Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — King Abdulaziz University (KAU) signed an agreement on Thursday with the University of Oxford to set up the first joint global artificial intelligence innovation center focused on furthering precision medicine, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

The move is part of the KAU's strategic plan to expand the cooperation horizons and enhance the position of the KAU and Saudi Arabia globally in the field of scientific innovation.

The agreement was virtually signed by KAU President Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Youbi and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford Professor Louise Richardson.

The signing ceremony was attended virtually by Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom Prince Khalid bin Bandar Bin Sultan; Saudi Deputy Minister of education for universities, research, and innovation. Dr. Mohammad Al-Sudairi; Saudi Cultural Attaché in the United Kingdom Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Raddadi; the KAU's vice presidents and the KAU's deans of colleges, as well as researchers from both universities.

Known as "King Abdulaziz University and University of Oxford's Center for Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicines," it will be established at the two universities, bringing together senior researchers specialized in artificial intelligence to provide innovative and creative solutions for discovering accurate treatments for rare diseases, metabolic disorders and cardiac diseases.

The center is expected to make a quantum leap in developing the pathway system for scientific research and innovation at King Abdulaziz University, especially in developing pharmaceutical industries, in cooperation and participation with the University of Oxford and a number of relevant private sector institutions.

The objectives and outputs of the center include building and developing human capabilities in artificial intelligence and drug discoveries through the exchange of students and summer programs between the two universities, the completion of postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, and the establishment of joint academic programs, meetings, seminars, workshops, and related studies.

The center will also focus on research, development, and innovation to discover medicines.