Microsoft CEO and Chairman Satya Nadella highlighted the importance of artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to support economic development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a speech at the Riyadh event “Artificial Intelligence, A New Era.” At the event, Nadella met with pioneering local business leaders, government officials, and a leading group of technical developers, reiterating the significant role played by AI in providing new opportunities to enhance the digital economy in the Kingdom, ensuring the improvement of citizens" quality of life in alignment with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Nadella said in a statement that the new AI generation will radically transform the level of individuals’ productivity and boost innovation in institutions and business sectors at the global and local levels, including the Kingdom. Nadella praised Saudi institutions" efforts on the levels of the government and private sector in devoting these technologies to motivate innovation and provide multiple opportunities to strengthen economic development. During the event, a discussion was held between the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Bin Amer Al-Swaha and the Microsoft CEO about strategies of employing the latest AI innovations. The discussion aimed to fast-track the Kingdom’s vision for its transformation into a digital society that involves a digital government and a prosperous digital economy and support an innovative future that embraces the interest of everyone without exception. — SPA