Over 300 scientists, innovators, academics, and technology leaders gathered in Riyadh on April 14, 2025, to mark World Quantum Day at an event hosted by C4IR Saudi Arabia. According to Middle East AI News, the event at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology’s (KACST) innovation hub, The Garage, celebrated the winners of the Quantum for Society Challenge and included an announcement of plans for a Quantum Valley in Saudi Arabia.
KACST Senior Vice President for Research and Development Dr. Talal bin Ahmad Al-Sudairy announced plans to establish the Quantum Valley in collaboration with Aramco and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). Ten startups were awarded through the Quantum for Society Challenge, a global competition funded by C4IR Saudi Arabia and run by the World Economic Forum’s UpLink initiative. Winning solutions addressed challenges including drug discovery, groundwater detection, secure communications, and wastewater treatment.
Launched in 2024, the challenge was jointly led by UpLink and C4IR Saudi Arabia. C4IR Saudi Arabia funded the competition to advance the Kingdom’s strategic goals in quantum innovation and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.