Pharmaceuticals and food sectors key focus of Saudi ministers’ Egypt trip

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the UAE have emerged as global hubs for artificial intelligence expertise, ranking among the world’s top 20 countries by talent density, a new survey showed.

According to the latest Global AI Competitiveness Index, issued as a collaboration between the International Finance Forum and Deep Knowledge Group, the Kingdom holds 0.7 percent of the global AI talent pool. In comparison, the UAE holds 0.4 percent, placing it ahead of countries like Russia and Italy.

This supports the nation’s National Strategy for Data and AI, which aims to place Saudi Arabia among the world’s top 15 in AI, the top 10 in the Open Data Index, and the top 20 for data and AI-related publications.

It also aligns with projections from PwC that AI will contribute $235.2 billion, around 12.4 percent, to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product by 2030.

“Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s strategic focus on AI, their significant investments in education, infrastructure, and innovation, and their ability to attract top talent and investments are setting the stage for a new era of growth in the region,” Dmitry Kaminskiy, general partner at Deep Knowledge Group, said in a press release.

“Both nations are making substantial strides toward becoming global AI leaders, with the UAE positioning itself as a major player in AI governance and technology, while Saudi Arabia is building a robust ecosystem for AI talent and applications,” Kaminskiy added.

The report further indicated that in a major milestone, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has joined the ranks of the top 150 universities worldwide for AI talent production, making it the highest-ranking institution in the Middle East as a whole.

It also showed that the Kingdom has committed $20 billion to partnerships with leading institutions, including Stanford University, to establish KAUST as home to one of the world’s top AI research labs. Complementing this, national initiatives such as the 10,000 Coders program are equipping young Saudis with advanced AI skills to build local talent and drive innovation.

As part of Saudi Vision 2030, AI is recognized as a key pillar of the Kingdom’s economic transformation. The strategy aims to position the nation among the world’s top 10 countries in AI research and implementation by 2030, while drawing in $20 billion in investments and generating 200,000 high-tech jobs.

The Kingdom created the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority to lead the country’s AI strategy. Key initiatives enjoy fast-track approvals, with decisions usually finalized within 30 days.

Sovereign wealth is also driving AI expansion, with the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund launching a $1.5 billion fund dedicated to AI investments.

The nation is also channeling substantial resources into initiatives like Neom, where over 30 percent of the $500 billion budget is allocated to AI infrastructure, redefining the future of smart cities.

RIYADH: Neom port has completed a trial of a new multimodal regional trade corridor linking Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iraq, cutting cargo transit times by more than half, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The pilot, conducted in partnership with the Logistics Partnership Council, demonstrated significantly faster delivery compared to traditional shipping routes.

The trial shipment originated in Cairo, Egypt, and traveled via Safaga Port across the Red Sea to Neom port. From there, it continued overland to Irbil in northern Iraq, covering more than 900 km.

The initiative brought together multiple government and regulatory bodies — including the Transport General Authority and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority — alongside private sector stakeholders such as shipowners, exporters, importers, export councils, and logistics firms.

The successful test comes as Neom port accelerates infrastructure upgrades and moves toward full automation. In June, it received Saudi Arabia’s first remote-controlled ship-to-shore and electric rubber-tyred Gantry cranes. Operated from ergonomic control rooms, the cranes mark a milestone in the development of Terminal 1.

A 900-meter quay wall has also been completed, and the port’s access channel has been deepened to 18.5 meters, enabling it to accommodate the world’s largest container ships.

As part of Neom’s workforce development strategy, the crane operations program includes training Saudi women in advanced technical roles.

According to SPA, the new trade corridor achieved high levels of operational efficiency across each stage of the journey, offering an integrated logistics solution that enhances competitiveness.

“This pilot project is a pivotal step in implementing a long-term vision to enhance Neom port’s role as a major logistics and maritime hub in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the agency stated.

Strategically located on the Red Sea and near the Arar border crossing — a key entry point into Iraq — Neom port aims to become a regional gateway connecting global trade routes and streamlining movement across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

The corridor project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objective of building a world-class logistics ecosystem by integrating ports, land crossings, and customs centers. It also presents a scalable model to strengthen domestic logistics connectivity and reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a central player in regional and international trade.