Microsoft recently announced a major partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Investment under an initiative focused on innovation.

This move aims to push Saudi Arabia to the forefront of global technology, especially in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things(IoT).

Turki Badhris, head of Microsoft Arabia, explained in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat during the “Leap 24” exhibition in Riyadh this month that the initiative aims to introduce over 70 of Microsoft’s partners to Saudi Arabia’s potential.

It also aims to support the Kingdom’s ambition to become a key innovation center in line with its national transformational plan, Vision 2030.

Badhris explained that the initiative aims to showcase the Kingdom’s potential and attract companies and investors with incentives.

This reflects Microsoft’s commitment to being a leader in AI, stressed Badhris.

The planned cloud data center in the Kingdom is expected to spur economic growth and diversification.

Badhris emphasized in his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat that this will contribute to Saudi Arabia's economic growth and diversification, in line with Microsoft’s vision to empower institutions of all sizes across sectors through advanced AI models.

The company’s investments aim to establish a vibrant tech ecosystem, boosting the Kingdom’s status as an innovation and investment hub.

Numerous institutions from various sectors are keen to utilize Microsoft’s cloud data centers to speed up digital transformations and drive innovation.

According to Badhris, these cloud data centers will have a positive impact on the Kingdom's economic growth, with forecasts suggesting that Microsoft, its partners, and cloud users could generate approximately $24 billion in new revenue over the next four years, surpassing 2022 levels.

The fast-paced evolution of cloud technology and AI highlights the crucial need for workforce development across all industries to boost their digital skills and address skill gaps in emerging tech.

Microsoft is actively working to equip the national workforce with the necessary skills for innovation and technology leadership, affirmed Badhris.

He stressed Microsoft’s role in preparing current and future workers in the Kingdom to embrace upcoming innovations and leverage emerging technologies like AI.

Saudi Arabia’s booming startup scene, the largest in the region, saw the birth of approximately 1,500 startups last year alone, buoyed by various government support programs, according to Badhris.

The head of Microsoft Arabia emphasized the company’s dedication to nurturing innovation through collaborations aimed at supporting startups and entrepreneurs.

In a joint effort with the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Microsoft announced the establishment of an Excellence Center in early March.

This initiative aims to equip professionals across the Kingdom with the advanced skills needed to thrive in the digital age and enhance their employability prospects.

Saudi Arabia’s national workforce program has equipped over 108,000 professionals in the Kingdom with the latest digital skills crucial for success in the AI era.

Microsoft, alongside the Ministry of Education, has trained over 250,000 teachers in the past two years and reached 5.6 million students through the “Madrasati” coding program.

Furthermore, more than 70,000 individuals have benefited from Microsoft Learn, completing 18,000 educational paths.