Saudi Tuwaiq Academy Launches First AI Diploma in Partnership with Meta
Saudi Arabia’s Tuwaiq Academy has unveiled its inaugural diploma program in the field of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) through a collaboration with Meta at its headquarters in Riyadh. The program, set to commence in December 2024, spans a nine-month duration and is designed to nurture exceptional local talent while catering to the escalating demand for advanced roles across various industries. This initiative was highlighted in a report by the Saudi Press Agency over the weekend.
Program Details and Accreditation
The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation has accredited the diploma program which centers on enhancing the practical and applied skills of participants in a dynamic learning environment finely attuned to the requirements of the market. Key areas of focus within the curriculum encompass machine learning, data analysis utilizing Python and Tableau, the development of AI-based systems, and efficient big data management to devise innovative tech solutions for diverse segments of society.
The academy has officially opened registrations for the diploma program on its website. Tuwaiq Academy distinguishes itself as the pioneer in offering professional boot camps and educational initiatives, catering to over 1,000 on-site trainees on a daily basis.
Strategic Partnerships and Industry Collaboration
Establishing strategic alliances with prominent global entities such as Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alibaba, and other key players, the academy endeavors to bridge the gap between the cutting-edge advancements in modern technology and the exigencies of the job market.
Meta Platforms has articulated plans to commence the training of its AI models by leveraging public content shared by adult users on Facebook and Instagram in the United Kingdom in the ensuing months. This decision follows a temporary suspension of training activities in the region due to regulatory challenges. Notably, the training dataset will exclude private communications and information derived from users under the age of 18.
Regulatory Compliance and User Awareness
Meta's revised strategy emerges subsequent to its postponement of AI model deployment in Europe post interaction with the Irish privacy regulatory body. The delay period also facilitated the company in addressing requests from the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Meta has affirmed its commitment to transparency by initiating in-app notifications for Facebook and Instagram users in the UK from the upcoming week. These notifications will elucidate the company's data utilization protocols and furnish users with the option to raise objections against their data being incorporated in the training processes.
The company encountered resistance in June from the advocacy group NOYB regarding the use of social media content for AI training. The group urged privacy watchdogs across Europe to curtail such practices, citing inadequacies in Meta's notifications vis-a-vis the stringent privacy and transparency regulations laid down by the EU.
