The Clap
Amin Nasser, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco (2222), unveiled the giant artificial intelligence model “Aramco MetaBrain.”
What
This announcement was made on the sidelines of Aramco’s participation in the third edition of the “LEAP 2024” global technology conference, hosted in Riyadh over four days (4 – 7 March).
The company also announced the establishment of an innovative research and development network, represented by the “Saudi Accelerated Digital Innovation Lab,” aimed at supporting the digital economy.
So What
Aramco MetaBrain is a leading and large-scale generative artificial intelligence model, based on cumulative data collected by the global energy giant over 90 years.
It is considered a “strategic investment in generative artificial intelligence” by the company, which plans to leverage it to operate cognitive applications across its business.
Meanwhile, the “Saudi Accelerated Digital Innovation Lab” focuses on research and development based on information technology, product development, and building digital projects.
This is achieved through the creation of a national and global partner system to enhance the lab’s capabilities.
Some Context
The “LEAP 2024” event, dubbed the “Digital Davos,” kicked off under the theme “New Horizons,” presenting itself as the most attended conference of its kind in the world.
It witnessed the participation of more than 1,800 international and local entities, over 1,000 technical experts, and 600 startups.
Now What
The “massive annual event” saw the announcement of technological investments nearing $12 billion, making it “the largest in the region.”
This was announced by several global companies, including:
– Amazon Web Services to invest $5.3 billion in Saudi Arabia to establish a high-capacity cloud region.
– DataVolt plans to invest $5 billion in building sustainable and innovative data centers with a capacity of over 300 megawatts.
– ServiceNow plans to invest $500 million to launch its first data center in the region in the Kingdom, to localize its services, train national talents, and develop their skills.
– IBM will invest $250 million to launch the “first global software development center” in the region in Saudi Arabia.
– Dell Technologies is set to open a manufacturing, distribution, and fulfillment center in the country, the first in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey region.
– Aramco MetaBrain indicated its aim to create the “world’s first generative AI model” in the industrial sector.
All of this comes as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to consolidate its position as a center for technology and innovation and an attractive environment for leading global technology companies.
Additionally, it is the “largest digital economy” in the Middle East and North Africa.
