The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), in strategic partnership with Microsoft, hosted the AI FOR EVERYONE event to showcase artificial intelligence (AI) applications and their impact across various sectors and celebrate national achievements in skills development and capacity building for the intelligent era. The event brought together leaders from government entities, academia, and the innovation ecosystem.
The event celebrated Saudi Arabia’s first-place ranking across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa in the AI for Women program after the number of Saudi women trainees exceeded 16,000—more than double that of the second-ranked country. This achievement led to an increase in Saudi Arabia’s allocation of advanced three-year training grants from 10 to 21 seats for outstanding women trainees.
The event also highlighted the achievements of the AI Training Initiative for Non-Specialist Faculty Members, which has enabled 1,500 faculty members at more than 10 universities. The initiative is delivered through a partnership between Microsoft and King Abdulaziz University under the strategic sponsorship of MCIT, supporting the integration of artificial intelligence concepts across a wide range of academic disciplines.
In addition, the event honored participants and entities, including seven winners, 16 teachers, and five partners, in recognition of their contributions to promoting AI awareness, developing skills, and enhancing the adoption of intelligent technologies in education and society.
Microsoft also announced its plans to open an Innovation Center in Riyadh before the end of 2026, in addition to organizing an Agentic AI Hackathon and a FinTech Hackathon in collaboration with MCIT to empower talent and entrepreneurs to develop distinctive, applicable solutions.
The event was held with the participation of several partners, including the education ecosystem, Tech Saudi Advocates, Rwaq, and the educational partner Fodrez, reflecting the integration of national and international efforts in building a society that is better prepared for the age of artificial intelligence.
 

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha was awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan's highest civilian honors, during a meeting yesterday in Riyadh with Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq.
 During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in communications and technology and expand collaboration in priority sectors.
 The honor reflects the depth of the historical relations between the two brotherly countries and their growing partnership in the fields of communications, technology, and artificial intelligence.
 

H.E. Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, visited today the CODE Digital Entrepreneurship Center, affiliated with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), at Qassim University, where he was received by Prof. Mohammed bin Fahad Al Sharikh, President of Qassim University. During the visit, H.E. reviewed the outcomes of the fourth and fifth editions of the Innovation Incubator, in addition to a number of entrepreneurial and innovative projects showcased within the university’s dedicated startup workspace. The Minister also met with entrepreneurs and ecosystem enablers from the Qassim Region, alongside more than 50 entrepreneurs and ecosystem stakeholders at the CODE Lab Theater. The meeting highlighted the key enablers supporting the growth of digital startups and the role of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in fostering technological innovation and creating broader opportunities for the development of promising digital solutions. The visit comes as part of MCIT’s efforts to strengthen collaboration between the academic sector and the communications and information technology ecosystem, empower national talent, and enhance the environment supporting startups and innovative ventures. These efforts contribute to developing national capabilities and advancing the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 toward building a knowledge-based, innovation-driven digital economy.