Exploring the Kingdom's Digital Transformation: Highlights from the Smart Data & AI Summit

As Saudi Arabia embarks on a transformative journey toward becoming a powerhouse in digital innovation, the Smart Data & AI Summit is poised to be a cornerstone of this evolution. Scheduled for August 27-28, 2025, at the luxurious JW Marriott Hotel in Riyadh, this event promises to unite over 300 data and AI experts—from CDOs and CIOs to data scientists and AI directors—to delve into cutting-edge advancements, confront pressing challenges, and seize emerging opportunities within the realms of data and artificial intelligence.

With the Kingdom’s data analytics market expected to soar to $8.8 billion by 2030, the summit serves as a timely platform for public and private sector leaders to collaborate and align with the ambitious Vision 2030 framework.

A Platform for Innovation and Collaboration

Building on the success of its inaugural event, which featured a keynote address by a prominent figure from the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), the 2025 summit promises an even more expansive and impactful experience.

Attendees can look forward to:

25+ cutting-edge solution providers unveiling the latest technologies in data and AI.
50+ industry experts sharing invaluable insights on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities.
300+ participants, including data engineers, architects, AI pioneers, and decision-makers from Saudi Arabia’s leading organizations.
1:1 meetings designed to foster collaboration and explore tailored solutions.
CPD-accredited sessions aimed at enhancing professional skills and career development.

Unveiling the Future of Data and AI

The summit’s agenda will encompass vital topics that are shaping the evolution of data and AI, such as:

Navigating open data in Saudi Arabia
AI fusion and machine learning innovations
Data virtualization and the power of data mesh
Ethical data governance and cybersecurity analytics
Unified data cloud architectures

Engaging discussions will be led by thought leaders from top organizations, including the Ministry of Hajj & Umrah, the Insurance Authority, and NEOM, among others.

DAMA Saudi Arabia Joins as Supporting Partner

We are thrilled to announce that the Data Management Association (DAMA Saudi Arabia), the largest data management community in the Kingdom, has come on board as a supporting partner. This collaboration underscores DAMA’s commitment to nurturing a robust data management ecosystem, aligning perfectly with the summit’s vision of positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in data and AI.

Abdulaziz Almanea, Founder & Chairman of the Board at DAMA Saudi, emphasized the summit’s significance, stating, “Artificial intelligence is only as good as the data behind it. Quality, governance, and ethics must come first to ensure trust, accuracy, and impact. Industry events like the Smart Data & AI Summit serve as essential platforms for bringing experts together to shape the future of AI with responsible and innovative practices.”

A Legacy of Excellence

The first summit set a high bar, with attendees lauding the caliber of speakers, the depth of discussions, and the networking opportunities available. Nayef Al-Otaibi, VP & Chief Digital Officer at Saudi Aramco, shared, “The event was exceptionally well-organized, and the speakers exceeded our expectations. It was a remarkable experience connecting with industry experts during the panel discussions.”

Driving Vision 2030 Forward

The Smart Data & AI Summit is a strategic initiative aimed at propelling Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aspirations. By congregating global expertise and cutting-edge technologies, the summit seeks to:

Accelerate the Kingdom’s digital transformation.
Foster innovation and collaboration across various sectors.
Navigate regulatory challenges and ethical considerations in data and AI.
Unlock fresh opportunities for investment and growth in the Kingdom’s data and AI ecosystems.

Sudhir Ranjan Jena, CEO & Co-founder of Tradepass, the organizing body, remarked, “The data and AI sector is entering a transformative chapter. The upcoming edition will explore Vision 2030 goals, highlight limitless opportunities, and examine emerging trends that will be integral in shaping the Kingdom’s post-oil economy.”

A High-Impact Speaker Lineup

This summit will boast an impressive lineup of speakers, including:

Dr. Ahmed Alzahrani – Director of Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Centre, Ministry of Hajj & Umrah
Hajar Alolah – Data Governance and Management Office Director, Saudi Development Bank
Abdullah AlBar – Chief Data Officer, Abdul Latif Jameel United Finance
Usamah Algemili – Chief Data Executive, Insurance Authority
Jawad Saleemi – Director – AI & Cloud, Telenor
Abbasi Poonawala – Executive Director – Enterprise Architecture, Alinma Bank
Nawaf Alghamdi – Director – Data Analytics & AI, Council of Health Insurance

These experts will provide invaluable insights into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in data and AI, offering strategies to inspire innovation and promote growth in attendees’ organizations.

For further details, please visit: Smart Data & AI Summit

Media Contact:
Shrinkhal Sharad
PR & Communication Lead
Tradepass
Email: shrinkhals@tradepassglobal.com
Phone: + (91) 80 6166 4401

Embark on this exciting journey to elevate your organization and contribute to the future of data and AI. Join us to ignite innovation and collaboration in the vibrant landscape of Saudi Arabia!