Saudi Arabia has strengthened its AI workforce strategy after a nationwide training initiative attracted more than 51,000 learners from 170 countries. The programme reflects the Kingdom’s growing focus on developing practical artificial intelligence skills alongside major investments in digital infrastructure.
The AI Training Hackathon, organised by Kanz in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, recorded 51,693 registrations during its eight-day online programme. Participants joined six evenings of live training focused on building AI-powered applications without coding experience.
Moreover, 24,816 people attended the live sessions, while 14,075 participants joined a single AI lesson simultaneously. That achievement earned the programme a Guinness World Record for the largest attendance at an AI video lesson.
Hands-on AI learning delivers thousands of workplace-ready applications
The initiative focused on practical AI skills rather than theory. Participants learned to automate workflows, build research assistants, create presentations, generate multimedia content and develop business solutions using no-code AI platforms.
By the end of the programme, learners had published more than 3,400 AI-powered applications. In addition, organisers issued over 21,000 certificates and provided participants with online portfolios to showcase their projects to potential employers.
The training was delivered in both Arabic and English. As a result, students, entrepreneurs and working professionals from diverse backgrounds could participate regardless of their technical experience.
Saudi participants drive strong local engagement
Saudi Arabia accounted for a significant share of the programme’s participation.
According to the organisers, more than 19,000 registrations came from within the Kingdom, including over 10,000 Saudi nationals. Furthermore, more than 9,100 participants attended the sessions live from Saudi Arabia and created over 1,900 AI projects during the event.
The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider Vision 2030 ambitions to develop digital talent while expanding investment in cloud computing, advanced data centres and AI research.
AI education moves beyond technical specialists
The organisers believe AI education should become accessible to a much broader workforce.
“The record is the headline. The transformation is the point,” said Roy Baladi, founder and CEO of Kanz. “Every participant ends the week having built a working AI app, not watched a lecture about one.”
Baladi also highlighted the importance of reducing barriers to AI adoption.
“If you can write an email, you can build with AI.”
He added that demand for AI skills in Saudi Arabia exceeded expectations.
“The hunger for AI skills here is enormous and barely tapped. Give people a real, free and practical way to learn, and they respond.”
Workforce skills remain central to Saudi Arabia’s AI ambitions
The programme comes as AI adoption accelerates across industries including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, education and government services. Consequently, employers increasingly require professionals who can apply AI tools in everyday business operations.
Graduates also received publicly accessible AI portfolios alongside certificates issued through the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Lebanese American University’s Academy of Continuing Education. Additionally, participants gained access to a follow-on AI certification programme developed by Google and the University of Helsinki.
With participants representing more than 170 countries and 140 nationalities, the initiative demonstrated growing global demand for practical AI education.
As Saudi Arabia continues building its AI ecosystem, programmes such as the AI Training Hackathon show that workforce capability is becoming as important as investment in technology infrastructure.
