Umm Al-Qura University organizes an artificial intelligence competition in education
Academic leadership through global partnerships
In a strategic move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing the education system, Umm Al-Qura University organized the second edition of the International Artificial Intelligence in Education Competition 2026. This prominent event came in partnership with the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Education Alliance, embodying the university’s leadership in supporting technological innovation, promoting the future of smart education, and linking the Saudi academic environment with its advanced global counterparts.
General context: Artificial intelligence and Saudi Vision 2030
This competition comes at a time when the world is undergoing a radical shift towards integrating emerging technologies into the education sector. Locally, this trend aligns perfectly with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes digital transformation and human capital development. The Kingdom has given considerable attention to artificial intelligence technologies through national strategies aimed at making Saudi Arabia a regional and global hub for innovation, making the integration of these technologies into education a crucial step towards producing generations capable of competing in the future job market.
Prominent Saudi presence and promising statistics
The competition witnessed widespread participation and active engagement from various academic institutions, with 62 projects submitted, 56 of which were accepted after passing the initial evaluation stages. A total of 122 researchers and students passionate about artificial intelligence participated in the event. Saudi universities had an exceptional presence, with 21 Saudi universities and educational institutions participating, in addition to 3 Gulf universities. Umm Al-Qura University topped the list with 23 submissions, followed by Al-Baha University with 18, and the Ministry of Education with 10, bringing the total number of participants from the Kingdom to 99.
Qualified projects and incubated innovations
The evaluation and judging committees selected eight high-quality projects to advance to the final stage, which will be held in Hong Kong. In support of entrepreneurship, the top three projects nominated for incubation by Wadi Makkah Technology Company and the Intellectual Property Incubator were announced: the Behavioral Skill Mentor project, the Plain: Generative AI Platform for Adaptive Learning project, and the Immersive Metaverse-Based Medical Education project.
The importance and expected impact of the event
This competition is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally, it contributes to transforming academic research into viable commercial projects, thus supporting the knowledge economy. Regionally, it reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leader in educational innovation in the Middle East. Internationally, the partnership with prestigious institutions in Hong Kong opens up broad horizons for exchanging expertise and transferring knowledge, accelerating the development of innovative technological solutions that serve the global education sector.
Scientific programs and accompanying workshops
The competition wasn't limited to the competitive aspect; it also included intensive scientific programs, such as a workshop on resume writing presented by professional trainer Amani Al-Harthi from the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF). Dr. Hassan Raziq Al-Hudhali, Head of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Department at Umm Al-Qura University, also presented a workshop on generative artificial intelligence and creative programming. The event featured a panel discussion titled "Successful Graduate," showcasing inspiring experiences in the fields of technology and digital entrepreneurship.
Strategic partnerships towards a sustainable future
The closing ceremony included the signing of agreements and partnerships in the areas of cooperative training and professional mentorship, ensuring that the competition's outcomes are transformed into projects with economic impact. The President of Umm Al-Qura University, Professor Dr. Maadi Al-Mathhab, affirmed the university's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the transition towards smart and sustainable education that aligns with the aspirations of the wise leadership. The event concluded with the honoring of the winners and partners in success, in recognition of their efforts in making this pioneering technological event a resounding success.
