Riyadh: Minister of Education and King Saud University Board Chairman Yousef Al-Benyan, along with Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) President Dr. Abdullah Alghamdi, have introduced 40 specialized academic programs focused on data and artificial intelligence (AI). These programs are set to be implemented across 14 public and private universities, targeting various educational levels to align with upcoming global transformations and the increasing need for expertise in advanced technologies.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the announcement was made on the opening day of the International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building (ICAN 2026). The conference, organized by SDAIA, is supported academically by King Saud University, with knowledge partnership from the Human Capability Development Program and strategic collaboration with Elm. Over the course of two days, more than 50 international and local entities, along with academics and specialists worldwide, are participating.
The programs being launched include bachelor's and master's degrees, academic minors, and advanced professional diplomas. These programs have been crafted to offer progressive learning pathways that combine fundamental scientific knowledge with practical application. This approach aims to synchronize educational outputs with market needs, empowering national talent to develop robust academic and professional trajectories that boost their employability and competitiveness both locally and globally.