Intel working on multiple projects, sectors in Saudi Arabia

Taha Khalifa, General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Intel Corporation

Taha Khalifa, General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Intel Corporation, said that the company is expanding its team in Saudi Arabia and is involved in multiple projects including oil and gas, healthcare, financial services, and smart cities, noting that Saudi Arabia is set to become a major hub for investment in artificial intelligence technologies in the region.

In an interview with Argaam, Khalifa added that the company is evaluating the Ministry of Investment's program of attracting regional corporate headquarters, as it is seen as a positive opportunity for growth.

Additionally, Intel has active partnerships with both the public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia, most notably the cooperation with Aramco Digital in the areas of communications and 5G technologies, which reflects the company's role in the Kingdom's digital transformation system, according to the official.

He also pointed out that the demand for AI-enabled computers is growing rapidly, especially as Windows 10 is no longer supported and users migrate to Windows 11, predicting that shipments of these devices will exceed 100 million units globally by the end of 2025, and to account for 80% of PC sales by 2028.

"Saudi Arabia is undergoing a major digital transformation as part of the economic diversification programs stemming from Vision 2030. The company is thus focusing on AI projects and seeks to strengthen its presence in the local market," he stated.

Khalifa further indicated that the Saudi government plays a pivotal role in leading the technological transformation, unlike Western markets that are led by private companies, which enhances the opportunities for innovation and accelerates the achievement of the Vision's goals.

He stressed that the Saudi government facilities have provided an ideal environment for the company to boost its operations and invest in advanced programs such as data centers supported by Xeon 6 technologies.

As for the digital infrastructure, Khalifa said the company has launched new Xeon 6 servers that support energy efficiency and help reduce the environmental footprint of data centers, in line with global sustainability goals, noting that these servers contain up to 288 cores and reduce the density of racks in data centers.

Regarding skills development in Saudi Arabia, he indicated that Intel has launched AI digital readiness programs for citizens, workforce, students and leaders, in cooperation with Saudi government entities to prepare national cadres for an AI-driven future.