King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Deloitte Middle East have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration in advancing artificial intelligence (AI) innovation across Saudi Arabia.
According to a press release issued today, the agreement aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and business applications—ensuring that cutting-edge AI breakthroughs move beyond academia to benefit industries, markets, and communities throughout the Kingdom.
KAUST, Deloitte
Through this partnership, KAUST and Deloitte will jointly develop projects tackling some of the most complex challenges in AI, while also nurturing the next generation of talent through lectures, workshops, internships, and exchange programs.
The collaboration will emphasize knowledge transfer via joint seminars and conferences, with a focus on commercializing new AI models and intellectual property resulting from the projects. It will also explore AI policy and governance, addressing ethical considerations and assessing the societal impact of emerging technologies in Saudi Arabia.
“By partnering with KAUST, we aim to ensure that the transformative power of AI delivers tangible societal and economic value,” said Sultanbek Khunkaev, Partner at Deloitte Middle East.
Professor Gianluca Setti, Dean of the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division at KAUST, added: “Our goal is to accelerate the development of responsible AI solutions and expand opportunities for talent and knowledge exchange, supporting Saudi Arabia’s leadership in AI and contributing to national and global priorities.”
The collaboration extends beyond academic settings, focusing on industry-specific AI applications with immediate impact across sectors such as healthcare, finance, energy, and logistics. Benchmarking and best-practice frameworks will guide the adoption of AI solutions. Finally, both KAUST and Deloitte are committed to developing scalable strategies that can extend the benefits of this partnership beyond the Kingdom.
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