IBM Empowers Over 500,000 Saudis Through Digital Skills Initiative in Collaboration with MCIT

IBM  has announced that it has empowered more than 500,000 Saudi nationals through its IBM SkillsBuild program, in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT). The milestone was revealed during IBM Think on Tour 2025 in Riyadh, an event that convenes senior business and technology leaders to explore the impact of AI and hybrid cloud technologies on organizational growth and resilience.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to build a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy and equip the workforce with skills in AI, data science, and cloud computing. Strategic collaborations with institutions such as King Saud University, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, the National eLearning Center (NeLC), the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), and the SAMAI initiative have expanded access to digital learning and created inclusive pathways for skill development. Saudi women have been significant beneficiaries, gaining opportunities in emerging technologies.

As part of the program, IBM has organized online summer camps for high school students to introduce AI fundamentals and trained over 2,000 teachers through the National Institute for Educational Professional Development (NIEPD), enhancing their ability to deliver digital competencies to the next generation.

Fahad Alanazi, IBM Saudi Arabia General Manager, emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in empowering Saudi youth, while Safa Alrashed, Acting Deputy Minister for Capabilities & Future Work at MCIT, highlighted the initiative’s role in advancing a digitally proficient and innovation-driven society.

The ongoing collaboration between IBM and MCIT continues to foster partnerships across academia, government, and private sectors to drive technology adoption, economic growth, and talent development in Saudi Arabia.