The Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), and AMD have announced a joint initiative to establish an open ecosystem aimed at accelerating innovation in artificial intelligence. The initiative will provide open software tools, training programs, and community engagement activities targeting developers, startups, and software engineers.
Announced at LEAP 2026
The announcement was made during LEAP 2026, where the three entities held the first workshop of the initiative. The session introduced participants to AMD’s AI developer program, the company’s portfolio of computing technologies designed for AI applications, and the AMD ROCm open software ecosystem, which enables developers to build and advance AI applications.
The workshop also showcased DCO’s programs and tools related to AI ethics and responsible governance, reflecting the initiative’s focus on combining technical capacity building with the promotion of responsible use of modern technologies.
Connecting Developers with Resources
The initiative aims to connect developers, startups, and digital talent with technical expertise, open innovation resources, and learning opportunities offered by AMD. It also seeks to leverage DCO’s resources in AI governance.
The collaboration is expected to enhance developers’ skills and expand startup participation, thereby strengthening local AI capabilities and supporting the transformation of Saudi investments in this field into new, scalable applications and services.
Leadership Perspectives
Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, stated that the real impact of AI is tied to what developers can build using these technologies. She noted that the collaboration with MCIT and DCO aims to broaden access to AMD’s open software and AI platforms.
Su added that the initiative will help developers, startups, and engineers in the Kingdom develop the skills and capabilities needed to turn ideas into practical applications and services.
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, said that leadership in AI depends on empowering people to build, innovate, and compete. He pointed out that the partnership with AMD and DCO will help expand access to advanced AI technologies, develop developers’ capabilities, and strengthen open innovation ecosystems.
Al-Swaha explained that these efforts aim to enable developers and startups in the Kingdom to turn their ideas into globally scalable solutions, develop talent, accelerate responsible AI adoption, and contribute to narrowing the global gap in this field.
Dima Al-Yahya, Secretary-General of DCO, emphasized that achieving greater impact from AI innovation requires enabling talent to access the skills, tools, and partnerships needed to turn technologies into practical solutions.
She noted that the collaboration with MCIT and AMD gives developers, startups, and digital talent access to open technologies and global capacity-building opportunities, while also developing pathways for knowledge, technology, and expertise exchange among DCO member states.
Future Expansion
Following the initiative’s launch in Saudi Arabia, DCO intends to work with AMD and interested member states to explore opportunities for expanding AI capacity-building programs and knowledge exchange.
As part of the collaboration, DCO will work to connect developers, startups, and digital talent with technical expertise, open innovation ecosystems, and learning opportunities. The goal is to support responsible AI use and develop solutions that address economic and societal priorities at both national and regional levels.
