DataVolt, in collaboration with the Energy & Water Academy (EWA) and Innovatics, has introduced a groundbreaking Diploma in Data Science and AI. This innovative programme not only emphasises academic rigour but also integrates practical AI problem-solving, shaping Saudi Arabia's digital workforce for the future.
Launched at the LEARN event in Riyadh, the Diploma has received approval from the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and College of Excellence (CoE). It is endorsed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), with additional backing from the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF). Unlike traditional programmes, it combines classroom instruction with industry-sponsored projects, enabling students to devise AI solutions for real-world challenges.
DataVolt's commitment extends to sponsoring five students from the first cohort, offering them employment post-graduation. These graduates will engage in developing solutions for the company’s data centres, including the upcoming AI factory campus in Oxagon. Further partnerships are encouraged to fund and support the full cohort, comprising 100 students, of which half are women, beginning in November 2025.
The AI market is projected to contribute a staggering US$320 billion to the Middle East economy by 2030, with Saudi Arabia expected to reap the most significant benefits. The new Diploma strategically aligns with Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for Data & AI (NSDAI), which aims to nurture 20,000 AI professionals within five years, bridging the current talent gap.
Salwa Smaoui, CEO of Innovatics, emphasised the Diploma's role as a "strategic workforce initiative" poised to prepare graduates for immediate contributions to pivotal AI projects.
Echoing this sentiment, Tariq Alshamrani, CEO of EWA, highlighted the synergistic partnership with DataVolt and Innovatics as pivotal in fostering the next generation of AI experts to drive the Kingdom's digital aspirations.
DataVolt's broader commitment includes the expansion of sustainable data centre facilities across Saudi Arabia. Recently, an agreement with NEOM was secured to create the region's inaugural net-zero AI factory campus in Oxagon, backed by an impressive initial investment of USD 5 billion. The project is poised to make its debut in 2028, setting a new standard for eco-conscious AI infrastructure.
