Databricks, a leading data and AI company, has announced plans to invest up to $300 million in Saudi Arabia over the next five years. The investment will support local customers in combining data, analytics, and AI on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform and foster partnerships to upskill Saudi citizens in data engineering and AI.
The company also unveiled a new training partnership with Tuwaiq Academy, making it the first Databricks-authorized training partner in the kingdom. This follows Databricks’ office opening in Riyadh in December 2024 and the appointment of Mohammad Alzaubi as General Manager.
At the LEAP 2025 event, Databricks Chief Information Officer Naveen Zutshi introduced the company’s Data Intelligence Platform, which enables organizations to harness data for analytics, machine learning, and AI applications. The platform helps customers tackle global challenges such as early disease detection, climate change, financial fraud prevention, and pharmaceutical development.
Haytham Alohali, Vice Minister at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, highlighted Databricks’ role in fostering Saudi Arabia’s tech ecosystem, aligning with the nation’s Vision 2030. Zutshi emphasized the platform’s ability to accelerate generative AI solutions and contribute to the local digital economy.
Additionally, Databricks is committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 through training initiatives. The company’s partnership with Tuwaiq Academy will provide citizens with essential skills in data and AI, while the recognition of Databricks’ certifications by Saudi authorities helps nurture a highly skilled workforce in data engineering.
