Saudi education ministry rolls out AI, new initiatives for school year

Education Minister Yousef Al-Benyan has unveiled plans to utilize artificial intelligence and introduce several new initiatives ahead of the upcoming academic year. Speaking at a press conference, the minister outlined the Saudi Arabian Education Ministry's efforts to streamline administration, support educators, and foster an improved learning atmosphere for students.

Before the summer break, an impressive 36 million textbooks were distributed to schools, ensuring readiness for the start of the new school year. Teachers, meanwhile, will conclude their workday with the end of each school's schedule, a measure aimed at optimizing work schedules to align with the needs of individual institutions.

In identifying and nurturing gifted students, the ministry has trained over 4,000 male and female educators to accurately recognize and support intellectually talented students. Furthermore, more than 495,000 students participated in qualifying competitions, and specialized schools have been established to foster and enhance the abilities of these promising learners.

In terms of technology, the ministry is collaborating with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and Humain to implement a pilot project. This initiative aims to harness modern technologies to alleviate the administrative and operational burdens of teachers, allowing them to dedicate more time to their primary role of educating students.

This technological push is part of a larger strategy by the ministry to optimize the learning environment, cultivate talent, and leverage technology to enhance the overall quality of education in Saudi Arabia.