Global technology giants Google and Intel discussed expanding strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia in various fields including Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Cloud Computing.
A delegation from Saudi Arabia, including Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah bin Al-Sawaha met with Google CEO Sundar Pichai to discuss the possibilities of future ventures in the digital economy, innovation, and emerging technological domains of computing and capacity development.
“H.E. Abdullah bin Al-Sawaha met with Google & Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and a number of executives. They discussed partnerships to strengthen the growth of Saudi Arabia’s digital economy, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” said the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Google is also planning to launch the Google for Startups Cloud Program in the first quarter of 2024. This will provide Saudi SMEs with technical assistance, dedicated mentors, and industry experts while potentially receiving cloud credits of up to $200,000.
The Saudi digital economy, space, and innovation ecosystem delegation – during its two-week visit to the USA, met with several CXOs from Silicon Valley and explored opportunities to make the Middle East nation more tech-resilient.
In a similar bid, the delegation met Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger to discuss partnership plans in catapulting AI solutions to contribute to enriching innovative solutions and building a digital economy based on innovation and technology.
“To promote innovation, support the digital economy and expand innovative solutions in network technologies and AI, H.E. Abdullah bin Al-Sawaha met with Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger during a 2-week visit by the Saudi digital economy, space, and innovation ecosystem delegation to the USA,” Ministry of Communications and Information Technology added.
Cloud Region
Google unveiled a cloud region in Saudi Arabia to access the wide array of solutions provided by Google Cloud. The cloud region, located in Dammam, was unveiled in November 2023 with a focus on enhancing cloud computing, storage, data analytics, and AI.
According to research commissioned by Google Cloud and conducted by Access Partnership, the Google Cloud region can boost the country’s economy by almost $109 billion to the GDP between 2024 and 2030. Moreover, it could generate around 150,000 jobs by 2030.
“Our new cloud region in Saudi Arabia will help both public and private sector organizations make the most of their data, leverage generative AI solutions, and create a culture of innovation underpinned by a modern, sustainable infrastructure with built-in security,” said Thomas Kurian, Google Cloud’s chief executive officer (CEO).
H.E. Abdullah Al Swaha claimed the strategic move to be by the country’s plan to become a regional computing hub.
He added that it will also support the government’s “digital entrepreneurship drive and the acceleration of AI-based innovation and business models across the public and private sectors.”
Cybersecurity at the Core
The meeting marked a significant step in ramping up the digital infrastructural capabilities of Saudi Arabia as Google had earlier announced a partnership with cybersecurity provider Haboob to strengthen cybersecurity services in the country.
Through Google Cloud, the tech company promised to deliver Chronicle CyberShield – a Google Cloud cybersecurity infrastructure – to bolster cybersecurity services for public sector organizations.
The two sides also discussed areas of common interest and deepening the strategic partnership to enhance the growth of the digital economy and entrepreneurship.
Running on Google Cloud’s infrastructure, Chronicle CyberShield is capable of ingesting large amounts of data and conducting analytics within seconds.
This can be crucial when protecting sensitive economic data and dealing with diverse data sources across various organizations and industries.
