The CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Dr. Hisham Al-Jadhey, affirmed that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies represent a qualitative leap in the healthcare sector, directly contributing to accelerating the delivery of innovative medications to patients. This came during his participation in a session titled “Human Progress and the Future of Work” at the International Labor Market Conference, where he explained that these technologies shorten the stages of drug development and discovery, as well as the simulation of clinical trials, thus reducing the timeline from years to months and significantly lowering costs.

Historical background: Challenges of the traditional pharmaceutical industry

Historically, developing a new drug has been a long, complex, and extremely expensive journey. It begins with a research and discovery phase that can take years to identify a promising compound, followed by preclinical trials and then clinical trials in humans, which are divided into three main phases, each requiring considerable time, enormous resources, and high failure rates. This cycle, which can extend for more than a decade and cost billions of dollars, has been a major obstacle to making new treatments available to patients quickly, especially in the face of emerging diseases and epidemics.

The importance of digital transformation and its impact on the health sector

Dr. Al-Jadaei explained that artificial intelligence (AI) will enhance the efficiency of regulatory processes at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) by improving the mechanisms for approving medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food. Thanks to AI's ability to analyze massive amounts of data and develop products, the SFDA will have greater flexibility in adopting and approving innovations. In line with this approach, the SFDA launched the "SAIL" AI Lab last year, aiming to integrate the latest innovations and create a "digital twin" that supports regulatory efforts and compares their results to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

Saudi Vision 2030 and the role of artificial intelligence

These efforts are fully aligned with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes digital transformation and innovation in the healthcare sector. Adopting artificial intelligence technologies not only contributes to improving the health of citizens and residents but also enhances the Kingdom’s position as a leading regional hub for life sciences and biotechnology, opening new economic horizons. Al-Jada’i added, “We believe that artificial intelligence is the future, as it will contribute to improving the economy and health, and increase work efficiency.”.

The future of work: human-machine integration

Al-Jada'i reassured everyone that artificial intelligence (AI) will not replace humans, but rather serve as a supportive tool enabling employees to focus on more complex tasks that require critical thinking and creativity. He emphasized the importance of equipping human resources with the necessary skills to understand how to apply these technologies and analyze their data, noting that building a culture of adaptability to AI must begin with leadership to positively impact all employees, thus ensuring the effective use of this technology to achieve optimal health and economic outcomes.

The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia announced forecasts of rainfall in seven major regions, based on analysis of the advanced Saudi numerical weather prediction model. The rain is expected to begin Wednesday evening and continue through Thursday, covering a wide area stretching from the southwest to the Eastern Province.

Details of the areas affected by the rainfall

According to a statement issued by the center via its official account on the “X” platform, the chances of rainfall will initially include parts of the Asir, Al-Baha, Jazan, and Makkah regions. As the weather system develops, its effects are expected to extend later to include the Qassim region, in addition to the northern and western parts of the Riyadh region, reaching as far as the Eastern Province, indicating a widespread weather system affecting large parts of the country.

The climatic context and the importance of rainfall for the Kingdom

These forecasts come during a climatic transition period, as the Kingdom experiences frequent weather fluctuations. Rainfall is of paramount importance in Saudi Arabia due to its predominantly desert landscape. This rainfall directly contributes to replenishing groundwater reserves, supporting the agricultural sector, and improving vegetation cover, in addition to its role in moderating the climate and lowering temperatures. Monitoring and accurately forecasting these rainfall patterns is vital for effective water resource planning and management.

Expected effects and a call for caution

With rainfall expected, the likelihood of flash floods in valleys and ravines increases, particularly in mountainous areas and the southwestern highlands. Rain may also affect traffic in major cities due to water accumulation on some roads and reduced visibility. In this context, the National Center of Meteorology reiterated its call to all citizens and residents to exercise caution, stay away from floodplains and wadi beds, and follow the center's weather updates and reports regularly through its official channels to take necessary precautions and ensure everyone's safety.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, announced the commencement of the second phase of the decision to Saudize dental professions in private sector establishments, raising the target percentage to 55%. This decision is a strategic step within a series of initiatives aimed at empowering national talent and enhancing their presence in the labor market, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Historical background and context of the decision

This decision is an extension of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to localize vital sectors, particularly the healthcare sector, which is a top priority. This second phase complements the first phase, launched on March 10, 2023, which aimed for a 35% localization rate. The gradual approach to increasing localization rates aims to allow the private sector to adapt to the new requirements and ensure a smooth transition that does not affect the quality of services provided, while also opening up broad career opportunities for Saudi dental graduates.

Details of the second phase and implementation mechanisms

The ministry clarified that the second phase of the decision applies to all private sector establishments employing three or more dental professionals. To ensure the decision's effectiveness and the achievement of its objectives, the procedural guide outlines clear conditions. For a Saudi dentist to be counted towards the Saudization quota, their registered monthly salary with the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) must be at least SAR 9,000. Furthermore, the dentist must hold a valid professional accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, thus guaranteeing the maintenance of quality standards and professional competence within the sector.

The importance and expected impact of the decision

The decision to increase the Saudization rate in dentistry is of paramount importance on both the economic and social levels. Locally, it directly contributes to reducing unemployment rates among dental school graduates and providing them with decent and motivating job opportunities. It also enhances job security for qualified Saudi nationals and encourages young people to pursue careers in healthcare. Economically, the decision recirculates a significant portion of the funds previously spent on expatriate salaries within the local economy, thus supporting economic growth. In the long term, the decision is expected to raise the quality of healthcare services provided to citizens and residents by relying on qualified and highly trained Saudi professionals.

Government support and adherence to regulations

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development confirmed that it will provide a package of support and incentive programs for private sector establishments that comply with the decision, in cooperation with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF). These programs include support for recruitment, training, and qualification processes, as well as assistance in attracting suitable talent. The Ministry also urged all establishments to adhere to the decision to avoid the legal penalties that will be imposed on violators, emphasizing that the Ministry of Health will monitor the implementation of the decision to ensure it meets the requirements of the labor market and the objectives of the healthcare sector transformation program.