Latest news with #HaythamAlOhali
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia announces its candidacy to ITU Council's membership
Saudi Gazette report GENEVA — Saudi Arabia announced its candidacy to retain its membership in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council. The announcement was made during the 2025 ITU Council session held in Geneva, Switzerland. Addressing the council meeting on Tuesday, Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Acting Governor Eng. Haytham AlOhali reaffirmed the Kingdom's pioneering role in supporting the global telecom and technology sector. Eng. AlOhali reaffirmed the Kingdom's strong commitment to international cooperation in bridging the digital divide, stressing the importance of accelerating global efforts to connect the unconnected and address the challenges of the digital and AI era. He pointed out that the world currently connects around 200 million people annually, and at this pace, it would take more than 13 years to connect the remaining 2.6 billion. This calls for an innovative approach to speed up connectivity efforts and reduce the timeframe by over 50%. 'Saudi Arabia is proud to be among the top nations that have successfully reduced the digital connectivity gap to below 1 percent. The Kingdom has also leveraged technology to create advanced and innovative solutions across sectors such as education, healthcare, energy, and public services,' he said. Eng. AlOhali affirmed that Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the ITU, introduced the AI Readiness Framework, highlighting the importance of ensuring that artificial intelligence must be inclusive, human-centered, and focused on empowering youth and women. 'By innovation and collaboration, we now have the solution to accelerate the pace of global connectivity and cut the time needed to close the digital gap by over half. This could enable us to connect the unconnected within five years or even sooner. It's not just about saving time, but about unlocking opportunities and advancing inclusive social and economic development, particularly in developing nations,' he stated. Eng. AlOhali pointed out that Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded its digital workforce, increasing the number of professionals from 150,000 in 2018 to more than 380,000 by 2024. Women's participation in the ICT sector also grew from 7 percent to 35 percent, surpassing both the global and G20 averages. The Kingdom's adoption of a forward-thinking digital regulatory framework has secured it the second spot among G20 nations in the ITU's ICT Regulatory Tracker. In addition, Saudi Arabia has launched global initiatives to enhance regulatory digital maturity in over 100 countries, emphasizing the vital role of adaptable, innovation-driven frameworks in enabling inclusive digital transformation. AlOhali emphasized that the Kingdom's digital accomplishments and innovative initiatives have been driven by the strong support and guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. He affirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to leveraging its resources and expertise to support the international and ITU's efforts in building a sustainable digital future. As part of the Kingdom's ongoing collaboration with the ITU, he announced that the Kingdom will host the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) from August 31 to September 3, 2025, in Riyadh, under the theme: 'Regulation for Sustainable Digital Development.' He invited all member states to participate in this significant forum, which highlights the Kingdom's strong relationship with the ITU and reflects its dedication to building regulatory frameworks that foster innovation, investment, and inclusive access. The ITU Council consists of 48 member states, including Saudi Arabia, out of a total of 194. The council oversees the Union's activities between Plenipotentiary Conferences (PP). Its responsibilities include: directing the ITU's tasks, ensuring the implementation of ITU policies and budgets, approving operational and financial plans, and reviewing programs, while also providing recommendations on general policies to develop the sector. This makes the council a pivotal mechanism in ensuring the efficiency and continuity of the ITU's work.
Leaders
30-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
CST, Aramco Digital Launch AI-Powered Crowd Management Trial at Holy Sites
With support from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), Aramco Digital has successfully conducted a trial of an AI-powered crowd management system at the Holy Sites. Enabled through a license for the National Specialized Communications Network, the trial aimed to enhance operational efficiency and safety during peak pilgrimage periods. The initiative was carried out in partnership with the High Commission for Industrial Security (HCIS), the Saudi Water Authority, and Saudi Arabia Railways. CST Key figures attended the trial, including CST Acting Governor Eng. Haytham AlOhali, Aramco Digital CEO Eng. Nabil Al-Nuaim, HCIS Assistant Governor Eng. Ibrahim Al Abu Issa, and Aramco Connect President Eng. Eid AlHarbi. Aramco Digital Board Chairman Eng. Ahmad Al-Khowaiter joined the event virtually from Dhahran. According to CST, the system enables real-time voice and video communication among operational teams during the Hajj season, ensuring consistent, high-quality services for pilgrims. The trial also demonstrated secure, high-performance connectivity with instant responsiveness, unaffected by network congestion. A key highlight was the use of edge artificial intelligence (Edge AI) for real-time crowd analytics. By processing video and image data at the edge, the system allowed for immediate decision-making and reduced network load, significantly improving overall operational responsiveness. The trial operated on a dedicated wireless communication network in the 450 MHz frequency band, licensed to Aramco Digital in October 2024. This initiative underscores CST's commitment to leveraging digital infrastructure to support critical sectors during Hajj. It also exemplifies the strength of public-private collaboration in enhancing safety, efficiency, and the overall experience for pilgrims. Related Topics : Saudi Arabia Gives Green Light to Licensed Companies to Export Flour Saudi Paper Manufacturing Company Signs €24.9M Deal with ABC Bank Crown Prince Announces 'Al-Alat Company Launch Saudi Arabia plans to Supply enough amount of Durum Wheat Saudi Pavilion Secures New York Architectural Design Awards at Expo Osaka 2025 Short link : Post Views: 16
