Riyadh: Prince Sultan University concluded the annual Saudi AI and Edge Computing Hackathon in Riyadh. Held in conjunction with partners NEOM and MemryX, the competition's pitch format, collaborative ethos, and entrepreneurial spirit celebrated the creativity and technical excellence of Saudi Arabia's student innovators.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the hackathon spanned two full days and featured 15 teams of university students from across the Kingdom, competing for awards in four categories with cash prizes totaling SAR45,000. The event provided a platform for students to showcase solutions aimed at increasing sustainability across sectors. The presentations covered a range of topics, from healthcare applications to industrial automation, demonstrating the potential of AI and edge computing to address real-world challenges.
Vice President of Student Life at Prince Sultan University Dr. Heba Alkhoshaim delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of innovation, resilience, and creativity in driving Saudi Vision 2030 objectives forward. Addressing the participants, she said: 'You have proven that Riyadh is at the forefront of innovation. At Prince Sultan University, we relentlessly advocate for the innovative adoption of transformational technology - in classrooms, labs, and late-night brainstorming sessions fueled by passion and purpose.'
The hackathon underscored the power of collaboration between academia and industry, with mentorship and guidance provided by leading organizations, including NEOM and MemryX. Throughout the event, participants benefited from expert insights and real-world perspectives that bridged the gap between academic learning and industry application.
CEO of MemryX Keith Kressin emphasized the importance of empowering the next generation of innovators, saying: 'At MemryX, we believe the future of AI innovation lies in the hands of young developers who can think creatively and apply technology to solve real-world problems. This hackathon embodies that vision by bringing together students, industry partners, and forward-looking institutions like Prince Sultan University and NEOM to shape the next generation of edge-AI talent. We're proud to support this initiative and are inspired by the ingenuity and ambition we have witnessed.'
NEOM Sector Head of Technology and Digital Peter Watson told the students they were laying the groundwork for an exciting future: 'Empowering the next generation of innovators is essential to realizing Saudi Arabia's ambition. By fostering creativity and technical excellence, we are building the foundation for a world-class AI ecosystem. The Kingdom's commitment to generating significant AI-related investments underscores national plans to scale infrastructure and position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for innovation. Initiatives like this hackathon harmonize academic talent with industry expertise, ensuring that bold ideas translate into transformative solutions for the future.'
Prince Sultan University utilizes its various research initiatives to support students in technology and artificial intelligence. The university also attracts distinguished researchers from around the world and collaborates with advanced research laboratories. The Saudi AI and Edge Computing Hackathon 2025 reflects the university's commitment to fostering innovation and preparing students to become leaders in the global digital economy.