Riyadh, August 15, 2023 -- In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has joined forces with tech giant Google Cloud to empower and educate a group of 1,000 women hailing from 28 different countries. This ambitious initiative aims to equip these women with the necessary skills and knowledge in the fields of data and artificial intelligence (AI). By providing comprehensive training, the SDAIA and Google Cloud are paving the way for these women to become proficient in these cutting-edge technologies, thereby opening up a world of opportunities for them. The training initiative is a key component of the groundbreaking "Elevate Programme," a global endeavour that aims to skillfully train over 25,000 women from diverse nations in advanced technical domains. Spanning a duration of five years, this programme is the first of its kind in the world. In a groundbreaking initiative set to launch in early May 2023, the highly anticipated Elevate programme is poised to revolutionise the training landscape. Spanning an impressive duration of nearly four months, the inaugural phase of this transformative programme will guide trainees through a meticulously designed curriculum consisting of four distinct online training levels. In the training programme, a wide range of effective learning methods are employed to ensure a comprehensive educational experience. These methods include integrated learning approaches, recorded lessons, self-training modules, group-based and synchronous learning, open seminars, virtual courses, as well as hands-on experiences such as advanced labs and specialised projects. In a groundbreaking initiative, the training of the first phase is being overseen by a team of Saudi youth experts hailing from SDAIA. Comprising seven male and nine female trainers, this diverse group is at the forefront of guiding and mentoring the participants. The trainers offer an extensive 340-hour training programme that is divided into two distinct paths. One path is designed for technical experts, while the other is specifically tailored for non-specialists who wish to enhance their skills in these technological fields. In addition to its core offerings, the programme provides complimentary training sessions that aim to empower participants with essential skills and expertise in various disciplines, including Cloud Engineering, Data Engineering, Machine Learning Engineering, and Cloud Operations. During the initial phase, the technology field witnessed a significant influx of trainees, with a total of 300 specialists and approximately 700 non-specialists joining the ranks. A diverse group of countries is represented, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Mauritania, the United States of America, Nigeria, Tanzania, Syria, Türkiye, Algeria, Kenya, India, Jordan, Brazil, Gambia, Vietnam, Uganda, Eswatini, Lebanon, Lesotho, Iraq, the United Kingdom, Sudan, Tunisia, Moldova, Uzbekistan, and Liberia. In a bold initiative spanning five years, the Elevate Programme sets its sights on a lofty goal: to equip over 25,000 women across the globe with the necessary skills to thrive in the realms of AI and machine learning. This groundbreaking endeavour seeks to empower women, enabling them to take on a wider array of roles within these cutting-edge fields, with a particular focus on emerging markets. The programme offers a gateway for individuals to thrive in various fields, accommodating both seasoned technical experts and enthusiastic individuals with a keen interest in data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. By acquiring these skills, individuals are better prepared to seize the growing job prospects in these domains, thereby playing a crucial role in narrowing the gender disparity prevalent in scientific disciplines. This endeavour also aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the year 2023.
