Announced at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh, the strategic partnership aims to train, certify and place more than 20,000 Saudi AI and data specialists by 2034, strengthening national capabilities and supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — September 2026 — Artefact, a global leader in data and AI transformation, and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) of Saudi Arabia have announced a strategic partnership to launch the Artefact School of AI & Data in Saudi Arabia, a national training, capacity-building and placement initiative designed to develop the next generation of Saudi AI and data talent.
The partnership was announced during LEAP 2026 in Riyadh and will see Artefact and MCIT work together, in partnership with the Saudi Digital Academy, to train, certify and place Saudi nationals in high-demand AI and data roles, contributing to the Kingdom’s ambition to build sustainable, locally anchored digital capabilities.
The School aims to train, certify and place more than 20,000 Saudi AI and data specialists by 2034. Its curriculum will span AI & Data Strategy, AI Platform Engineering, AI & Machine Learning Engineering, Advanced Analytics and Full Stack AI Development, delivered through a mix of practitioner-led bootcamps, live sessions, e-learning, Data Academy programs and on-the-job training. Accessible both on-site in Riyadh and virtually, the School will combine recognized credentials with a structured pathway to employment, connecting qualified graduates with Saudi organizations looking to strengthen their in-house AI and data capabilities.
Eng. Mohammed Alrobayan, Deputy Minister for Future Jobs and Capabilities at MCIT, said: “The strength of this partnership lies in connecting skills development directly to employment and industry demand. Through the Artefact School of AI & Data, we aim to develop more than 20,000 Saudi specialists with practical, industry-relevant capabilities in AI and data, supported by recognized certifications and clear pathways into high-demand roles. This will help build a deeper national talent base and strengthen the Kingdom’s ability to develop and retain critical AI and data capabilities locally.”
Rahul Arya, CEO & Managing Partner, Artefact SAPMENA and India, said: “Saudi Arabia is moving rapidly from AI ambition to AI deployment, and developing world-class local talent is fundamental to sustaining that momentum. Through our partnership with MCIT, we are bringing Artefact’s practitioner-led approach to AI and data education to the Kingdom, with a clear objective: to equip Saudi talent with the skills required in the real world and create a direct pathway from learning to employment. The School is designed not as a one-off training initiative, but as a long-term national capability that will continue to grow and contribute to the Kingdom’s digital economy.”
The initiative builds on the established track record of the Artefact School of AI & Data, which has trained thousands of learners and companies internationally. Its expansion into Saudi Arabia brings this experience together with MCIT’s national mandate, the Saudi Digital Academy’s academic infrastructure and accreditation capabilities, and technology partners providing platforms, tools and industry certifications.
By building skills, certification and employment pathways within the Kingdom, the School of AI & Data aims to create a self-sustaining national AI and data capability, helping Saudi organizations move more rapidly from experimentation to real-world deployment while retaining critical expertise locally.
About Artefact
Artefact is a global leader in data and AI transformation, dedicated to transforming data into business impact across the entire value chain of organizations. The company offers a broad range of services, from data and AI strategy to the deployment of AI solutions at scale, combining consulting expertise, data science, technology and industry knowledge to help organizations accelerate their transformation and generate measurable business impact.
Headquartered in Paris, Artefact operates with more than 2,500 employees across 36 offices in 27 countries. We are trusted by the world’s most recognized brands and institutions, including Coca-Cola, Samsung, L’Oréal, Sanofi, Carrefour, LVMH.
In the Middle East, Artefact works with leading organizations such as Aramco, National industrial and mining information center (NIMIC), Ministry of Tourism, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), Riyadh Air, Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), Qiddiya, ّInsurance Authority, Sehati, Abdul Latif Jameel Group, Thiqah, and Remat Advanced Industries in Saudi Arabia as well as Dubai Land Department (DLD), Dubai Municipality, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DTCM), Wasl, Nakheel, Damac, Jumeirah Group, Fly Dubai, and Emirates in the UAE.
