Minister of Education: The future of artificial intelligence depends on humans
His Excellency the Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Directors of King Saud University, Professor Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, affirmed that the true future of artificial intelligence technologies does not lie in abstract technological development, but rather depends fundamentally and essentially on the human capabilities that manage and develop these technologies.
This came during his opening speech at the International Conference on Capacity Building in Data and Artificial Intelligence (ICAN), where Al-Bunyan pointed out the need to change the traditional view of dealing with technology, explaining that humans must employ artificial intelligence technologies as active contributors and creators, not just users, in order to raise the societal and economic efficiency of countries.
Artificial intelligence and the Kingdom's Vision 2030
The Minister of Education's remarks come at a time when Saudi Arabia is witnessing unprecedented technological advancements in line with the goals of Vision 2030, which places great emphasis on the data and artificial intelligence sector. Through the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), the Kingdom aims to become a global technology hub, with investment in human capital being the cornerstone of this transformation. These remarks underscore the integration between the education sector and the growing digital job market.
Pillars of the ICAN Conference and its Economic Impact
Al-Bunyan explained that the conference is based on three fundamental pillars, all aimed at bridging the gap between educational outcomes and the evolving needs of the labor market. He indicated that the conference will witness concrete practical steps, including the signing of strategic agreements and the launch of innovative initiatives that address global and local needs in this vital area.
This event is of paramount importance given the anticipated economic impact of artificial intelligence (AI), with global reports indicating that AI will add trillions of dollars to the global economy over the next decade. Therefore, the role of educational institutions becomes crucial in preparing a generation capable of leading this transformation, ensuring that technology becomes a tool for enhancing productivity and social well-being, and not merely a set of automated tools.
The minister concluded his remarks by emphasizing that effectively linking education and employment in advanced technology fields is the key to ensuring a sustainable future, where efforts are united between the public and private sectors to build an integrated system that supports innovation and human creativity.
