Nokia has established a research and development facility in Riyadh with a mandate to harness artificial intelligence for creating more autonomous and dependable communications infrastructure. The facility's primary objective involves engineering software that empowers networks to handle their own configuration, detect malfunctions, implement corrections, boost operational efficiency and cut power usage while minimising the need for human oversight.
The operation will concentrate on Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), Self-Organising Networks (SON), Autopilot and rApps—all instrumental in streamlining network administration and enhancing energy performance.
According to the company, personnel working at the facility will craft AI-driven tools tailored for telecom operators and enterprises throughout Saudi Arabia. The team will additionally investigate AI-native frameworks intended for forthcoming 6G infrastructure and deliver Made in Saudi software products accessible to Nokia's global customer base.
Nokia characterised the venture as instrumental in cultivating domestic technical expertise, bolstering the nation's innovation infrastructure and amplifying its standing in worldwide technology markets.
Talent development and training
A cornerstone of the initiative involves nurturing Saudi engineering talent. Nokia intends to establish technical and research positions alongside educational initiatives including training schemes, intensive bootcamps and professional credentials focused on AI and network automation.
Mikko Lavanti, Nokia's President of Middle East and Africa, remarked: "Aligned with the Kingdom's digital transformation agenda, the centre will create high-value engineering and research roles while offering advanced training programs, bootcamps, and AI and automation certifications for Saudi talent. The initiative supports national objectives to build local expertise, strengthen innovation capacity and increase the country's contribution to the global technology ecosystem."
Eng. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Deputy Minister for Telecom and Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), stated: "The opening of Nokia's new research and development centre represents a strategic step toward strengthening the Kingdom's position as a global hub for intelligent network technology innovation and reflects the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a knowledge and innovation-driven digital economy. The centre will contribute to localising advanced research and development capabilities, developing national talent in AI and software, and creating technologies made in Saudi Arabia that can serve global markets."
