SSICT News

KACST Launches Chipathon 2 Hackathon for Semiconductor Design Talent
KACST launches the second edition of Chipathon hackathon semiconductor competition, bringing 50 university students together to design electronic chips for AI applications with real-world industrial simulation and manufacturing opportunity for winners.

Nutanix Expands Service Provider Tools with Multitenant Cloud Capabilities
Nutanix expands service provider capabilities with multitenant cloud functionality and migration support from VMware, available in second half of 2026.

elm Wins Corporate Culture Award at PIF Partners’ Forum
elm received the Corporate Culture Award at the PIF Partners’ Forum in Riyadh, recognizing its strong employee engagement and workplace environment standards.

Ministry of Hajj Deploys Smart Sensor Systems Linked to Nusuk Card in Mina
Smart sensor systems linked to the Nusuk card are now regulating pilgrim movement in Mina during the 1447 AH Hajj season using real-time data.

Eastern Region Municipality Showcases Geospatial Solutions at Global Forum
Eastern Region Municipality participated in the Geospatial World Forum 2026 in Amsterdam, showcasing digital transformation initiatives and urban planning projects aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.

SDAIA Powers Makkah Route Initiative at Istanbul Airport with Digital System
SDAIA advances the Makkah Route Initiative at Istanbul Airport with an integrated digital system that processes pilgrim procedures including data verification, biometric collection, and electronic Hajj permits before departure.

OMODA & JAECOO Debuts AiMOGA Robotics Platform Alongside One Million Global Vehicle Sales Milestone
OMODA JAECOO robotics unveiled AiMOGA platform at the Beijing Auto Show, introducing three robotic systems for commercial deployment, while celebrating surpassing one million global vehicle sales in three years.

Saudi Ministry of Hajj Emphasizes Permit System for Orderly Pilgrimage Flow
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has stressed the importance of its permit system in ensuring orderly pilgrim movement and safety at the Holy Sites.

Study: 86% of Phishing Attacks Now Use AI Technology
KnowBe4 research reveals 86% of phishing attacks now use AI, expanding beyond email to calendar invites and messaging platforms. The shift signals a more sophisticated threat landscape.

OpenAI Launches Codex Work Assistant for Everyday Productivity Tasks
OpenAI introduces Codex, a work assistant that connects to daily apps and automates research, planning, document creation, and project organization. The tool integrates with Slack, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365.

Middle East Geopolitical Unrest Causes 4.8% Drop in Air Cargo Demand
Air cargo demand fell 4.8% in March 2026 as Middle East geopolitical disruptions hammered demand in major Gulf hubs. Regional performance shows steep Middle East declines offset by Africa-Asia trade route gains.

Global Air Travel Demand Rises 2.1% in March Despite Middle East Disruptions
Global air travel demand increased 2.1% in March 2026, though regional disruptions in the Middle East capped worldwide growth. International travel revenues declined for the first time since 2021.

Artefact Named Google Cloud Artificial Intelligence Partner of the Year 2026 for EMEA
Artefact Google Cloud AI Partner wins award for EMEA, recognizing its work deploying production-grade AI solutions across Middle Eastern industries. The company launches a dedicated Gemini Enterprise practice to accelerate agentic AI adoption.

Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2026 Shortlist Announced
Sony announces the 2026 shortlist for its Future Filmmaker Awards, featuring over 8,400 submissions from 162 countries across five categories. Shortlisted filmmakers travel to Los Angeles for exclusive masterclasses and networking at Sony Pictures Studios.

SAS AI Navigator Launches as SaaS Platform for AI Governance
SAS launches AI Navigator, a SaaS platform for managing AI governance and compliance. Available Q3 2026 on Microsoft Azure Marketplace.

OMODA & JAECOO Surpass 1 Million Units Sold in Three Years
OMODA JAECOO million units achieved 1 million cumulative global sales by April 2026, three years after its debut, marking the fastest milestone for a young automotive brand. Europe now drives 41.5% of sales as the brand expands across 69 markets globally.

Ford Territory 2026 Combines Bold Design With Strong Performance
Ford Territory 2026 arrives in Saudi Arabia with three trim levels and a 1.8-liter engine producing 190 horsepower, blending modern design with practical performance features.

HONOR 600 Series Now Available Across Saudi Arabia With 200MP AI Camera
HONOR begins open sales of the 600 Series in Saudi Arabia with pre-order success, featuring a 200MP AI night camera and fast charging technology starting at 1,799 SAR.

LG Smart Home Products Now Available with Up to 50% Discount in Saudi Arabia
LG launches Mega Sale promotion in Saudi Arabia with discounts up to 50% on smart home products including AI-powered TVs, refrigerators, and washer-dryer combinations controlled via the ThinQ app.

Dubai Sets World Record for Electricity Service Continuity at 49 Seconds Downtime Annually
Dubai’s electricity utility sets a new world record with just 49 seconds of customer downtime annually, far surpassing global peers. The achievement leverages advanced Smart Grid technology and automated restoration systems.

OMODA & JAECOO Completes Real-World Test of Autonomous Valet Parking Technology
OMODA & JAECOO successfully tested its autonomous valet parking technology in Beijing, outperforming human drivers. The system is arriving in UAE markets soon.

Ferrari Purosangue Handling Speciale Configuration Delivers Sharper Suspension and Sportier Dynamics
The Ferrari Purosangue Handling Speciale configuration enhances the four-door model with revised suspension, sportier transmission behavior, and exclusive styling elements. The package maintains daily usability while sharpening dynamic responses.
