Deloitte and KAUST join hands to explore AI applications in Saudi Arabia

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – October 6, 2025:

Deloitte Middle East and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have entered into a landmark collaboration to accelerate the adoption and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across Saudi Arabia. The two organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that combines Deloitte’s global expertise through its AI Institute with KAUST’s world-class research capabilities. The partnership is designed to transform AI research into tangible solutions that directly contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 development goals.

This strategic alliance reflects a shared vision: to ensure that scientific innovation in AI not only advances academic knowledge but also drives real-world impact in industries, markets, and communities throughout the Kingdom. By bridging the gap between research and application, Deloitte and KAUST aim to unlock AI’s potential to address some of the most pressing technological and societal challenges.

Driving Innovation and Talent Development

Central to the partnership is a commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the next generation of AI talent in Saudi Arabia. Deloitte and KAUST will co-develop a series of initiatives including:

• Joint Research Projects: Addressing high-impact AI challenges in sectors such as healthcare, energy, logistics, and finance.

• Talent Development Programs: Hosting lectures, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions to equip students and professionals with advanced AI skills.

• Internship and Exchange Opportunities: Offering hands-on learning experiences for students, researchers, and industry leaders to bridge academic knowledge with real-world practice.

• Knowledge Transfer and Thought Leadership: Organizing joint conferences, seminars, and roundtables that foster collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers.

The collaboration also emphasizes the ethical, responsible, and inclusive adoption of AI technologies, ensuring that innovation aligns with societal needs and values. By jointly developing governance frameworks and examining the social implications of AI, Deloitte and KAUST seek to advance the use of AI as a force for equitable and sustainable progress.

Quotes from Leadership

Highlighting the importance of this milestone, Sultanbek Khunkaev, Partner at Deloitte Middle East, said: “At Deloitte, we believe that Artificial Intelligence is not only reshaping industries but also redefining how we think about work, education, and society. By partnering with KAUST, we are combining Deloitte’s global expertise with KAUST’s world-class research to accelerate the pace of innovation in Saudi Arabia. This MoU is the first of many collaborations we aim to build across the region, ensuring that the transformative potential of AI delivers tangible benefits to communities and economies.”

Echoing this sentiment, Professor Gianluca Setti, Dean of the Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division at KAUST, stated: “This agreement with Deloitte reflects KAUST’s commitment to extending the reach of our research and innovation. By joining forces, we aim to accelerate the development of responsible AI solutions while opening up new opportunities for talent development and knowledge exchange. This partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s vision for AI leadership and contributes to both national and global priorities.”

Supporting Vision 2030 and Economic Transformation

The Deloitte–KAUST collaboration is designed to support Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s transformative roadmap that prioritizes technological innovation, human capital development, and sustainable economic diversification. By adapting Deloitte’s global AI Institute model to the Saudi context, the partnership seeks to create a platform where academic excellence meets business innovation, ensuring that cutting-edge research delivers measurable outcomes.

Specific focus areas will include:

• Industry-Specific Solutions: Developing AI applications that deliver immediate value in healthcare, energy, finance, logistics, and other critical sectors.

• Best Practices and Benchmarking: Establishing standards to guide ethical and effective AI adoption across industries.

• Commercialization of AI Models and IP: Transforming scientific breakthroughs into market-ready solutions that contribute to economic growth and competitiveness.

Expanding the Frontiers of AI

For Deloitte, this MoU represents the continuation of its mission to catalyze innovation in partnership with leading institutions across the region. By establishing the AI Institute as a hub for research-to-market collaboration in Saudi Arabia, Deloitte aims to make AI a cornerstone of regional progress.

For KAUST, the partnership underscores its role as a driver of scientific excellence and knowledge transfer, ensuring that research breakthroughs in AI translate into practical solutions that benefit society. It also supports KAUST’s vision of contributing directly to national development objectives by fostering innovation ecosystems that empower future generations of Saudi talent.

A Shared Journey Toward a Smarter Future

As Saudi Arabia advances toward the next phase of Vision 2030, the Deloitte–KAUST partnership stands as a model of how science, business, and education can work together to achieve transformative change. By focusing on both research excellence and practical deployment, the collaboration aims to ensure that the benefits of AI are widely shared—enhancing industries, improving public services, and shaping a sustainable, innovation-driven economy.

The signing of this MoU is not merely a ceremonial milestone but the beginning of a dynamic partnership dedicated to building a future where AI innovation drives progress for society as a whole.