Finalists announced in contest that combines artificial intelligence and art

More than 2,000 people from more than 50 countries — including artists, graphic designers, experts in artificial intelligence, and programmers — applied for the AI Artathon competition. (AI Artathon)
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Updated 20 October 2020
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Finalists announced in contest that combines artificial intelligence and art

  • More than 2,000 people from 50 countries entered the AI Artathon, organized by the Saudi Data and AI Authority

RIYADH: The finalists have been announced for the AI Artathon, a first-of-its kind international event designed to highlight the creative potential for humans and machines to work together to create art.

More than 2,000 people from more than 50 countries — including artists, graphic designers, experts in artificial intelligence, and programmers — applied for the competition, which was organized by the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) as part of the Global AI Summit.

After a qualifying round in Riyadh in January during which the participants competed to create initial AI-based artworks, 300 of them were selected to progress to the next stage. They formed 20 teams that took part in a boot camp, during which they were taught by experts to use in their work machine-learning algorithms and generative adversarial networks (a framework for machine learning in which two neural networks compete against each other).

The 10 teams that have reached the final were announced on Tuesday during a live-streamed online event that showcased the artworks created by the teams using AI tools and techniques. The top three, who will share a $133,000 prize fund, will be announced on Oct. 22, the second and final day of the Global AI Summit.

The online event will bring together key decision-makers from government, academia, business and technology to discuss global issues and challenges, and the ways in which AI can benefit humanity and shape the new normal.

“SDAIA is proud of these high-quality artworks created by the finalists of the AI Artathon,” said Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, president of SDAIA and chairman of the organizing committee of the Global AI Summit. “I am very pleased to see artists and AI developers collaborating to utilize the capabilities of advanced AI to create these innovative artworks, despite the novel coronavirus pandemic. I look forward to announcing the final winners during the Global AI Summit.”

The final 10 teams competing for the top prizes are:

Saudi Picasso

The idea for their artwork came from the question ‘what if Picasso had been Saudi?’ The team created a database of works by Picasso and Saudi artists that the AI technology used to create an artwork highlighting the depth, richness and diversity of Saudi art.

Emergent Typographies

In an effort to reflect the beauty of the nature in the Kingdom, the artists used geographic and topographic images, along with existing lines and shapes, to train the AI to combine them and create a digital artwork based on new patterns and inspirations.

Maruem — The Chimera Ant Queen

Inspired by popular manga and anime series “Hunter x Hunter,” and in particular characters called Chimera Ants, this project combines digital graffiti with other artworks and concepts to create a unique new piece that traces the development of a Chimera Ant from single cell to birth.

AI Authentic Clay

The development of personality is usually the result of accumulation of knowledge, including, for example, awareness of culture, religion and civilization. The members of this team decided to express their deep feelings about the authenticity of their culture, presenting an experience that combines and reorganizes shapes and patterns through the use of AI.

Esoteric & Energetic “Heya”

Words can have a number of meanings, energies and inspirations. For example, “heya,” which translates as “she” in English, can have many meanings: “she” might be a daughter, a sister, a mother, a hard worker, or many other things. This artwork is inspired by the energy, feelings and strength conveyed by “heya.” The team collected selfies of diverse women and drawings reflecting the word “she,” and AI technology was used to analyze and link them to create a new digital work of art.

The Beauty of Belonging

Architecture is a fundamental characteristic of any cultural production that enhances the sense of belonging, so this artwork aims to shed light on the richness and variety of architecture in Saudi culture. Different architectural styles and patterns are combined and integrated using AI algorithms to produce an artwork with a new color and style, creating an abstract visual experience.

Museum of GANs

What if we could depict the emotional states and impressions of a character based on portraits? And what if we could create new artworks based on differing emotional states? This work tries to answer these questions by collecting and classifying a large number of well-known portraits according to their emotional states and impressions, which the machine used to create the artwork.

Machine Mythology

As humans, when we read a text there are always intertextualities and associations to perceptions, figures and so on in our minds. To create this artwork, the team developed a model that enables the machine to read these associations using AI. A random text generator was used to create stories that are used to transform the textual into the visual.

Ultimate Pattern

Different architectural shapes and styles have developed over time in the Arab world that are used in buildings, mosques and other landmarks to create characteristics unique to Arab art. The team combined many different patterns to develop a single aesthetic pattern that offers the best comprehensive picture. Patterns were processed using deep convolutional generative adversarial networks, which classified, connected, developed and redrew shapes the machine used to create a new work of art.

Novel2Art

What distinguishes digital art created using AI is its limitless capabilities to recognize and translate human creativity. Taking the novel as a crucial element of literary creativity, this work is the result of an attempt to inspire the computer to create art by reading a novel using linguistic programming, extracting its concepts, and then transforming those concepts into photos and shapes.


Project management forum highlights AI’s growing impact on industry

Updated 19 May 2025
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Project management forum highlights AI’s growing impact on industry

  • Ali Al-Khabouri: AI will help the project managers to predict some of these situations that can happen based on the existing information and historical patterns
  • Al-Khabouri: AI tools will evolve in a way that they will provide us the information that we need to depend on for making decisions

RIYADH: Industry leaders and innovators discussed the role of artificial intelligence in advancing project management during the final day of the Global Project Management Forum in Riyadh on Monday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, which has Arab News as a media partner, Ali Al-Khabouri, co-founder of Matrix Oman, told Arab News that AI is playing an increasingly important role in supporting decision-making in project management.

“AI will help the project managers to predict some of the information, predict some of these situations that can happen based on the existing information and historical patterns,” he said.

Al-Khabouri also discussed the importance of defining a clear strategy for AI adoption, adding that organizations should evaluate whether adopting AI is a value-adding step or simply a response to market trends.

During a panel discussion titled “The Future of Project Management: Leadership, Innovation and Strategic Integration of People, Process and Technology,” Marko Golob, head of IT PMO at SIJ d.d., highlighted the need for education in project management.

“We have a gap of 30 million project (managers) in the board in the next 10 years — 30 million. It’s a lot.”

Al-Khabouri highlighted the evolving role of artificial intelligence in improving decision-making within project environments.

He said: “AI tools will evolve in a way that they will provide us the information that we need to depend on for making decisions.”

He added that while the essence of decision-making remains constant, the tools, processes and organizational mindset supporting it are evolving in response to technological advancement.

Imad Al-Sadeq, transformation delivery partner at EY MENA, discussed the growing concern of over-reliance on artificial intelligence in project management.

“The risk here (is) that some people, including project managers, will over rely on (AI). Some people will mistrust the human side for the sake of AI,” he said.

Al-Sadeq added that this trend is already emerging in some settings, and he highlighted the need to strike a balance between technology and human insight.

“We still need to keep the human at center, keep the trust with the human judgment. Otherwise, we are not only calling for best effect, but we are calling only for best practice or previous work. And this is a big difference,” he added.


Jazan’s craft revival supports heritage goals

Some 30 artisans are enrolled on a year-long program focused on qa’aid making, taqiyah weaving, and seashell crafts. (SPA)
Updated 19 May 2025
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Jazan’s craft revival supports heritage goals

  • The program aims to revive qa’aid making, once used to create beds and chairs in traditional Jazan homes
  • Trainers teach palm frond binding methods and encourage innovative designs suitable for today’s markets

RIYADH: The Artisans House in Jazan is helping to preserve traditional handicrafts that have declined in recent years in the face of modern technology.

This effort, to help contribute to the region’s cultural heritage, supports the Heritage Commission’s goal of developing Saudi artisans’ skills while promoting the aesthetic and authentic qualities of local crafts through training, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Some 30 artisans are enrolled on a year-long program focused on qa’aid making, taqiyah weaving, and seashell crafts, reconnecting with regional traditions.

Guided by specialized trainers, participants learn traditional techniques and explore modern design adaptations, the SPA added.

The program aims to revive qa’aid making, once used to create beds and chairs in traditional Jazan homes. Trainers teach palm frond binding methods and encourage innovative designs suitable for today’s markets.

Trainees in taqiyah weaving use white thread for traditional knitted caps.

Artisans also work with seashells to make bracelets, necklaces, ornaments, bags, and sculptures inspired by marine themes.

The Artisans House provides local youngsters with hands-on experience in heritage crafts, serving as a center for cultural education and training.

The initiative supports knowledge transfer to future generations and aligns with the Year of Handicrafts 2025, which aims to preserve and promote Saudi Arabia’s craft traditions.


Tokyo governor to attend top women’s summit in Riyadh

Updated 19 May 2025
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Tokyo governor to attend top women’s summit in Riyadh

  • Yuriko Koike will discuss role of women in public leadership positions
  • Fortune Magazine’s conference features outstanding female leaders from Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies

TOKYO: Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike will attend Fortune magazine’s Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh on May 20 and 21.

Koike, who will be in the country until May 23, will speak at the closing main-stage session and also participate in a panel discussion titled “Leadership: Women in Public Service.”

The theme of the conference this year is “A New Era for Business: Partnering for Global Prosperity.”

Koike will discuss the role of female leaders in the public sector and talk about Tokyo’s advanced initiatives for female leaders and government officials.

She will also have discussions with representatives of local government agencies, and conduct site visits to pursue collaboration on ways to develop city governance.

Fortune Magazine’s conference features outstanding female leaders from Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies, as well as from sectors including government, philanthropy, education, sports, and the arts.


Saudi Arabia condemns escalation of Israeli military operations in Gaza

Updated 19 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns escalation of Israeli military operations in Gaza

  • The Kingdom said Israel's actions contradict the will of the international community, violate human rights law and United Nations charters

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday strongly condemned the Israeli military’s intensified operations in both northern and southern Gaza, denouncing what it described as an expansion of the occupation of large parts of the territory.

In an official statement, the Kingdom said the actions “contradict the will of the international community, violate human rights law and United Nations charters, and obstruct efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.”

The ministry renewed Saudi Arabia’s firm denunciation of all ground operations conducted by Israeli forces, warning that such actions threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians and further aggravate the already dire humanitarian conditions in the besieged enclave.

The statement also cautioned against the continuation of “flagrant and unjustified violations,” emphasizing that they constitute a breach of international law and a direct assault on the rights of the Palestinian people.


Technology to improve accessibility of Qur’an studies highlighted at competition

Updated 19 May 2025
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Technology to improve accessibility of Qur’an studies highlighted at competition

  • App allows deaf and mute people to recite the Qur’an using sign language
  • Prizewinning technology offers emotional support from Islamic scripture and modern psychology

JEDDAH: A competition to promote Islamic values and new technologies to make Qur’an studies more accessible to those with disabilities was held in Jeddah on Sunday.

The closing ceremony of the 16th edition of the Jeddah University Qur’an Competition for the Hijri year 1446 AH was held under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, the governor of Jeddah.

More than 1,000 students took part in the competition, which featured five components: memorization and recitation; people with disabilities; technological challenges in Qur’anic services; Qur’anic calligraphy; and a photography competition.

Winners and participating institutions were honored by Prince Saud at the end of the ceremony.

Ibrahim Shaheen from Egypt took first place in the visually impaired category and received an SR7,000 ($1,866) cash prize. The 17-year-old memorized the entire Qur’an since the age of 12, using braille to study the holy book.

He told Arab News: “I spent four years memorizing the Qur’an starting at the age of nine,” he said. “Reciting the five parts for the competition was very easy and smooth, and I generally review the entire Qur’an every two weeks.”

Safaa Habeeb Allah, head of the judging committee for the technology challenge, said the competition was “a wonderful opportunity for students from various universities and schools to contribute to serving the Qur’an.”

The winner of the SR20,000 technology challenge was the Wijdan app  which provides users with emotional support by using a combination of resources from Islamic scripture and modern psychology.

The app was developed by Radwa Ammar Abdel-Moaty, Suad Anis Al-Saadi, and Gharam Khalil Al-Sharabi, all from Jeddah University.

Abdel-Moaty told Arab News that the inspiration for the app came after noticing similarities between modern psychological theories and passages in the Qur’an.

“This observation was the seed for the Wijdan project, the team combined the Qur’an and psychology using artificial intelligence, and the app mainly consists of two components: the psychological link and the emotion library,” Abdel-Moaty explained.

“The psychological link is an interactive chatbot that engages with the user, identifies emotions and responds based on the Qur’an and Sunnah. The emotion library acts as an index of human emotions mentioned in both the Qur’an and Sunnah.”

Abdel-Moaty added: “We used several technologies. First, we applied text and sentiment analysis using NLP (Natural Language Processing) in the interactive chatbot.

“We also developed smart emotion dictionaries and a reminder system that tracks your recurring emotions — whether sadness or joy — and offers advice and guidance accordingly.”

The app also has text-to-speech technology to make it accessible to those with disabilities, and includes AI-generated illustrations for children.

Another aspect of the competition focused on technologies to help people with disabilities to learn the Qur’an.

The section winner was “Talaa — With Every Sign, a Verse is Recited,” a project that allows deaf and mute people to recite the Qur’an by using sign language.

It was created by Obay Rayan Ghulam and Aseel Ahmed Al-Hammadi from Jeddah University, who received a cash prize of SR10,000.

Obay told Arab News: “The inspiration for the project came from learning that the deaf and mute make up approximately 3.4 percent of the global population — around 55 million Muslims.

“Though the percentage may seem small, the number is enormous. Despite this, there are very few specialized resources or experts catering to their needs.”

Obay continued: “The core idea is to give this segment of the community the same independence everyone else enjoys — the ability to recite anytime, anywhere, without needing an interpreter or teacher. All they need is sign language and a device.

“They can see whether their sign is correct and whether they’ve recited the verse accurately, then move to the next one. There’s also a page where they can learn the Qur’an by reading the verses, memorizing them, and then reciting again.

“We used the Madinah Qur’an as our source, which shows the Qur’anic text in Arabic script with sign language letters above. For this, we used deep learning and computer vision techniques, particularly the YOLO (you only look once) model.”