Saudi Arabia Launches First Industry-Integrated AI and Data Science Diploma to Empower National Talent
Riyadh – The Energy & Water Academy has taken a landmark step in Saudi Arabia’s educational and technological advancement with the launch of the Kingdom’s first industry-integrated diploma in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), in collaboration with leading tech partners DataVolt and Innovatics.
This pioneering program demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to digital innovation, human capital development, and leadership in advanced technologies, perfectly aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence.
The announcement was made during the prestigious LEARN event in Jeddah, highlighting the Kingdom’s dedication to fostering a skilled national workforce ready to drive digital transformation.
Fully accredited by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation and the Colleges of Excellence, and supported by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, this diploma ensures that participants receive world-class training that combines rigorous academic knowledge with practical, industry-driven experience.
One of the program’s standout features is its emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity. Trainees can benefit from financial support covering up to 75 percent of training fees through the Human Resources Development Fund, making this transformative opportunity available to a wide range of aspiring professionals.
The curriculum is carefully designed to merge theoretical learning with hands-on projects, allowing participants to develop real-world AI solutions alongside experienced industry partners. This approach ensures that graduates are not only well-versed in technical knowledge but also fully prepared to contribute to major national projects from the very first day.
Each trainee begins the diploma journey with an employment contract, enabling immediate involvement in practical projects and fostering career-ready skills that are highly valued in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. This model exemplifies the Academy’s commitment to producing professionals who are capable, confident, and ready to lead in the fields of AI and digital transformation.
Tariq Al-Shamrani, CEO of the Energy & Water Academy, emphasized the significance of the program: “The launch of this diploma represents the Academy’s pioneering role in equipping the next generation of national talent with cutting-edge skills in AI, data science, and advanced digital technologies.
We are proud to partner with DataVolt and Innovatics to create a program that allows graduates to actively contribute to Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious digital projects from day one.”
Rajit Nanda, CEO of DataVolt, also highlighted the impact of the collaboration: “Our partnership with the Energy & Water Academy and Innovatics combines a strong academic foundation with hands-on business experience, providing Saudi youth with real career pathways in technology. Graduates of this diploma will be instrumental in building AI-powered data centers and advancing the Kingdom’s digital transformation journey.”
The launch of the diploma is timely, reflecting the global trend of accelerated investment in AI, which is projected to contribute over $320 billion to the Middle East economy by 2030.
Saudi Arabia is strategically positioned to capture the largest share of this growth through its vision of a fully integrated digital economy based on knowledge, innovation, and sustainability.
The Energy & Water Academy plans to attract additional industry partners to support the first cohort of 100 trainees, with equal representation of men and women, and training is set to begin in November.
By providing world-class education, financial support, and hands-on experience, this diploma stands as a shining example of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to nurturing talent, advancing technology, and empowering its national workforce to lead the future of digital innovation.
This initiative further strengthens Riyadh and Jeddah as key hubs for technological education and AI-driven development, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in the digital economy while creating exciting career opportunities for Saudi youth in data science, AI, and advanced technology sectors.
