Microsoft has unveiled plans to establish a Center of Excellence in Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. The announcement was made during the LEAP tech conference in Riyadh, signaling a significant initiative to enhance the digital skills of the Saudi workforce, Arab News reported on Wednesday (March 6).
In an interview with Arab News, Turki Badhris, president of Microsoft Arabia, elaborated on the purpose of the centre. He emphasised Microsoft’s achievement in empowering over 100,000 Saudi professionals and highlighted the strategic focus on building an AI advanced digital academy in collaboration with Tuwaiq and partner Spectrum Networks.
Badhris emphasised the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in realising Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and broader digital transformation objectives. He stressed that AI has transitioned from a mere buzzword to a transformative reality, driving changes in various aspects of life and work.
The anticipated surge in demand for cloud services was underscored by Badhris, who predicted a substantial migration of customers to Microsoft Data Centre in 2024. The Center of Excellence, powered by Spectrum Networks, is poised to offer globally recognised skilling tracks tailored to individuals and organisations seeking to gain a competitive advantage in the digital landscape.
With over 2,500 partners in Saudi Arabia, Microsoft aims to strengthen their capabilities through strategic collaborations.
Badhris also highlighted the recent launch of the Alliance to Innovate initiative, which aims to attract global and regional partners specialising in cybersecurity, IoT, cloud, and AI to explore opportunities in Saudi Arabia and potentially establish their headquarters in the region.