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As AI redefines industries, acknowledging the need to empower the workforce with digital skills in this rapidly evolving terrain is vital.

Global tech giant Oracle announces a plan to train and certify up to 50,000 Saudi citizens in cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and the Internet of Things by 2027.

This is part of the Mostaqbali (My Future) initiative, launched in collaboration with Future Work and overseen by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. It targets youth and women, aiming to diversify and strengthen the kingdom’s IT talent pool.

According to IDC, the kingdom is already a regional leader in digital adoption and is projected to spend a staggering $34.5 billion on ICT in 2023 alone.

“These investments require the availability of a workforce that is skilled and qualified in new technologies,” said Reham AlMusa, vice president of business applications and country leader – Saudi Arabia, Oracle.

“We believe it can make a significant contribution to helping meet the growing demand for technological skills in the Kingdom, including for our own customers and partners, while creating opportunities for everyone, regardless of background or experience,” added AlMusa.

Oracle’s commitment to Saudi Arabia goes beyond training. The company recently announced a $1.5 billion investment to boost cloud capacity, including a third cloud region in Riyadh, joining the existing ones in Jeddah and the planned NEOM region. 

Oracle envisions a five-cloud region network across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with three already established.