Dr. Khulood Almani, the Founder and CEO of HKB Tech, is a prominent AI thought leader and former university professor at King Saud University. She also serves as the UN Ambassador for Women Empowerment, Peace, and Humanity, advocating for economic inclusivity. In addition to her role at HKB Tech, a technology arm of the Bin Dayel Group, Dr. Almani holds leadership positions as the Senator for Saudi Arabia at the G20–World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) and as the Country Chair of the G100–Women Economic Forum. She is also a co-founder of Forward Angel Investment, which supports digital entrepreneurs globally.
With a passion for fostering innovation, Dr. Almani founded HKB Tech to lead advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. Her vision is to nurture the next generation of digital leaders and ensure that Saudi Arabia remains at the forefront of technological collaboration and sustainability.
The Role of Startups and SMEs in AI Innovation
AI is a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s goal to become a leader in technology and innovation. The government has committed $100 billion to developing an AI ecosystem, including investments in AI startups, data centers, and strategic partnerships. Projections indicate that AI could contribute over $135 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2030, underscoring the importance of AI startups and SMEs in this transformation.
HKB Tech’s establishment of the Saudi AI Centre of Excellence (CoE) reflects its commitment to fostering innovation within the AI ecosystem. The CoE serves as a hub for research and development of patented AI technologies, aiming to contribute to the global AI landscape. Strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Google, AWS, and NVIDIA help provide access to cutting-edge technologies and expertise for impactful AI projects.
Through participation in NVIDIA’s AI Inception Program, HKB Tech is positioned to leverage NVIDIA’s computational capabilities, aligning with successful AI entities like OpenAI. Dr. Almani emphasizes the importance of localizing technology and talent to foster sustainable entrepreneurship and facilitate knowledge transfer. HKB Tech is contributing by developing in-house patented products in AI, IoT, BioTech, and ClimateTech, addressing pressing market needs while adhering to sustainability principles.
Challenges and Strategic Steps for Sustainable AI Development
Despite the promise of AI, Dr. Almani acknowledges the challenges in achieving AI leadership. She proposes frameworks to promote AI-driven sustainable entrepreneurship, including an AI sustainability framework, an AI regulatory framework, and an ethical AI framework rooted in cultural values. As sustainability becomes integral to governmental strategies aligned with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, responsible technology usage is critical.
Dr. Almani’s ultimate goal is to meet the national economy’s resource needs without compromising future generations’ well-being. This requires a focus on eco-friendly practices and the development of solutions that address environmental challenges efficiently. The growth of AI introduces concerns about ethics, data privacy, and security. Robust regulatory enforcement is essential to ensure responsible AI practices. Transparency and explainability will build trust, especially in sensitive fields such as healthcare and finance. The current fragmented AI regulations need to evolve toward a cohesive, centralized framework that can adapt to rapid technological changes. Blended governance models integrating best practices can offer region-specific approaches while maintaining ethical integrity through explainable AI (XAI).
Technological and Cultural Readiness
Investments in scalable AI infrastructure, such as energy-efficient data centers and hybrid quantum-classical computing models, are crucial for technological readiness. Partnerships with global companies like Google and IBM, as well as local collaborations with Aramco–Pasqal, are significant steps toward this goal.
Overcoming resistance to AI adoption is vital, particularly concerning fears of job displacement. The World Economic Forum predicts substantial net job creation from AI advancements, highlighting the need for effective upskilling programs and international collaboration in AI education.
Cultural readiness is equally important. Transparent communication and inclusive educational initiatives can help ease public apprehension and promote the acceptance of AI technologies. To position the Middle East as a global AI leader, Dr. Almani emphasizes the development of regional AI regulatory frameworks that embody ethical, cultural, and societal values. These frameworks should support AI education and collaborative efforts to bridge the talent gap. Regulatory sandboxes will allow for safe experimentation, fostering innovation while ensuring responsible AI development. By addressing these elements, Saudi Arabia can lead the charge in sustainable AI transformation, ultimately contributing to a resilient and prosperous future.
