefits of AI in 2030. This is equivalent to 320 billion USD.

In absolute terms, the largest gains are expected to accrue to Saudi Arabia where AI is expected to contribute over 135.2 billion USD in 2030 to the economy. PwC and Microsoft are committed to developing local AI talent in Saudi Arabia with the launch of an artificial intelligence Centre of Excellence in Riyadh. Running every two months, each programme cohort will recruit top talent through partnerships with leading universities in the Kingdom. 

“Skilling the workforce to take advantage of cloud and AI technologies is crucial to unlocking the full potential of these transformative technologies, and we are proud to play a role in this important endeavour. Through our partnership with PwC Middle East and the launch of the AI Centre of Excellence in Riyadh, we aim to provide young Saudi engineers with the skills and tools they need to help drive innovation and economic growth in the Kingdom,” Turki Badhris, President, Microsoft Arabia adds.

The centre will serve as a unique platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative learning, engaging both local and global partners from the public and private sectors to expand expertise and perspectives.

“Our commitment to Saudi Vision 2030 and our future in technology is unwavering. We’re focused on building unparalleled AI engineering capabilities within Saudi Arabia. By investing in local talent, PwC is set to pioneer a new era of technological excellence that will not only serve the Kingdom but also the wider region. In partnership with Microsoft, we are proud to launch a platform that nurtures and develops next-generation AI talent, carefully selected from the Kingdom’s premier universities. This effort to enhance the skills of our talent pool underscores our dedication to maximising the benefits of AI technologies for Saudi Arabia. Such initiatives are designed to drive economic growth in key sectors and position the nation as a leader in knowledge and technological innovation,” Ali Hosseini, CTO at PwC Middle East says.