Riyadh: Teams from 17 countries began arriving at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, preparing for the final stage of the “ALLaM Challenge.” The competition, set to take place from Thursday, November 7, to Saturday, November 9, at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh, will see participation from over 600 competitors representing 200 teams. The event will also feature more than 50 guides and 40 judges, with total prizes valued at SAR 1 million.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the ALLaM Challenge is organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in collaboration with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones. This initiative is part of SDAIA’s ongoing efforts to promote the Arabic language regionally and globally. The event aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes the Arabic language as a core element of Saudi national identity.

The challenge’s primary goal is to develop AI models that can write and understand Arabic poetry, accurately parse sentences, and
teach children Arabic in an engaging manner. This initiative supports the Kingdom’s broader objectives of providing high-quality Arabic data and creating AI models that proficiently handle the language, particularly in technical fields.

The international competition is held in partnership with IBM and the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), further emphasizing its global reach and significance. Participants are tasked with showcasing their capabilities by developing and refining large language models (LLMs). The event also offers opportunities for training and workshops led by AI experts and specialists in Arabic language fields.

The competition will evaluate projects based on criteria that ensure the sustainability of solutions and their potential to be transformed into real AI-driven projects. These projects aim to serve the Arabic language across various sectors and fields, highlighting the challenge’s commitment to innovation and practical application.