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Visionary global leadership in AI technology

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Dr. Maliha Hashmi
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Author
Dr. Maliha Hashmi

Visionary global leadership in AI technology

Author
Dr. Maliha Hashmi
Visionary global leadership in AI technology
Saudi Arabia’s AI journey is about ensuring that technology serves the betterment of humanity. (Shutterstock image)
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“Technology is best when it brings people together.” This sentiment, expressed by American entrepreneur and web developer Matt Mullenweg, captures Saudi Arabia’s dynamic approach to artificial intelligence and innovation perfectly. 

As I reflect on the Kingdom’s remarkable journey, I am inspired by its unwavering commitment to technological advancement and ensuring innovation serves humanity.

Saudi Arabia is not merely catching up with the future; it is leading the way, crafting a paradigm where technology, ethics and human well-being coalesce into a singular, transformative vision.

In the wake of National Day, Saudi Arabia stands as a beacon of excellence, demonstrating what it means to integrate AI responsibly and ethically, driving forward with a purpose that goes beyond mere technological prowess.

Through Vision 2030, the Kingdom is proving that technology can be harnessed not just to fuel economic growth but enrich lives, promote sustainability, and create a more connected and prosperous society.

Saudi Arabia’s AI journey is built on a foundation of responsibility and ethical governance. It is not just about being technologically advanced; it is about ensuring that technology serves the betterment of humanity.

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has spearheaded initiatives that ensure AI development is aligned with principles of fairness, transparency and accountability. This strategic alignment ensures that AI is not just a tool of progress, but a force for good.

Under the framework of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has embedded AI into critical sectors, including healthcare, education and urban development, with a clear focus on human welfare.

AI is being used to transform the healthcare landscape, providing personalized medicine, enabling earlier diagnoses, and improving patient care in ways that were previously unimaginable. These advancements are fostering a healthier and more resilient population.

The Kingdom’s bold giga-projects are redefining what the future looks like, combining AI with sustainability to create smart, sustainable cities. More than just large-scale infrastructure, they represent Saudi Arabia’s vision of how technology can be seamlessly woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Saudi Arabia has embedded AI into critical sectors, including healthcare, education and urban development, with a clear focus on human welfare.

Dr. Maliha Hashmi

 

From AI-powered energy grids to smart transportation systems, these projects are leading the charge toward a future that prioritizes environmental stewardship and human well-being.

By harnessing AI for resource management, these projects are reducing carbon footprints, optimizing energy use and ensuring future generations can enjoy a world that is both technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable.

Saudi Arabia’s rise to prominence in the AI world is not by chance — it is the result of a well-thought-out strategy that places ethics at the heart of technological progress.

The Kingdom has quickly emerged as a global leader in AI, ranking among the top countries in the world for AI readiness and digital services. This rise is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s ability to merge technological advancement with ethical governance.

Collaborating with top global leaders in AI, Saudi Arabia has fostered an ecosystem of innovation that is built on strong ethical foundations. The Kingdom’s AI framework ensures the technology used is aligned with the highest global standards, promoting transparency, privacy and fairness.

This commitment to responsible AI development ensures that Saudi Arabia remains at the forefront of global technological leadership while maintaining its dedication to human welfare.

Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia is set to become not only a global leader in AI but also a pioneer in futurism across all sectors. From healthcare to urban planning, the Kingdom’s investments in technology and innovation reflect a deep commitment to creating a sustainable, human-centric future.

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to education, talent development, and infrastructure is building a society that is not just technologically advanced but also equipped to lead in every aspect of futurism.

The nation’s rapid advancements in AI and sustainability are not just for its own benefit — they are a message to the world that technology, when guided by ethics and human-centered values, can create a brighter future for all.

Alhamdulillah, the Kingdom’s journey is just beginning, and its future, powered by AI and shaped by ethical principles, promises to be a source of inspiration for generations to come.

• Dr. Maliha Hashmi is a global health leader, winner of the Forbes Health Leadership Award 2022, recipient of the World Leaders Award, one of the Top Seven Most Talented Female Health Leaders of the MENA region, a C-level healthcare executive, a WEF Global Future Council Expert, and a V2O Delegate of the G20.

 

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

Ukraine’s Zelensky in UAE for official visit

Ukraine’s Zelensky in UAE for official visit
Updated 12 min 32 sec ago
AFP
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Ukraine’s Zelensky in UAE for official visit

Ukraine’s Zelensky in UAE for official visit
  • The UAE has been an important mediator between Russia and Ukraine, helping with prisoner exchanges
Updated 12 min 32 sec ago
AFP

KYIV: Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday he had arrived in the United Arab Emirates for a visit with a “large humanitarian program,” ahead of an expected meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky posted a video of him getting off the plane in UAE and holding talks with officials.
“An official visit with the First Lady to the United Arab Emirates,” Zelensky said on Telegram.
“The priority is to bring even more of our people home from captivity. As well as investment and economic partnership. A large humanitarian program,” he added.

 


He said this week that he planned to visit the country – as well as Turkiye and Saudi Arabia – in the coming days.
But he said on Friday that he had no plans to meet with Russian or US officials there.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, and first lady Olena Zelenska were welcomed to UAE by Reem Al-Hashimy, the minister of State for International Cooperation. (X: @ZelenskyyUa)


Moscow and Washington are preparing for a summit between their two leaders, with Europe and Kyiv worried they will try to settle the three-year war in Ukraine without them.
The UAE has been an important mediator between Russia and Ukraine, helping with prisoner exchanges and the return of Ukrainian children from Russia, throughout the war.

 

Topics: Russia-Ukraine Conflict Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

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Taliban delegation visits Japan in rare trip outside region

Taliban delegation visits Japan in rare trip outside region
Updated 24 min 5 sec ago
AFP
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Taliban delegation visits Japan in rare trip outside region

Taliban delegation visits Japan in rare trip outside region
  • The Taliban government makes regular visits to neighboring and regional countries
Updated 24 min 5 sec ago
AFP

KABUL: A Taliban government delegation was visiting Japan for the first time on Monday, in a rare diplomatic visit outside of the region.
The Afghan delegation left Kabul on Saturday, in a visit that local media said would last one week and included officials from the higher education, foreign affairs, and economy ministries.
“We seek dignified interaction with the world for a strong, united, advanced, prosperous, developed Afghanistan and to be an active member of the international community,” Latif Nazari, a deputy minister at the ministry of economy who is part of the delegation, tweeted on Saturday.
The Taliban government makes regular visits to neighboring and regional countries, including in Central Asia, Russia and China.
However, it has only officially visited Europe for diplomacy summits in Norway in 2022 and 2023.
Japan’s embassy in Kabul temporarily relocated to Qatar after the fall of the previous foreign-backed government and the takeover by the Taliban in 2021.
However, it has since reopened and resumed diplomatic and humanitarian activities in the country.

Topics: Japan Afghanistan Taliban

North Korea’s Kim makes rare visit to father’s tomb, says devoted to ‘sacred struggle’

North Korea’s Kim makes rare visit to father’s tomb, says devoted to ‘sacred struggle’
Updated 42 min 57 sec ago
Reuters
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North Korea’s Kim makes rare visit to father’s tomb, says devoted to ‘sacred struggle’

North Korea’s Kim makes rare visit to father’s tomb, says devoted to ‘sacred struggle’
  • Kim Jong Il’s birthday, which falls on February 16, is widely celebrated as a major holiday in North Korea
  • The Kim dynasty that has ruled North Korea since its founding after World War Two
Updated 42 min 57 sec ago
Reuters

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has paid his respect at a family mausoleum to mark the birthday of his late father and former leader Kim Jong Il, state media KCNA said on Monday, pledging to continue the “sacred struggle” for prosperity and security.
Kim Jong Il’s birthday, which falls on February 16, is widely celebrated as a major holiday in North Korea, called the Day of the Shining Star.
But it was the first time in four years that the young Kim visited the Kumsusan Palace of Sun in the capital Pyongyang, which houses the embalmed bodies of his father and grandfather, for the anniversary.
Accompanied by Kim Yo Jong, his sister and a senior ruling Workers’ Party official, among other aides, Kim Jong Un paid homage “in the humblest reverence,” KCNA said.
“He expressed his solemn will to devote himself to the sacred struggle for the eternal prosperity of the country, the security of the people and the promotion of their well-being,” it said.
The Kim dynasty that has ruled North Korea since its founding after World War Two and has sought to strengthen their grip on power by building cults of personality around them, though Kim Jong Un has shown signs of increasingly trying to stand more on his own feet without relying on his predecessors.
In another dispatch, KCNA said Kim attended a groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday for the final phase of his pet project to build 50,000 new homes in Pyongyang.
The ambitious initiative was launched in 2021 as part of Kim’s five-year plan to boost the economy, and designed to distribute at least 10,000 new apartments in Pyongyang each year, though some analysts have questioned its feasibility amid international sanctions and economic woes.
Photos and a video released by KCNA showed Kim receiving thunderous applause from thousands of people many wearing protective helmets attending the ceremony, against a backdrop showing images of modern apartments and high-rises.
Koo Byoung-sam, a spokesperson for South Korea’s unification ministry handling inter-Korean affairs, said North Korea appears to be focusing on producing tangible outcomes by mobilizing manpower and material where they can relatively easily make progress, such as housing construction.
During the ceremony, Kim lauded construction workers and officials for achieving nearly 400 percent progress last year compared to 2020, and pledged another plan to continue expanding the city.
The project would “usher in a new era of prosperity of Pyongyang in which the ideal streets of the people to be proud of in the world are built every year,” KCNA said.

Topics: North Korea Kim Jong Un

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Five potential breakout stars to watch at Champions Trophy

Five potential breakout stars to watch at Champions Trophy
Updated 44 min 35 sec ago
AFP
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Five potential breakout stars to watch at Champions Trophy

Five potential breakout stars to watch at Champions Trophy
  • Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy took 14 wickets in India’s 4-1 T20I triumph over England this month 
  • Middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir was Pakistan’s breakout star in the 2023 Emerging Teams Asia Cup
Updated 44 min 35 sec ago
AFP

DUBAI: The Champions Trophy starts on Wednesday in Pakistan and Dubai. AFP Sport highlights five less heralded players looking to make a name for themselves at the 50-over tournament:

A late entry into the Indian squad for the tournament, wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy adds value to the bowling line-up on expected slow pitches in Dubai.

The 33-year-old only made his ODI debut in this month’s England series after claiming 14 wickets in India’s 4-1 T20 triumph.

He has been a standout in the Indian Premier League 20-over tournament and played a key role with 21 wickets in Kolkata Knight Riders’ title triumph last year.

Chakravarthy is part of a formidable Indian spin attack, and coach Gautam Gambhir said he could offer the “X-factor.”

Middle-order batsman Tayyab Tahir was a breakout star for Pakistan in the 2023 Emerging Teams Asia Cup when his sparkling century led the team to victory in the final against arch-rivals India.

Tahir, 31, enjoyed a good run in the domestic circuit and a few T20 outings for Pakistan before making his ODI debut last year.

His scores in white-ball internationals have been moderate, with his highest 39 not out in a T20 game.

But Tayyab has had praise from pundits, with fast bowling great Wasim Akram calling him a “very exciting talent” after his batting blitz in the Pakistan Super League.

Somerset batsman Tom Banton joined England in India for the final ODI of this month’s series and showed glimpses of his talent in a 38-run knock for a losing cause.

The 26-year-old, who took guard at number three in Ahmedabad, came in as cover for injured Jacob Bethell and replaced him in England’s Champions Trophy squad.

Playing his seventh ODI and his first since August 2020, Banton took on the Indian spinners and made a six off Washington Sundar with a spectacular switch hit over backward point.

Banton has been in top form in T20 franchise cricket and is the leading batter in the United Arab Emirates’ premier competition, amassing 493 runs including two centuries from 11 innings.

Seam-bowling all-rounder Aaron Hardie, 26, gets his chance after the sudden retirement of Marcus Stoinis ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Hardie, a right-arm pacer and powerful batter, rattled Sri Lanka with figures of 2-13 and then made 32 with the bat before Australia went down in Colombo last week.

He turned heads in 2018 when he dismissed Indian top guns Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in a tour game for Cricket Australia XI and hit 86 with the bat.

Hardie made his white-ball debut for Australia in 2023 but is still awaiting a performance that cements his place in the team.

Standing an imposing six feet, four inches (1.93 meters), the fast bowler has impressed in his nine ODI matches and is set to play in his first ICC tournament.

The 23-year-old O’Rourke made his ODI debut in 2023 but it was his opening Test at home last year that got him attention after he claimed a match haul of nine wickets against South Africa.

He recently played a starring role with figures of 4-43 for the Black Caps in their win over Pakistan in the tri-series final in Karachi — the venue for the Champions Trophy opener between the same two teams.

With tearaway quick Ben Sears ruled out and Lockie Ferguson recovering from a hamstring injury, New Zealand will depend on O’Rourke and senior quick Matt Henry to fire.
 

Topics: Champions Trophy 2025

Imran Khan announces nationwide protest in Pakistan after Ramadan for ‘restoration of democracy’

Imran Khan announces nationwide protest in Pakistan after Ramadan for ‘restoration of democracy’
Updated 17 February 2025
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Imran Khan announces nationwide protest in Pakistan after Ramadan for ‘restoration of democracy’

Imran Khan announces nationwide protest in Pakistan after Ramadan for ‘restoration of democracy’
  • Khan asks party’s negotiation committee to expedite communication with opposition parties, people from all walks of life
  • Pakistan’s ruling coalition government accuses Khan and his party of leading violent protests, particularly in 2023 and 2024
Updated 17 February 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan has announced that his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party will launch a nationwide protest movement with other opposition parties for “the restoration of democracy” and Pakistan’s constitution after the holy month of Ramadan. 

Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023 on a slew of charges that he says are politically motivated, claims the February 2024 general elections were rigged by the caretaker government at the time and the election commission, who had the army’s backing, to keep him away from power. All three deny the allegations, with the army repeatedly saying it refrains from interfering in political matters. 

The former premier and his party have been accused of leading violent anti-government protests in the past, particularly in May 2023 and November 2024. On May 9, 2023, frenzied mobs across the country carrying the PTI’s flags attacked government and military installations while in November last year, Khan supporters gathered in Islamabad to demand his release from prison. The government says four troops were killed in clashes with Khan supporters. The PTI denies it instigated its followers to violence in both instances, accusing the military and its political rivals of resorting to rights abuses, including torture and a nationwide crackdown against its supporters. 

“After the holy month of Ramadan, we will formulate a strategy in collaboration with all opposition parties and launch a nationwide protest movement,” a statement posted from Khan’s social media account on X said on Sunday night. 

The cricketer-turned-politician said he has directed his party’s negotiation committee to expedite communications with other parties, adding that the PTI would invite individuals from all sectors of Pakistan including lawyers, farmers, laborers, scholars and students to participate in the protest. 

“This protest will be for the restoration of democracy and the constitution, and for our genuine freedom and sovereignty,” he added. 

Khan’s party held negotiations with the government in December 2024 to ease political tensions in the country. However, talks between both sides broke down in January after the PTI pulled away, accusing the government of not fulfilling its two principal demands of forming judicial commissions to investigate the 2023 and 2024 protests. 

The government rubbished the PTI’s allegations, accusing the party of “unilaterally” abandoning talks without waiting for the government to respond to its demands. 

“Despite our repeated demands, no judicial commission has been formed to investigate the events of May 9th and November 26th (2024),” Khan’s statement read. “The truth would have been revealed to the public if such a commission had been established.”

Khan alleged his supporters were being denied their right to visit him in prison, describing it as a fundamental violation of his rights. 

“Even my own children are not allowed to speak with me, all in an attempt to exert pressure on me,” the former premier claimed. 

The government has so far not reacted to Khan’s call for protests. 

Khan’s ouster from office since April 2022 has plunged Pakistan into a political crisis, particularly after he was sent to jail in 2023. The former prime minister fell out with Pakistan army’s top leaders in the lead-up to his ouster and has since led an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the institution.

He continues to remain popular among the masses, with his party’s rallies drawing thousands of people in various cities. 

Topics: Pakistan Imran Khan PTI Ramadan

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