Abdullah Hakeem, a 25-year-old graduate of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), is shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s tech industry through innovation and community engagement. His journey began during his studies, where he developed a WhatsApp bot that quickly gained popularity among students. The bot, designed to enhance communication, attracted over 1,000 users and sparked Hakeem’s passion for bridging gaps and empowering communities through technology.
Hakeem’s commitment to fostering collaboration led him to create around 30 WhatsApp groups to connect students interested in development and skill enhancement. He also organized competitions to motivate his peers, encouraging a collaborative learning environment.
A pivotal moment in his career came during an internship at Takamul Technologies, where he optimized the company’s website, reducing the load time of its 3D section from 70MB to 100KB. This impressive feat earned him a part-time job offer and solidified his confidence in tackling complex challenges in the tech world.
Hakeem’s achievements continued as he led his team to victory in the KFUPM Innovation Hackathon and the Metathon competition, where they won a prize of SR150k. His graduation project, which involved integrating with the Middle East’s largest point-of-sale system, Foodics, further highlighted his innovative capabilities.
His accomplishments caught the attention of major industry players, leading to an invitation from the MISK Foundation to join the MISK Launchpad program, where his team secured a grant to bring their product to market. Hakeem’s journey culminated in joining the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), where he now works as a strategic competitiveness specialist, advancing the Kingdom’s AI initiatives.
Currently, Hakeem is helping organize the Global AI Summit, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s AI advancements and fostering collaboration with international experts. His dedication to contributing to Saudi Arabia’s success, supported by Vision 2030, exemplifies the rising generation of young Saudis transforming the nation’s tech landscape.
