Sabtiah — Riyadh's Weekly AI Circle

⌖ Riyadh · Fairmont Riyadh

Hosted by ServiceNow

ServiceNow is bringing its AI Summit to Riyadh on November 4, 2026 — a complimentary, full-day discovery event designed to transform how organizations understand and implement AI. Hosted at the Fairmont Riyadh, this summit addresses a critical challenge: while everyone is talking about AI, most organizations still struggle to put it to work effectively. This event bridges that gap by showing attendees how to apply AI to real business problems and leave with actionable strategies they can implement immediately. What You'll Experience The summit is structured around four core components designed to provide both strategic vision and practical implementation guidance. The Keynote Session features ServiceNow leadership unveiling groundbreaking plans and revealing how AI is fundamentally changing the platform's capabilities. You'll gain insights directly applicable to shaping your organization's AI journey, regardless of where you are in the process. The Innovation Showcase demonstrates how ServiceNow integrates with any cloud, any data source, any workflow, and any industry vertical. This hands-on exploration helps you understand how to apply the platform to your organization's toughest challenges, with real-world examples and live demonstrations. Breakout Sessions throughout the day feature industry experts and ServiceNow partners sharing best practices, inspiring success stories, and tactical advice. These sessions are designed for different experience levels — whether you're just beginning your AI journey or looking to optimize existing implementations. The summit also emphasizes community networking, providing structured opportunities to exchange ideas, tackle implementation questions, and learn from the collective intelligence of the ServiceNow community. These conversations often prove as valuable as the formal sessions. The AI Control Tower Concept A central theme of the summit is ServiceNow's position as an "AI control tower" — a unified platform that brings together all your AI capabilities, data sources, and workflows across your entire business. Rather than managing disconnected AI tools and pilots, you'll learn how one platform can orchestrate enterprise-wide AI transformation. This approach addresses the common challenge of AI fragmentation that prevents organizations from scaling their initiatives effectively. Who Should Attend This event is designed for decision-makers

⌖ Riyadh · Fairmont Riyadh (Fairmont Hotel, Riyadh)

Hosted by IDC

A closed-door AI sovereignty roundtable for senior CIOs, CTOs and IT leaders, taking place at Fairmont Riyadh on 16 November 2026. Hosted by IDC and AMD in Riyadh, this executive dinner explores how Saudi organisations can retain control over their AI infrastructure while meeting performance, governance and regulatory requirements. The discussion is grounded in IDC research, regional deployment models and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions. What to expect The evening combines two keynotes, a panel discussion and structured networking: - IDC keynote: Shahin Hashim, Associate Research Director (META), presents current data on sovereign AI infrastructure adoption in Saudi Arabia. - AMD keynote: Zaid Ghattas, General Manager – METAP, examines open, full-stack AI compute from silicon to software and the route to scale without proprietary lock-in. - Panel discussion: A practical look beyond data residency at what sovereignty requires from infrastructure and governance. - Dinner and networking: Conversation with fellow technology leaders follows the formal programme. Attendees will explore frameworks for evaluating open AI architectures, lessons from the HUMAIN sovereign AI model, and how to sequence infrastructure investment alongside Personal Data Protection Law and NCA requirements. Registration opens at 6:00pm, with sessions beginning at 6:30pm and dinner at 8:00pm. The venue is the Dammam Meeting Room, Mezzanine Floor, Fairmont Hotel Riyadh (map). Register for the IDC and AMD Dinner Roundtable

Sponsors: AMD

⌖ Riyadh · Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC)

Hosted by Saudi Makes Future

Saudi Makes Future brings a major AI expo, summit and innovation festival to Riyadh from 14–16 December 2026, connecting technology leaders across regions. Hosted at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC), this three-day event will bring the global artificial intelligence and digital innovation ecosystem to Riyadh. Born from the international WMF (We Make Future) event, Saudi Makes Future aims to create a technology bridge between Europe and the Middle East while supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions. What to expect Saudi Makes Future combines a large-scale exhibition with expert insights, startup showcases and business networking. The organisers expect more than 70,000 attendees from over 90 countries, alongside 300+ exhibitors, 100+ startup showcases and 100+ global speakers. Across the venue, attendees can explore emerging technologies, practical applications and investment opportunities spanning: - AI and advanced technologies - AI-driven startups, venture capital and open innovation - Robotics, sustainability and smart cities - FinTech, digital payments, blockchain and the digital economy - Cybersecurity, digital identity and digital trust - Creative technology, gaming, metaverse and MediaTech - EdTech, future skills and workforce transformation - Digital business, marketing and the future of work - Digital government and national services The programme is positioned around both strategic ideas and real-world innovation. International experts will share perspectives across AI, FinTech, robotics, smart cities and sustainability, while the exhibition gives technology companies and startups a platform to present new products and solutions. Who should attend? This is a broad industry festival rather than a narrowly focused technical workshop. It is designed for founders, investors, enterprise buyers, creators, technology professionals, government leaders and organisations exploring digital transformation. Startups can gain visibility and meet potential partners; investors and decision-makers can discover emerging companies; and practitioners can examine how AI is changing industries and public services.… Register for this event

⌖ San Francisco · Hyatt Regency Burlingame

Hosted by Open Data Science Conference (ODSC)

Learn to build production-ready AI systems in just seven weeks with the AI Engineering Accelerator bootcamp, a hands-on training program that bridges the gap between using AI and building it. Running from June 9 through October 29, 2026, this intensive program combines virtual instruction with a multi-day in-person capstone at the Hyatt Regency Burlingame during ODSC AI West 2026. Designed for professionals ready to move beyond tutorials, the Accelerator provides comprehensive training in the core disciplines of modern AI engineering: large language models (LLMs), agentic AI systems, and production deployment. You'll gain practical experience with the latest tools and frameworks used by leading AI teams, learning not just how to use AI, but how to architect, build, and ship AI-powered applications. Program Structure The bootcamp follows a hybrid learning model that maximizes flexibility while ensuring hands-on engagement. Starting with the Summer Cohort on June 9, you'll participate in virtual training sessions led by experienced AI practitioners. The program culminates in an intensive in-person segment from October 27-29, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame, California, integrated with the main ODSC AI West conference. This dual-format approach allows you to build foundational knowledge remotely while maintaining your current work commitments, then apply those skills in collaborative, hands-on projects during the in-person sessions. You'll also gain full access to ODSC AI West's conference tracks, expo, and networking events. What You'll Learn The curriculum focuses on production-grade AI engineering, covering: - LLM development and deployment — Fine-tuning, prompt engineering, and optimization techniques - Agentic AI systems — Building autonomous agents and workflow automation - AI Engineering fundamentals — MLOps, model serving, monitoring, and scaling - Real-world implementation — Moving from prototype to production with confidence Organized by Open Data Science Conference, which has spent 11 years training thousands of AI engineers and data scientists, the Accelerator draws on ODSC's deep expertise in practical AI education. The program features specialization tracks tailored to different AI engineering domains, allowing you to focus on the areas most relevant to your career goals. Who Should Attend This bootcamp is designed for professionals who already work with AI tools and are rea

⌖ Sheffield · The Edge, University of Sheffield, 34 Endcliffe Crescent, Sheffield, S10 3ED

Hosted by APRIL

The APRIL AI Hub Annual Summit 2026 brings together researchers, practitioners, and innovators at the forefront of artificial intelligence and machine learning for a full day of knowledge sharing and collaboration in Sheffield. Taking place at The Edge at the University of Sheffield, this conference serves as the flagship annual gathering for the APRIL (AI for Precision Medicine and Healthcare, Privacy, Reproducibility, Interpretability, and Learning) community. As the second annual summit following the inaugural event in Edinburgh, this conference continues APRIL AI Hub's mission to advance responsible AI research and practice across healthcare, precision medicine, and beyond. The summit provides a vital platform for cross-sector dialogue between academic researchers, industry partners, healthcare professionals, and policy makers working at the intersection of AI, ethics, and real-world applications. What to Expect While the detailed programme is still being finalised, attendees can expect a comprehensive agenda featuring: - Keynote presentations from leading figures in AI research and healthcare innovation - Research showcases highlighting cutting-edge work in precision medicine, privacy-preserving AI, reproducible research methodologies, and interpretable machine learning - Panel discussions exploring the ethical, regulatory, and practical challenges of deploying AI systems in sensitive domains - Networking opportunities to connect with peers across academia, industry, and healthcare sectors - Poster sessions and demonstrations of ongoing research projects Who Should Attend This summit is designed for: - AI and machine learning researchers working on healthcare applications - Data scientists and engineers building trustworthy AI systems - Healthcare professionals interested in AI-driven precision medicine - Policy makers and ethicists concerned with responsible AI deployment - PhD students and early-career researchers in AI and related fields - Industry partners exploring AI applications in regulated environments About APRIL AI Hub The APRIL AI Hub represents a collaborative initiative advancing responsible AI research with particular emphasis on healthcare applications, data privacy, reproducible science, interpretable models, and robust learning systems. Previous APRIL events have established a strong reputation for bringing together diverse perspectives on the challe

⌖ Location TBC

Hosted by Sijthoff Accountants Academy

Finance professionals face mounting pressure to innovate, optimize processes, and deliver insights faster than ever. This hands-on workshop shows you how to harness the power of no-code and low-code solutions to transform your organization's data management and automation capabilities—without needing an IT background. Built around the Microsoft Power Platform (including PowerBI, PowerApps, Power Automate, and Dataverse, enhanced by Copilot), this intensive one-day session equips you with practical skills to drive process optimization and support the emerging role of "Citizen Developers" in your organization. You'll discover how finance professionals can take a proactive, strategic role in digital transformation by championing accessible, scalable automation tools. What You'll Learn The workshop covers three core areas: Building Low-Barrier Applications - Optimize and automate internal processes using no-code/low-code platforms - Understand the shift from traditional IT development to Citizen Development models - See real-world examples of process improvements in finance organizations Microsoft Power Platform in Practice - Hands-on introduction to PowerBI for data visualization - PowerApps for custom business applications - Power Automate for workflow automation - Dataverse for centralized data management - Copilot integration for AI-enhanced productivity The Finance Professional as Change Agent - Strengthen internal controls through automated processes - Improve data quality and information provision - Lead innovation initiatives within your organization - Bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions You'll work through practical examples and case studies that demonstrate how organizations across private, public, and non-profit sectors are leveraging these tools to achieve faster, more efficient, data-driven operations. Who Should Attend This workshop is designed for accountants in business, controllers, internal auditors, government accountants, and other professionals involved in decision-making, information management, data quality assurance, management reporting, or process automation. Whether you work in a corporate environment, SME, or non-profit organization, the Microsoft Power Platform principles apply across sectors and organizational sizes. Your Takeaways By the end of this practical session, you'll und

Sponsors: Alex van Groningen