DataVolt, a leading developer of sustainable digital infrastructure, has launched Saudi Arabia’s first industry-integrated Diploma in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), in partnership with the Energy & Water Academy (EWA) and Innovatics. The initiative marks a major milestone in developing homegrown AI talent aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and National Strategy for Data & AI (NSDAI).
The program, announced at the LEARN event in Riyadh, is approved by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and the College of Excellence (CoE), and endorsed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) is also supporting the initiative.
Unlike conventional academic programs, the diploma combines classroom learning with practical, real-world projects. Students will collaborate with sponsoring companies like DataVolt to design Proof of Concept (PoC) AI solutions addressing real business challenges, ensuring they graduate with hands-on, job-ready skills.
DataVolt will sponsor five students from the first cohort, guaranteeing employment upon graduation to support operations in its high-power data centers, including the upcoming $5 billion AI factory campus at Oxagon in NEOM. The company has also invited other industry partners to co-sponsor the full 100-student cohort, with a 50% target for female participation.
Rajit Nanda, CEO of DataVolt, emphasized the company’s dual mission of building both advanced infrastructure and skilled talent: “We are not only constructing the Kingdom’s next-generation data centers but also developing the Saudi talent that will lead the global AI economy.”
Salwa Smaoui, CEO of Innovatics, described the program as “a strategic workforce initiative,” while EWA CEO Tariq Alshamrani highlighted the collaboration as “a pivotal step toward building the Kingdom’s next generation of data and AI professionals.”
