ALKHOBAR: Saudi Arabia’s drive to build an AI-ready workforce has reached a new milestone after a training initiative attracted more than 51,000 registrations from 170 countries, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing focus on developing practical artificial intelligence skills alongside expanding investment in AI infrastructure.
The AI Training Hackathon, organized by Kanz in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, drew 51,693 registrations during an eight-day online program featuring six evenings of live instruction. A total of 24,816 people attended the sessions live, while 14,075 participants simultaneously joined an AI lesson, earning a Guinness World Record for the largest attendance at an AI video lesson.
Beyond the record, the initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader AI ambitions. As the Kingdom accelerates investment in cloud infrastructure, advanced computing, data centers and research under Vision 2030, it is placing equal emphasis on equipping people with the skills to apply those technologies in the workplace.
Participants published more than 3,400 AI-powered applications by the end of the program and received over 21,000 certificates. Graduates also left with online portfolios designed to showcase their work to prospective employers.
