BETH – Saudi Arabia

Summary:
Dr. Saud Al-Muhaideb (founder and supervisor of the Robotics Academy) disclosed a plan to send top students abroad to world-class universities specializing in AI mathematics, by securing private-sector sponsorship due to the high training and academic costs.

Key Figures

SAR 1.5 million: estimated total cost to prepare a student to graduate as a scientist (Master’s/PhD) at leading universities.

SAR 300–400K per semester: indicative cost at institutions such as Stanford, Cambridge, and Oxford (including housing, transport, and other expenses).

SAR 15,000: cost of the local foundational program at the Academy before seeking overseas scholarships.

2018: year the Academy was founded (private institution).

What the Academy Does

Trains children and young learners for one year on AI fundamentals and the philosophy behind the technology—without diving into applications.

Markets gifted students to companies and the private sector to underwrite the costly scholarship journey.

Long-term goal: build an elite team within 10 years capable of producing scientists in AI mathematics—the hidden engine behind most innovations.

Notable Quotes (Dr. Al-Muhaideb)

“Developing a scientist in AI goes through stages: instilling passion and foundations, then overseas study, followed by a ten-year period of research capacity-building.”

“Studying at top universities is very expensive; that’s why we market promising talents to the private sector to cover the cost.”

Broader Context

The establishment of specialized AI universities in the Kingdom cannot be ruled out.

Most Saudi universities have already opened AI departments, though these are still nascent given the novelty of the field.