IBM Exceeds Goal, Training Over 500,000 Saudis in Digital Skills
IBM announced Thursday it has trained more than 500,000 Saudi nationals in digital skills, surpassing its partnership goal with the Saudi Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT). The IBM Saudi Arabia digital skills training initiative delivered courses in artificial intelligence, data science, and cloud computing through the company’s SkillsBuild platform.
The technology company revealed the milestone at IBM Think on Tour 2025 in Riyadh. Fahad Alanazi, General Manager of IBM Saudi Arabia, and Safa Alrashed, Acting Deputy Minister for Capabilities & Future Work at MCIT, jointly announced the accomplishment during the event on December 11, 2025.
Key Takeaways
- IBM trained over 500,000 Saudi nationals, exceeding its partnership goal with MCIT
- Training focused on AI, data science, and cloud computing skills through IBM SkillsBuild
- Initiative supports Vision 2030’s human capital and digital economy objectives
- Partnerships with King Saud University, PNU, SDAIA, and other institutions enabled scale
- Over 2,000 teachers received AI and data science training to educate future generations
Supporting Vision 2030 Through Digital Education
The IBM Saudi Arabia digital skills training program aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goal to build a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. The partnership, first announced in 2022, aims to prepare Saudi talent for emerging technology roles.
“Overachieving this goal is a testament to the ambition of Saudi youth and the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors,” Alanazi said. Additionally, he confirmed IBM’s commitment to scaling digital skills training efforts in coming years.
Alrashed emphasized the Kingdom’s focus on human capital investment. “Our primary aim is to improve local talent, thereby directly contributing to our national aspirations of developing a digitally proficient society,” she said.
Strategic Partnerships Enable Scale
IBM delivered the training through partnerships with several Saudi institutions. King Saud University, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, the National eLearning Center (NeLC), the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), and the One Million Saudis in AI Initiative (SAMAI) provided access to learners.
The program included online summer camps for high school students covering AI fundamentals. Furthermore, IBM collaborated with the National Institute for Educational Professional Development (NIEPD) to train more than 2,000 teachers in artificial intelligence, data, and computer science.
According to IBM, Saudi women participated significantly in the initiative, accessing new opportunities in AI and emerging technologies.
What’s Next for Digital Skills Development
Both IBM and MCIT indicated they will continue expanding digital education programs. The partners plan to engage with additional private sector companies, government entities, and academic institutions to identify new opportunities in technology and innovation.
The SkillsBuild platform remains accessible to Saudi learners seeking to develop competencies in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics. However, specific targets for future enrollment numbers were not disclosed.
