# King Abdulaziz University Marks the Year of AI 2026 with an Intelligent Academic and Research Ecosystem
**Source**: https://www.kau.edu.sa/en/news-details/king-abdulaziz-university-marks-the-year-of-ai-2026-with-an-intelligent-academic-and-research-ecosystem
**Parent**: https://www.kau.edu.sa/en
Beta Version
- Published on 2026-03-15
King Abdulaziz University is advancing a strategic initiative to integrate artificial intelligence into education, research, and innovation as part of its vision to build a smarter academic future that balances technological progress with ethical responsibility, in line with the designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence.
Recognizing that digital transformation begins with governance, the university launched its Guide and Policies for the Use of Artificial Intelligence, the first framework of its kind to guide the responsible use of AI across the university. The framework classifies levels of use with precision to safeguard academic integrity and protect the university’s sovereign data.
Among its key initiatives is the AI Fellowship, an intensive 60-hour training program designed to build an academic community of practice. The fellowship enables faculty members to develop interactive learning content using generative AI, equips researchers with advanced big data analysis tools, and strengthens smart assessment capabilities to support more personalized learning experiences.
In partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Microsoft, the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology has expanded AI literacy through courses CPCS 335 and CPCS 336, delivering measurable results. Enrollment grew from a few hundred students in 2023 to several thousand in 2026, while students were also prepared for the globally recognized AI-900 certification, strengthening graduates’ readiness for the digital economy.
Since July 2025, a dedicated current-state assessment team has been working to build strategic partnerships and align academic programs with leading global institutions such as MIT and Stanford. These efforts aim to position AI not as an elective subject, but as a core component across curricula, supported by plans to prepare faculty members with strong technical capabilities.
Through this integrated model, the university aims to ensure the sustainability of digital transformation, translate AI tools into measurable institutional impact, enhance the experience of the university community, and prepare national talent to lead technological innovation in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
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