RIYADH: The Californian tech company Oracle has opened its first innovation hub in Saudi Arabia  to drive the implementation of artificial intelligence, Internet of  Things and other technology in the Kingdom’s public and private sectors. The hub in Oracle’s office in Riyadh was opened on Monday by Haitham Abdulrahman Al-Ohali, vice minister at the Ministry of Telecommunications and IT, who said that it would form part of a network of 13 innovation labs that would enable the digital transformation of Saudi Arabia — a key part of Vision 2030 reform plans to diversify the Kingdom’s economy. Al-Ohali said that spreading the culture of digital transformation would enhance the growth and development of the Kingdom. “Digital transformation is a vital part of the Saudi Vision 2030. We live in an age where data is the new oil and given the rapid global economic changes that are unfolding around us, we are constantly moving ahead to keep Saudi Arabia up to pace,” he said. The hub will also act as a platform for Oracle customers, partners and other stakeholders to better understand the potential of emerging technologies and create innovations with company experts. Abdul Rahman Al-Thehaiban, Oracle’s senior vice president for technology in the Middle East and Africa and Central and Eastern Europe, said that digital transformation was at the heart of government initiatives such as Vision 2030. “Organizations in Saudi Arabia now understand the importance of digital transformation ... Oracle’s innovation hub will help raise awareness levels of key stakeholders, encourage an innovative approach and also support the skills development of next generation of Saudi leaders,” he said. Oracle has been working in Saudi Arabia for almost 30 years. Its clients and partners include the Saudi Telecom Company, Umm Al-Qura University, Nahdi Medical, Zahran Holdings, Riyadh Metro, Bab Rizq Jameel and Fitaihi Holding Group.