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)
Short Url
Updated 20 October 2020
Follow

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.


How green journalism in Saudi Arabia can grow stronger roots

Updated 14 sec ago
Follow

How green journalism in Saudi Arabia can grow stronger roots

  • Experts call for closer media-academia bonds to boost impact of environmental journalism as Saudi Arabia ramps up sustainability efforts
  • Reporters need more support, ranging from AI tools and training and expert access to explain complex climate and sustainability issues

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s accelerated sustainability drive under its Vision 2030 plan puts environmental journalism at a critical juncture. While coverage of science and environmental issues is expanding, experts say that oversimplification, lack of specialist training, and weak collaboration between journalists and scientists are holding back high-quality reporting.

Some Saudi media outlets are praised for scientific accuracy, but others often prioritize speed over substance, resulting in fragmented or sensationalized coverage. This inconsistency, experts say, limits public understanding of urgent environmental issues.

Academic and industry leaders in the Kingdom agree that tackling these shortcomings requires institutional investment, the establishment of specialized news units, and the adoption of advanced tools such as data analysis powered by artificial intelligence.

“One of the key challenges facing environmental journalists in Saudi Arabia is striking a precise balance between simplifying complex scientific information for a general audience and preserving its accuracy and scientific integrity,” said Talal Al-Shathry, an expert in environmental journalism.

He told Arab News that while some Saudi outlets have improved accuracy and objectivity through rigorous reporting, others continue to downplay or oversimplify key topics.

This trend, he added, often stems from a focus on speed and breaking news at the expense of deeper analysis.

To improve the quality and credibility of coverage, Al-Shathry emphasized the need for journalistic integrity. He said reporters must “avoid bias” by relying on credible, diverse sources, maintaining transparency throughout the reporting process, and disclosing potential conflicts of interest.

He also underscored the importance of specialized training in science and environmental journalism to help reporters handle the complexity of the topics. Without this training, he warned, journalists may unintentionally compromise the accuracy of the information they present.

Despite current challenges, Al-Shathry, an assistant professor at King Saud University’s Journalism and Mass Communication Department, noted recent improvements. “Saudi media has taken encouraging steps toward increasing its focus on environmental issues,” he said.

However, he urged greater emphasis on in-depth analysis, accurate scientific communication, and public engagement around sustainability. These efforts, he said, should be backed by more investment in training and resources.

To that end, Al-Shathry proposed several initiatives to strengthen ties between academia and the media, including workshops, joint conferences, and digital platforms that help journalists connect with environmental experts.

He also called for major media organizations to establish dedicated investigative teams focused on environmental issues. These units, he said, could deliver in-depth reporting, expose violations, and hold accountable those responsible for environmental harm.

Echoing these concerns, Mutlaq Al-Mutairi, supervisor of the Dr. Ibrahim Al-Muhanna chair for energy and specialized media, emphasized the role academic institutions must play in supporting this growing field.

According to him, university research chairs are designed to support specialized studies that align with national development goals, including environmental protection. “Environmental journalism is increasingly gaining prominence as a vital discipline, owing to its close connections with various sectors,” he told Arab News.

Still, Al-Mutairi acknowledged the gap between universities and the authorities meant to act on their findings. The issue, he said, is not a lack of research but a reluctance among institutions to engage in structured academic partnerships, with many opting to work with individual experts instead.

He cited several success stories that demonstrate the potential of stronger, institution-based collaboration and noted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to deepen international academic partnerships. But he cautioned that such collaborations must be effectively implemented to yield real-world benefits.

“Rather than allowing the media market to reshape academic training,” Al-Mutairi said, “educational institutions should shape the media landscape through their expertise and focus on specialization.”

Building on this theme, Sattam Fahad Al-Mojil, associate professor of environmental engineering at King Saud University, pointed to the way scientific content is often framed as a major obstacle.

He told Arab News that technical or globalized language too often fails to connect with people’s everyday concerns — such as health, clean water, or food security — reducing both awareness and engagement.

“Covering environmental issues isn’t easy — and for many journalists, it’s a constant uphill battle,” Al-Mojil said. “The complexity of scientific information makes it difficult to communicate without losing meaning, and most reporters receive little to no training in environmental journalism.”

“The lack of reliable sources and limited access to data or experts compounds the issue. Weak institutional interest in environmental topics means fewer resources and minimal editorial support,” he added.

Despite these barriers, Al-Mojil believes journalists can still make a meaningful impact. By taking a constructive tone and offering solutions alongside problems, reporting can help turn public anxiety into awareness — and, eventually, action.

He said that academics and experts are essential allies, helping to simplify complex concepts, interpret technical data and ensure accuracy. However, collaboration is limited due to institutional disconnects, different working styles and the pressures of the news cycle.

“Despite the importance of this collaboration, it remains limited due to weak institutional communication, differing approaches, and the time pressure journalists often face,” he said.

To bridge the gap, Al-Mojil proposed regular communication channels between media and academia. Joint initiatives — such as training sessions, workshops, and expert databases — could greatly improve the quality and impact of reporting.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Eco-journalism highlights climate change, conservation and sustainability to raise awareness and drive action.

• Environmental reporters face challenges in simplifying complex topics and engaging audiences.

• Eco-journalists use tools like interactive maps and multimedia to simplify complex issues and engage audiences.

Adding to the call for innovation, Farah Al-Gharib, founder and president of Precision & Choice Environmental Solutions, acknowledged recent progress but said current efforts remain inadequate in the face of climate change and other accelerating threats.

“Media coverage of environmental issues is often reactive rather than proactive,” she told Arab News. “This reality underscores the urgent need for greater investment in environmental journalism to keep pace with mounting challenges.”

Al-Gharib also highlighted the potential of technology to support sustainability. “Integrating smart systems is critical to advancing environmental sustainability,” she said. “By leveraging AI and modern technologies, we can classify facilities by environmental impact and use advanced data to support sustainable decision-making.”

Looking ahead, she said she expects environmental journalism in Saudi Arabia to become more specialized, data-driven and influential.

She described the field as a critical bridge between science and the public. “Its strength lies in transforming difficult concepts into clear, actionable information that empowers people to act,” Al-Gharib said.

Her company contributes to this mission by providing transparent data and maintaining open communication with journalists. “Effective communication between the media and the environmental sector is not a choice — it’s a necessity for building a greener tomorrow,” she said.
 

 


Thai festival brings eruption of color and music to Riyadh

A glimpse of the cultural dance performance at the Thai Festival in Riyadh on Thursday. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
Updated 16 min 54 sec ago
Follow

Thai festival brings eruption of color and music to Riyadh

  • Event is a celebration of the strong and growing friendship between our countries and our people, says Thailand’s envoy

RIYADH: The Thai Festival in the Cultural Palace in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter celebrates both Thailand’s rich culture and its blossoming friendship with Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh was chosen as one of six flagship cities around the world to hold the festival, alongside Washington DC, Beijing, New Delhi, Hanoi, and Paris.

The cutting of the ribbon marks the inauguration of the Thai Festival in one of six flagship cities, Riyadh. (Photo by Huda Bashattah)

At a press conference prior to the festival, which is open to the public May 2 and 3, Thailand’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Darm Boontham said: “This is a proud moment for us and a great opportunity to share the rich tradition and modern creativity of Thailand with our Saudi friends.”

The festival comes at a significant time, three years since the normalization of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

HIGHLIGHTS

• This year’s theme is ‘The Pulse of Tradition, The Pulse of Tomorrow,’ reflecting Thailand’s pride in its culture and its commitment to innovation and creativity.

• The ministers of culture for Thailand and Saudi Arabia — Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol and Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al-Saud — attended the event.

“This event is a celebration of the strong and growing friendship between our countries and our people,” Boontham continued.

Booths showcasing Thai products and services at the Thai Festival at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh. (Photo by Huda Bashattah)

This year’s theme is “The Pulse of Tradition, The Pulse of Tomorrow,” reflecting Thailand’s pride in its culture and its commitment to innovation and creativity.

The festival features several exhibitions of Thai products and services, including handicrafts from local communities in Thailand, live demonstrations, health and wellness products, eco-tourism, and Thai cuisine.

Muythai demonstration at the Thai Festival in Riyadh. (Photo by Huda Bashattah)

It also includes a live cooking show by a celebrity Thai chef, screenings of several beloved Thai movies followed by Q&A sessions, a musical and cultural performance, a Muay Thai boxing demonstration, a fashion show by Thai designers, and a Khon performance.

Khon, a traditional masked dramatic art that features music and dance as well as ritual, literary, and handicraft components, is included on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Boontham said.

Booths showcasing Thai products and services at the Thai Festival at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh. (Photo by Huda Bashattah)

“We invite everyone, Saudi nationals, residents and all friends of Thailand to join us for this unique celebration, to enjoy the science of sound and taste of Thailand and to continue building a warm and lasting friendship between our two great nations.”

The festival was organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Saudi Arabia in partnership with Thailand’s private and public sectors, including Thai supply chain company SGC International’s Riyadh division, with the support of Saudi and Thai private companies.

Fashion show by Thai Designers at the Thai Festival in Riyadh. (Photo by Huda Bashattah)

The ministers of culture for Thailand and Saudi Arabia — Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol and Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al-Saud — attended the event.

The objective of the festival goes beyond tourism, the ambassador said, it is intended to promote everything Thailand can offer in terms of creative economy, innovation, and how Thailand can tap into Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s green initiative.

Thai minister of culture Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol speaks at the Thai Festival in Riyadh. (Photo by Huda Bashattah)

Boontham also confirmed plans to create Thai AirAsia X, a new low-cost airline from Thailand that should operate flights from Riyadh to Bangkok “very soon,” he said.

According to Boontham, the largest developing areas of cooperation between the two nations are economy, trade, and investment.

Thai ambassador to Saudi Arabia Darm Boontham inaugurates the Thai Festival at the Cultural Palace. (Photo by Huda Bashattah)

Over the last three years, the volume of trade has increased by an average of 25 percent and the ambassador is confident that “all the necessary mechanisms” are in place to support further growth.

In 2024, trade reached a value of $8.8 billion and the hope is that in two years that number will reach $10 billion, he added.

Booths showcasing Thai products and services at the Thai Festival at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh. (Photo by Huda Bashattah)

Boontham cited SGC International, a Thai company known for construction materials that is now expanding into petrochemicals, food, and food processing as a sign of promising investment in Saudi Arabia.

Technology sharing, in areas including green consumption technology, is “quite prevalent” and shows promise, he added.

Interactive booths showing live demonstarions of handicraft at the Thai Festival in Riyadh. (Photo by Huda Bashattah)

Tourism is another large area of cooperation. Last year, around 230,000 Saudi tourists visited Thailand, and 13,000 Thai tourists visited Saudi Arabia; both numbers are expected to grow in coming years, the ambassador noted.

According to Boontham, “many Thai students” are coming to pursue their studies in Saudi as well, and Thailand is working hard to encourage more Saudis to study in Thailand.

In hospitality education, especially, “Thailand has a lot to offer Saudi students,” Boontham said. In 2024, 50 individuals from Saudi Arabia went to train in Thai hotels and institutions.

 


Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union to discuss peace, security

Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh, speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council. (SPA)
Updated 17 min 25 sec ago
Follow

Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union to discuss peace, security

  • Speaker of Saudi Shoura Council will head the Kingdom’s delegation in Algeria

RIYADH: Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh, speaker of the Saudi Shoura Council, will head the Kingdom’s delegation taking part in the meetings of the 38th Congress of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union on May 3-4.

The conference will take place in Algeria, with the presence and participation of heads of councils and parliaments from Arab countries.

In a press statement, Al-Sheikh affirmed that the Kingdom, with the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is keen on supporting joint Arab action, and unifying visions and positions in a way that consolidates security, stability and peace in the region and the world.

HIGHLIGHT

Al-Sheikh affirmed that the Kingdom, with the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is keen on supporting joint Arab action, and unifying visions and positions in a way that consolidates security, stability and peace in the region and the world.

He pointed out the importance of parliamentary work, noting that it is a fundamental basis in strengthening Arab cooperation and unifying joint efforts.

He added that it is an effective platform that brings the brotherly countries’ points of view closer together, and harmonizes policies to promote sustainable development and advance the aspirations of people for a more secure future.

On the sidelines of the conference, heads of parliaments will hold a consultative meeting to discuss the conference’s subjects.

Meanwhile, the three permanent committees — the Palestine Committee; the Social Affairs, Women, Children, and Youth Committee; and the Political Affairs and Parliamentary Relations Committee — will hold their regular meetings.

The Executive Committee of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union is holding the 38th session, alongside the 46th meeting of the Association of Secretaries General of Arab Parliaments.

The Shoura Council delegation participating in the conference includes Secretary-General of the Shoura Council Mohammed bin Dakheel Al-Mutairi, member of the council and the union’s executive committee Dr. Abdulaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Muhanna, council members Abdullah bin Fahd Al-Husein and Khalid bin Mohammed Abu Malha, and several other council officials.

 


Najran’s Al-Tharwa Mountain reveals stories of early Islamic art

Updated 17 min 32 sec ago
Follow

Najran’s Al-Tharwa Mountain reveals stories of early Islamic art

  • Rocks preserve rare Islamic inscriptions

RIYADH: Hidden in the creek of Al-Tharwa Mountain, south of King Fahd Park in the Najran region, lies a living archive that tells the story of early Islamic art.

The mountain’s rocky features abound with prominent archaeological evidence of Islamic calligraphy in its earliest stages.

The rocks preserve rare Islamic inscriptions that serve as a historic record reflecting the ancient past and the richness of the Islamic civilization.

These inscriptions represent the precision and beauty of early Islamic art and calligraphy, revealing a significant transitional phase in the history of Arabic art and scripts.

This transforms Al-Tharwa Mountain into an open-air museum which narrates chapters from the beginnings of Islamic civilization.

Dr. Salem bin Ahmad bin Tairan, professor of Semitic languages, ancient writings, and archaeology at King Saud University, said: “Islamic inscriptions are an important and fundamental source for studying Islamic history and civilization.

“Najran abounds with a large number of such inscriptions dating back to the early Islamic period.

“Through the archaeological survey of inscriptions and ancient writings in the region, more than 200 Kufic Islamic inscriptions have been identified and documented across several sites, most notably Al-Tharwa Mountain in Saqam, south of Wadi Najran, where 33 Islamic inscriptions were found, 26 of which belong to members of a single family.”

Although these inscriptions are undated, the style of the script and the names of the individuals mentioned indicate that they date back to the second and third centuries AH.

Most of these inscriptions contain religious phrases and prayers, expressing belief in death, trust in God, monotheism, and blessings upon the Prophet, along with the signatures of their authors.

Abdullah Al-Suqour, a member of the Najran Tourist Club and a certified tour guide, explained that Al-Tharwa Mountain is considered an important archaeological and tourism landmark because of the historic evidence it contains, confirming the significance of early Islamic inscriptions which are distinguished by their beauty, organization, and precise linguistic structures.

He noted that among these inscriptions are some written by women, who engraved their names on the mountain’s rocks in commemorative and religious phrases — a sign of a civilized period in which education spread to all segments of society.

Al-Suqour added that Al-Tharwa Mountain is a prominent cultural destination which holds a rich cultural heritage of early Islamic inscriptions.

These archaeological treasures adorn the mountain, standing as some of the rarest evidence of the early development of engraving and Islamic calligraphy in the southern Arabian Peninsula.

 


Saudi Embassy hosts seminar in France

Updated 17 min 39 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Embassy hosts seminar in France

  • President of the French Agency for AlUla Development Jean-Yves Le Drian praised the strong friendship and strategic alliance between Saudi Arabia and France and their steady development

RIYADH: The Saudi Embassy in France, in partnership with the Francophone Business Forum, hosted a seminar on Saudi Vision 2030, showcasing its achievements and partnerships.

The event coincided with the release of the ninth annual Saudi Vision 2030 report and drew ambassadors, French officials, media representatives, business leaders and consultants, the SPA reported on Friday.

Saudi Ambassador to France and the Principality of Monaco Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili began the seminar with a welcoming speech, followed by an overview of the ninth annual Saudi Vision 2030 report.

He emphasized the report’s updated information, key achievements and the strong performance of its indicators.

These indicators have surpassed most targets in national programs and strategies — notably in human resource development, women’s empowerment, infrastructure development, technology localization, sustainable development and environmental protection.

He also spoke about Saudi-French cooperation and partnership under Saudi Vision 2030 and their joint efforts to enhance regional and international security and stability.

President of Francophone Business Forum Steve Gentili delivered a speech on the growing partnerships in business, technology and the financial sector, as well as mutual investments and the attractive business environment in Saudi Arabia.

President of the French Agency for AlUla Development Jean-Yves Le Drian praised the strong friendship and strategic alliance between Saudi Arabia and France and their steady development.

He provided an overview of the AlUla Development Project, a major initiative under Saudi Vision 2030, and discussed its success across all stages.