Princess Nourah University launches a hackathon for artificial intelligence innovations
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University’s College of Computer and Information Sciences, represented by its Artificial Intelligence Center and in collaboration with Elm Company, has announced the opening of registration for the first edition of the “Zakathon” hackathon. This pioneering event aims to motivate students and graduates to develop innovative solutions using advanced artificial intelligence technologies specializing in Natural Language Processing (NLP) for the Arabic language.
A strategic initiative aligned with Vision 2030
The launch of the “Zakathon” hackathon comes within the context of the comprehensive national transformation underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, representing a practical step towards achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The Vision aims to build a diversified and sustainable knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy, with digital transformation and the localization of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence playing a pivotal role in this process. By empowering young national talent, such initiatives contribute to strengthening the digital ecosystem and developing a generation capable of leading the Kingdom’s technological future.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
The hackathon's significance lies in its unique focus on the Arabic language, which faces distinct challenges in natural language processing due to its complex morphological and grammatical structure. The hackathon aims to foster innovation in this vital field, discover promising talents, and integrate them into the applied research and development ecosystem. The hackathon's outcomes are expected to enrich Arabic digital content and develop smart applications serving multiple vital sectors, thereby strengthening the Kingdom's position as a leading regional hub for artificial intelligence technologies.
Diverse paths and solutions to real-world challenges
The hackathon is based on two main phases. The first phase involves formulating ideas and identifying problems, followed by the second phase where these ideas are transformed into viable prototypes. To ensure a tangible impact, the hackathon covers diverse tracks that address community needs, including Hajj and Umrah, education, law, tourism, culture, and health. It provides a comprehensive, hands-on learning environment that includes workshops, mentoring sessions, and technical support from specialized experts, culminating in the final judging stages and the presentation of innovative projects.
Empowering competencies and transforming knowledge into innovation
In this regard, Dr. Shrouq Al-Sinan, Director of the College’s Artificial Intelligence Center, explained that “launching the ‘Zakathon’ hackathon represents a significant step forward in the Center’s journey towards empowering female students and graduates to transform theoretical knowledge into impactful technological solutions.” She added that this initiative is part of the College’s efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships, support research and innovation, and contribute to developing national talent capable of utilizing modern technologies to address societal challenges and achieve sustainable development.
