Mobily has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the World Economic Forum to advance digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence adoption in Saudi Arabia, the company announced today.
Key Takeaways
- Mobily and World Economic Forum sign cooperation agreement focusing on AI and digital infrastructure
- Partnership includes workshops on operational efficiency, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions
- Agreement aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 ICT sector objectives
- No financial terms or specific project timelines disclosed
Agreement Focuses on AI and Infrastructure Development
The Mobily World Economic Forum partnership aims to accelerate digital transformation in the Kingdom through the development of digital infrastructure and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies, according to the December 14 announcement.
The agreement includes participation in workshops featuring discussions on leveraging AI to improve operational efficiency, enhance cybersecurity, and advance cloud solutions. However, the company did not disclose specific technical details, investment amounts, or implementation timelines.
Etihad Etisalat, operating as Mobily, is one of Saudi Arabia’s major telecommunications operators competing with STC and Zain in the Kingdom’s telecom market.
Executive Statements Emphasize Vision 2030 Alignment
Eng. Nezar Banabeela, Mobily’s Chief Executive Officer, said the partnership would enable the company to develop Saudi Arabia’s digital infrastructure and “harness AI technologies to deliver superior services to our customers.”
Additionally, the agreement supports the Kingdom’s positioning as a regional technology hub in line with Saudi Vision 2030, Banabeela stated.
Alexandre Raffoul, Member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum, welcomed the partnership. “Together, we will work to strengthen innovation and digital transformation in Saudi Arabia and the region,” Raffoul said.
Strategic Context for KSA Digital Economy
The agreement comes as Saudi Arabia accelerates investments in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence under Vision 2030. The Kingdom established the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) to oversee AI strategy implementation.
Furthermore, telecommunications companies in Saudi Arabia face increasing pressure to modernize networks and integrate emerging technologies as the country develops smart city projects including NEOM and pursues economic diversification.
The partnership follows similar collaborations between Saudi entities and international organizations to build local technical capabilities and attract technology investments to the Kingdom.
What’s Next
Mobily stated the cooperation will support its “new strategy,” though the company did not specify which AI applications would be prioritized or provide a roadmap for implementation phases. The workshops referenced in the agreement are expected to commence in 2025, but no specific dates were announced.
