Kuwait is stepping up its digital transformation efforts with plans to host a major national Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hackathon in February 2026, according to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). The announcement was made during SAP’s Innovation Day Forum, where government officials and technology leaders outlined new initiatives to strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem.
Sundus Bushahri, General Manager of SAP Kuwait, confirmed that the hackathon will be held in partnership with Kuwait University. The initiative will bring together government institutions, students, researchers, and emerging innovators to develop advanced AI-driven solutions for national challenges. The event aims to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and public-sector entities.
SAP, a global leader in enterprise software and cloud technologies, recently signed an MoU with Kuwait’s Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) to equip young Kuwaitis with essential digital and technical skills. The partnership supports the country’s broader effort to build a future-ready workforce.
During the forum, Omar Al-Omar, Kuwait’s Minister of State for Communications, highlighted the government’s commitment to accelerating digitalization as a foundation for a strong and competitive economy. He noted that modern digital systems are vital to enhancing government performance, improving efficiency, and preparing the country for new technological opportunities.
The AI Hackathon is expected to play an important role in Kuwait’s long-term strategy to expand innovation capabilities, strengthen digital skills, and deepen collaboration between government, academia, and private-sector stakeholders.
